It is thought-about an important place in sports activities, which is why lots of the greatest storylines for the NFL’s 32 groups heading into camp revolve round quarterbacks.
From 40-year-old New York Jets veteran Aaron Rodgers attempting to return from Achilles surgical procedure to 22-year-old Chicago Bears rookie Caleb Williams attempting to reside as much as being the No. 1 decide.
And do not forget Kansas Metropolis Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes going for the NFL’s first three-peat.
However quarterbacks aren’t the one query marks. There’s Mike McCarthy’s future with the Dallas Cowboys, the Los Angeles Chargers’ dearth of vast receivers in Jim Harbaugh’s first yr and the Los Angeles Rams attempting to switch Aaron Donald.
NFL Nation reporters check out the most important storylines for all 32 groups, and we additionally hyperlink to our 53-man projections as general workforce outlooks.
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AFC EAST
How will the adjustments the Payments made to the roster play out on the sector? This is not the identical workforce that received the previous 4 AFC East titles, though a continuing exists in quarterback Josh Allen.
It is a workforce in transition after transferring on from a wide range of key veterans, corresponding to vast receiver Stefon Diggs, middle Mitch Morse and security Jordan Poyer, amongst others. Buffalo has a largely rebuilt vast receiver room, and there will likely be new starters on either side of the ball, together with doubtless counting on rookie expertise in a means coach Sean McDermott has not typically finished prior to now.
With a difficult schedule, working to defend the division title can have a distinct look, and the way the remaining leaders carry out, and what influence the changeover creates, will likely be essential to the season. — Alaina Getzenberg
The Dolphins revamped their protection over the offseason and should discover a solution to jell over the following month and a half. Miami parted methods with six defensive contributors from a season in the past, in addition to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. In his place is former Baltimore Ravens defensive position coach Anthony Weaver, who drew rave critiques from Dolphins gamers all through OTAs and minicamp for his teaching type and talent to narrate to his gamers.
On the coronary heart of this protection are cross rushers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, who’re each recovering from season-ending accidents suffered throughout the second half of 2023. It stays to be seen whether or not they’ll take part in coaching camp or be wholesome for the beginning of the 2024 season. If the reply to both of these eventualities is not any, then first-round decide Chop Robinson will get a worthwhile alternative to indicate what he can do with further observe reps. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Quarterback Drake Maye’s growth would be the key storyline. Maye, the No. 3 general decide, gives the Patriots with hope {that a} turnaround from final season’s 4-13 effort may not be far off.
On the similar time, first-year head coach Jerod Mayo and new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt have persistently preached persistence whereas making it clear that veteran Jacoby Brissett enters coaching camp because the starter.
The final time the Patriots have been in the same state of affairs was 2021, with veteran Cam Newton locked into the No. 1 spot and first-round decide Mac Jones behind him. By mid-August, when Newton was sidelined because of COVID-19 concerns and Jones caught hearth in a joint observe with the Giants, it was clear that Jones would shortly grow to be the No. 1. Time will inform if one thing comparable unfolds with Maye. — Mike Reiss
Aaron Rodgers’ return from Achilles surgical procedure will seize the highlight early. After full participation in OTAs, the 40-year-old quarterback has the “all clear” for coaching camp. Prepare for Rodgers Hype Season 2.0.
The query is, can he be the Rodgers from 2021, when he received the fourth of his 4 MVPs? We in all probability will not know the reply till the common season, when the sport velocity will increase and his reflexes and instincts — the hallmarks to his recreation — are put to the take a look at. It might take just a few video games for him to get his sea legs, so to talk. As soon as he does, Rodgers can have sufficient weapons round him (see: WR Garrett Wilson and RB Breece Corridor) to carry the offense out of its annual doldrums.
All the pieces within the Jets’ universe hinges on Rodgers, placing immense stress on him to revive the franchise. — Wealthy Cimini
AFC NORTH
1:33
Harry Douglas: Lack of a Tremendous Bowl justifies Lamar Jackson criticism
Harry Douglas and Dan Graziano pontificate on whether or not the criticism of Lamar Jackson all through his NFL profession has been justified.
How a lot totally different will the Ravens protection look below new coordinator Zach Orr? In a span of eight years, Orr has gone from being a beginning inside linebacker for Baltimore to turning into its new defensive playcaller, changing Mike Macdonald (new Seahawks head coach). Beneath Macdonald, the Ravens led the NFL in sacks (60) and takeaways (31) final season whereas blitzing 21.8% of the time, which was the eighth lowest within the NFL.
