But nothing could have prepared us for the trades the AFC East teams pulled off to kick start this offseason.
Early Wednesday morning Ian Rapoport of NFL.com began tweeting about a potential blockbuster out of Minnesota. Most thought the team was keen on dealing one of their star defensitve lineman or obtaining a quarterback, but mouths dropped at Rick Spielman's press conference announcing the team had dealt Rookie of the Year CB Marshon Lattimore, the team's 2018 1st rounder (pick #13) and a 2019 5th rounder for LT Joe Thomas & DT Nick Fairley.
"I know this is unconventional," Spielman said. "But we think Lattimore has hit his peak already. We want to build our teams along the lines and Thomas and Fairley give us a great start."
Spielman seemed a bit thrown off when reporters asked about Fairley's heart condition that may cause him to never play football again.
As if that weren't enough, the AFC East GMs were quickly at it again as word trickled out that the Buffalo Bills were in talks with the Los Angeles Rams to potentially acquire RT Ryan Ramczyk.
Ramczyk started every game for a Rams squad who earned the NFC's #2 seed.
In addition to Ramczyk, the Bills also were able to finalize a deal to acquire the Rams 2019 1st rounder and starting rookie strong safety John Johnson III. The cost: Andre Branch and Malik McDowell.
In what seems to be a running theme, McDowell may also never play again due to injuries sustained in an ATV accident.
"Rumors," Snead said. "Malik (McDowell) will be great for us."
When asked why they didn't simply draft McDowell in the first round a year ago (instead of picking Ramczyk whom they just dealt for McDowell), Snead simply walked off stage.
As lunch time rolled around on this busy GM meeting in New York, Twitter nearly erupted when @cantguardmike (WR Michael Thomas) tweeted the following:
@cantguardmike - So, just got traded with @EvanEngram & @DalvinTomlinson for a dude with torn ACL and two scrubs. #NYGFail
Jerry Reese, the Giants then General Manager was promptly fired. Dave Gettleman is now the front runner for that vacant position.
With all this activity, NFL fans knew the New York Jets couldn't stay silent for long. It came as no surprise as the team struck the unsuspecting Titans with a trade to acquire All Pro FS Kevin Byard, rookie CB phenom Adoree Jackson, and the team's first rounder in 2018 for a pair of players set to hold out.
"Earl Thomas and Vic Beasley were core players for the Jets championship run," Jon Robinson said. "We needed veteran leadership."
Thomas, the Titans new leader, chimed in later in the day.
"Money talks," Thomas said. "I'm not playing without a new deal."
