We may only be less than ten days out from the Kansas City Chiefs tension-filled Super Bowl LVIII win, but the NFL dial has already moved over to the 2024 season.
With the scouting combine on the way next week and free agency around the corner, there are more than enough narratives to keep NFL fans busy in the coming weeks and months.
Here is a look at some of the questions that will dominate the NFL offseason.
What do Chicago do with their top pick?
The NFL Draft takes place in Detroit between 25-27 April, with the Chicago Bears currently on the clock. It’s the second year in a row that the Bears will have the top pick, but will they repeat last year’s decision to trade down?
That all rests on their plan for Justin Fields. The third-year quarterback has made progress each season, but he is not a slam-dunk franchise QB in the mould of, say, C.J. Stroud, who the Bears could have selected last year had they not traded their pick. With the likes of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels all highly rated in this year’s draft, it’s looking increasingly likely that the Bears trade away Fields.
Which QB gets the biggest contract?
In recent seasons, being the game’s highest-ever paid player has become something of a game of pass the parcel. Every time an established franchise quarterback signs a new contract, it is usually for a record-breaking amount, albeit a marginal increase on the last big deal. Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert could all call themselves the game’s most-monied player for a period over the past 12 months, but they’ll soon be displaced.
So who's next? There are a few contenders, with Trevor Lawrence no doubt set for a bumper long-term deal in Jacksonville. Dak Prescott could be in line for a new deal in Dallas, with the Cowboys needing to restructure Prescott’s current deal in order to create salary cap space. Jordan Love is reportedly in talks with the Green Bay Packers over a new long-term deal after his breakthrough season, while Jared Goff can also expect to be renumerated following the Lions’ best season in generations. The last big name who is likely to enter negotiations this summer is Tua Tagovailoa, who is set to play on his fifth-year option next season.
How does the post-Belichick era start in New England?
Life after Bill Belichick begins in New England with the number three draft pick, opening the door for the Jerod Mayo era to begin with a new quarterback after seeing Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe flounder last season. Alternatively, should they decide to pursue a veteran free agent under centre, Marvin Harrison Jr will be available at number three and give their offense a much-needed weapon.
What will the Chiefs defense look like?
While it was Patrick Mahomes that marched the Chiefs down the field in overtime to seal his third Super Bowl MVP award, he likely would not have had the chance to rewrite the history books had the Chiefs defense not been so good last season. Steve Spagnuolo’s unit kept the team afloat while the offense toiled during the regular season, but a laundry list of free agents on that side of the ball could mean changes are on the way. Chris Jones, Mike Danna, Willie Gay, Drue Tranquill and L’Jarius Sneed are all currently poised to hit free agency and the Chiefs will not be able to keep them all.
How do the 49ers and Shanahan get the monkey off their backs?
Onto the Super Bowl losers next - and the San Francisco 49ers know that their window will be closing as they look to shed their unwanted ‘always the bridesmaid’ tag that has seen them lose two Super Bowls and two NFC Championship games in the last five seasons. Steve Wilks was the post-Vegas sacrificial lamb, so a new defensive coordinator is the priority during an offseason that is unlikely to see a huge roster turnaround. The hope will be that continuity will bolster their chances of another run at the Super Bowl.
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