Coaches and gamers have famous that the protection has been extra aggressive below Orr throughout offseason practices. The Ravens doubtless will not be going after quarterbacks like they did below former defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, however they in all probability will likely be sending further cross rushers greater than Macdonald did.
The Ravens have a excessive customary of excellence on protection. Baltimore has completed within the high three in fewest factors allowed for 5 of the previous six seasons. — Jamison Hensley
All the pieces relies on Joe Burrow’s well being. Burrow, coming into his fifth season, has by no means had a standard coaching camp. In 2023, Burrow suffered a strained proper calf that plagued him for weeks and was one thing he needs he dealt with in a different way. This yr, he is recovering from surgical procedure to restore his proper (throwing) wrist.
The workforce managed his workload throughout the again half of the offseason program by resting him on sure days. If Burrow can undergo coaching camp with zero setbacks, it is a fantastic signal he will likely be 100% wholesome for Week 1, one thing he hasn’t been since his rookie yr in 2020.
When Burrow has been at his finest, so have the Bengals. Between Weeks 6 and 10 of final season, the Bengals have been within the high quarter in factors per drive (fifth), touchdowns per drive (fifth) and crimson zone effectivity (tied for fourth) and had wins over San Francisco and Buffalo. — Ben Child
The Browns made notable strikes within the offseason to proceed constructing round quarterback Deshaun Watson — hiring Ken Dorsey as offensive coordinator and buying and selling for vast receiver Jerry Jeudy. However the set up of the brand new scheme was a bit stunted throughout the offseason exercise program due to Watson’s restricted participation as he continued to rehab from shoulder surgical procedure he had November.
Cleveland was additionally with out a number of high playmakers. Broad receiver Amari Cooper skipped minicamp due to a contract dispute, and Jeudy handled a minor damage. Operating again Nick Chubb additionally remained sidelined by the numerous knee surgical procedure he sustained final September.
There’s inner optimism within the new offense, which is bridging Dorsey’s cross ideas with head coach Kevin Stefanski’s run recreation roots. However the Browns want a wholesome Watson and their full complement of ability place gamers to comprehend the offense’s potential. — Daniel Oyefusi
How will the offense look with wholesale adjustments at quarterback and offensive coordinator? Although the teaching employees hasn’t formally named Russell Wilson the starter over Justin Fields, all indicators from the Steelers’ offseason program level to the 13-year veteran beginning Week 1.
However that does not imply that each one the offensive questions are answered. How will the 35-year-old carry out in Arthur Smith’s system? Do the Steelers nonetheless want a No. 2 receiver behind George Pickens? How will Smith steadiness the workload between Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren?
The Steelers have the items to construct an offense that enhances one of many league’s finest defenses, however coaching camp will start to dictate how — and if — these items match collectively to create the form of offensive success that is eluded the Steelers for a lot of the previous 5 seasons. — Brooke Pryor
AFC SOUTH
Will the Texans’ protection be higher in Yr 2 below DeMeco Ryans?
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Barring any main accidents, an offensive unit with quarterback C.J. Stroud, left sort out Laremy Tunsil, receivers Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs, together with operating again Joe Mixon, must be efficient. The Texans’ protection added finish Danielle Hunter and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, however there are questions at defensive sort out and cornerback. Their cornerback group can have competitors to see who will begin throughout from Derek Stingley Jr. It will likely be between Jeff Okudah, C.J. Henderson, and 2024 second-round decide Kamari Lassiter.
Additionally, the Texans changed each of their 2023 beginning defensive tackles. The cohesion of the protection might make-or-break the Texans’ 2024 season. — DJ Bien-Aime
How far can QB Anthony Richardson take the Colts? Indianapolis improved by 5 wins in 2023 and fell only one win shy of a postseason berth. Now, with Richardson again within the lineup after lacking 13 video games with an AC joint sprain in his proper shoulder, how a lot can he construct on the tantalizing preview he confirmed throughout his brief time below middle final season? And the way a lot can he propel the Colts within the aggressive AFC?
