One of the most important and crucial periods of time in the NFL world is among us: free agency, where teams can make or break their upcoming season.

Missing out on free agents is not the end of the world, but in today’s NFL, its where you can find the most talent. And this free agency period has been one of the most electrifying ones to date. With unreal trades, record-breaking contracts and drama, it has had it all.

Surprisingly, one of the most active teams this year has been the Green Bay Packers. After a disappointing season last year, missing the playoffs, the Packers may have finally realized it is time to stop wasting Aaron Rodgers’ talent and surround him with a championship team. On offense, the recipe for success has been to let Rodgers handle it, which has worked. So, the Packers focused on defense this offseason. They were aggressive in signing safety Adrian Amos away from the division-rival Chicago Bears along with pass rushers Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith.

It’s an encouraging sign that Green Bay is willing to pay free agents as they have been traditionally quiet during this time of year.

Continuing the theme of surprising teams, the Oakland Raiders. After trading away star pass rusher Khalil Mack to the Bears last offseason (because they did not have the money to pay him), it is surprising that Oakland has been so willing to hand out massive contracts to everyone. Regardless, their additions definitely boost their talent level and may even make them competitive next year. Head coach Jon Gruden traded for Antonio Brown and gave him a contract extension to make him the highest paid wide receiver in the NFL. Also, Trent Brown is now the highest paid offensive lineman in history thanks to the Raiders.

Oakland did not stop there as they also signed safety Lamarcus Joyner and wide receiver Tyrell Williams. The team is making moves and it is not taking long for Gruden to reform the team in his image. The Raiders may be relevant again, very soon.

Another team that has created some waves is the Cleveland Browns. Most of their acquisitions have been through trade, but general manager John Dorsey has added premium talent to a team that was already filled with it. The additions of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., defensive end Oliver Vernon and defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson might put them over the edge as they are already favored to win the division, per Vegas odds.

While most teams are throwing their money around to add talent, the Indianapolis Colts entered free agency among the teams with the most salary cap available to spend. However, they have hardly spent anything. Many expected to be big players in free agency and many connected them to free agents such as Le’Veon Bell, but so far, they have been quiet.

Then, then there’s the New York Giants. What are they doing?

Overall, this has definitely been an exciting start to the NFL offseason and it has definitely created a lot of buzz around the NFL. Many fans, including myself, cannot wait to see all of these new faces in all of these new places.

Stay tuned everyone, the offseason is just getting started.