Offseason Priorities for NFL Teams Facing a Make-or-Break 2024 Season
The offseason has barely gotten underway for most NFL teams, but general managers, head coaches and some players can already feel immense pressure.
When a team falls well short of expectations or fails to show improvement from year to year, the organization typically opts to make major changes. Every offseason, clubs bring in new coaches, coordinators and players to chase the ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl.
Within the next year, six teams could make wholesale changes if the 2024 campaign ends in disappointment, which means a new general manager, lead skipper or significant roster turnover.
We'll break down the top three priorities for each of those clubs with solutions for how to address key issues this offseason.
Dallas Cowboys
1 of 6
Structuring Dak Prescott's New Contract
In one way or another, the Dallas Cowboys must hammer out a new deal with quarterback Dak Prescott, who's entering the final year of his contract.
Prescott's current pact has no-tag and no-trade clauses in it, and head coach Mike McCarthy believes in his signal-caller as "part of the solution moving forward."
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Dallas aren't expected to give McCarthy a contract extension heading into the final year of his deal. The Cowboys' lead skipper will likely take on the brunt of the blame if Prescott isn't part of the team's solution to its early playoff exits.
Early in December, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the Cowboys planned to sign Prescott to a "rich new contract extension" in the offseason.
Prescott currently has a $59.5 million cap hit in 2024, but the Cowboys could lower that cost by signing him to an extension. That would allow them more financial flexibility to address needs in free agency, too.
Adding a Running Back to Bolster the Ground Attack
In recent years, Dallas had a two-man backfield featuring Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. But the Cowboys released the former last offseason, leaving the latter to handle the majority rushing workload.
Dallas finished the season ranked 14th in rushing yards per game, its lowest rank in that stat category since McCarthy's first year with the team (in 2020), when Dallas finished 17th.
This offseason, the Cowboys should add a physical ball-carrier to pair with Pollard. Perhaps they'll consider making an offer to Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry, who will become a free agent in March.
Identifying a Possible Replacement for Dan Quinn
Dan Quinn has made his rounds in this year's interview circuit for head coaching jobs. He's met with three of the four teams that still have an opening at the position.
Although the Cowboys gave up 48 points in a loss to the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round this season, Quinn has otherwise done a tremendous job coordinating that side of the ball. The Cowboys have finished within the top seven in points allowed per game in all three of his seasons.
If Quinn goes elsewhere to become a head coach, McCarthy could look to promote defensive backs coach Al Harris, who helped develop Daron Bland into an All-Pro cornerback. McCarthy could also reunite with Mike Pettine or Ejiro Evero, two assistants who worked with him in Green Bay.
Jacksonville Jaguars
2 of 6
Figuring Out When or If Trevor Lawrence Gets an Extension
We're eventually going to hear more buzz about what Trevor Lawrence could get on a contract extension. But his performances during the Jacksonville Jaguars' late-season collapse will complicate the situation.
Based on the tape and the Jaguars' results in the second half of the 2023 campaign, former three-time All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman recently questioned whether Lawrence is worth a $50 million annual salary.
The Jaguars won only one game between Weeks 13 and 18 as they fell out of the playoff picture. As Sherman noted, Jacksonville won that outing with C.J. Beathard under center.
In his 2022 Pro Bowl year, Lawrence led Jacksonville to the playoffs, but he struggled with turnovers, interceptions and fumbles this past season, which factored into the team's losses. At the end of the year, head coach Doug Pederson specifically spoke about how Lawrence needs to work on his ball security.
The Jaguars will likely exercise the fifth-year option in Lawrence's contract, but they have to start thinking about signing him to a new deal.
Freeing Up Enough Cap Room to Re-Sign Josh Allen
Unlike Lawrence, Josh Allen undoubtedly deserves a lucrative new contract. He recorded career highs in pressures (46) and sacks (17.5) this past season.
Allen has also shown consistency through five years in Jacksonville, notching at least seven sacks in three consecutive seasons. Though the Jaguars saw 2022 No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker make strides in his second campaign on the edge, Allen led the defense as its most impactful player.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Jaguars are expected to hire Ryan Nielsen as their new defensive coordinator. Assuming Nielsen accepts the offer, he should make it clear that he wants Allen to stay in Jacksonville.
Bolstering the Interior of the Offensive Line
To cut down on turnovers next year, the Jaguars need to make a stronger commitment to their ground attack. This past season, they ranked 17th in total carries and 24th in rushing yards per game.
In 2021, before Pederson's arrival, the Jaguars selected running back Travis Etienne in the first round of the draft. Last year, they added ball-carrier Tank Bigsby in the third round.
