The 2022 NFL season wrapped up on Sunday night time when the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles to win their second Tremendous Bowl title in 4 years. With Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes once more in possession of the Lombardi Trophy, it’s time to take an early take a look at the 2023 NFL marketing campaign.
NFL free company opens in a single month, whereas the 2023 NFL Draft is just a few months away. Earlier than we all know it, coaching camp and the preseason might be right here. Let’s attempt to reply 10 open NFL questions for 2023, starting with the budding dynasty in Kansas Metropolis.
10 Burning Questions for the 2023 NFL Season
Will the Chiefs Repeat as Tremendous Bowl Champions?
Solely eight groups have gained consecutive Tremendous Bowl trophies, and no membership has performed it for the reason that Patriots in Tremendous Bowls 38 and 39. Constructing a constant winner isn’t simple within the free company space, however it’s considerably extra real looking when you might have a quarterback like Mahomes on the roster.
The Chiefs have hosted 5 straight AFC Championship Video games, and so they did so in 2022 regardless of buying and selling their greatest broad receiver, Tyreek Hill, earlier than the season started. Kansas Metropolis wasn’t afraid to retool their roster final yr. They even took a slight step again from a monetary perspective, rating simply twenty third in energetic money spending ($162 million).
Mahomes’ 10-year, $450 million contract extension took impact in 2022, and his cap cost will enhance from $36 million final season to almost $50 million in 2023. The Chiefs are projected to enter the offseason with solely $7 million in cap house, however they’ve a number of fiscal levers at their disposal.
Basic supervisor Brett Veach may restructure Mahomes’ $34.4 million roster bonus to create extra cap house, one thing the Chiefs selected to not do final season. KC may also resolve to increase defensive sort out Chris Jones, launch defensive finish Frank Clark, or restructure offers for tight finish Travis Kelce and left guard Joe Thuney. Any of these strikes would give the Chiefs sufficient respiratory room to have a productive offseason.
Kansas Metropolis has choices to make at offensive sort out, the place Orlando Brown and Andrew Wylie are each scheduled to hit the open market. Brown, who performed final yr on the franchise tag, could need to turn out to be the highest-paid sort out within the NFL, however a brand new contract for Wylie shouldn’t current a lot of an issue.
The Chiefs might also need to goal a real WR1 to switch Hill. Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Skyy Moore will return in 2023, however JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman are each pending free brokers. Mahomes elevates his receiving corps greater than any quarterback within the league, however including a veteran like DeAndre Hopkins to an already-elite offense may assist Kansas Metropolis repeat as Tremendous Bowl champs.
What Does the Remainder of a Robust AFC Look Like?
Mahomes and the Chiefs might be considered as convention favorites for the foreseeable future, however the AFC will in all probability solely get stronger in 2023.
In Kansas Metropolis’s division, the Chargers will characterize stiff competitors after making the playoffs final season, particularly after bringing in new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. The Broncos even have new management, and it appears unbelievable that Denver will wrestle as a lot as they did in 2022 now that Sean Payton is in cost.
Elsewhere within the AFC, the Bengals and Payments stay obstacles within the Chiefs’ battle for convention supremacy. Cincinnati must work on its offensive line and will lose star defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo to a head teaching place, however Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins stay the very best triumvirate in soccer. Buffalo has struggled to get excessive in recent times, however Josh Allen and their roster depth will at all times maintain them within the combine.
The remainder of the AFC is not any cakewalk, both. Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars may take a significant step ahead of their second season beneath Doug Pederson. The Ravens must be within the working for a playoff spot if Lamar Jackson can thrive beneath a brand new offensive play-caller. The Dolphins, Patriots, and Jets are all reputable threats, whereas the Texans, Colts, and Steelers might be aggressive with younger quarterbacks beneath heart.
