The 2022 NFL season was the 103rd season of the National Football League, beginning on September 8, 2022, and concluding on February 12, 2023, with Super Bowl LVII. The season was characterized by the Kansas City Chiefs' championship victory, the rise of the Philadelphia Eagles, and significant shifts in the league's broadcasting landscape.
The 2022 NFL Offseason: A Period of Radical Change
The lead-up to the 2022 NFL season was marked by unprecedented movement among elite talent, particularly at the quarterback position. This period set the stage for a season of high volatility and tactical evolution. Teams that had previously been conservative in the trade market opted for aggressive acquisitions to maximize their competitive windows.
High-Profile Trades and Free Agency
The most significant move of the 2022 offseason was the Denver Broncos' acquisition of quarterback Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks. This trade was intended to elevate Denver into immediate Super Bowl contention, though the subsequent season proved challenging for the franchise. Simultaneously, the Cleveland Browns traded for Deshaun Watson, a move that carried significant legal and suspension-related implications throughout the first half of the season.
The wide receiver market also saw a massive shift. The Green Bay Packers traded Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Kansas City Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins. These moves forced two of the league’s premier quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes, to adapt to new offensive personnel, leading to varied results in their respective offensive efficiencies.
The 2022 NFL Draft in Las Vegas
The 2022 NFL Draft, held in Las Vegas, was notable for its lack of focus on the quarterback position in the early rounds. For the first time since 2013, only one quarterback was selected in the first round: Kenny Pickett, taken 20th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Instead, the draft was dominated by defensive talent and offensive linemen.
The Jacksonville Jaguars selected defensive end Travon Walker with the first overall pick. However, the true stars of the draft class emerged in the secondary and at wide receiver, with players like Sauce Gardner (New York Jets) and Garrett Wilson (New York Jets) delivering immediate All-Pro level performances.
Regular Season Narrative and Strategic Shifts
The 2022 regular season officially began with the defending champion Los Angeles Rams hosting the Buffalo Bills. The Bills' dominant 31–10 victory signaled a shift in the league's power structure, as the Rams struggled with injuries and "Super Bowl hangover" throughout the year, eventually missing the playoffs.
The Rise of the Philadelphia Eagles
Under head coach Nick Sirianni and the rapid development of quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles became the dominant force in the NFC. They started the season 8–0, leveraging a potent rushing attack and a defensive front that recorded an astounding 70 sacks during the regular season—the third-most in NFL history. Hurts’ ability to operate as a dual-threat playmaker transformed the Eagles' offense into one of the most difficult units to defend.
The AFC’s Quarterback Hierarchy
In the AFC, the season revolved around a three-way battle for supremacy between the Kansas City Chiefs, the Buffalo Bills, and the Cincinnati Bengals. Patrick Mahomes produced a historic season, leading the league in passing yards (5,250) and passing touchdowns (41), despite the loss of Tyreek Hill. The Bengals, led by Joe Burrow, proved that their 2021 Super Bowl run was no fluke, while Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills remained a statistical powerhouse despite late-season inconsistencies.
International Expansion and Broadcasting Milestones
The 2022 season marked a milestone for the NFL’s international growth. The league played its first-ever regular-season game in Germany, where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Seattle Seahawks at Munich's Allianz Arena.
Domestically, the 2022 season saw the first year of Amazon Prime Video as the exclusive home of Thursday Night Football. This move represented a significant shift toward streaming as the primary vehicle for live sports consumption, a trend that has only accelerated in the years leading up to 2026.
The Damar Hamlin Incident and League Response
On January 2, 2023, during a highly anticipated Monday Night Football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the field. The game was suspended and eventually canceled by the league.
This unprecedented event led to a league-wide outpouring of support and forced the NFL to adjust its playoff seeding rules. Because the Bills and Bengals played one fewer game than other teams, the NFL owners approved a resolution to potentially hold the AFC Championship Game at a neutral site if the participating teams had an unequal number of games played and the seeding was affected. Ultimately, the Kansas City Chiefs secured the #1 seed outright, rendering the neutral-site contingency unnecessary.
Postseason Analysis: The Road to Glendale
The 2022–23 playoffs featured several memorable matchups, including the Jacksonville Jaguars' historic 27-point comeback against the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card round.
The San Francisco 49ers and Brock Purdy
One of the most remarkable stories of the 2022 season was the rise of Brock Purdy. Selected as "Mr. Irrelevant" with the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, Purdy was forced into the starting role after injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo. Purdy won every regular-season start and led the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game, where he unfortunately suffered an elbow injury that hampered the team's ability to compete against the Eagles.
Championship Sunday
The NFC Championship was a one-sided affair, with the Eagles defeating the injured 49ers 31–7. In contrast, the AFC Championship was a classic rematch between the Chiefs and the Bengals. Despite playing on a high-ankle sprain, Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs to a 23–20 victory, secured by a late field goal by Harrison Butker, ending a three-game losing streak against Cincinnati.