Jacksonville has the tailbacks to play a downhill style of football on offense, so the team should invest in interior offensive linemen with Ezra Cleveland and Tyler Shatley set to become free agents. The front office could also bring in competition for center Luke Fortner, who's yet to show that he's a high-level starter.
New Orleans Saints
3 of 6
Hiring a Coordinator to Get the Best Out of QB Derek Carr
Last week, the New Orleans Saints fired offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael. Looking ahead, they need a play-caller who will operate a balanced offensive attack with Derek Carr under center.
Carr's career numbers suggest that he isn't a high-volume passer. In 10 seasons, he has thrown for 4,000-plus yards four times and more than 28 touchdowns only once.
With that said, the Saints wouldn't gain any cap relief if they cut Carr, and he has a no-trade clause. They must work with him for at least one more season.
Dennis Allen, who has gone 16-18 during his two years as head coach, desperately needs the Saints to make their first playoff appearance next season. That may hinge on how well his new offensive coordinator meshes with Carr.
Among the candidates for the Saints' coordinator job, Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson seems like the best fit because of his exposure to head coach Sean McVay's balanced offense. In 2023, the Rams ranked 10th in passing and 11th in rushing.
Getting Creative with More Salary-Cap Gymnastics
New Orleans has made it a tradition to start the offseason $50 million over the cap only to get under the threshold by the new league year. The front office has cut players, signed key veterans to extensions to lower cap hits and restructured contracts in previous years.
The Saints are currently projected to be $83.7 million over next year's cap. That means they will have to consider trading or cutting notable veterans such as Michael Thomas, Demario Davis, Marshon Lattimore, Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye to comply with cap regulations.
In 2024, the Saints could field a much younger squad with several new faces in starting positions.
Finding a Way to Reunite Carr with Hunter Renfrow
Assuming the Saints get under the salary-cap threshold, they should find a way to add one player who can immediately establish a connection with Carr. That's wideout Hunter Renfrow, who played with Carr for four seasons on the Las Vegas Raiders.
In his first three seasons, Renfrow caught 208 passes for 2,299 yards and 15 touchdowns as Carr's trusted slot receiver, especially on third down. The shifty receiver earned Pro Bowl recognition in 2021, hauling in 103 passes for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns.
Since then, Renfrow's receiving numbers have gone on a sharp decline. The Raiders may cut him (post-June 1) to save $11.9 million. If not, the Saints could offer to take on a small portion of his contract or acquire him and restructure his deal to fit him under the salary cap.
.jpg?w=256 "Vikings Cowboys Football")
.jpg?w=256 "Falcons Jets Football")
New York Jets
4 of 6
Rebuilding the Offensive Line
The New York Jets' offseason will revolve around what's best for 40-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Coming off a torn Achilles, the four-time league MVP needs a high-end offensive line.
Offensive tackles Mekhi Becton and Duane Brown will be free agents this year. The former has an extensive injury history, and the latter turns 39 years old in August.
The Jets could move versatile offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker to right tackle, but general manager Joe Douglas needs to hit on a young tackle in the upcoming draft class.
In the first round of the draft, Gang Green should have its sights set on Notre Dame's Joe Alt, Penn State's Olu Fashanu and Alabama's JC Latham.
Adding a Reliable No. 2 Wide Receiver
On X, formerly known as Twitter, cornerback Sauce Gardner named wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Tee Higgins as a few soon-to-be free agents who should be on the Jets' radar. Even with Rodgers on pace to make a full recovery, Gardner (correctly) seems to believe the Jets still need more offensive playmakers.
Last offseason, the Jets signed wide receiver Allen Lazard to a four-year, $44 million contract. He finished the season with 23 receptions for 311 yards and a touchdown, and Gang Green benched him late in the year.
Rodgers will need more than Garrett Wilson on the perimeter to move the ball through the air.
Finding a Serviceable Backup Quarterback
Without Rodgers, the Jets had arguably the league's worst offense for stretches this past season. They ranked 29th in scoring and averaged the second-fewest yards per game of any team as they cycled through multiple backup signal-callers.
Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian had a shot to stabilize the offense, but they all struggled mightily under center. The Jets cut Boyle before the end of the 2023 season, Siemian's contract is about to expire, and Wilson has an uncertain future in New York because of his poor performances over the past three seasons.
Douglas should add a veteran signal-caller like Jacoby Brissett who has played well as a spot starter in case Rodgers breaks down at some point next season.
Even if Rodgers cannot evade the injury bug, head coach Robert Saleh has to find ways to win to keep his job after three losing seasons in New York.
Philadelphia Eagles
5 of 6
Hiring a Coordinator Who Can Restore Jalen Hurts' Pro Bowl Form
The Philadelphia Eagles parted ways with both of their coordinators this offseason. Head coach Nick Sirianni could be next if he doesn't turn the team around after an abysmal stretch between December and January.
