Since the talk of the current thread is starting to spread to the off season , we have to sit down and do a OFF SEASON thread. That way we won't distract from Kansas City and Philadelphia SUPER BOWL ahead in regular season thread. Anyhow lets get to the STORIES of 2023.
The 2023 NFL Salary Cap will be $224.8 million in 2023. Overthecap.com has the cap space shown for teams at this link. Chicago has the most NFL cap space heading into 2023 and could be major players ahead. Teams in trouble ahead are shown too.
https://overthecap.com/salary-cap-space
A lot of the teams at the bottom deep over the cap will shock you. Green Bay , Miami , Tampa Bay , New Orleans , Buffalo and San Diego have to redo contracts and more ahead to get back under the cap in 2023. This is like the 3rd or 4th year New Orleans has been so over the cap its insane.
#2 : How big will Joe Burrow's deal be ?
Joe Burrow's deal that is expected this season (and start in 2024 likely) is estimated to be even higher and longer than Pat Mahomes 10 year $450+ million dollar contract. As Mahomes has showed his deal is actually now considered....cheap. As QB salaries for Rodgers and more are pushing near $50 million a season.
How big will Burrow's deal be in Cincinnati.
#3: How bad will Lamar Jackson's deal be ?
Jackson last year was offered a 6 year $250 million dollar contract. With $133+ million guaranteed at signing and more average salary than what Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray get. But greed seeped in as Deshaun Watson signed a fully guaranteed deal in Cleveland and Jackson demanded all of the contract to be guaranteed.
Baltimore wisely balked as they realized he'd blow their salary cap. Plus as we saw Jackson struggled and still can't seem to be a full passing QB as his body started to wear down due to rushing attack he's forced to run. Baltimore will likely tag Jackson but the idea he'll get $250 million offer again could be remote unless he breaks through in 2023.
The Ravens had players question Jackson's heart on playing while hurt. It doesn't help Pat Mahomes is out there GUTTING IT out on 1 foot in an AFC Championship game as we saw.
Sean Payton has claimed he can fix Russell Wilson. That he as a QB Guru can do what he did with Drew Brees back in New Orleans. The Broncos are hoping this is true as they have way , way too much invested in Wilson to cut bait on. So they sent a lot of draft compensation to New Orleans to get Payton.
#4: Will Tua play in 2023 ?
Tua in Miami will dictate the headlines awhile with his health being a question. He suffered a terrible concussion as we saw where his body froze and likely suffered some damage from it. Now he has to question how much more his brain can take hit wise right now.
#5: Will the Houston Texans still be a disaster ?
With reports that Lovie Smith refused to play games with GM Nick Caserio as he wanted to be head coach at times , now they have a new young coach. Will Caserio continue to make Houston a clown show as we watch ? Can the team rebound and how long will this show continue until the owner realizes like most people from New England who believe they are a genius without Bill Belichick , they aren't.
With rumors flying that Green Bay is looking at potential trade destinations with Rodgers and whispers his own teammates are tired of his actions , will we see Green Bay cut bait with the pissy Packer ? Or will they tie the organization to him further and watch other teams ascend around them right now ?
Likely destinations if traded is Vegas , NY Jets and possibly Giants. Rodgers could even be looked at by Miami if they realize they have a window to make moves to get a Super Bowl ahead.
#7: How will Tom Brady do as an Announcer ?
Brady announced he was retiring (again) and will be moving into the announce booth for Fox. This will be an interesting transition as former QB's like Phil Simms , Joe Theismann and Tony Romo thrived in the booth. While Joe Montana (Brady's idol) struggled in the studio. Right now with a huge deal by Fox , the belief is he will work out good. But thats a lot to invest in a rookie announcer and Brady has to be a HIT from day one to justify the money invested in him. ($300+ million)