Eagles basic supervisor Howie Roseman by no means leaves stones unturned as he seeks to enhance his roster, and this offseason gained’t be any totally different. Philadelphia is in an identical monetary state of affairs as Kansas Metropolis. Whereas they don’t have a ton of cap house, the Eagles can manipulate their books to unencumber room and provides themselves the flexibility so as to add new expertise.
On offense, most of Philadelphia’s beginning unit ought to return in 2023. Working again Miles Sanders is a free agent, however I wouldn’t anticipate the analytically-minded Eagles to shell out vital money for an RB coming off his career-best marketing campaign. Proper guard Isaac Seumalo can also be on an expired contract, and he must be extra of a precedence as Philadelphia seeks to take care of its league-best offensive line.
The Eagles’ protection is far more fluid. Pending free brokers — James Bradberry, Marcus Epps, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Javon Hargrave, Fletcher Cox, T.J. Edwards, and Kyzir White — litter the roster, and it will likely be almost unattainable for Roseman to re-sign all of them. The linebackers would be the first to go, however Philadelphia will probably attempt to maintain a minimum of just a few members of their secondary, relying on value.
The Eagles ought to have the ability to retain a portion of their free agent class as a result of they’ll have the ability to complement their roster with early draft picks. Regardless of making the Tremendous Bowl, Philadelphia holds the No. 10 total choice due to a 2022 commerce with the Saints. That alternative, plus their choose at No. 30, will enable them to reload their roster with cost-effective rookies whereas they work out an extension with quarterback Jalen Hurts.
The place Will Aaron Rodgers Finish Up?
One other offseason means extra Aaron Rodgers drama, and the Packers’ quarterback is ready to asses his choices throughout a four-day darkness retreat. Inexperienced Bay reportedly could desire to commerce Rodgers, however the choice will in the end be as much as him. Though Rodgers doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, he may threaten to retire if the Packers attempt to commerce him to a non-preferred vacation spot.
Inexperienced Bay is just concerned about buying and selling Rodgers out of the NFC, which clearly limits his choices across the league. The Jets, who employed Rodgers’ former offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett, as their new play-caller, stand out as a suitor. Gang Inexperienced would have made the postseason in 2022 with merely league-average quarterback play. With Rodgers on the town, the Jets would immediately turn out to be convention title contenders.
The Raiders, who final yr acquired Rodgers’ longtime teammate Davante Adams, are additionally in want of a quarterback. Las Vegas is ready to launch Derek Carr within the coming days, creating a necessity beneath heart. With Tom Brady now not an possibility after saying his retirement, Rodgers may give Josh McDaniels one other veteran possibility.
MORE: Jets and Raiders in Play for Aaron Rodgers?
Groups just like the Dolphins and Patriots may additionally enter the Rodgers sweepstakes, relying on how they tackle their respective QB conditions this offseason. Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones have seemed like above-average signal-callers at varied factors throughout their careers, however well being (Tagovailoa) and regression (Jones) may entice Miami and New England to look in new instructions.
Whereas it’s enjoyable to take a position about potential Rodgers trades, the almost certainly end result includes the long run Corridor of Famer returning to Inexperienced Bay. The Packers almost made the playoffs in 2022 due to a late-season run. If Rodgers can proceed to develop his connections with younger receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, the Packers may return to the postseason as quickly as subsequent yr.
Who Performs QB for the 49ers?
The 49ers superior to the NFC Championship Sport regardless of being pressured to depend on their second- and third-string quarterbacks, a testomony to go coach Kyle Shanahan’s offensive design prowess. However with Jimmy Garoppolo headed without cost company and Brock Purdy going through a six-month restoration after tearing his UCL, San Francisco has extra questions than solutions at an important place in sports activities.
Shanahan lately mentioned he sees no situation the place Garoppolo returns to the 49ers in 2023, whereas Purdy gained’t be out there for the membership’s offseason program. For now, San Francisco is again to sq. one — counting on Trey Lance, whom they traded as much as purchase within the 2021 NFL Draft.