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Philadelphia is expected to hire defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who parted ways with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday. The Eagles will now look to replace offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, who took over for Shane Steichen this season.
Steichen, who became the Indianapolis Colts head coach last offseason, pushed the right buttons with the offense, which helped Hurts play at a Pro Bowl level in the team's run to Super Bowl LVII. Without Steichen, Philadelphia still finished seventh in scoring and eighth in total yards, but the offense looked mostly stagnant after a 37-34 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 12, averaging just 18.9 points for the remainder of the season.
Hurts played in all 17 games and battled injuries throughout the season, but he saw a dip in multiple passing categories compared to the 2022 campaign.
According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Eagles have already interviewed Kliff Kingsbury, who has worked with dynamic quarterbacks like Kyler Murray and Caleb Williams. He would be a quality hire for the Eagles' Hurts-led offense.
Retooling the Backfield for a More Balanced Offensive Attack
Though Hurts is the most important player in the Eagles in offense, the front office has to revamp the running back room.
D'Andre Swift, Rashaad Penny and Boston Scott will be free agents in March, which leaves Kenneth Gainwell and Lew Nichols as the only ones on the books at the position.
The Eagles could re-sign Swift, who racked up 1,263 scrimmage yards and scored six touchdowns in 2023, or they could target a running back on Day 2 of the draft. Philadelphia could take Texas' Jonathon Brooks, Michigan's Blake Corum or Florida State's Trey Benson in the second or third rounds.
Adding Competition for James Bradberry
Late in the 2023 season, opposing quarterbacks picked on James Bradberry in coverage. He had his worst campaign as a pass defender, allowing a 114.3 passer rating in coverage.
The Eagles wouldn't save any cap dollars if they cut Bradberry in the offseason, and his recent performances likely torpedoed his trade value. They're probably stuck with him either way in 2024, but they need to explore alternate options as well.
Undrafted rookie cornerback Kelee Ringo saw an increase in his snap count late in the year and could be a candidate to start opposite Darius Slay. The Eagles could also use an early-round pick on a prospect with more upside to push Bradberry for the lead position.
Pittsburgh Steelers
6 of 6
Hiring a Brilliant Offensive Coordinator
Back in November, the Pittsburgh Steelers fired Matt Canada, which opened up the offensive coordinator position. Quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan and running backs coach Eddie Faulkner shared play-calling responsibilities, though the former has scheduled interviews for the same position with the Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints.
After the Steelers fired Canada, they put together a couple of 30-plus-point scoring performances. This offseason, they should explore the market for a more established coordinator to elevate their offense for the foreseeable future.
Pittsburgh has requested interviews with Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson and USC senior offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach Kliff Kingsbury. The Steelers would have an upgrade with either candidate.
If head coach Mike Tomlin whiffs on his next hire for offensive coordinator, his time in Pittsburgh could be in danger of coming to an end.
Adding Veteran Competition for Kenny Pickett
While Kenny Pickett recovered from an ankle injury this past season, third-string quarterback Mason Rudolph helped lead the Steelers to the playoffs.
Rudolph went 3-0 as a starter during the regular season, throwing for 719 yards and three touchdowns with a 74.3 percent completion rate. For comparison, Pickett threw for 2,070 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions with a 62.0 percent completion rate.
At the end of the Steelers' 2023 campaign, Tomlin told reporters that Pickett will enter the offseason as the starting quarterback, but the team will add competition. Pittsburgh should cut Mitch Trubisky, who struggled in spot starts this past season, re-sign Rudolph and consider signing Jacoby Brissett, Drew Lock or Ryan Tannehill to push Pickett for the job.
If the Steelers sign Kirk Cousins or Russell Wilson, Pickett would likely fall into a backup role rather than compete for the starting position.
Injecting More Youth into the Secondary
Rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. looks like a surefire starter on the perimeter, but the Steelers need to infuse their secondary with more budding talent.
Levi Wallace will be a free agent in March. Patrick Peterson and Damontae Kazee, both of whom are on the wrong side of 30, have only one year left on their respective contracts. Safety Keanu Neal has struggled with injuries throughout his eight-year career, and star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick missed seven games this past season because of injury.
The Steelers had leaks in pass defense in 2023, ranking 20th in net gains allowed per pass attempt. Through free agency and/or the draft, they need to add playmakers to the back end of their defense.
Pittsburgh fields a strong defensive front with T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Cameron Heyward, but it needs starting replacements and depth at cornerback and safety.
Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.
.jpg?w=480 "Vikings Cowboys Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Falcons Jets Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Cardinals Draft Love Football")
.png?w=600 "Predicting Every 2nd-Round Series 🔮")
