The NFL offseason started Sunday night time after the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 to say the Tremendous Bowl LVIII title and (solely barely much less importantly) the highest spot in our postseason energy rankings.
That implies that all of the fan bases which have been tuning out as their groups have been eradicated from playoff rivalry or the playoffs are actually again within the sport. Hope is alive once more for everybody with free company and the draft coming into view.
With that in thoughts, we’re resetting our energy rankings by combining a number of the previous (final season’s outcomes) and a number of the new (who’s getting a stud quarterback again, who would possibly get a brand new coach raise, who has salary-cap house, and so on.) to set the sphere going ahead.
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1. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes, who was 8-for-8 passing on the drive that simply gained the Tremendous Bowl, gained his third Tremendous Bowl MVP trophy and is one among 5 quarterbacks in NFL historical past to win at the very least three Tremendous Bowl titles (and he was behind by double digits in all three of these video games). He’s 15-3 within the playoffs in his six-year profession and has superior at the very least to the AFC Championship Recreation in all six of these seasons. Kansas Metropolis has $24 million in salary-cap house however would possibly as properly use all of it to verify the protection stays stocked as a result of Mahomes will make it work on offense.
2. San Francisco 49ers
This will likely be a troublesome week, however the future will likely be wonderful. The 49ers are over the wage cap (by simply $3.7 million) however have all of their vital offensive weapons beneath contract. In addition they nonetheless have Kyle Shanahan, which regardless of what everyone seems to be saying in the present day, is an effective factor. Shanahan is 72-54 as a head coach. San Francisco is second within the league in yards per play (5.9) and seventh in scoring (25.04) since Shanahan grew to become the pinnacle coach in 2017, in line with TruMedia.
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Everybody’s favourite underdog had the 49ers on the ropes within the NFC Championship Recreation, has cash to spend ($47 million in cap house) and, shockingly, nonetheless has offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who rebuffed the Washington Commanders to remain in Detroit. Each vital offensive contributor stays beneath contract on a workforce that completed fifth within the league in scoring (27.35 ppg). When coach Dan Campbell stated after the loss to the Niners that it will be “twice as onerous” to get again to that time subsequent season, it wasn’t poor-mouthing, it was simply his first motivational speech of the 2024 season.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson simply gained his second NFL MVP award, however can he get Baltimore over the hump within the playoffs? (Tommy Gilligan / USA In the present day)
A disappointing ending (scoring 10 factors within the AFC Championship Recreation in opposition to the underdog Chiefs) shouldn’t overshadow the actual fact the Ravens, who’ve $7.3 million cap house, stay the category of the AFC’s B flight (which incorporates any workforce that doesn’t make use of Patrick Mahomes). There gained’t be any Lamar Jackson contract drama this offseason, which is able to permit Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Monken to strengthen their connection. That’s excellent news for the Ravens contemplating Jackson is coming off the second-best season of his profession and second NFL MVP award. The quarterback’s yards per try (7.9) this 12 months have been a career-high and his passer ranking (101.6) and landing passes (27) have been the second better of his profession.
The Texans are one of many massive movers because the final publication of those rankings. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud put 45 factors on one of many league’s most aggressive defenses within the playoffs, beating the Browns 45-14 within the wild-card spherical, and was named offensive rookie of the 12 months. His offensive coordinator, Bobby Slowik, is again after taking head teaching interviews, and Houston has $57.4 million in cap house.
A Matt LaFleur Appreciation Submit: The Packers head coach by some means is the forgotten man within the Kyle Shanahan-Sean McVay dialog. LaFleur is 56-27 in 5 seasons in Inexperienced Bay. That .675 successful share is healthier than Shanahan or McVay, to not point out each different lively coach within the league apart from Jim Harbaugh (.695). Till final season, Aaron Rodgers bought the credit score for LaFleur’s accomplishments, however the Packers (who’re $2.9 million above the wage cap) are doing it now with 25-year-old Jordan Love.
