The 2012 NFL offseason is not much more than a month old, and already, several events have occurred that could change the course of next year’s season.

The NFL investigated and punished the New Orleans Saints for a bounty program four men ran. Head coach Sean Payton, offensive coordinator Gregg Williams, assistant head coach Joe Vitt and general manager Mickey Loomis ran a system that rewarded players for big hits and injuries to opponents. Payton will serve a one-year suspension, Williams is banned indefinitely, Vitt will serve a six-game suspension and Loomis will serve eight games without pay. On top of their discipline, the Saints organization will pay a $500,000 fine and lose second-round picks in this year’s NFL Draft as well as next year’s. Commissioner Roger Goddell will review Williams’ status at the end of next season.

The end of Year of the Quarterback now sees Offseason of the Quarterback as the Indianapolis Colts’ release of Peyton Manning let him negotiate a contract with the Denver Broncos. They signed Manning for a five-year, $96 million deal. In turn, the Broncos traded 2011 starter Tim Tebow to the New York Jets for future draft picks. The QB situation among the Jets now becomes crowded as Tebow files in line with No. 2 Drew Stanton and No. 3 Greg McElroy behind starter Mark Sanchez. Sanchez signed a three-year extension this offseason, so it is unlikely the Jets’ front office will eat his contract to start Tebow.

The upcoming NFL Draft saw an interesting pick trade as the Washington Redskins traded three of their early selections to take the St. Louis Rams’ No. 2 pick. They appear to set themselves up to take Stanford prospect Andrew Luck or Baylor graduate and Heisman winner Robert Griffin III, whomever the Colts pass up for their No. 1 choice. That in itself is a question the Colts will answer April 26 as both continue to showcase their talents for Draft scouts.

More updates will come as more offseason events take place.