The NFL is Finally Back After a Long Summer Break

Every year, the NFL is met with familiar faces in new places. 2020 offered some of the biggest address changes ever for some of the most famous players in the NFL. Namely, Tom Brady moved from Foxborough to Tampa Bay. Not for retirement, but for the Buccaneers. He was accompanied by his former teammate, fresh out of retirement, Rob Gronkowski. Their first game did not quite live up to all the hype, as they were trounced by the Saints. 

Cam Newton, the former MVP and quarterback for the Panthers, replaced Brady in New England and already has an undefeated record going into week two. DeAndre Hopkins, the star wide receiver, moved from Houston to Arizona and had a career day, posting 14 catches in his first game away from the Texans. 

Other interesting moves during free agency included the longtime Dallas Cowboy, Jason Witten, who moved to Las Vegas to join the Raiders. Philip Rivers moved on from Los Angeles to the Colts. Adrian Peterson moved from the Washington Football Team to the Detroit Lions. 

You may wonder why there are unfamiliar teams in the NFL. Players were not the only things moving during the offseason. The Raiders moved from Oakland to Las Vegas, and the Washington Redskins changed their name to “Washington Football Team” due to criticism over racism. 

Perhaps the only part of the NFL that returned as normal were the defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes continued his magic by throwing three touchdowns and zero interceptions against the Houston Texans in the first game of the season. 

A lot of rookie players are trying to capitalize on their opportunity to play in the NFL and some capitalized better than others. The wide receiver class was one of the best ever, but will they perform at the next level? There will be a lot of exciting stories to come, and the first week is only the beginning.

Joel Shetler is a Junior

Science Ed Major from

Ruckersville, Virginia