Issues get loads tougher for Buffalo beginning this offseason as a result of Josh Allen’s cap hit simply went from $18.6 million to $47 million, and it is going to be north of $40 million for the subsequent 5 seasons. It’s why the Payments already are $51.3 million over the 2024 cap. The excellent news is that they nonetheless have Allen, and he’s the rationale Buffalo sits with Baltimore on the AFC’s second shelf. Bear in mind, the Payments completed the season fourth in level margin (plus-140) regardless of six regular-season losses.
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8. Cleveland Browns
Deshaun Watson is again, however we’re all nonetheless attempting to determine if that’s a great factor. Kevin Stefanski earned NFL coach of the 12 months honors by getting the Browns to the playoffs with no Nick Chubb and with Joe Flacco at quarterback after Watson’s season-ending harm. Watson has began solely 12 video games since becoming a member of the Browns two years in the past (8-4 document), and he’s 57th within the league in EPA per try (minus-.07) in that point, in line with TruMedia. Nonetheless, the Browns, who’re $19.6 million over the cap, have an awesome protection and Chubb getting back from a devastating knee harm.
Are you prepared for lots of Tua Tagovailoa speak? Properly, you higher be. The Dolphins quarterback is beneath contract for 2024 at a $23.2 million cap hit, however that’s the final 12 months of his deal and “Ought to Miami give Tua a market-setting deal?” goes to be one of many questions of the offseason. The Dolphins aren’t precisely rolling in spending cash. They’re $51.9 million over the wage cap in the meanwhile and may pay defensive sort out Christian Wilkins this offseason.
Tua Tagovailoa bought on stage with Darius Rucker to play the guitar & sing Wagon Wheel in Vegas 🎤
Daniel Jones was within the crowd cheering him on 👏
(by way of @kasideekarsten) pic.twitter.com/LKizs1IVWs
— Yahoo Sports activities (@YahooSports) February 10, 2024
No workforce has moved up this record greater than the Bengals, who not solely have $59.4 million cap house however are getting Joe Burrow again from a season-ending wrist harm. Offensive coordinator Brian Callahan is gone, however Burrow’s return greater than makes up for it. Burrow is 27-15 as a starter within the final three seasons and low-cost(-ish) for another 12 months. Burrow’s cap hit for 2024 is $29.7 million. After that, it goes over $46 million for every of the subsequent 5 seasons.
The Cowboys are allowed to be within the high half of those rankings solely as a result of the playoffs are over. Dallas, which is $19.7 million over the wage cap, has gained 12 regular-season video games in every of the final three years however just one playoff sport in that span. Dak Prescott and Mike McCarthy are again, trying to transfer previous final month’s embarrassing 48-32 loss to the Packers, however working again Tony Pollard is an unrestricted free agent.
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Everybody of observe is beneath contract, and the Rams have $27.7 million in salary-cap house. They gained seven of their final 9 regular-season video games and got here inside some extent of upsetting the Lions within the playoffs. Barring an sudden (however you would see it at his age) retirement by Matthew Stafford, the Rams will enter 2024 as a dark-horse convention championship contender.
Did we underestimate the Bucs all season lengthy? Did the Eagles simply give up? Tampa Bay’s 32-9 win over Philadelphia within the wild-card spherical raised questions on each groups. Questions that in all probability gained’t be answered till subsequent season begins, however the Buccaneers do at the very least deserve some recognition right here. Tampa Bay — which has $36.9 million in salary-cap house, a few of which actually will go to re-signing Baker Mayfield — has gone to the playoffs every of the final 4 seasons, successful the division title thrice and a Tremendous Bowl as soon as in that span.
In a world the place Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud didn’t exist, Indianapolis can be feeling superb about itself proper now. The Colts are getting quarterback Anthony Richardson again from his season-ending shoulder surgical procedure and are believers in Shane Steichen after his first 12 months as head coach. Throw in $58.9 million of salary-cap house to plug holes, and Colts followers can speak themselves right into a brewing rivalry with Stroud and the Texans.
15. Philadelphia Eagles
A case may very well be made to place the Eagles nearly anyplace on this record. Most of the causes they went to the Tremendous Bowl a season in the past (Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith) are nonetheless round, however questions abound. They’ve $20.2 million in salary-cap house however could lose Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham to retirement and/or free company. Then there’s the teaching employees overhaul that ended with Kellen Moore in command of the offense and Vic Fangio in command of the protection. How good are the Eagles? Who is aware of?
