AFC
Baltimore
Jeremy Fowler and Jamison Hensley of ESPN report that a team source told them Jackson wasn’t a “fixture in team settings” while he was hurt and that the team expected him to return for the playoffs. A source told them that Jackson’s counteroffers to the team have all exceeded Deshaun Watson’s five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed deal. The team source said, “anything is possible” in regard to the prospect of Jackson being traded.
Why It Matters: The outlook of Jackson, everyone in the Ravens offense, and everyone in a second team’s offense (Carolina? New York Jets? Las Vegas?) would change greatly if Jackson changes teams. Whether the team uses the non-exclusive tag, which sets compensation at two first-round picks, or exclusive, which gives the Ravens a say in the terms of any trade, could be a tell of whether the Ravens plan on dealing Jackson, forcing him to either play under the exclusive tag at a $45 million salary, or coming down on salary demands. Buckle up.
Denver
Jeff Legwold of ESPN reports that RB Javonte Williams' multiple knee ligament tears could keep him out “well into the 2023 season”.
Why It Matters: Williams is going in the 5th/6th round of early best ball drafts, which seems too optimistic in light of this news. Chase Edmonds is the only other running back of note under contract, but he’ll likely have to restructure his $5.66 million salary to stay with the team. This backfield will likely add an impact player this offseason. Don’t be tempted to buy low on Williams in Dynasty until this news is reflected in his short and long-term value.
The Broncos hired Vance Joseph as their defensive coordinator
Why It Matters: Joseph was already in this position once, so he knows his way around the building. His defense wasn’t a standout in Arizona. Still, he has a better roster in Denver, inheriting a unit that now Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero had playing at a high level last year.
Indianapolis
The Colts signed Jim Bob Cooter to be their offensive coordinator
Why It Matters: It’s hard to argue with Cooter’s results revamping the Jaguars passing game last year. He should be involved in the team’s decision along with new head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard about who to take in the draft to be their quarterback of the future at #4, or perhaps even higher in a trade, as high as #1, currently held by the Bears.
Kansas City
The Chiefs are expected to name Matt Nagy offensive coordinator after Eric Bieniemy left to be the offensive coordinator for Washington.
Why It Matters: Nagy is an Andy Reid disciple, so little should change in the offense if he’s in charge. This could also set Nagy up to be the successor to Reid when he decides to retire.
LA Chargers
The Chargers promoted defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley to defensive coordinator
Why It Matters: The previous defensive coordinator, Renaldo Hill, left for the Dolphins staff to work under Vic Fangio as passing game defensive coordinator. The two previously worked together in Denver. The Chargers will have new coordinators on both sides of the ball after Kellen Moore bolted from Dallas to work with Justin Herbert and replace Joe Lombardi after he was fired.
Tennessee
The Titans released LT Taylor Lewan, WR Robert Woods, and LB Zach Cunningham
Why It Matters: The Titans line is a unit in transition after a poor year, especially in the passing game last season. Lewan was a signature player of this era for the team but is expected to retire. Cunningham also appeared to be in decline. Woods was a disappointment after being acquired for a late-round pick following an ACL tear. The team’s push to contend for one more year came up short, and now the future is uncertain. The biggest decision for the team this offseason is what to do with Ryan Tannehill, who is due $27 million.
NFC
Arizona
Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said QB Kyler Murray could “return earlier than midseason”
Why It Matters: That’s not a very optimistic take if we are thinking of taking Murray in redraft leagues. He likely won’t be ready for Week 1 and might not be himself until midseason at the earliest. Like Deshaun Watson last year, consider Murray a luxury pick who might help at some point during the season but will clog up a valuable roster spot in the meantime. Murray’s early best ball price of a pick in the 100-105 range as QB14 is reasonable and reflects the uncertainty.
The Cardinals hired former Browns quarterback coach Drew Petzing to be their offensive coordinator
Why It Matters: Petzing has worked with new head coach Jonathan Gannon before in Minnesota, and he handled Jacoby Brissett well in Cleveland this year. Coming from the Kevin Stefanski coaching tree, Petzing should be expected to implement some form of Stefanski’s offense, but it’s not clear who the Week 1 quarterback will be with Kyler Murray rehabbing a torn ACL.
Carolina
New Panthers running backs coach Duce Staley said he thinks it’s important to bring back RB D'Onta Foreman, but it’s not his decision.
