Here’s a look at back at PFR’s most recent originals:
- The Offseason In Review series continued with a look at the Packers. Sam Robinson broke down the player movement which took place in Green Bay, highlighted by the franchise’s second consecutive decision to trade a future Hall of Fame quarterback to the Jets. How the Packers are able to transition from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love under center will play a crucial role in their ability to return to the postseason now and into the future.
- A few quarterback mega-deals have already been worked out this offseason, and another could soon be coming to Justin Herbert. Ely Allen broke down the Chargers pivot’s candidacy for a monster extension after three seasons in Los Angeles. That stretch has included an Offensive Rookie of the Year award, a Pro Bowl nod and a postseason appearance in successive years, though Herbert is generally viewed as being a notch below the likes of Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow. As is the case with the latter, talks for a new deal will continue through the summer.
- Four players are currently set to play on the franchise tag, and they have until July 17 to work out a new contract. Sam detailed the situations of running backs Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard, along with tight end Evan Engram. The RB market has not been a fruitful one in 2023, so the Giants and Raiders have plenty of leverage during negotiations, which, should they not yield an agreement, will see their backs and Pollard earn $10.1MM. The latter has signed his one-year tender, but will any of the others do the same?
- The Patriots have a few interesting financial decisions to make with recent draftees, including Kyle Dugger. The safety may have played his way into a signficant raise, as detailed by Ben Levine. New England used a second-round pick on the Lenoir-Rhyne product in 2020, and it has yielded notable production over the past two years in particular. Dugger could become the first Patriot selected in the first or second round to land an extension in quite some time, though the team is not renowned for spending big on internal or external players when the time comes for large contract commitments.
- Five new head coaches are in place for the 2023 campaign, half the total from last year. Breaking down where the league’s skippers sit with respect to tenure, Sam looked back at the searches conducted by teams who moved in a new direction and some of the other top storylines which have circulated in recent months. Bill Belichick still tops the list of longest-running coaches in their current position, but the Patriots’ post-Tom Brady performances and his seemingly strained relationship with owner Robert Kraft have led to questions about how much longer he will remain in New England.
- Plenty of attention will be on the Raiders and Jacobs in advance of the franchise tag deadline, but contract disputes aren’t new for the two parties. In Ben’s latest contribution to the This Day In Transactions History Series, he recalled the tension which surrounded the issue of Jacobs’ signing bonus being paid out early. The first-rounder seemed a threat to hold out during training camp, but he ultimately inked his rookie deal. His play since doing so has put him in line for a step up in compensation, but plenty of progress will need to be made soon on current talks for that to take place.
- Following up on his breakdown of the league’s longest-tenured head coaches, Sam did the same with general managers. Only two new GMs – Ran Carthon and Monti Ossenfort – have been installed by the Titans and Cardinals, respectively, this offseason. The latter in particular has embarked on a rebuilding effort, while many others are in position to continue their Super Bowl pursuits. The recent extension given to Brandon Beane by the Bills will allow him to carry on with his work in that regard. Changes made at other levels of NFL front offices will no doubt lead to another intriguing hiring cycle in 2024.
- Most teams know roughly where they stand with respect to cap space heading into this season, but next year offers an interesting peak at the decisions which will need to be made. Ben examined how things currently shape up regarding 2024 cap space, a list which features the Texans and Bears in first and third, respectively. Both teams have plenty of young, cost-controlled assets in place and will be able to be major players on the open market when free agency begins. By that point, 11 teams will have needed to carve out space simply to be cap compliant, let along set themselves up for notable additions. A number of key moves will no doubt be informed by the financial circumstances teams know are around the corner.