Kirk Cousins is the highest quarterback on the free-agent market. Will he return to the Vikings? (David Berding / Getty Pictures)
This place is Kirk Cousins dependent. The 35-year-old free agent is coming off a torn Achilles tendon, however he’s nonetheless going to be the most popular quarterback commodity in the marketplace. The Vikings have $24.7 million in cap house and can create as far more as they should to get Cousins again. He’s expressed his contentment with Minnesota, and why not? In his two seasons taking part in for Kevin O’Connell, Cousins is third within the league in passing yards (275.12) and passing touchdowns (1.88) per sport, in line with TruMedia.
Robert Saleh ought to simply faux final 12 months by no means occurred. Significantly. Make it a bit beginning now. Faux that is Aaron Rodgers’ first season with the workforce. Declare he’s by no means heard the names Pat McAfee or Zach Wilson. Lean into it. The Jets have $5 million in salary-cap house, the No. 10 decide within the draft and a wholesome Rodgers. New York nonetheless has Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator, however possibly Saleh can faux that’s not actual both.
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Seattle will get a brand new head coach bump because of Mike Macdonald’s hiring, but it surely’s nonetheless in one of many league’s hardest divisions with the 49ers, Rams and maybe ascendant Cardinals. The Seahawks have to create some salary-cap room (they’re minus-$5.2 million in the meanwhile) and hope Geno Smith has a bounce-back season. The quarterback’s passer ranking (100.8 to 92.1), touchdowns (32 to twenty) and yards per try (7.5 to 7.3) all went down after a stunning 2022, in line with TruMedia.
Mike Tomlin checked the “successful season” field once more, however that’s about all of the Steelers bought out of the season. They weren’t aggressive in opposition to Buffalo within the first spherical of the playoffs, they usually don’t appear to know if Kenny Pickett or Mason Rudolph is the quarterback. One thing everybody in Pittsburgh can sit up for, although, are some nice sideline pictures of recent offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and mercurial vast receiver George Pickens all through the season. Pittsburgh is $16 million over the cap.
Sure, Jim Harbaugh is quirky, however solely Man Chamberlin (who coached the Canton Bulldogs amongst others within the Nineteen Twenties; I needed to look it up), John Madden, Vince Lombardi and George Allen have a greater profession successful share within the NFL than Harbaugh’s .695. He additionally has Justin Herbert. There are points, although, together with an growing old roster and the actual fact the Chargers are $45.8 million over the cap.
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No workforce may have an extended offseason than the Jaguars, who misplaced 5 of their final six video games to fall out of playoff rivalry. Jacksonville, which has $11.3 million in cap house, has solely two extra low-cost years of Trevor Lawrence. The quarterback will likely be an $11 million cap hit this 12 months after which both play on his fifth-year choice or a brand new deal, both of which will likely be a much bigger quantity. The Jags decide seventeenth within the first spherical.
The Raiders have been 5-4 beneath interim head coach Antonio Pierce, which was adequate to make him full-time head coach Antonio Pierce. Now, he has his work minimize out for him. The Raiders have some cash to spend ($36 million in cap house) and the No. 13 decide within the upcoming draft, however they in all probability want a quarterback and are a great distance from with the ability to compete with the division-dominating Chiefs.
It’s onerous to see the place this workforce will discover a resolution at quarterback. Sean Payton nonetheless gained’t say if Russell Wilson will likely be again, however issues aren’t trending in that path. The Broncos are set to select twelfth in order that they’ll both need to commerce up or determine they’ll stay with one of many second-tier quarterback prospects if they need a rookie quarterback. They’re $23.9 million over the wage cap and can take one other massive cap hit in the event that they minimize Wilson ($85 million in useless cash if he’s launched earlier than June 1), so attracting a reputation in free company appears unlikely.
