[quote]By Prashant Shankar
Online Writer
Photo courtesy of Heavy.com[/quote]

The 2014 NFL Season ended with a Super Bowl that kept Americans on the edge of their seat until the very end, where the New England Patriots claimed a 28-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks after a crucial last-minute interception. But after free agency, the draft, and the rest of the offseason, this year just may be crazier.

“That last play was the worst play call I’ve ever seen, and I saw it live, which made it a whole bunch worse,” junior Miles Ollèe said.

To recap, the 2015 NFL offseason was one of the most hectic in decades, with elite players like Philadelphia Eagles’ running back Lesean McCoy and New Orleans Saints’ tight end Jimmy Graham being traded for either draft picks or other star players, such as Buffalo Bills’ linebacker Kiko Alonso and center Max Unger.

“One that really stuck out to me was the Max Unger and Jimmy Graham trade from the Seattle Seahawks and the New Orleans Saints,” junior Troy Clements said. “Now the Seahawks have a passing game, which they didn’t have before.”

Along with blockbuster trades, many players such as San Francisco 49ers linebacker Chris Borland and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jason Worilds retired early due to the fear of concussions that have affected many players’ futures gravely. Their retirements brought forth discussion around the league on whether hitting hard for a few years is worth possible brain damage in the future.

“I think [retirement’s] a good idea, because if you don’t do that, you could just end up [having brain problems] after your football career,” said junior Miles Ollèe.

After the biggest turnover of players in decades, all 32 teams are preparing to win Super Bowl 50. The regular season starts this Thursday, Sept. 10, where the Steelers face the Patriots in Foxboro, Mass.