We don’t have a lot information on Lance, who began for only a single season at North Dakota State earlier than getting into the professional ranks. He made two appearances in reduction of Garoppolo in 2021, then began the 49ers’ first two video games in 2022. Lance’s first begin final season was performed in a digital monsoon, then he suffered a season-ending harm in Week 2.
Brady and Rodgers aren’t choices for San Francisco, and there’s been no indication the 49ers will think about a mid-tier veteran like Carr. As such, Shanahan and Co. will probably roll with Lance and Purdy heading into 2023.
Nonetheless, it wouldn’t be out of character for San Francisco to signal a high-quality backup equivalent to Jacoby Brissett. The 49ers proved in 2022 that you would be able to by no means have sufficient quarterbacks, and Brissett would give them a high-floor possibility if accidents strike once more.
How Will the Remainder of the QB Carousel Shake Out?
Brady’s retirement removes a few of the intercourse attraction from the 2023 free agent quarterback class, however there are nonetheless extra beginning passers out there than in most offseasons.
Lamar Jackson is technically a free agent, however the Ravens will probably retain the previous MVP through the franchise tag. That doesn’t imply Baltimore couldn’t nonetheless transfer Jackson. In the event that they use the non-exclusive franchise tender, the Ravens may enable Jackson to barter with rival golf equipment and let him stroll in trade for 2 first-round picks. An unique tag would nonetheless enable Baltimore to commerce their beginning QB for a big haul.
Even when Jackson stays with Baltimore, there are different intriguing QBs on the open market. Geno Smith may garner a two-year cope with in depth ensures after ending seventh in QBR. Daniel Jones ranked one spot behind Smith in QBR, is just 25 years previous, and is coming off the very best season of his profession.
Carr is already producing curiosity across the league, and Garoppolo will do the identical as soon as he formally reaches free company. We haven’t even talked about the 2023 draft class, which incorporates a minimum of 4 quarterbacks with first-round grades.
The previous three offseasons have featured notable QB transactions as Brady, Matthew Stafford, and Russell Wilson modified groups. The 2023 offseason might be simply as hectic, and the potential QB motion has the possibility to reshape the ability stability within the NFL.
Can the Rams Rebound?
After going all-in to win the Tremendous Bowl in 2021, the Rams suffered one of many worst dropoffs in latest reminiscence final season. Accidents struck at almost each place. Key gamers like Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Allen Robinson II, and Aaron Donald went down, whereas Los Angeles was pressured to play third- and fourth-stringers up entrance as their offensive line collapsed.
The Rams acquired the absolute best information in early January when Sean McVay, reportedly considering retirement, revealed he would return for the 2023 marketing campaign. Stafford and Donald may even be again, organising LA to compete once more within the NFC West.
Basic supervisor Les Snead continues to be paying for the Stafford acquisition and can sacrifice his first-round choose (No. 6 total) to the Lions. Nonetheless, the Rams have been adept at drafting and growing mid-round picks, which they’ll must proceed to do given their top-heavy roster.
Los Angeles has loads of contracts that may be reworked to create extra cap house, and shifting cash to the long run has by no means offered an issue for the win-now Rams. Constructing extra offensive line depth is an absolute should, and including one other playmaker on protection is also within the playing cards.
Which First-12 months Head Coach Will Fare the Greatest in 2023?
Three of the 5 groups with head teaching vacancies have already stuffed their posts, whereas the Colts are more likely to finalize an settlement with Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen within the coming days. The Cardinals seem to have narrowed their search to 2 defensive coordinators: Jonathan Gannon (Eagles) and Lou Anarumo (Bengals).
Indianapolis and Arizona will in all probability face the steepest uphill climb among the many golf equipment with new head coaches. Steichen and whichever coach takes over the Cardinals are taking a look at long-term rebuilds, and any success in 2023 will probably be thought-about gravy.
The Broncos landed an enormous fish in Payton, however competing in Mahomes’ AFC West is a tall order. Denver has just a few intriguing items on its roster, however Payton’s work will begin with Wilson, who posted the worst season of his profession after being traded to the Broncos final offseason.
