The 2022 NFL season is now officially in the rear view. The Chiefs may still be celebrating their Super Bowl LVII victory over the Eagles, but all eyes have since turned to free agency. Signings and trades can be finalized Wednesday, March 15, though negotiations permitted in the legal tampering period can begin Monday, March 13.
With that said, it's time to look deep into the 2023 offseason with an overview of key storylines, teams to watch going into next season, and early projections from oddsmakers:
Five key offseason storylines
What's next for Aaron Rodgers? Tom Brady has already retired, this time "for good." Now we wait for another legend of the game to decide his future. The longtime Packers QB hasn't indicated one way or another whether he'll be back, but his recent meeting with Jets brass suggests a split from Green Bay is finally on the docket. The Packers are reportedly ready to turn the page to Jordan Love, and Rodgers sure seems to be headed for Jets-green pastures.
What happens with Lamar Jackson? The Ravens keep saying they want Jackson as their QB for the long haul, and they keep failing to actually meet the QB's contract demands, or draw him back to the negotiating table. Baltimore controls his immediate rights after using the non-exclusive franchise tag on the former MVP, but other teams are permitted to make offers to Jackson once free agency begins. If the Ravens don't match said prospective offers, the QB could be headed elsewhere.
Which of the other elite QBs gets extended? Four different 2020-drafted starting QBs are eligible for new deals: Joe Burrow (Bengals), Jalen Hurts (Eagles), Justin Herbert (Chargers) and Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins). Burrow could/should break the bank as maybe the NFL's most clutch signal-caller this side of Mahomes, while Hurts -- now approaching a contract year as former second-rounder -- has quickly earned his own mega-deal with an MVP candidacy and sterling Super Bowl showing. Tua, meanwhile, landed a fifth-year option as Miami pays its QB through 2024, though a long-term extension is always a possibility in the not-too-distant future.
Who drafts a QB early? QBs, QBs, QBs, we know. But that's the name of the game, isn't it? Just look at the best players on the best teams in Super Bowl LVII. Assuming the Bears stick with Justin Fields after trading down from the No. 1 pick, there are still seven teams picking in the top 10 of the 2023 NFL Draft that could reasonably target a signal-caller: the Panthers (No. 1), Texans (2), Colts (4), Seahawks (5), Lions (6), Raiders (7) and Falcons (8) may be fighting over three or four prospects, including Alabama's Bryce Young.
How will Sean Payton restore the Broncos? Payton isn't the only big-name coach back in biz; Frank Reich (Panthers) and DeMeco Ryans (Texans) are respected leaders now guiding young clubs. But the ex-Saints coach is easily the most accomplished of the new hires, and his blunt approach will make for a fascinating blend with QB Russell Wilson, who flopped under Nathaniel Hackett in 2021 and is probably in make-or-break territory after such a long, pristine run in Seattle.
Five teams to watch
| Justin Fields has room to grow as a passer, but he looked like MVP material with his legs for big stretches of 2022. And now they're absolutely teeming with salary cap space, plus extra picks and WR D.J. Moore after moving down from No. 1, to load up on a supporting cast. Time will tell if Matt Eberflus is the man to shepherd this roster for the long haul, but if they can get Fields better protection up front, Chicago could at least play spoiler in the NFC North. | |
| Brian Daboll was rightly named Coach of the Year for his efforts maximizing a transitional lineup and returning the G-Men to playoff form. Now New York has retained two of its top 2022 contributors in Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley, while entering free agency with some more money to spend. As long as Washington has its own QB issues and Dallas underperforms relative to its talent, they could be the Eagles' top challengers in the NFC East. | |
| No team has been more upfront about its desire and plans to spend big at QB. Zach Wilson quickly went from being talked up despite repeated demotions to discounted by team ownership, and with former Packers assistant Nathaniel Hackett onboard, Aaron Rodgers has emerged as the obvious top target. New York will be looking to better challenge the Bills out of the AFC East with a competent signal-caller in tow. | |
| The Doug Pederson revival peaked on Super Wild Card Weekend, when Trevor Lawrence finished strong to confirm this club is built for a real run down the road. Now former Falcons star Calvin Ridley is coming off suspension to boost their aerial attack, and their young D-line is still coming into its own. If they can shed some salary and make other upgrades on the margins, they're poised to make noise in a changing AFC South. | |
| They just endured one of the worst seasons by a defending Super Bowl champion in NFL history, and now they're at a pivotal fork in the road, seeking picks and cap space but returning Sean McVay at head coach and Matthew Stafford under center. GM Les Snead is clearly in rebuild mode. Either way, with so much up in the air around the NFC West, they could be contenders again with a clean bill of health. | |
Early odds
Yes, Super Bowl LVII just happened in February. But already the oddsmakers are forecasting the best of the best for the 2023 season, plus the 2024 playoffs, including Super Bowl LVIII, which will be broadcast on CBS from Paradise, Nevada.
Super Bowl LVIII odds
Here are the top 10 candidates to hoist next year's Lombardi Trophy (odds via Caesars Sportsbook):
- Chiefs (+600)
- 49ers (+700)
- Bills (+800)
- Eagles (+850)
- Bengals (+1000)
- Jets (+1700)
- Cowboys (+1800)
- Chargers (+2200)
- Jaguars (+2500)
- Ravens (+2500)