RYAN DUNNING
Special to The Leader
This past NFL season saw many major storylines that shaped the way the league played out this year. From unexpected heroes to familiar superstars, these are the top five storylines of the 2018-2019 NFL season.
- The Jon Gruden Yard Sale
After signing Gruden to a $100 million contract, Gruden proceeded to sell many of the team’s young stars away.
The two biggest of these were edge rusher Khalil Mack and wide receiver Amari Cooper.
Just before the season started, Gruden shipped Mack to the Bears for two first-round picks, where he became an even bigger force than he was with the Raiders. For a good portion of the season, he had more sacks than the entire Raiders defense.
Amari Cooper was also traded for a first round pick, being moved to Dallas to pair up with Dak Prescott and Zeke Elliot. There he seemed to unlock his full potential with the Cowboys, rising to a level that he never reached with the Raiders.
- The Rams’ “Superteam”
During the offseason, the Rams did their best to build the most talent-packed roster ever assembled.
They brought in players at all positions, from Ndamukong Suh at nose tackle to five time pro-bowler Aqib Talib at cornerback to team up with Jared Goff and Todd Gurley.
This nearly worked out for them, as they made it all the way to the Super Bowl before falling to the Patriots.
- Falling Stars
This season saw the fall of a lot of powerhouse teams and stars around the league.
Players like Aaron Rodgers and the Packers missing the playoffs, Alex Smith getting injured and smashing the Redskins playoff hopes, and Kirk Cousins failing to live up to his massive contract all marked huge falls in the NFL world.
The undeniable biggest collapse of this past NFL season was the Steelers. After the season began with LeVeon Bell tearing out the hearts of fantasy football owners everywhere by vowing to sit out until he got paid, the Steelers fell even further once Ben Roethlisberger’s age began to show, and all-pro wide receiver Antonio Brown brought out his inner diva.
- Young Quarterbacks
After a draft class that saw five quarterbacks drafted in the first round, and players like Patrick Mahomes getting their first real action on the field, the young quarterbacks were guaranteed to be a major story this year.
While Mahomes and Browns QB Baker Mayfield shined, the rest of the rookies went through their ups and downs.
Bills rookie Josh Allen went through his growing pains like the rest of them. His most exciting moments came on the ground, breaking the record for the most rushing yards from a quarterback in a three game stretch. His big arm that he was drafted for has yet to be effective, due to wild inaccuracy.
- Penalties
Was it ever a question that penalties would make this list?
For years now, penalties have been a major point of contention in the league. The problems started early this year, with Packers linebacker Clay Matthews being flagged for roughing the passer in multiple ridiculous situations.
The peak of penalty controversies came during the playoffs, when a blatant pass interference was missed in the NFC title game. This penalty kept the Saints out of the Super Bowl, a game that many believe they could’ve and should’ve won.