Biggest offseason question for every NFL team
Super Bowl LVIII is officially over, but with the scouting combine and free agency looming, NFL front offices don't have much time to relax.
Here's every team's biggest question heading into the 2024 offseason.
Arizona Cardinals
Will they make a huge move?
The Cardinals desperately need to improve at wide receiver and pass-rusher. No wideout went over 600 yards this season, and no defensive player recorded more than six sacks. A big move in free agency may be in the cards. With two first-round picks, including the No. 4 selection, Arizona could add some serious star power.
Atlanta Falcons
Will they find their QB1?
The Falcons opened Pandora's box in 2023 by benching Desmond Ridder multiple times. With no long-term answer under center, Atlanta's biggest priority this offseason is finding a quarterback who can lead the team. With the No. 8 pick, the Falcons could land a top prospect. They can also seek a veteran name in free agency - someone like Russell Wilson may work (if he's released).
Baltimore Ravens
Which pending free agents will they re-sign?
After significant members of their sideline staff departed this offseason, the Ravens could also lose some on-field talent. Odell Beckham Jr., Patrick Queen, Kevin Zeitler, Jadeveon Clowney, Justin Madubuike, and Geno Stone headline their 2024 free agents. Just how many will Eric DeCosta be able to retain?
Buffalo Bills
What does the future hold for Von Miller and Stefon Diggs?
Miller was extremely disappointing in 2023, recording zero sacks in 12 games. Meanwhile, Diggs left his future open again by stating he can't control whether he'll be back. Diggs and Miller own two of the Bills' three biggest cap hits for 2024, too. However, they both carry even bigger dead cap hits, which makes a cut or trade unlikely.
Carolina Panthers
Can Dave Canales save Bryce Young?
The Panthers enter this offseason with operation "Save Bryce Young" as their No. 1 priority. To lead the project, they hired former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Canales. He's as good a bet as anyone after rejuvenating Baker Mayfield in 2023. However, Young may be even more difficult after a disaster of a rookie season.
Chicago Bears
What happens with Justin Fields?
The Bears have a dilemma. Do they move on from Fields or trade the No. 1 pick to a quarterback-needy team and bypass the chance to draft Caleb Williams? Skipping the opportunity to draft Williams - a premier prospect - is a huge risk on its own. But another drawback to keeping Fields is the risk of his fifth-year option. Pick it up, and Chicago commits a good chunk of change to 2025. Don't exercise it, and it risks him overperforming in a contract year.
Cincinnati Bengals
Which skill-position stars won't return?
The Bengals' front office has some big decisions to make. Wide receivers Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd are scheduled to be free agents, while running back Joe Mixon is due a $3-million roster bonus on March 16, per Spotrac. Will any return to Cincinnati next season?
Cleveland Browns
What will the offense look like next season?
Will Kevin Stefanski call plays, or will that fall to new offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, who worked with Josh Allen and the Bills before being terminated last season? Cleveland could eye a wide receiver in free agency, with the likes of Higgins, Calvin Ridley, and Gabe Davis scheduled to hit the market.
Dallas Cowboys
How does this team get over the hump?
The Cowboys elected to retain Mike McCarthy despite another playoff disappointment. How does the team fix this issue? Jerry Jones says Dallas is ready to go all-in next season, which could foreshadow an offseason of additions. Jones will also have more long-term decisions approaching, such as what to do with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, who are entering contract years and could be in line for extensions.
Denver Broncos
What's the plan at quarterback?
All signs point to the Broncos cutting ties with Wilson after two seasons. If that happens, how will Sean Payton choose to replace him? Denver holds the No. 12 pick in the draft and could acquire a top quarterback. The only question is: which one?
Detroit Lions
How much will it cost to extend Jared Goff?
Goff put together one of his finest seasons as pro, leading the Lions to their first NFC title game appearance in 32 years. Now, they'll have to pony up. Goff's deal, which expires after 2024, averages $33.5 million per year. Daniel Jones' average annual value of $40 million might be the starting point in negotiations.
