As 30 NFL groups look towards the 2024 offseason and only one sport stays within the playoffs — the San Francisco 49ers will meet the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in Tremendous Bowl LVIII — we’re looking at what lies forward over the subsequent two months, with free company set to kick off in March.
We requested our NFL Nation writers to select the one participant from the workforce they cowl whose contract standing will form that franchise’s offseason essentially the most. The checklist features a few quarterbacks who led their groups to the playoffs, a handful of high working backs, a star broad receiver from the AFC North and a Tremendous Bowl-winning defensive deal with who had a prolonged holdout final offseason.
Which gamers may outline the offseason? We’ll begin within the AFC East:
Bounce to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
AFC EAST
DT DaQuan Jones
This might simply as simply be broad receiver Gabe Davis, who mentioned he plans to discover free company in March, however the one defensive deal with from the 53-man roster underneath contract for 2024 is Ed Oliver. That is along with a number of free brokers at defensive finish. Jones was a key starter alongside Oliver when wholesome (Jones missed 9 video games as a consequence of a torn pectoral suffered in Week 5), and bringing him again would make a number of sense, however with Buffalo coping with a good cap state of affairs, truly doing so won’t be simple.
“We missed DaQuan when he obtained harm in London, and I informed him as a lot [Monday],” basic supervisor Brandon Beane mentioned. “… He is earned the suitable to check his market and see what it appears like. However we might be a idiot to not entertain bringing him again.” — Alaina Getzenberg
DT Christian Wilkins
The Dolphins and Wilkins failed to succeed in an settlement final offseason and agreed to desk conversations till after the common season. Effectively, the 2019 first-round decide turned in a profession 12 months with 9 sacks and seems to be in a stronger place to barter than he was in 2023.
Miami prolonged Wilkins’ associate at defensive deal with, Zach Sieler, two weeks earlier than the season began however would nonetheless have to discover a alternative for Wilkins if the edges are as soon as once more unable to succeed in an settlement. Cash is tight in Miami — the Dolphins are $55.3 million over the projected cap, in response to Roster Administration System — however re-signing Wilkins needs to be a precedence. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
OT/G Mike Onwenu
The 2020 sixth-rounder has developed right into a succesful starter at proper guard and/or proper deal with, placing him in line for an enormous payday. Staff proprietor Robert Kraft mentioned championship groups draft effectively, and Onwenu is an efficient instance of the kind of participant the franchise has developed and thus ought to really feel comfy signing to a second contract. Failing to take action would create a gap to fill on the offensive line, which is already one of many workforce’s high areas of want. — Mike Reiss
DE Bryce Huff
Huff, who made the workforce 4 years in the past as an undrafted free agent, is probably going in search of a minimum of $15 million per 12 months after recording a career-high 10 sacks. The Jets need to hold Huff, their most dynamic edge participant, however they drafted edge rushers Will McDonald IV and Jermaine Johnson in every of the previous two first rounds. It will likely be arduous to retain Huff, who desires to be an every-down participant. The franchise tag is an outdoor chance. — Wealthy Cimini
AFC NORTH
DT Justin Madubuike
Madubuike was arguably the largest breakout within the league this season, changing into the NFL’s greatest inside pass-rusher. He had 13 sacks in his contract 12 months after totaling 8.5 sacks mixed in his first three seasons.
The Ravens, who’ve tried to signal Madubuike to a brand new deal, are anticipated to position the franchise tag on him to maintain him from changing into a free agent. The tag, which was round $19 million for defensive tackles final 12 months, would restrict what an already-cap-limited workforce (the Ravens are $638K over the projected cap) can do in free company. — Jamison Hensley
WR Tee Higgins
The Bengals should make an vital choice on the 2020 second-round decide, who’s on the finish of his rookie contract. He had an off 12 months in 2023 largely as a consequence of accidents, catching 42 passes for 656 yards and 5 touchdowns, however he averaged 71.7 receptions, 1,009.3 yards and 6.3 touchdowns per season from 2020-22.
