NFL Free Agents 2023: Top Rumors and Predictions Before Week 18

The NFL playoffs are nearly here. The 14-team postseason bracket will be set by the end of Sunday night, and the wild-card round will take place next weekend. It's the most exciting time for football fans, as the league's top teams battle to try to make it to the Super Bowl.

But not every team gets to participate. Of the league's 32 teams, 18 won't play again this season following this weekend. For those franchises, it will be time to start looking ahead to the upcoming offseason.

That includes thinking about the free-agent market, which could feature some top players this year. Who will be staying put, and who will be changing teams? We'll find out in a couple of months.

However, there's already been some buzz regarding players who will soon become free agents. Here's a look at several of the latest rumors, along with predictions for what will happen to each of these players.

Will Barkley Be Back with the Giants?

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) is introduced before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Saquon Barkley played only two games in 2020, with his season getting cut extremely short because of a torn right ACL. He wasn't nearly as effective when he came back in 2021. But this season, the 25-year-old running back has had quite the return to form.

In 16 games, Barkley has rushed for a career-high 1,312 yards in addition to scoring 10 touchdowns, helping the Giants perform much better than expected by leading them to an NFC wild-card berth. So it's no surprise New York wants to keep Barkley, who is finishing the final year of his rookie contract.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Giants plan to offer Barkley a multi-year deal to keep him on the team for the foreseeable future. New York is aiming to do the same with quarterback Daniel Jones, per Rapoport.

"The price also has to be right; it's not going to be a blank check," Rapoport said last weekend on NFL GameDay.

Barkley has proved that he's still among the most talented running backs in the league, so it makes sense that the Giants don't want him to hit the free-agent market. Expect the team to work out a deal with him before other teams get an opportunity to try to do so.

Prediction: Barkley re-signs with Giants

What's Next for Brady in His Legendary Career?

AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady passes during the first half of an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Last offseason, Tom Brady appeared to end his extraordinary NFL career by announcing his retirement. It didn't last long, though, and the future Hall of Fame quarterback decided to quickly unretire and come back for his age-45 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Although the Bucs are the NFC South champions and heading to the playoffs, things haven't gone nearly as well as expected for them or Brady. Tampa Bay is 8-8, while Brady has passed for 4,610 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions. That's not quite up to his lofty standards.

Will Brady come back again for the 2023 season? If he does, maybe it will be with a new team, as he's set to be a free agent after spending three years with the Buccaneers. Perhaps he could even consider reuniting with Josh McDaniels, the former New England Patriots offensive coordinator who is now the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.

"I would say [the Raiders] would be one of the possibilities," Rapoport said during a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.

If Tampa Bay has a quick playoff exit, it wouldn't be surprising to see Brady come back again. And according to Rapoport and NFL.com's Tom Pelissero, "all options are on the table" for Brady in free agency. It could make quite a bit of sense for him to go to Las Vegas.

Prediction: Brady signs with Raiders

Jacobs Likely to Be Returning to Las Vegas?

AP Photo/John Locher

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (38) during the first half of an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Before the Raiders can think about pursuing Brady, they have another order of business to take care of: trying to retain star running back Josh Jacobs. And it appears the team wants to ensure the 24-year-old won't be leaving via free agency this offseason, according to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

"Barring a major surprise, the overwhelming sense is the Raiders will bring their star back next season on either a new contract or by using the franchise tag on him," Bonsignore wrote.

Jacobs has impressed during his fourth NFL season, rushing for a career-high 1,608 yards and 12 touchdowns through 16 games. He's been a workhorse for an offense that has underperformed a bit, which led to the benching of quarterback Derek Carr.

Late in the year, Jacobs has voiced his frustration with the unit amid Las Vegas' 6-10 season. If he hits the market, perhaps he would consider signing elsewhere.

It wouldn't be surprising if the Raiders use the franchise tag on Jacobs and then try to upgrade their offense. After that, they could try to work out a long-term deal with the RB to keep him around for the long term.

Prediction: Jacobs returns to Raiders on franchise tag