Green Bay Packers
How much gets a Jordan Love extension done?
The Packers have their guy at quarterback. Love proved that down the stretch, throwing for 23 touchdowns to three interceptions over his last 10 games (including playoffs). His base salary for 2024 is a measly $10.5 million after inking a one-year extension last offseason. There's no telling how high his average salary will be on a long-term extension, though around $45 million or higher might not be too surprising.
Houston Texans
Will they re-sign Jonathan Greenard?
C.J. Stroud led the Texans to a division title and playoff win as a rookie. How do they build on that in Year 2? Keeping their biggest free agent in Greenard is a good start. The 26-year-old led the team in sacks last season with a career-high 12.5.
Indianapolis Colts
Can they keep Michael Pittman Jr.?
Pittman had his best season as a pro in 2023, setting personal bests in receptions (109) and receiving yards (1,152). He did this while catching passes from Gardner Minshew for majority of the year. Will the Colts extend Pittman, use a franchise tag, or let him walk? How much will an extension cost?
Jacksonville Jaguars
What's the future hold for Trevor Lawrence, Josh Allen, and Ridley?
General manager Trent Baalke's offseason agenda is looking very full. Re-signing Allen after a breakout 17.5-sack season should be the easiest goal thanks to the franchise tag Baalke has at his disposal. Getting a long-term extension done with Lawrence, which Baalke said will happen at the "appropriate time" might be a little tougher given the trajectory of quarterback contracts. As for Ridley, will Jacksonville bring him back or let him test free agency?
Kansas City Chiefs
Will they be able to keep this defense together?
For all the talk about Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs' defense stole the show on their playoff run after limiting teams with high-octane offenses, such as the Bills, Ravens, and San Francisco 49ers. Their ability to run it back will probably depend on whether they can re-sign Chris Jones and L'Jarius Sneed, two players who played remarkably down the stretch.
Las Vegas Raiders
Will they draft one of the top QBs?
Aidan O'Connell played as well as anyone could've expected in his rookie season. Still, the Raiders may shoot for a quarterback with a higher ceiling. Picking 13th in the 2024 draft, Las Vegas will likely be linked to the likes of Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, Michael Penix, and J.J. McCarthy, among others.
Los Angeles Chargers
What does a Greg Roman offense look like with Justin Herbert?
The Chargers reportedly hired Roman to be their offensive coordinator, reuniting him with new head coach Jim Harbaugh. Roman's previous stints in the NFL involved working with dual-threat quarterbacks such as Colin Kaepernick, Lamar Jackson, and Tyrod Taylor. How will he shape an offense around one of the game's biggest pocket passers in Herbert?
Los Angeles Rams
Can they stop Kevin Dotson from hitting free agency?
Les Snead's most savvy move in 2023 was acquiring Dotson from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The guard played spectacularly and is in line for a major contract ahead of free agency. His projected market value is $16.4 million per year, per Spotrac.
Miami Dolphins
How much is Tua Tagovailoa worth?
Tagovailoa was out to prove his 2022 improvement was no joke last season - and he did exactly that. With a league-leading 4,624 yards and a career-high 29 touchdown passes, Tagovailoa played all 17 games and led the Dolphins to the playoffs. The only question is whether the Dolphins are prepared to give him a very lucrative contract. The former top-five pick's contract expires after 2024.
Minnesota Vikings
Will Kirk Cousins return?
Cousins will be 36 years old next season and is coming off a torn Achilles, but he was off to a hot start in 2023 before his injury. Will they re-sign him or let him explore the free-agent market, where he'll be the top quarterback available? This decision might impact free-agent pass-rusher Danielle Hunter's future and Justin Jefferson's extension talks.
New England Patriots
What to do with No. 3 pick?