Higgins is a chief candidate to obtain the franchise tag, which is estimated to be price $21.7 million. With Ja’Marr Chase nonetheless on his rookie contract and Joe Burrow’s mega extension not set to take full impact till 2025, Cincinnati can afford to maintain the trio collectively for a minimum of yet another season. — Ben Child
QB Joe Flacco
The 39-year-old former Tremendous Bowl MVP propelled the Browns to a four-game profitable streak late within the 12 months and a playoff berth, throwing for 1,616 yards and 13 landing passes in 5 video games after being signed in late November.
Franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson is on his method again from proper shoulder surgical procedure, nonetheless, and the Browns are $55.5 million over the cap for 2024. Common supervisor Andrew Berry says the Browns would “completely love” to have Flacco again however admitted there will probably be “constraints” on how a lot they will have the ability to pay a backup QB. — Jake Trotter
QB Mason Rudolph
After not receiving a lot curiosity from the remainder of the NFL final offseason, Rudolph wound up again in Pittsburgh on a one-year deal. He ought to subject fairly a couple of calls this time round after handing over stable performances in three regular-season begins and towards the Payments within the playoffs, throwing 5 landing passes to at least one interception. He completed the common season with a 70.6 QBR, considerably higher than Kenny Pickett (38.2) and Mitch Trubisky (34.5).
Whereas Mike Tomlin mentioned Pickett will resume his standing as QB1, the coach additionally mentioned he needed Pickett to be challenged, and Tomlin expressed a need to proceed doing enterprise with Rudolph. The Steelers’ total quarterback room is in flux, and the entrance workplace should resolve if — or how — to incorporate Rudolph within the workforce’s future plans. — Brooke Pryor
AFC SOUTH
DE Jonathan Greenard
Greenard led the workforce in sacks (12.5), essentially the most from a Texans defender since J.J. Watt had 16 in 2018. The Texans have already got a Professional Bowler on the line of defense in rookie Will Anderson Jr., however coach DeMeco Ryans believes in a protection led by a dominant line powered by a wave of pass-rushers.
Final week, Ryans mentioned, “The whole lot I imagine in, it begins up entrance with the frenzy and likewise with the offensive line and defending. So, we’ll proceed to construct with our fronts. Begin on the entrance and construct backwards, that is how I envision it, and Jonathan had a extremely nice 12 months.” With $61.8 million in obtainable cap area, there’s room to convey again Greenard. — DJ Bien-Aime
WR Michael Pittman Jr.
No Colts receiver has been focused at a better price than Pittman since Corridor of Fame finalist Reggie Wayne in 2012. So, yeah, the Colts will work to discover a strategy to retain Pittman, who’s believed to be in search of a deal that compares favorably with these of a few of the higher wideouts within the league. Pittman has mentioned he has some curiosity in seeing what free company has to supply — which makes the franchise tag a chance — however the Colts will undoubtedly be motivated to strike a take care of a participant who was fifth within the NFL in receptions (109) in 2023. — Stephen Holder
OLB Josh Allen
Allen had arguably one of the best season by a defensive participant in franchise historical past (17.5 sacks) and accounted for practically half of the workforce’s 40 sacks. There’s just one different pass-rusher on the roster (Travon Walker), so bringing again Allen on both the franchise tag or a contract extension needs to be the Jaguars’ high offseason precedence. The expectation is the workforce makes use of the franchise tag and tries to work out a deal earlier than the season begins, which is what the workforce did this previous offseason with tight finish Evan Engram. — Michael DiRocco
RB Derrick Henry
Henry has been the cornerstone of the Titans’ offense since 2019, as his 7,209 speeding yards the previous 5 seasons are 1,664 greater than the No. 2 participant. However Tennessee’s offensive philosophy will change underneath new coach Brian Callahan. Regardless that he is 30 years previous and has 2,030 profession carries, Henry remains to be a top-five working again and certain has two productive seasons left. The Titans could have a troublesome choice to make. — Turron Davenport
AFC WEST
LB Josey Jewell
Past the choice the Broncos make with quarterback Russell Wilson — many within the league count on him to be launched — Jewell, who has posted 100-tackle seasons in three of the previous 4 years, leads the workforce’s checklist of unrestricted free brokers. The Broncos, having traded loads of draft picks in recent times, do not have a pure alternative for Jewell on the roster and could have one of many league’s worst salary-cap conditions if Wilson is launched.
