Every NFL season is a crucible of challenges and opportunities, and the latest is no different. One player who knows this well is Calvin Ridley, who spent the 2022 season suspended under the NFL's gambling policy. Ridley's career journey has been fraught with obstacles, including stepping away from football after seven games in the 2021 season to focus on his mental health. However, the wide receiver made a commendable comeback in 2023 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, posting impressive stats of 76 catches for 1,016 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. His performance earned him a lucrative four-year, $92 million contract with the Tennessee Titans, averaging $23 million annually.
Another major storyline involves Stefon Diggs. The former Buffalo Bills wide receiver had a roller-coaster season last year, catching 49 passes for 620 yards and five touchdowns in the first six games. However, he failed to hit the 100-yard mark in each of the final 11 games. In the playoffs, Diggs managed 10 receptions for 73 yards with no touchdowns over two games. His career took a significant turn in March when he was traded to the Houston Texans, along with a 2024 fourth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick. In return, the Bills received a 2025 second-round pick. As part of the trade, Diggs' contract was reworked, increasing his salary for 2024 to $22.52 million from $19.005 million.
Nick Chubb's 2023 season came to an abrupt halt due to a severe knee injury just two games in, tearing his ACL, MCL, and meniscus. This injury is a heartbreaking development for the Cleveland Browns' running back, who had a career-high 1,525 rushing yards in 2022. Compounding Chubb's woes is the fact that he had previously torn his LCL, MCL, and PCL back in 2015 while playing for the University of Georgia. The Browns have retained Chubb on a revised contract, ensuring him a fully guaranteed $2.05 million, with the potential to earn up to $12.225 million.
Injuries also played a role in Tee Higgins' season, limiting him to just 12 games in 2023. Despite these setbacks, the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver managed to record 42 receptions for 656 yards and five touchdowns. The Bengals have designated Higgins as a franchise player, valuing him at $21.816 million. However, this move has prompted Higgins to request a trade. Amidst this, the Bengals are also planning a blockbuster contract extension for Ja'Marr Chase, reinforcing their commitment to bolstering their receiving corps.
Ronnie Stanley's tenure with the Baltimore Ravens has been plagued by injuries, with the offensive tackle participating in only 26 out of a possible 61 regular-season games since signing a five-year, $98.75 million extension in 2020. Stanley played 13 games last season and has agreed to a pay cut for 2024, reducing his compensation to $7.5 million from $15 million. His new deal includes incentives that could boost his earnings to a maximum of $17.5 million based on playtime and honors.
Kyle Pitts had a stellar rookie season, recording 1,026 yards receiving and earning a Pro Bowl selection. However, injuries have hampered his production over the past two seasons, with Pitts managing just 1,023 yards over 27 games. Nonetheless, the Atlanta Falcons see potential in their tight end, picking up his fifth-year option in 2025, worth $10.878 million. New Falcons coach Raheem Morris expressed excitement about how Pitts will be utilized.
Marquise Brown experienced a tough 2023 season, posting a career-low 574 receiving yards on 51 catches across 14 games. The Kansas City Chiefs recognized his potential, signing him to a one-year, $7 million deal with incentives that could push his earnings to $11 million. However, Brown has a dislocated left shoulder and is expected to miss the regular-season opener against the Ravens.
NFL running backs remain a focal point with Najee Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson making headlines. Harris has gained over 1,000 rushing yards in each of his three NFL seasons, but the Pittsburgh Steelers did not exercise his fully guaranteed $6.79 million fifth-year option for 2025. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots extended Stevenson with a four-year, $36 million deal, featuring over $17 million guaranteed.
Jawaan Taylor joined the Pittsburgh Steelers on a four-year, $80 million contract, including $60 million in guarantees. Despite leading the NFL in penalties and penalty yards in 2023, Taylor has $20 million in fully guaranteed salary scheduled for 2025. Another move affecting the Steelers involves Josh Reynolds, who left Detroit for Denver, making way for Jameson Williams. The Lions' 12th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Williams recorded 24 receptions for 354 yards with two touchdowns in 12 games last season.
The Tennessee Titans have been active this offseason, adding Tyler Boyd on a one-year contract and signing DeAndre Hopkins on a two-year deal before last year's training camp. With Treylon Burks, who had 49 receptions for 665 yards and a single touchdown in 21 games since being drafted, the Titans have fortified their receiving corps for quarterback Ryan Tannehill.