The Colts appear to imagine Richardson can really elevate the workforce, contemplating the choice to re-sign practically all of their in-house free brokers whereas electing to bypass vital strikes in free company and the commerce market. If Richardson can grow to be much less streaky and keep wholesome this season, and if coach Shane Steichen continues to show his playcalling prowess, Richardson would possibly simply show the Colts proper. — Stephen Holder
The Jaguars paid Trevor Lawrence like a franchise QB. Will he play like one? Reducing down his turnovers (60, greater than some other participant over the previous three seasons) is the highest precedence, adopted by staying wholesome. (He had 4 accidents final yr and one other in 2022.)
The Jaguars did lose WR Calvin Ridley and minimize WR Zay Jones however added veteran Gabe Davis and rookie Brian Thomas Jr., so it might take time for him to regulate to the revamped receiver group.
Lawrence has performed at a excessive stage in stretches — 5 consecutive video games final season with a passer ranking of 91.1 or higher (4 increased than 100), however he has but to do this over a full season. There’s much more stress on Lawrence to play at an elite stage now after the emergence of the Texans and C.J. Stroud within the AFC South. — Michael DiRocco
The Titans made strides to construct a workforce round second-year quarterback Will Levis. Sure, the workforce misplaced Professional Bowl operating again Derrick Henry, however it signed free agent Tony Pollard to type a one-two punch with Tyjae Spears. Tennessee additionally bolstered the vast receiver group by including the highest free agent vast receiver in Calvin Ridley and a gradual veteran presence in Tyler Boyd.
Levis will likely be protected by an offensive line that will get a lift from No. 7 general decide JC Latham and free agent middle Lloyd Cushenberry. The onus is on Levis to indicate that he’s able to taking his recreation to the following stage and exhibiting the Titans that he will be their franchise QB. All of it begins with coaching camp. — Turron Davenport
AFC WEST
Till coach Sean Payton picks his beginning quarterback, the three-man competitors for the job will present loads of camouflage for nearly the rest taking place with the Broncos. Rookie QB Bo Nix (No. 12 decide), Zach Wilson (acquired from the Jets) and Jarrett Stidham break up the work evenly all through the offseason program and minicamp, however many individuals across the workforce assume Payton will finally go together with Nix — the primary quarterback Payton has ever chosen earlier than the third spherical as a head coach.
The Broncos’ seek for a solution at QB within the post-Peyton Manning period has mirrored their present eight-year playoff drought; whomever wins the job would be the 14th participant to begin a recreation behind middle for Denver because the begin of the 2016 season. — Jeff Legwold
Will the vast receivers enhance considerably? The Chiefs added Marquise Brown in free company and drafted Xavier Worthy within the first spherical to assist a place group that was a serious disappointment final season. However Brown is three seasons faraway from his finest NFL season (91 catches, 1,008 yards for the Ravens in 2021) and Worthy is a rookie.
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Ought to expectations be restricted?
Rashee Rice was the workforce’s finest vast receiver as a rookie final season by a large margin, however he might face a suspension stemming from his involvement in a high-speed automotive crash throughout the offseason. The Chiefs are searching for bounceback seasons from Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore, particularly if Rice is suspended. Each have been amongst their most disappointing gamers final season. — Adam Teicher
Can a extra fearsome protection carry a lackluster offense? The Raiders’ protection figures to be a power, given it’s coming into its third season in the identical scheme below defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and is returning 10 starters from a unit that held opponents to a league-low 16.0 factors per recreation. Las Vegas additionally scored a league-high 4 defensive TDs after coach Antonio Pierce took over in Week 9, and it added a premier pass-rushing defensive sort out in Christian Wilkins.
The Raiders’ offense, which has star energy of its personal in three-time first-team All-Professional receiver Davante Adams, goes to have to hold its personal weight, particularly at quarterback. Which implies both second-year returner Aidan O’Connell or vagabond veteran Gardner Minshew must look considerably higher than they did in OTAs and minicamp. And quick. At the same time as they set up a brand new scheme below new OC Luke Getsy. — Paul Gutierrez
Are the Chargers adequate at receiver to contend? This offseason, the Chargers went from having maybe one of many league’s finest vast receiver pairings to arguably the worst. With receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams gone, in addition to operating again Austin Ekeler and tight finish Gerald Everett, the Chargers will look to youthful, unproven gamers to contribute offensively.