Common supervisor George Paton has already admitted the workforce will virtually actually sit out the primary wave of free company, so will probably be tough for the Broncos to maintain Jewell or their different frontline free brokers except they’re prepared to take much less to remain. — Jeff Legwold
DT Chris Jones
The Chiefs would not give Jones the cash he needed on a long-term contract final 12 months when he was holding out, so it is unnecessary for them to offer it to him this time round. It additionally is not logical for them to make him the franchise participant, which suggests it is potential Jones will probably be shifting on.
The Chiefs tried to arrange for that eventuality over the previous two years, drafting defensive ends George Karlaftis and Felix Anudike-Uzomah within the first spherical, however dropping Jones, who had 10.5 sacks this season and has 75.5 in his profession, would nonetheless be immense. — Adam Teicher
RB Josh Jacobs
After his All-Professional 2022 marketing campaign, Jacobs balked on the Raiders tagging him final spring, refusing to signal the tag and skipping the whole lot of Las Vegas’ offseason program, coaching camp and preseason. What adopted was his worst season so far, with the 2019 first-rounder ending with profession lows in speeding yards (805), yards-per-carry common (3.5), touchdowns (6) and video games performed (13).
Nonetheless, he’s a favourite of workforce proprietor Mark Davis and coach Antonio Pierce, although new basic supervisor Tom Telesco has no relationship with Jacobs. Jacobs mentioned he was all-in if Pierce returned. However at what worth? Zamir White confirmed he may carry the load in Jacobs’ late-season absence by speeding for 397 yards and a TD whereas catching 9 passes for 60 yards within the video games the veteran missed. — Paul Gutierrez
RB Austin Ekeler
Ekeler and the Chargers had a really public contract standoff forward of the 2023 season, which included Ekeler requesting a commerce earlier than finally returning on a contract with added incentives. He struggled this season, nonetheless. He tied the very best drop share of his profession (5.4%), and his 628 speeding yards had been his fewest since 2020.
Ekeler mentioned he would not rule out a return to the Chargers however will probably be “selective” about the place he performs subsequent. With a brand new coach and GM, the Chargers investing considerably within the working again place on an already salary-cap-strapped roster (they’re $54.2 million over the projected cap) appears far-fetched. — Kris Rhim
NFC EAST
OT Tyron Smith
The choice won’t be the Cowboys’ alone. Smith has to resolve if he desires to play a 14th season. He missed 4 video games with accidents in 2023, however he and the workforce discovered a follow plan that allowed him to get work off to the aspect and nonetheless be prepared. He was nonetheless named a second-team All-Professional. Coach Mike McCarthy mentioned it is one of the best he has seen Smith carry out since he obtained to the Cowboys in 2020.
Smith is 33 and has a number of put on and tear, however he has worth. If he would not need to play anymore, do the Cowboys transfer Tyler Smith to left deal with or hold him at left guard? They don’t have someone else able to play deal with. Tyron Smith is their greatest guess, however does he need to play, and may the Cowboys discover the suitable worth? — Todd Archer
RB Saquon Barkley
The Giants have to resolve in the event that they need to pay (or tag) their greatest offensive participant, who had 1,242 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns regardless of lacking three video games. If they permit Barkley to stroll, it would create one other main void in an offense already stuffed with holes.
The Giants should tackle quarterback and likewise want a No. 1 broad receiver and a number of beginning offensive linemen. Do they need to add working again to that checklist of wants? Not even speaking with groups about shifting Barkley on the commerce deadline this previous season appears to counsel they need him to return. — Jordan Raanan
RB D’Andre Swift
Swift was arguably underutilized by the Eagles and nonetheless completed fifth within the NFL in speeding yards (1,049), which was by far a career-high. He’s a home-run menace out of the backfield and proved he generally is a productive characteristic again, notably behind this offensive line.
