Because the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs put together for Tremendous Bowl LVII, the 30 groups not enjoying within the Huge Recreation are getting ready for the 2023 season. The league nonetheless has yet one more sport to go earlier than the craziness of the NFL offseason begins, particularly with free company lower than two months away and the draft lower than three months away.
The NFL offseason will not be in need of drama both, particularly after the free-agent frenzy that existed final yr. Groups will attempt to ante as much as enhance their roster to succeed in the Tremendous Bowl and compete with the Eagles and Chiefs going ahead. This free agent season will definitely deal with the quarterbacks, as there could also be important motion amongst sign callers across the league.
With the offseason simply weeks away, these are the highest storylines to regulate going ahead:
1. Tom Brady retires
For the third time within the final 4 offseasons, the NFL world was revolving on Tom Brady and what he wished to do subsequent season. The soon-to-be 46-year-old Brady had just a few choices to contemplate, together with really retiring and taking the 10-year, $375 million contract with Fox. He hasn’t introduced what’s subsequent, however we do know he will not be enjoying anymore.
Brady did retire final season, however that lasted for 40 days and he determined to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It looks like this time it is gonna stick.
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers have been enjoying the dancing sport for the final two offseasons, which has led to Rodgers being the highest-paid quarterback within the league and the Packers buying and selling away his finest move catcher in Davante Adams. With the Packers having Jordan Love getting into the ultimate yr of his rookie deal, will Inexperienced Bay and Rodgers lastly resolve to half methods?
The New York Jets employed Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive coordinator in an try and lure Rodgers and the Las Vegas Raiders do have Adams in case Rodgers desires to reunite with him. There will definitely be a bidding battle for Rodgers on the commerce market, particularly since he has two years remaining on that three-year, $150 million deal.
3. Will the Ravens ink a long-term cope with Lamar Jackson?
Lamar Jackson’s future with the Ravens is as unsure as they arrive, particularly as each side had been unable to come back to a long-term deal previous to the quarterback’s self-imposed deadline earlier than the season. The Ravens can definitely franchise Jackson this offseason and attempt to work out a long-term deal, however does Jackson even need to be in Baltimore at this level?
The Ravens definitely did not assist Jackson out by offering him with move catchers this season, going with Jackson’s strengths with a run-first offense for his whole Ravens tenure. Baltimore moved on from longtime offensive coordinator Greg Roman consequently and can search Jackson’s enter on discovering a brand new offensive coordinator.
Jackson’s short-term future in Baltimore seems protected except the Ravens resolve to not pay him the profitable extension he desires and transfer on. Then issues get fascinating concerning Jackson, concerning the place he desires to play, how a lot he desires, and the way a lot Baltimore can get for him.
4. The place will Derek Carr find yourself?
The Raiders might be shifting on from Derek Carr this offseason, however which crew will Carr be going to? Will Carr be the comfort prize after the fates of Brady, Rodgers, and Jackson are determined — or will Carr be the primary domino to fall?
Since Carr has been with the Raiders, the franchise has had the worst scoring protection within the NFL. With Carr getting a second probability with a brand new franchise, will a extra competent protection get out the most effective in him? Carr was the franchise quarterback the Raiders lacked since Wealthy Gannon, but could not get the Raiders a playoff victory though they had been respectable.
How a lot is Carr value too? What’s going to groups be prepared to pay him? With Carr in the marketplace, will probably be fascinating to search out out which groups make the leap at him first.
5. Can the NFC champion Eagles retain all their free brokers?
The Eagles arguably have the most effective roster within the NFL, steamrolling their opponents by means of the common season and the playoffs in advancing to the Tremendous Bowl. Not all of those gamers are assured to return for the 2023 season, as a number of key performers are free brokers.
James Bradberry, Javon Hargrave, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Miles Sanders, Fletcher Cox, T.J. Edwards, Isaac Seumalo, and Marcus Epps are the important thing starters who’re free brokers this coming March. That is a variety of good gamers the Eagles must retain — and Philadelphia cannot maintain all of them with the cap area accessible.
The Eagles should get inventive with the wage cap once more and retain the gamers who’re a part of the long-term future. This crew positively will not be the identical because the NFC championship squad.
6. Who’s going to be the 49ers quarterback subsequent season?
San Francisco mainly made its resolution on Jimmy Garoppolo earlier than the season when the 49ers determined to go along with Trey Lance in camp. They reworked Garoppolo’s contract for 2022, permitting him to stroll in free company in 2023. Garoppolo basically took the job after Lance was injured and misplaced for the season, solely to get injured himself midseason — and changed by Brock Purdy.
Purdy injured his UCL within the NFC Championship Recreation, a blowout that showcased the 49ers could also be a famous person quarterback away from successful the Tremendous Bowl. With Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk in tow — it is essential for the 49ers to maximise all of the ability gamers at their disposal.
Does San Francisco suppose Purdy is the reply for 2023, or do the 49ers double down on their funding with Lance? With Brady and the opposite free-agent quarterbacks accessible be tempting sufficient to maneuver on from each?
San Francisco has a tricky resolution to make, one which would be the distinction between successful the Tremendous Bowl or really fizzling out within the postseason.
Saquon Barkley is the cream of the crop among the many loaded working again class in free company, but how a lot will he command from the Giants? Barkley has stated he does not need to set the marketplace for working backs, though he would be the customary after his finest season since his rookie yr.
Whereas Barkley is not the identical participant he was 5 years in the past, he is nonetheless a participant opposing defenses need to key on. The Giants offense was misplaced with out Barkley at instances in 2022, but will New York pay $10 million or extra for its finest offensive participant. The Giants have the cap area however produce other urgent issues on offense to deal with.
Barkley does not need to be the primary domino to fall, however he’ll be in excessive demand.
8. How a lot will the 2020 quarterback class make with extensions?
Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts are all due for profitable extensions this coming offseason, particularly with Burrow and Herbert having fifth-year choices exercised this yr. Hurts does not have a fifth-year possibility since he was a second-round choose, that means his extension from the Eagles might come sooner moderately than later.
Aaron Rodgers earns the best common annual wage for a quarterback at $50,271,667, which is for certain to be damaged after Russell Wilson acquired $49 million and Kyler Murray $46.1 million the earlier offseason.
Burrow and Herbert are set to reset the market and Hurts will not be too far behind them. Tua Tagovailoa might be within the combine for an extension too, with a fifth-year possibility incoming.
The quarterback market goes to be reset with this proficient class.
9. Will groups pay any of those working backs on this deep free-agent class?
There are many proficient working backs set to hit the open market, however how a lot are these gamers value? Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Miles Sanders, Tony Pollard, Kareem Hunt, Rashaad Penny, Jamaal Williams, Raheem Mostert, D’Onta Foreman, Devin Singletary, Samaje Perine and Jerick McKinnon are the notable names who might be free brokers.
There are a variety of good gamers accessible for groups, however will these franchises go right into a bidding battle for a few of these gamers? Will groups lowball a few of these backs and let the market play out till the draft — or after the draft?
Groups are going to hunt the working again they need, however working backs are proving to be a greater worth on a rookie deal as an alternative of paying a participant huge cash on his second contract.
Will the identical maintain true this offseason? There are a variety of good gamers accessible.