The aim for the Chargers’ offense this season will likely be to develop a dominant operating recreation, however they’ve additionally emphasised the significance of being balanced on offense with a dependable passing offense. Herbert is likely one of the league’s finest quarterbacks, and the Chargers will rely closely on him to raise their receivers, which incorporates former first-round decide Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer, and rookie Ladd McConkey. How the Chargers’ receivers fare this season will doubtless be the distinction between this workforce being common or a contender. — Kris Rhim
NFC EAST
Does “all-in” imply win-or-else? Jerry Jones didn’t observe the normal that means of all-in with the Cowboys’ offseason method to including to the roster, however he’s all-in on coach Mike McCarthy, all the teaching employees and QB Dak Prescott. They’re all coming into the ultimate yr of their respective contracts, even the brand new coaches, like defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
The Cowboys have received 36 video games the previous three years however haven’t gotten previous the divisional spherical of the playoffs with McCarthy and Prescott. If they do not get it finished this yr, will both be again in 2025? Jones has finished this form of factor earlier than along with his coach. In 2014, Jason Garrett was coming into the ultimate yr of his deal with out making the playoffs from 2011 to 2013. The Cowboys went 12-4 and misplaced within the divisional spherical … to McCarthy’s Inexperienced Bay Packers. It earned Garrett a five-year deal. — Todd Archer
The main target all season, together with in coaching camp, will likely be on Daniel Jones and the unsettled quarterback place. Common supervisor Joe Schoen was on “Arduous Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants” this summer season saying the “plan all alongside was to provide [Jones] a pair years: Is he our man for the following 10 years or do we have to pivot and discover any person else?”
Jones is coming off a torn ACL in his proper knee. He might want to have an enormous yr for the Giants to proceed on with him as their starter after flirting with different choices on this yr’s draft. It is a large season for Jones, Schoen and coach Brian Daboll. It’s going to go a good distance in figuring out their futures. — Jordan Raanan
How shortly will QB Jalen Hurts take to the brand new scheme? After a season wherein head coach Nick Sirianni, offensive coordinator Brian Johnson and Hurts struggled to sync up, Johnson was fired and Sirianni ceded extra management of the offense to Kellen Moore, Johnson’s alternative.
“I believe the aim coming in was to study Kellen’s offense and to grasp it, and I believe that is been a course of, and by the tip of it, I would like it to be mine and have it in my very own means,” Hurts mentioned this spring.
Hurts has had little schematic continuity throughout his faculty and professional profession. The one time he had the identical playcaller in back-to-back seasons was Shane Steichen in 2021 and ’22, leading to a near-MVP marketing campaign and a Tremendous Bowl look. The constructive is that change is nothing new for Hurts. If he can get this method down briefly order, there’s sufficient expertise to area a championship-caliber offense. — Tim McManus
Quarterback Jayden Daniels’ growth would be the greatest storyline all season. The No. 2 decide has grow to be the most recent in a decades-long line of quarterbacks hoping to revitalize the franchise.
Daniels impressed teammates and coaches along with his method within the spring, from his research habits to his on-field decision-making and accuracy. However in camp he’ll must play at a quicker tempo as soon as the pads come on, and after they face the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins in joint practices. Going through new defenses will present good measuring sticks.
Washington desires to scale back the stress on Daniels by way of the run recreation and protection. But when he exhibits development, the franchise will know it is in good fingers for the long run. — John Keim
NFC NORTH
1:00
Is there further stress on Caleb Williams this season?
Herm Edwards and Dan Graziano talk about their expectations for Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears this season.
It is exhausting to argue that Caleb Williams is not in a fantastic state of affairs for a quarterback drafted with the No. 1 general decide. The previous USC Heisman Trophy winner is surrounded by two 1,000-yard vast receivers (DJ Moore and Keenan Allen) and No. 9 draft decide Rome Odunze. And Professional Bowl operating again D’Andre Swift is coming off his finest season.
Beneath Chicago’s new offensive coordinator, Shane Waldron, Seattle offenses ranked seventh in designed cross proportion the previous two seasons, in comparison with the Bears rating thirtieth.
The Bears’ protection is eyeing top-tier standing after rising as one of many higher items throughout the second half of the 2023 season, fueled by the addition of cross rusher Montez Sweat and the emergence of a younger secondary that helped Chicago completed tied for a league-best 22 interceptions.
