With the Super Bowl in the books, all 32 NFL teams have begun their respective offseasons. The franchise tag deadline and free agency are not far away, and they will provide a number of important developments. Some have taken place in the past week, though; here is a quick recap in case you missed any of them:
- Garoppolo Handed Two-Game Suspension: In another unwelcomed development during his Raiders tenure, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was issued a PED suspension which will sideline him for the start of the 2024 campaign. The ban – which he will not appeal – is likely to end his time in Vegas, a period which included only six starts in 2023. The 32-year-old has two years remaining on his contract, but the suspension will void the remaining guaranteed money in his deal. The Raiders were already likely to cut bait with Garoppolo this offseason after he was benched in the wake of Josh McDaniels’ firing, but this news will make that decision even easier. Vegas will be a team to watch on the QB market as competition for Aidan O’Connell is sought out.
- 49ers Fire Wilks: The 49ers’ Super Bowl rematch with the Chiefs produced the same result, and head coach Kyle Shanahan made a notable staffing change in the wake of the team’s loss. Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks was fired after one campaign in that position, marking an end to a relationship which had been the source of speculation throughout the season. Shanahan cited a lack of fit with respect to scheme as the reason Wilks was let go. The 49ers posted top-10 finishes in total and scoring defense in the regular season, but Wilks’ unit underperformed in the wild-card and divisional playoff rounds. Scoring drives by the Chiefs late in regulation and then in overtime helped them secure the win and inform the decision to fire Wilks. The 54-year-old will now become a late entrant into the coaching cycle; every head coach and DC vacancy has been filled.
- Patriots Open To Trading Down, Moving Jones: The Mac Jones era has not produced the desired results in New England, and it would come as little surprise if he were to be traded this offseason. Many have pointed to the No. 3 pick in April’s draft as a logical avenue to adding his replacement, but the team could trade out of that slot. Moving down the board would give New England’s new regime (led by personnel director Eliot Wolf and head coach Jerod Mayo) additional assets, something which would help the effort to rebuild a roster featuring deficiencies at a number of spots. It could delay the team’s decision to draft a Jones replacement by one year, though, and steer them in direction of a short-term free agent move. Jones is all-but certain to have his fifth-year option declined this spring, putting him on track for free agency in 2025 following a final year in New England or a first with a new team.
- Smith Likely To Remain Seahawks’ Starter? Friday marked an important milestone for the Seahawks with respect to quarterback Geno Smith. The team kept Smith on the roster long enough to guarantee his $12.7MM base salary in full, a sign he will remain in place atop the depth chart for one more season. Seattle does still have a window to trade the 33-year-old before his $9.6MM roster bonus vests one month from now, though, so Smith’s job security is still uncertain. Neither general manager John Schneider – a strong advocate for backup Drew Lock – nor new head coach Mike Macdonald have endorsed a firm QB direction for the offseason. Smith (who saw a regression in his overall totals compared to his Comeback Player of the Year performance in 2022) has two years remaining on his contract, while Lock is a pending free agent. As things stand, the former is headed for a reprise of his QB1 duties.
- Eagles Allow Reddick To Seek Trade: One year remains on Haason Reddick’s contract, but the Eagles allowed the two-time Pro Bowler to seek out a trade partner. Reddick has racked up 27 sacks in his two Philadelphia campaigns, and he could command a raise on his next pact. The 29-year-old is due $15.5MM in 2024, but none of his $14.25MM base salary is guaranteed. Reddick is not angling to leave, however; he has made it clear he intends to remain in Philadelphia and is aiming for an extension. The Eagles have little clarity along the edge at the moment, and ensuring Reddick’s future for at least the 2024 season would be a welcomed development. Whether or not the parties can work out another contract also will be worth watching as the offseason unfolds, though.
The offseason has begun so will we see a return of the “This day in transaction history” articles?