Why It Matters: Chuba Hubbard and Foreman, along with some contributions from Raheem Blackshear, were able to handle the backfield admirably after Christian McCaffrey was traded to the 49ers. There will be a lot of veteran options in free agency, but Foreman will be cheap. He was effective, so it’s not a stretch to see the team having basically the same backfield as they had in the second half of 2022. Foreman and Hubbard are both going outside of the Top 150 in early Best Ball drafts.
The Panthers hired Thomas Brown to be their offensive coordinator
Why It Matters: Brown comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree and was the running backs coach, tight end coach, and assistant head coach over the last three years. New head coach Frank Reich has said he’ll call plays at first but eventually hand off the duty to Brown. The Panthers have a big decision to make at quarterback this offseason and could be in on Lamar Jackson if the Ravens are open to trading him.
Dallas
Jon Machota of The Athletic wrote that LT Tyron Smith might have played his last snap as a Cowboy.
Why It Matters: It actually might not matter at all. Their 2022 first-round pick Tyler Smith, who was considered raw but moldable, showed he is the future at left tackle when Tyron Smith was out, according to Machota. Cutting Tyron Smith after June 1 would save the Cowboys (who are about $7 million over the cap right now) over 13 million dollars.
Bob Sturm, of The Athletic, wrote that “the word is out” that RB Ezekiel Elliott has “little left in his legs” and that the Cowboys are the only team that would pay him more than the league minimum.
Why It Matters: The Cowboys have to decide whether to tag, extend or let Tony Pollard walk in free agency. Pollard had ankle surgery last month and Sturm leaves open the possibility that the Cowboys “might not get much of him until midseason” if it takes that long for him to fully heal. Dallas is one of the top candidates to take a running back early in April’s draft.
Green Bay
Aaron Rodgers' “darkness retreat” has ended.
Why It Matters: Rodgers has said he could decide his future once this retreat was over. He could retire, he could play for the Packers again, or he could get traded. Playing for the Packers again seems like the least likely outcome, as long time beat writer Bob McGinn believes that the team “is done” with Rodgers. The Jets have been mentioned a lot in connection with Rodgers after they hired Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive coordinator. The Broncos hiring Hackett as their head coach might have been a ploy to get Rodgers, so the Jets are playing a risky game here. Jordan Love could be starting for the Packers in Week 1.
Aaron Jones and the Packers agreed on a restructured contract
Why It Matters: Jones was never going to play under his original contract term of $16 million for 2023. Instead, he’ll get 11 million, with 8.52 million converted to a signing bonus. He will make $31 million from 2021-2023, eclipsed only by Christian McCaffrey at the running back position. Jones should be the more valuable piece in the Packers backfield over A.J. Dillon, who disappointed in 2022. Jones' early draft ADP in the 5th/6th round should be up on this news, although he could be taking handoffs from Jordan Love.
New Orleans
RB Alvin Kamara was indicted along with three others on charges of conspiracy to commit battery and battery, resulting in substantial bodily harm.
Why It Matters: Kamara will have a lot more trouble avoiding a suspension for 2023, and it’s not certain that he’ll be with the Saints next season. Our Drew Davenport broke down the development of a video of Kamara connected to the incident getting released and the indictment.
Tampa Bay
Bruce Arians, officially a “senior advisor” to the Buccaneers, said he thinks the team is “in good hands” with 2021 second-round pick QB Kyle Trask.
Why It Matters: Trask is in line to start right now, but with free agency and the trade, not to mention possible trades, it would be foolish to rely on Arians words. He’s wise to project this instead of desperation, even if the team has clarity that Trask isn’t the answer. With all four NFC South teams among the worst current quarterback situations in the league, the Bucs don’t need to do anything too risky to contend, so Trask does have a shot to start, but there are no signs that he is a diamond in the rough. New offensive coordinator Dave Canales called Trask a “point guard”, so that’s at least hopeful for Chris Godwin’s PPR value if Trask is indeed the Week 1 starter. Consider Trask a sell in Superflex Dynasty on this news.
Washington
The Commanders hired Eric Bieniemy to be their offensive coordinator. He will also have the title of “assistant head coach.”
Why It Matters: Scott Turner was let go after the season and is now the passing game coordinator for the Raiders. Washington’s offense didn’t really underperform expectations under Turner, but Bieniemy is coming from a very successful stint as offensive coordinator in Kansas City. He wasn’t the play-caller or sole designer of the Chiefs offense, something he’ll get a chance to do in Washington. It’s difficult to project the Commanders offense until we know who the starting quarterback will be. Right now, 2022 fifth-round pick Sam Howell is in line to do that.
