Peyton Manning rides off into his NFL sunset with a Vince Lombardi Trophy in hand. Football is back in Los Angeles for the first time in more than 20 years. Another epic collapse from the Jets. And a surprise resurgence from the Giants.
It’s been quite an eventful 2016 in the NFL. Here’s a look back at the key moments of the past 12 months.
Jan. 12
NFL owners approve the Rams' move from St. Louis to Los Angeles, thus ending more than two decades of the league's second-largest market being without a team. The Rams and Raiders had both moved from Los Angeles after the 1994 season.
Feb. 8
Peyton's last game. The Broncos beat the Panthers, 24-10, in Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium, a game that would turn out to be Manning's last after a Hall of Fame career that began in 1998. Manning suffered through injuries and ineffectiveness -- and a benching -- during the regular season, but replaced Brock Osweiler and rode the wave of a brilliant defense to win his second title.
March 9
Within hours of the start of the free agency signing period, Giants general manager Jerry Reese spends over $200 million to sign linebacker Olivier Vernon, cornerback Janoris Jenkins, defensive tackle Damon Harrison and defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul.
April 27
A day before the NFL Draft, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals upholds the NFL's four-game suspension on Tom Brady for his alleged role in a scheme to use purposely deflated footballs in the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 18, 2015.
April 28
For the third time in the last five years, quarterbacks go 1-2 in the NFL Draft, as the Rams select Jared Goff of Cal and the Eagles, who had made two moves up the draft board earlier in the preseason, take Carson Wentz of North Dakota State.
July 15
Brady announces on Facebook that he will not appeal the suspension and will sit out the first four games of the season. The Patriots go on to a 3-1 record using Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett.
July 27
After a contentious offseason contract dispute, Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Jets agree to a one-year, $12-million deal. Coming off the best season of his career, when he threw a franchise-record 31 touchdown passes, Fitzpatrick would go on to produce a dismal season, eventually losing his job to Geno Smith and then Bryce Petty to signal the eventual end of his run in New York.
Aug. 17
The NFL suspends Giants kicker Josh Brown one game for violating the league's personal conduct policy. While not specifying what Brown was suspended for, subsequent reports reveal that Brown had been arrested in May 2015 for a domestic violence incident.
Aug. 30
Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice, a devastating blow to a team with Super Bowl aspirations. The Vikings reacted quickly, though, trading a first-round pick to the Eagles just a week before the regular season opener in exchange for Sam Bradford.
Sept. 11
In his first game since the 2014 season, Victor Cruz scores the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter for the Giants in a season-opening win over the Cowboys. Cruz had returned from knee and calf injuries.
Oct. 9
In his first game back from suspension, Brady throws for 406 yards and three touchdown passes in a 33-13 rout of the Browns. It is the start of yet another brilliant run for the 39-year-old Brady.
Oct. 11
NFL ratings go into an early-season free fall, as ESPN Monday night broadcasts dip 21 percent over 2015. Several theories are put forth for the reasons behind the dip, including the 2016 presidential election, player protests of the national anthem, decreased viewership among millennials, Peyton Manning's retirement, Tom Brady's suspension, and several unappealing matchups in prime time games.
Oct. 21
One day after court documents reveal that Josh Brown admitted in a personal journal to abusing his wife on several occasions, the Giants announce that he has been deactivated and will not travel with the team for its game in London. Less than two weeks later, the Giants release Brown.
Dec. 12
The U.S. Supreme Court announces that it will not hear appeals of a landmark court settlement that awarded more than $1 billion in benefits to former NFL players who have experienced neurological and other medical problems associated with head trauma. The initial settlement had been reached in August 2013, but the NFL subsequently increased its financial commitments and ultimately prevailed after several appeals by some former players who were not satisfied with terms of the deal.
Dec. 12
The Rams fire coach Jeff Fisher, who is tied with Dan Reeves for the most losses by an NFL head coach. He is replaced on an interim basis by John Fassel, the Rams' special teams coach and son of former Giants head coach Jim Fassel.
..... - Newsday