All the pieces surrounding the 22-year-old Williams suggests main enhancements in Chicago, the place the Bears have solely made the playoffs twice since 2011. Getting there will not be simple in a aggressive NFC North, however it lastly feels just like the workforce has the expertise to maneuver previous the rebuilding stage and into the class of contenders. — Courtney Cronin
Is WR Jameson Williams poised for an enormous leap? The 2024 season may very well be a make-or-break one for the twelfth general decide of the 2022 draft.
Throughout OTAs in Might, Lions coach Dan Campbell lauded Williams because the workforce’s most improved participant. “He’s a person on a mission,” Campbell mentioned. “And I am simply gonna depart it at that.” As a rookie, Williams missed 11 video games whereas recovering from an ACL damage, and he was suspended for the primary 4 video games of final season for violating the NFL’s playing coverage. However he’s anticipated to enter this yr’s coaching camp absolutely wholesome along with his sights set on unlocking his potential. — Eric Woodyard
What can Jordan Love and the offense do in Yr 2? By most measures, Love was the most effective quarterbacks within the NFL over the ultimate eight video games of the 2023 common season with 18 touchdowns, one interception and a completion price north of 70%. Most significantly, he led the Packers to the second weekend of the playoffs. This after an inconsistent begin to his first season because the beginning quarterback.
Love has nearly each ability place participant again apart from operating again Aaron Jones, who has been changed by Josh Jacobs. Nonetheless, there have been questions in regards to the Packers’ lack of a real WR1 — or whether or not they really want one. “I personally do not assume it issues,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur mentioned. “I believe if you happen to simply take a look at it all through the course of a season in the past — and each season’s going to be just a little bit totally different — however all these guys had their moments the place they have been the main receiver in a recreation. I really feel actually good in regards to the collective unit.”
Love will not be working towards till he will get a contract extension, and the Packers are optimistic a deal will get finished. — Rob Demovsky
What’s J.J. McCarthy’s short-term future? It is inevitable that McCarthy, the No. 10 general decide within the draft, will in the future ascend to the beginning job. However Sam Darnold is the clear No. 1 quarterback coming into coaching camp, making the query much less about whether or not McCarthy will overtake him by Week 1 and extra about when — or if — he’ll get on the sector as a rookie.
There’s a common sense that top-10 picks ought to play immediately, however you need to return solely to 2017 to discover a related instance. That yr, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs stored Patrick Mahomes (additionally chosen at No. 10) behind veteran Alex Smith till a meaningless recreation within the closing week of the common season.
The Vikings have been cautious to maintain their plan for McCarthy as open-ended as attainable. They don’t seem to be ruling him out of a coaching camp competitors, however in addition they could be removed from dissatisfied if he spends most of his rookie season on the sideline. — Kevin Seifert
NFC SOUTH
All eyes will likely be on the well being of Kirk Cousins. There’s a cautious optimism the Falcons may very well be on the verge of their first successful season since 2017. The workforce received seven video games final yr with younger playmakers on offense and a very good offensive line, but subpar quarterback play. Cousins may very well be the lacking piece on that facet of the ball.
However the optimism could be dashed if the veteran just isn’t 100% after tearing his proper Achilles final October. Cousins and the Falcons do not imagine there will likely be points, however Cousins turns 36 this summer season, and people sorts of accidents will be exhausting to foretell.
After which there’s the elephant within the quarterback room. If Cousins does miss time in coaching camp, how shortly will new coach Raheem Morris look to provide No. 8 general decide Michael Penix Jr. reps with the starters? — Marc Raimondi
Will Bryce Younger bounce again from a forgettable rookie season? The offseason has been all about placing Younger in place to justify the 2023 commerce with the Bears for the No. 1 general decide to draft the previous Alabama star. Even the hiring of head coach Dave Canales, who has helped flip round Baker Mayfield, Geno Smith and Russell Wilson, was about fixing Younger.
If Younger does not enhance, then all of the items added round him will really feel like a failure. Canales insists his aim is not to “repair” Younger however to construct a workforce that permits Younger to easily “do his half.” But when Younger cannot do his half, which would require an enormous leap from a rookie season wherein he ranked close to the underside of just about each key NFL statistic for quarterbacks, then Carolina may very well be searching for Younger’s alternative in 2025. — David Newton
What’s in retailer for the draft class of 2017? The three remaining gamers on the roster from the Saints’ stellar 2017 draft class all come to camp with questions on their future. Ryan Ramczyk will miss the season with a severe knee damage, resulting in questions on the way forward for his profession. Alvin Kamara left minicamp early with contract points lingering. Marshon Lattimore seems to be transferring ahead after being the topic of commerce rumors all spring.