What the Bears determine to do with quarterback Justin Fields and the primary decide within the 2024 draft will set the NFL offseason dominoes in movement. (Michael Reaves / Getty Pictures)
Matt Eberflus is coming again. Now, what about Justin Fields? Due to final 12 months’s commerce with the Carolina Panthers, the Bears have the No. 1 decide, which suggests they’ll take Caleb Williams (or Drake Maye and even Jayden Daniels, however in all probability Williams) or financial institution on extra improvement by Fields. Both method, that is going to be an offseason of additives. The Bears have the Nos. 1 and 9 picks within the first spherical and $46.9 million of cap house.
Mike Vrabel is out, and Brian Callahan and a extra “collaborative” mindset are in. Will that and $68.1 million in salary-cap house be sufficient to get Tennessee again into the playoff hunt after two years out of the combination? That relies upon totally on quarterback Will Levis, who began 9 video games final 12 months and whom Callahan, the previous Bengals offensive coordinator, was employed to raise. The Titans have been 3-6 in Levis’ begins.
26. Washington Commanders
The Commanders’ offseason of optimism — new proprietor, No. 2 decide, $73.6 million in cap house — misplaced some momentum when Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson appeared to go away them on the head teaching altar late within the course of. It might end up that Washington stumbled into an awesome rent with Dan Quinn, whose optimistic perspective ought to assist a franchise that hasn’t gained a playoff sport since 2005, or it might be a bust. Quite a bit may rely upon whether or not Quinn’s offensive coordinator rent, Kliff Kingsbury, works out.
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Jerod Mayo is on the clock, and it appears as if he’s immediately in command of the primary spherical of the NFL Draft. The Patriots decide No. 3. Quarterbacks are thought of locks to be taken within the first two picks, however issues get attention-grabbing at No. 3. Will Mayo determine it’s time to maneuver on from Mac Jones and draft a quarterback or will he take Marvin Harrison Jr. to assist Jones’ improvement? What New England does with its $66 million in cap house in March could give us some clue about that.
Let’s all take a second to understand the Saints for at all times taking part in their position. Common supervisor Mickey Loomis scoffs on the wage cap, and thus New Orleans is within the worst cap form within the league heading into the offseason ($83.9 million over the cap). The opposite factor Loomis at all times does is determine it out by the point the autumn arrives, though Saints followers is perhaps beginning to surprise concerning the long-term technique. New Orleans hasn’t made the playoffs or gained double-digit video games within the final three seasons.
The Falcons have a brand new head coach, with Raheem Morris taking on for the fired Arthur Smith, and $25.8 million in salary-cap house. What they don’t have is a quarterback. That’s why they are going to be hooked up to each accessible one till the query is settled. Justin Fields? Positive, he may very well be an choice. Kirk Cousins? He’s aware of the brand new offensive system. Buying and selling up from No. 8 within the draft to get Jayden Daniels? Is perhaps an choice. That’s a preview of the subsequent two months for the Falcons.
Daniel Jones will depend at the very least $41.6 million towards the wage cap every of the subsequent three seasons. The Giants have the No. 6 decide within the first spherical. They need to at the very least take into account making a change at quarterback. In addition they have to determine what to do about Saquon Barkley. They couldn’t get a long-term deal executed with their star working again final offseason however have $21.8 million in cap house accessible they wish to strive tougher this offseason.
31. Arizona Cardinals
That is the offseason the Cardinals have been ready for since final offseason. Arizona has $41.9 million in cap house and has three picks within the high 35 picks and 7 of the highest 104. No workforce will get a much bigger facelift earlier than the beginning of subsequent season. One place the place there gained’t be a change is quarterback because the Cardinals have dedicated to protecting Kyler Murray.
32. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers employed a brand new head coach, Dave Canales, to repair their still-kind-of-new quarterback, Bryce Younger. Canales was the shock rent of the offseason, coming to Carolina after just one 12 months of calling performs at division-rival Tampa Bay. Both he blew the Panthers away within the interview course of or mercurial proprietor David Tepper was nervous he wasn’t going to have the ability to entice a bigger-name rent. Carolina has $28.6 million in cap house heading into the offseason.
(High picture: Michael Owens / Getty Pictures)