Philadelphia is mostly hesitant to pay working backs, although. As a substitute of signing pending free agent Miles Sanders final offseason, they let him stroll and traded for Swift, who was within the final 12 months of his rookie contract. If historical past serves, they might take an identical strategy with Swift. — Tim McManus
S Kamren Curl
The Commanders have 20 unrestricted free brokers, together with receiver Curtis Samuel and cornerback Kendall Fuller. However one member of the earlier workers mentioned Washington should re-sign Curl due to his versatility. With just one profession interception, he is not a playmaker, however he is a sensible, regular participant who performs effectively within the field and may rotate deep. It is arduous to know what the workforce will do, nonetheless, with a brand new coach nonetheless to be named — and a brand new protection to return with him. — John Keim
NFC NORTH
CB Jaylon Johnson
Bears GM Ryan Poles left little doubt that re-signing Johnson is Chicago’s high precedence this offseason. “Jaylon’s not going to go anyplace, and we’ll work by way of it to get one thing achieved,” Poles mentioned on Jan. 10. Johnson earned second-team All-Professional and Professional Bowl honors, as he nabbed a career-high 4 interceptions and allowed a 50.9 passer score into his protection, which was the bottom of the 4 All-Professional cornerbacks.
Johnson mentioned he desires to stay in Chicago even after extension talks stalled final fall and mentioned not too long ago on a podcast that he is “positively deserving of [being] the very best paid [at the] place,” which might value the Bears north of $20 million per 12 months. That is a worth they will afford to pay given their wage cap state of affairs for 2024 (greater than $49.1 million of area) in the event that they select to work out a long-term deal and never resort to utilizing the franchise tag. — Courtney Cronin
S C.J. Gardner-Johnson
After a Tremendous Bowl run with the Eagles in 2022, the place he was the NFL’s co-leader in interceptions with six, Gardner-Johnson signed a one-year take care of the Lions as a potential window to an even bigger deal this offseason. He suffered a torn pectoral throughout Week 2, nonetheless, which positioned him on injured reserve, and did not return till the regular-season finale versus Minnesota, the place he picked off a move.
When wholesome, Gardner-Johnson brings expertise and has been productive, however the probability of him returning to Detroit may rely upon whether or not defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn returns. Glenn has fielded a number of interviews for head-coaching positions and shares an in depth bond with Gardner-Johnson, which is what drew the security to the Lions group. — Eric Woodyard
S Darnell Savage
The youthful Packers do not have a number of must-sign free brokers; working again AJ Dillon and guard Jon Runyan most likely should search jobs elsewhere. However Savage might be one to return. The 2019 first-round decide has been praised for his management and communication abilities and would most likely want to return to the Packers, who could be in search of two new beginning safeties if they do not convey again Savage. He had 51 tackles in 10 video games within the common season plus a key pick-six in Inexperienced Bay’s wild-card upset of Dallas. — Rob Demovsky
QB Kirk Cousins
Cousins’ contract will void March 13, stopping the Vikings from utilizing their franchise tag on him and guaranteeing him a path to the free agent market if he desires it. The workforce’s key decision-makers are on file saying they’ll attempt to get Cousins re-signed, and the quarterback has mentioned he desires to complete his profession in Minnesota. The result seemingly will hinge on whether or not the Vikings are prepared to offer Cousins, who turns 36 in the summertime, a number of totally assured years in his new deal. That appears a 50-50 proposition at greatest. — Kevin Seifert
NFC SOUTH
DL Calais Campbell
This is able to have been an easier choice had Arthur Smith had been retained as Falcons coach — and it most likely would have been Campbell’s selection whether or not to return after a 56-tackle, 6.5-sack season. There are a number of layers to this: Does Campbell, who will probably be 38 subsequent season, need to hold enjoying? If that reply is sure, does he imagine within the imaginative and prescient and path to fast success of Raheem Morris’ teaching workers? And does Morris’ workers need to put money into Campbell, who had a $7.5 million cap hit in 2023? These are the questions that may decide Campbell’s future in Atlanta. — Michael Rothstein
OLB Brian Burns
It is actually only a matter of if the Panthers get a long-term deal achieved with Burns or use the franchise tag on him. Regardless of a down season (eight sacks after having 12.5 in 2022), Burns nonetheless desires to be paid on par with the highest 5 highest-paid edge rushers within the NFL. At 25, he is too good to let go to a different workforce.