Kamara’s arrival would be the greatest factor to look at after the abrupt ending to minicamp. Kamara missed 5 practices in the summertime of 2020 previous to getting a brand new contract. — Katherine Terrell
Can quarterback Baker Mayfield not solely replicate final yr’s success however take one other step ahead now that he is discovered a long-term dwelling with the Bucs?
The workforce has finished the whole lot it feasibly can — outdoors of locking up All-Professional left sort out Tristan Wirfs long run — to set him up for a profitable yr. They employed his former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Liam Coen to assist construct upon what former offensive coordinator Dave Canales began. They re-signed Professional Bowler Mike Evans, and grabbed middle Graham Barton within the first spherical of the draft, together with vast receiver Jalen McMillan, operating again Bucky Irving and guard Elijah Klein. Additionally they signed free agent inside offensive linemen Sua Opeta and Ben Bredeson.
Now it is on Mayfield to ship. — Jenna Laine
NFC WEST
What sort of soar can the Cardinals absorb Yr 2 below Jonathan Gannon? Half of final season did not actually matter for Arizona. The primary 9 video games have been spent ready for Kyler Murray, who returned in Week 10 from an ACL damage. By that time, the Cardinals had received only one recreation with Joshua Dobbs and Clayton Tune at quarterback.
Murray then led Arizona to a few wins in eight video games. However what stood out about final yr’s workforce was how exhausting it performed all season and the way aggressive it was all year long when the roster clearly wasn’t as much as par. It misplaced 5 video games by seven factors or fewer.
With a rebuilt roster, one other stout draft from common supervisor Monti Ossenfort, the return of Murray for a whole offseason and a strategic method to free company, the Cardinals have the components to make a large soar in Gannon’s second season, getting sufficient of a lift to compete for a wild-card spot. — Josh Weinfuss
How will the Rams exchange Aaron Donald? Sean McVay has been clear since Donald retired in March that there will not be only one participant who can exchange the long run Corridor of Famer, and that the Rams wanted to determine how they will put collectively a bunch that may exchange his manufacturing.
Los Angeles is relying on second-year defensive lineman Kobie Turner, who led NFL rookies in sacks final season, to take one other step ahead this season. The Rams additionally used their first two picks of the draft on their defensive entrance: defensive finish Jared Verse within the first spherical and faculty teammate Braden Fiske within the second.
Throughout OTAs, new defensive coordinator Chris Shula mentioned it is “going to be a committee method in emphasizing these guys’ strengths and having these guys rush as a unit and rush collectively.” The Rams had 41 sacks final season, which was tied for the ninth fewest within the NFL. — Sarah Barshop
Is that this lastly the yr the 49ers break by means of and win the Tremendous Bowl? If this appears like the identical high storyline of the previous 4 years, it is as a result of it’s. The Niners have been to 2 Tremendous Bowls and 4 NFC Championships prior to now 5 years with out successful the large one.
With quarterback Brock Purdy eligible for a profitable contract extension for the primary time after the 2024 season, that is in all probability the ultimate likelihood for this nucleus of stars to win the franchise’s sixth Lombardi Trophy collectively. A method or one other, some vital adjustments are on the horizon. The extent of these adjustments will likely be decided by whether or not these 49ers can get the job finished. — Nick Wagoner
The Mike Macdonald period begins. Caught in a rut of mediocrity, the Seahawks fired Pete Carroll and employed the 37-year-old Macdonald in January, changing essentially the most profitable head coach in franchise historical past with the youngest head coach within the NFL and one of many league’s brightest defensive minds.
Their post-Carroll energy construction modified as effectively, with longtime GM John Schneider now holding closing say over personnel selections in addition to oversight of Macdonald’s employees, which incorporates three coordinators — who have not held these positions within the NFL — along with a first-time head coach. What does current historical past say about Seattle’s possibilities of competing this season after its 9-8 end a yr in the past? From 2014 to 2023, NFL groups employed 37 head coaches who hadn’t beforehand held that title in faculty or the professionals. Of these 37, 13 posted successful information and made the playoffs in Yr 1. Twelve of them did so after ending beneath .500 the yr earlier than. — Brady Henderson
