The 2023 National Football League (NFL) season calendar officially began on March 15, at which point teams were allowed to make trades and sign free agents. Below is a look at four of the most notable player acquisitions through the first three weeks of the 2023 off-season.
Bears Acquire D.J. Moore
Even before the official start of the 2023 calendar year, the Chicago Bears made arguably the biggest move of the off-season. The team traded the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for wide receiver D.J. Moore, the No. 9 and No. 61 picks in 2023, a first-round pick in 2024, and a second-round pick in 2025.
By trading the first overall pick, Chicago made it clear they were sticking with young quarterback Justin Fields, who they selected 11th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Fields had a breakthrough campaign in 2022 with 2,242 passing yards, 1,143 rushing yards, and 25 passing and rushing touchdowns. He'll have another weapon on offense next season in Moore, who scored a career-best seven touchdowns last season and has 5,201 career receiving yards in 80 career regular season games.
Detroit Signs Cameron Sutton
Detroit desperately needed an upgrade at the cornerback position and addressed that in the off-season by signing Cameron Sutton to a three-year, $33 million contract. A six-year veteran, 28-year-old Sutton will be among the Lions' most experienced defensive players in 2023. "I wouldn't even say I'm old, man. ... I'm forever young," he told reporters.
Selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Sutton accumulated 168 tackles, 38 defended passes, and eight interceptions in 84 career regular season games with Pittsburgh. He had a career-best three interceptions last season.
Bengals Find Protection for Joe Burrow
Cincinnati has one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Joe Burrow, but its offensive line protection was a problem in 2022. The Bengals were tied for 11th in most sacks allowed with 44 last season. The team signed Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Brown Jr. to a four-year, $64 million contract on March 15 to give Burrow added protection from his blind side.
Cowboys Waive Ezekiel Elliott
In a move to free up cap space for free agent spending, the Dallas Cowboys released three-time Pro Bowl running back Ezekiel Elliott. A 27-year-old native of St. Louis, Missouri, Elliott signed a six-year, $90 million contract extension with the Cowboys in 2019. He led the league in rushing yards in 2016 and 2018, but recorded a career-low 876 rushing yards and just 3.8 yards per attempt in 2022.