Super Bowl LVII: The "Kelce Bowl"
Super Bowl LVII was held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on February 12, 2023. It was historically significant as the first Super Bowl to feature two brothers—Travis Kelce of the Chiefs and Jason Kelce of the Eagles—competing against each other.
The game was a high-scoring offensive masterclass. The Eagles held a 24–14 lead at halftime, but the Chiefs' offense was nearly perfect in the second half. Mahomes, despite re-aggravating his ankle injury, orchestrated scoring drives on every possession in the second half. The game was decided by a 27-yard field goal from Harrison Butker with eight seconds remaining, giving the Chiefs a 38–35 victory.
Patrick Mahomes was named Super Bowl MVP, becoming the first player since Kurt Warner in 1999 to win both the regular-season MVP and the Super Bowl MVP in the same season.
Key Performance Indicators and Awards
The 2022 NFL season saw several individual performances that set new benchmarks for efficiency and impact. The following table summarizes the primary award winners and statistical leaders for the season.
| Award / Category | Winner / Leader | Team | Key Statistic |
|---|---|---|---|
| AP NFL MVP | Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City Chiefs | 5,250 Passing Yards / 41 TDs |
| Offensive Player of the Year | Justin Jefferson | Minnesota Vikings | 128 Receptions / 1,809 Yards |
| Defensive Player of the Year | Nick Bosa | San Francisco 49ers | 18.5 Sacks / 48 QB Hits |
| Offensive Rookie of the Year | Garrett Wilson | New York Jets | 83 Receptions / 1,103 Yards |
| Defensive Rookie of the Year | Sauce Gardner | New York Jets | 20 Pass Deflections / 2 INTs |
| Comeback Player of the Year | Geno Smith | Seattle Seahawks | 4,282 Yards / 100.9 Rating |
| Coach of the Year | Brian Daboll | New York Giants | Led team to first playoff win in 11 years |
| Passing Leader | Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City Chiefs | 5,250 Yards |
| Rushing Leader | Josh Jacobs | Las Vegas Raiders | 1,653 Yards |
| Receiving Leader | Justin Jefferson | Minnesota Vikings | 1,809 Yards |
Historical Significance and Legacy
Looking back from 2026, the 2022 NFL season is viewed as the definitive start of the Kansas City Chiefs dynasty. It proved that Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid could maintain elite offensive production even after trading away a generational talent like Tyreek Hill.
Furthermore, the season solidified the "rookie contract" strategy for roster building. Teams like the Eagles and Jets showed that having high-impact contributors on affordable rookie deals allowed for the acquisition of expensive veteran talent in other areas, such as the Eagles' trade for A.J. Brown or the 49ers' trade for Christian McCaffrey mid-season.
The 2022 season also served as the final full season for Tom Brady, who officially announced his retirement "for good" in February 2023. His departure marked the end of an era for the league, transitioning the spotlight fully to the younger generation of quarterbacks like Mahomes, Burrow, and Allen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2022 NFL Super Bowl?
The Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles with a score of 38–35. The game was played on February 12, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona. This victory marked the Chiefs' second championship in four seasons and established them as the league's premier franchise.
Who was the MVP of the 2022 NFL season?
Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, was named the NFL Most Valuable Player. He achieved this by leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns while guiding his team to the best record in the AFC. He also won the Super Bowl MVP in the same season.
Why was the Bills vs. Bengals game canceled in 2022?
The Week 17 game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals was canceled following the on-field collapse of Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest after a tackle. Due to the severity of the medical emergency and the timing of the event late in the season, the NFL decided not to resume the game to prioritize player well-being.
Which rookie had the biggest impact in 2022?
While several rookies excelled, Sauce Gardner (CB, New York Jets) and Garrett Wilson (WR, New York Jets) were the most impactful, winning the Defensive and Offensive Rookie of the Year awards, respectively. Gardner, in particular, was named a First-Team All-Pro as a rookie, a rare feat for a cornerback.
What was the "Kelce Bowl"?
The "Kelce Bowl" was a popular media nickname for Super Bowl LVII because it featured two brothers playing against each other: Travis Kelce (Chiefs tight end) and Jason Kelce (Eagles center). It was the first time in NFL history that two brothers faced off in the Super Bowl.
Practical Next Action for Fans and Historians
For those researching the 2022 NFL season for statistical analysis or historical documentation, the official NFL Record & Fact Book and Pro Football Reference remain the most authoritative sources for play-by-play data and official league standings. If you are looking to revisit the cultural impact of the season, the "NFL 100" archives provide curated highlights of the 2022 season's most pivotal moments, including the international expansion in Germany and the record-breaking performances of the 2022 rookie class.