In Houston, new head coach DeMeco Ryans is taking up a membership rife with issues however overloaded with draft capital. The Texans maintain two first-round picks (together with No. 2 total) and personal six picks inside the highest 101.
Houston will virtually absolutely draft a quarterback early earlier than utilizing the remainder of their picks to enhance a roster largely bereft of expertise. Given the state of the AFC South, the Texans may compete with the Jaguars for the division title as quickly as subsequent yr.
MORE: Which QB Is Greatest for Panthers Head Coach Frank Reich To Construct Round?
As constructive as issues look in Houston, the very best state of affairs for a brand new head coach may be in Carolina, the place the Panthers employed Frank Reich simply months after the Colts fired him. With Brady retired, there’s no clear favourite within the NFC South, and Carolina may fill the void.
The Panthers could must commerce up from the ninth total choose in the event that they need to goal a particular quarterback within the draft, however a veteran like Carr or Garoppolo may additionally put them in instant competition.
Who Are the Darkhorse Tremendous Bowl Contenders?
The Chiefs and Eagles have been each anticipated to compete for the Lombardi this previous season, however the Bengals got here out of nowhere to look within the Tremendous Bowl in 2021. Cincinnati confronted +15000 Tremendous Bowl odds heading into that marketing campaign. If we set the bar at +5000, are there any golf equipment that stand out as stunning title contenders in 2023?
The Saints (+5000) nonetheless have a really proficient roster, and if they’ll improve at quarterback, they’ll be within the combine to win the NFC South and make a playoff run.
The Patriots are hardly a darkish horse, however they characterize worth at +6000. It’s unattainable to rely Invoice Belichick out, and New England’s offense may take a large leap ahead with Invoice O’Brien taking the play-calling reins from Matt Patricia.
The spiciest contender may be the Bears, who face +8000 Tremendous Bowl odds after ending 3-14 in 2022. Chicago has almost double the cap house ($94 million) of any staff within the league, and provided that they don’t want a QB substitute, they might commerce the No. 1 total choice and purchase a bevy of picks.
Chicago doesn’t want a QB as a result of they seem more likely to run it again with Justin Fields, who was as dynamic as any participant within the NFL however nonetheless wants work as a dropback passer. If basic supervisor Ryan Poles can construct out Chicago’s offensive line and complement defensive-minded head coach Matt Eberflus’ facet of the ball, the Bears may pull off a stunning season.
Which Groups May Go From Worst to First?
Worst-to-first tales within the NFL are extra frequent than you would possibly anticipate. The Bengals did it in 2021, and the Jaguars vaulted from the basement to the penthouse in 2022. The Seahawks and Giants, who completed final of their respective divisions in 2021, additionally made the playoffs as Wild Card groups final season.
Heading into subsequent season, six of the eight groups that got here in final place in 2022 have reputable paths towards a division title. Apologies are on account of Commanders and Cardinals followers, who will probably need to undergo by means of one other season outdoors first place.
Within the AFC, we’ve already touched on the Texans’ probabilities of making the postseason, however the Jets, Browns, and Broncos may additionally contend for the playoffs.
Whereas the AFC East is a powerful division, Gang Inexperienced’s elite protection provides them an opportunity, particularly in the event that they land a veteran quarterback. Cleveland might want to depend on enchancment from Deshaun Watson, who ranked thirty fifth amongst 42 qualifiers in QB effectivity after getting back from suspension in Week 13. And the Broncos will want an identical rebound from Wilson to reach Payton’s first season with the membership.
Fields and the Bears want a stable offseason to compete within the NFC North, and the Falcons will want the identical to maneuver out of their division’s cellar. Atlanta wants a franchise quarterback and contemporary faces throughout its protection, however the staff boasts younger offensive weapons and an revolutionary head coach in Arthur Smith. The NFC South is there for the taking, and Atlanta has the sources to show over their roster within the coming weeks.