With another National Football League (NFL) regular season at a close, how will the 2022-2023 season be seen with retrospect? Bad trades? Rising stars? Failed expectations? Whatever it may be, the momentum for several teams has been altered for years to come.

As typical for the NFL, the offseason was headlined by big quarterback deals, such as Russell Wilson’s trade from the Seattle Seahawks to the Denver Broncos and Deshaun Watson’s trade from the Houston Texans to the Cleveland Browns. Both quarterbacks severely underperformed in comparison to the draft picks they were traded for, with neither making the playoffs.

Controversially, Deshaun Watson was given an eleven game suspension and five million dollar fine after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct while he was with the Texans. 

Major injuries to stars dominated headlines throughout the season, such as Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin. 

Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest playing against the Cincinnati Bengals in week 17, effectively shutting down the league as the NFL decided how to proceed while a player’s life was on the line. While millions waited to hear good news of Hamlin’s recovery, his charity, The Chasing M’s Foundation, raised over 8 million dollars as of now Damar Hamlin is expected to make a full recovery after his release from the Buffalo General Medical Center on January 11.

The quarterback turnover created the rise of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. Starting as the last pick in the NFL draft, Purdy was thrusted into the role of starter as Trey Lance and Jimmy Garapollo sustained injuries.. Purdy led his team into the playoffs and earned himself a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, where his jersey resides after being the first rookie quarterback in San Francisco 49ers history to win three consecutive games.

“My favourite moment of the season was when Jaire Alexander griddy’d on Justin Jefferson,” Lambert sophomore and Green Bay Packers fan Connor Williams said. “My favourite player this year has got to be Jaire [Alexander].”

Another recognizable moment that is sure to be remembered from this season include the Indianapolis Colts blowing a 33 point lead against the Minnesota Vikings, solidifying the record for largest choke in NFL history.

“I still think the future is bright,” Packers fan Connor Williams said. “I’m happy to see what (quarterback) Jordan Love is capable of, especially if Aaron Rodgers is gone.”

The final game of the regular season was a spectacle that symbolised the season, with the recently revitalised Detroit Lions facing off against the veteran and three time MVP Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is speculated to have played his last game. Even though the Lions were eliminated from playoff contention by the Seattle Seahawks, they managed to defeat the Packers and eliminate them from playoff contention as well. Rodgers is known over the past off seasons for refusing to declare his intentions about playing for the next season, but this year, his retirement is  writing on the wall.

The NFL’s regular season has been  a spectacle from star players on new teams to incredible feats being displayed by new faces.