The NFL offseason is about to ramp up.
Monday marks the beginning of the NFL scouting mix in Indianapolis, the place groups can watch and meet the 329 prospects who had been invited this 12 months.
However the mix represents greater than a scouting extravaganza.
It’s additionally a mile marker at which basic managers should establish what they wish to accomplish this offseason. That may affect commerce discussions, roster choices and extension talks.
It must be a compelling offseason, with big-name stars already on the commerce block, others poised without spending a dime company, and a draft wherein the No. 1 choose is way from determined.
Listed below are the most important storylines because the offseason will get underway.
STAFFORD SAGA
The important thing to the offseason may very well be whether or not the Los Angeles Rams attain a brand new contract with quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Even at 37, Stafford is among the many NFL’s finest quarterbacks, and his $35 million wage for 2025 is effectively beneath market worth.
Stafford simply led the Rams (10-7) to an NFC West title and to the divisional spherical of the playoffs, the place they gave the Tremendous Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles the most important combat of any postseason opponent.
The Rams boast a proficient younger protection and a 23-year-old stud broad receiver in Puka Nacua, they usually could not wish to be tied up financially with an older quarterback.
Redoing Stafford’s deal stays the probably end result, nevertheless it’s removed from a certainty for a franchise identified for working outdoors of the field.
The Giants have already been linked to Stafford, who would command a sturdy market if the Rams determine to maneuver him.
RODGERS RELOCATION
Stafford is hardly the one veteran QB who might change groups.
Aaron Rodgers can also be searching for a brand new dwelling after the Jets determined to maneuver on following a disappointing two-year marriage.
Regardless of the Jets’ 5-12 file, Rodgers threw for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions final season.
He’s now not the quarterback who gained 4 MVPs with the Inexperienced Bay Packers, however Rodgers, 41, confirmed he has one thing left. If he doesn’t retire, Rodgers in Week 1 could be two full years faraway from the Achilles tear that ended his 2023 season after 4 snaps.
Aaron Rodgers, pictured in Week 18, won’t be again with the Jets. (Photograph by Luke Hales/Getty Photographs)
Nonetheless, his market is unclear.
If the Rams transfer on from Stafford, they might make sense for Rodgers, a California native with a house in Los Angeles.
The Minnesota Vikings even have uncertainty at quarterback. If Rodgers went there, he would comply with the identical Packers-to-Jets-to-Vikings path that former teammate Brett Favre as soon as did.
Ok.C. CONUNDRUMS
Contemporary off of their sobering 40-22 loss in Tremendous Bowl LIX, the Chiefs enter a pivotal offseason.
On the forefront is the way forward for Travis Kelce, 35, who acknowledged on his “New Heights” podcast that he has not determined whether or not he’ll play a thirteenth season.
Kelce, a three-time Tremendous Bowl champion and arguably the best tight finish ever, is owed $17 million subsequent season. However Kelce’s manufacturing has dipped the previous two years, and seemingly limitless media alternatives await Taylor Swift’s charismatic boyfriend in retirement.
Moreover, the Chiefs must rebuild an offensive line that was manhandled by Philadelphia within the Tremendous Bowl.
Whether or not or not Kelce returns, the Chiefs’ offense round Patrick Mahomes must be completely different subsequent season.
Travis Kelce is undecided about his NFL future. (Photograph by Jamie Squire/Getty Photographs)DARNOLD’S DESTINATION
Maybe probably the most intriguing QB state of affairs is that of the Vikings, who simply went 14-3 with Sam Darnold.
However Darnold, an impending free agent, struggled in a Week 18 loss to the Detroit Lions with an NFC North title on the road, then once more in a Wild-Card defeat by the Rams.
Minnesota might use the $40 million franchise tag on Darnold, or they might let him check free company and see what he comes again with.
Or the Vikings might merely transfer ahead with J.J. McCarthy, who missed his rookie season on account of a meniscus tear that required two surgical procedures.
Don’t overlook the Vikings signed Daniel Jones after the Giants lower him in November. Whereas Jones is now a free agent, he might return as a veteran presence.
Darnold, 27, is the NFL’s prime free agent after passing for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns in a long-awaited breakout season.
TRADING PLACES
Whereas this free-agent class is gentle on star energy, the commerce block must be something however.
Vast receiver Cooper Kupp, 31, has stated the Rams plan to commerce him after a down season wherein the 2021 NFL Offensive Participant of the Yr made 67 catches for 710 yards and 6 touchdowns in 12 video games.
Cleveland Browns go rusher Myles Garrett, the 2023 NFL Defensive Participant of the Yr, has requested a commerce.
Similar goes for San Francisco 49ers broad receiver Deebo Samuel, whose utilization curiously pale final 12 months after a 12-touchdown marketing campaign in 2023.
And whereas there has not been any public reckoning with Davante Adams, the Jets are anticipated to half with the 32-year-old broad receiver now that Rodgers is out of the image.
BENGALS BUNDLE
The notoriously cost-conscious Bengals haven’t one, however two star broad receivers primed for paydays.
Tee Higgins, 26, performed final season on the franchise tag and is a candidate to be tagged once more. Whereas Higgins comes with sturdiness issues, he’s productive when he performs, and quarterback Joe Burrow has repeatedly advocated for the 6-4 goal to return.
After which there’s Ja’Marr Chase, whom the Bengals failed to increase final offseason in what seems to be a pricey misstep.
Chase’s value has solely gone up after he led the NFL with 127 catches, 1,708 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns.
The 24-year-old is coming into the ultimate 12 months of his rookie deal.
DRAFT DECISIONS
5 of the highest seven picks in April’s NFL Draft belong to quarterback-needy groups, but there should not many high-end QB prospects to go round.
Most evaluators take into account Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders the one quarterbacks worthy of a top-10 choice, and even these two have confirmed polarizing.
Whether or not one might fall to the Giants at No. 3 or the Jets at No. 7 stays to be seen.
The Tennessee Titans maintain the primary choose, adopted by the Cleveland Browns at No. 2, and each are available in the market for a quarterback.
Total, this draft is taken into account gentle on generational expertise, with Colorado cornerback/broad receiver Travis Hunter and Penn State go rusher Abdul Carter pegged as the one can’t-miss prospects.