The Patriots are starting fresh. Not only at head coach - with Jerod Mayo slated to take over from Bill Belichick - but possibly also at quarterback after Mac Jones struggled massively. If New England wants to start a new era, it should have its fair share of picks with the third overall selection. Heisman winner Jayden Daniels or North Carolina passer Drake Maye could be options.
New Orleans Saints
What happens with Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas?
Kamara is coming off a career-low 1,160 yards from scrimmage in 2023, while Thomas again failed to stay healthy and was limited to 10 games. Both could realistically be released this offseason. Kamara would save the Saints just over $1.5 million in cap space if cut, while Thomas reportedly has nearly $120 million in roster bonuses if he's kept.
New York Giants
How do they save Daniel Jones?
Jones followed up his breakout 2022 campaign with a disaster of epic proportions. The signal-caller fought injuries - including a neck issue and season-ending torn ACL - and threw two touchdowns to six interceptions in six starts. However, the Giants will need to find a way to make it work considering Jones carries a $47.1-million cap hit and $69.3-million dead cap hit in 2024.
New York Jets
How do the Jets improve the offensive line?
If the Jets want to maximize their biggest investment in Aaron Rodgers, having him play more than four snaps would be smart. Only three teams allowed more sacks than the 64 New York gave up in 2023. Unless the Jets want to risk another pressure-cooker season, they'd be wise to invest in the offensive line through free agency and the draft.
Philadelphia Eagles
How do the Eagles fix the back end of their defense?
The Eagles' defense fielded more aerial traffic than an airport in 2023. Ranking 30th in points allowed and 31st against the pass, the secondary is due a major shakeup. The problem is where these changes come from. Veteran corners Darius Slay and James Bradberry carry monstrous dead cap hits. Excluding Kevin Byard, the safety group is also uncertain, with Sydney Brown's return date unknown due to a torn ACL suffered in the regular-season finale.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Can Kenny Pickett be saved?
The Steelers entered the offseason with the goal of trying to salvage Pickett's development. That's why they hired Arthur Smith as their offensive coordinator. Smith's ran a run-heavy offense with the Tennessee Titans, allowing Ryan Tannehill to flourish. Can he do the same in Pittsburgh with Pickett?
San Francisco 49ers
What else does this team need?
Despite having one of the most loaded rosters in recent memory, Kyle Shanahan's 49ers squandered a 10-point lead in the Super Bowl to the Chiefs again. They'll face some important decisions this offseason with the likes of Chase Young, Jauan Jennings, and more set to be free agents.
Seattle Seahawks
How will Mike Macdonald mold the roster?
The Pete Carroll era is over. Macdonald crafted the league's stoutest defense as the Ravens' defensive coordinator. How will he recreate that in Seattle, and who fits in that vision? How he views the identity of the Seahawks will likely tie back to the free-agent futures of linebackers Jordyn Brooks and Bobby Wagner plus defensive lineman Leonard Williams.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Will Baker Mayfield be retained?
Mayfield has played his way to a gigantic contract after a career-high 4,044 yards and 28 touchdown passes. Will the Bucs be the team giving him his money, though? Mayfield has said the franchise's pick to replace Canales, who left to be the Panthers' head coach, will be key in his decision. Tampa Bay hired Liam Coen to fill Canales' role, but will that be enough? Perhaps a lucrative contract will be more convincing.
Tennessee Titans
Is this it for Derrick Henry in Tennessee?
It could be the end of an era as Henry approaches free agency. Henry rushed for 1,167 yards last year, his lowest total over a full season since 2018 while also averaging just 4.2 yards per carry. The Titans haven't ruled out re-signing their star running back, but they might also feel inclined to move forward with 2023 third-round pick Tyjae Spears as their lead back.
Washington Commanders
What's in store at quarterback?
Sam Howell might not be the answer. While his 2023 campaign featured a few highs, it also contained way too many lows. The Commanders have an easy out, though. They own the No. 2 pick, and the arrival of new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury from USC may foreshadow a major move.
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