Burns’ representatives could not get a deal achieved with former basic supervisor Scott Fitterer, a lot of what occurs subsequent will rely upon new coach Dave Canales and new GM Dan Morgan. Nevertheless it’s secure to say they will need to construct round Burns, a two-time Professional Bowl choice who has proved that he can excel in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. — David Newton
WR Michael Thomas
Thomas is not technically a free agent, however the Saints have to transform his contract earlier than the third day of the 2024 league 12 months or set off large future roster bonuses. Which means he both is coming again on a brand new deal or will probably be a free agent for the primary time in his profession.
Thomas has not performed a full season since his record-setting 2019, recording 39 catches for 448 yards and a landing in 10 video games in 2023, which may imply the Saints may attempt to transfer ahead with their youthful group of receivers in lieu of Thomas, who turns 31 in March. — Katherine Terrell
QB Baker Mayfield
The Bucs need Mayfield again, however with offensive coordinator Dave Canales gone, how a lot can they pay him whereas having to account for re-signing Mike Evans, Antoine Winfield Jr. and Lavonte David, particularly since there’s certain to be competitors for Mayfield’s providers? The Bucs are projected to have roughly $34 million in wage cap area.
Mayfield threw for 4,044 yards within the common season — ninth-best within the league — whereas his 2.8 touchdown-to-interception ratio tied him with Brock Purdy for ninth within the NFL. His 28 landing passes had been seventh most within the league. — Jenna Laine
NFC WEST
WR Marquise Brown
The Cardinals did not give Brown the large extension he needed heading into this season, making 2023 a lame-duck 12 months. However herein lies the conundrum dealing with the Cardinals: Brown is injury-prone, having not performed a full season since 2020, however is productive when wholesome. He tried to play by way of a heel harm this season however performed his final sport on Dec. 3 and was ultimately positioned on injured reserve.
Nonetheless, he is an in depth buddy of quarterback Kyler Murray, so Arizona should weigh whether or not or not Murray desires to maintain enjoying with Brown towards how a lot to pay the receiver contemplating his harm historical past. — Josh Weinfuss
G Kevin Dotson
Dotson, whom the Rams traded for throughout coaching camp, ended the season as Professional Soccer Focus’ No. 2-ranked guard. The workforce would like to have him again, but it surely will not be low cost. The Rams are projected to have $27.2 million of cap area in response to Roster Administration System, so whereas they might re-sign Dotson, they may want to concentrate on including to a younger protection that completed No. 20 within the league in yards allowed per sport. — Sarah Barshop
DE Chase Younger
The 49ers do not have many vital choices on pending free brokers, however Younger presents an fascinating case. The Niners gave up a third-round compensatory decide to accumulate him and will get a decide again if he indicators an enormous deal elsewhere.
Nevertheless it appears unlikely that Younger — who had 2.5 sacks, 16 pressures and a 13.1% move rush win price within the common season after the commerce — will get a deal giant sufficient to convey a major comp decide again to San Francisco. Which suggests he might be in for a short-term, incentive-heavy deal that the Niners may probably afford. If he does depart, edge rusher as soon as once more turns into an offseason want, more likely to be addressed early within the draft. — Nick Wagoner
DT Leonard Williams
The Seahawks gave up a second-round decide (plus a 2025 fifth-rounder) after they acquired Williams and his expiring contract from the Giants in October, which left little question that they’d attempt arduous to re-sign him this offseason. Nevertheless it will not be simple.
The Seahawks are projected to be about $4 million over the cap earlier than subtractions and restructures, and so they’re already paying huge cash to linebacker Uchenna Nwosu and defensive finish Dre’Mont Jones. Williams outproduced and obtained extra snaps than Jones in his 10 video games with Seattle, making it arduous to think about him taking something lower than the $17.2 million yearly common that Jones is making. — Brady Henderson
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