Buying or Selling Latest Buzz on Saquon Barkley, More Ahead of 2024 NFL Offseason
While the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers remain focused on Super Bowl LVIII, the rest of the NFL is already looking ahead to the offseason and the 2024 campaign.
Of course, offseason is something of a misnomer. Just because there aren't any games doesn't mean there isn't any action. There are franchise tags. Free agency. Trades. The NFL draft. All can have a drastic impact on a team's fortunes when games start back up in the fall.
Although the offseason hasn't even begun yet, the speculation machine has, whether it's what star players could be traded, which free agents could see massive paydays or who could be on the move. Some of it will come to pass, and some will not.
Here's a look at some of the latest in that regard, and whether it's likely to happen or it's more of a long shot.
Saquon Barkley Moving On in 2024?
1 of 7
The New York Giants had a miserable season as a whole, but running back Saquon Barkley was a bright spot. He topped 1,200 total yards despite facing constantly stacked fronts.
But after playing in 2023 under the franchise tag, the 26-year-old told Complex's Zion Olojede that he realizes that his sixth season with the G-Men may have been his last.
"Once you get to this point, you go to your contract negotiation and you go through the tag process, you realize how much of a business it is," Barkley said. "And I remember vets always telling me this and you know I believed them, but you don't really know something until you go through it. So, could I see myself in another uniform? Yeah, it's possible."
Buying
Barkley is one of the better running backs in the NFL when healthy. But he missed three games in 2023, his numbers were down relative to his Pro Bowl season in 2022, and last season's implosion demonstrated that the Giants' problems are too extensive to pay big-time money at, arguably, the most devalued position in the NFL.
The Penn State product is an excellent running back, and he's still just 26. He could be an outstanding complementary piece for a contender. But he's not a foundational player. No running back is. Paying one big bucks is a luxury, not a necessity.
And right now, Barkley is a luxury the Giants cannot afford.
Extension Talks for Trevor Lawrence?
2 of 7
Not long ago, a massive extension for Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence seemed like a foregone conclusion in 2024. But after the team collapsed down the stretch and missed the playoffs, that megadeal may have to wait.
Jacksonville general manager Trent Baalke told reporters that while the 24-year-old is absolutely in their long-term plans, breaking the bank for him may not be in the short-term ones.
"No, I think we're going to sit down with ownership in the next several days. Sit down with the head coach, sit down with the personnel staff and really review the roster," Baalke said. "We've already done it, it's not like we're starting from scratch. Really just have a heart-to-heart on where we're at with all the guys that are potentially coming up. There's some good players on this roster that we'd like to see moving forward."
Selling
Frankly, there's no real reason for the Jags to do this deal yet, outside of making Lawrence's agent happy. They will undoubtedly pick up his option for 2025.
He's coming off a down season in which he turned the ball over 21 times and missed time for the first time in his career.
Baalke not-so-subtly admitted Lawrence's 2023 campaign was a concern.
"I think Trevor had another learning year, like we all do when we are a third-year guy in this league. I think there are some areas he made great strides in," Baalke said. "You look at this season, the two things we've got to do are we've got to do a better job of keeping him safe and protected, and he's got to do a better job of protecting himself. Unfortunately, he had four key injuries this year. When your quarterback has a throwing shoulder injury, a knee injury, an ankle injury, and a concussion all in one year that's alarming."
The Clemson product will still all but certainly get a huge contract from the Jags. And a rebound year would drive the size of that pact up.
However, the Jags should let Lawrence show he can rebound in 2024 before putting pen to paper.
Franchise Tag Coming for Jaguars Edge-Rusher Josh Allen?
3 of 7
Trevor Lawrence isn't the only big name Baalke has to make a decision on in 2024. After a career-high 17.5 sacks, edge-rusher Josh Allen is set to hit free agency.
However, the Jacksonville GM is emphatic that the 26-year-old isn't going anywhere.
"Josh Allen is going to be a Jaguar next year," Baalke said.
However, those comments have not gone down well with Allen's camp, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
"That remark didn't sit well with Allen and his representatives," Florio wrote. "Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Allen's camp is not happy that Baalke would take time to talk to the media about Allen before taking time to Allen or his agent about Allen. Allen's camp has been ready, willing, and waiting to engage in negotiations."
Buying
It may not be fair to the players, but the franchise tag was made for players like Allen. After setting a franchise record for sacks in a season, his camp is likely seeking an extension that could top $100 million.
And while the Kentucky product was fantastic in 2023, he had more sacks last year than in the three preceding seasons combined.
Much like the Lawrence situation, a huge deal for Allen is a risk that Baalke just doesn't have to take—at least not yet. The franchise tag won't make the player's camp happy, and he'll take up a huge chunk of cap space in 2024.
But it's still the wisest play for Baalke and the Jaguars.
.jpg?w=256 "Titans Camp Football")
Denver Broncos Moving Up in 2024 Draft?
4 of 7
The Russell Wilson era in Denver was an unmitigated disaster, and it now appears the team will release the veteran signal-caller despite the knee-buckling dead cap hit that entails.
However, at least one Denver beat writer believes Broncos head coach Sean Payton won't wait long to try to fill that void.
According to Cecil Lammey of Denver Sports, Payton is eager to move up in the first round of the 2024 draft and select a high-end quarterback prospect.
"There is a belief by many in the scouting community that Sean Payton has something cooking for the early portion of the NFL draft. People I trust DO NOT see Denver waiting for a falling QB, These evaluators believe the Broncos will make a BIG move up for a QB," he wrote.
Lammey added: "It's all buzz of course, but the Shrine [Bowl] is where serious go to kick off draft season. The NFL thinks Payton is going to move up, no matter what. Don't ask about compensation. Some think it won't matter because Sean Payton won't wait on QB. He wants his guy NOW."
Selling
It's not even a little hard to imagine Payton wants a high-end prospect under center. He didn't come out of retirement to run a team quarterbacked by Jarrett Stidham. But the logistics of such a move would be tricky.
For starters, the top three teams in this year's draft (Chicago, Washington and New England) could all take a signal-caller. Mortgaging the future for the team's fourth-favorite prospect likely wouldn't be worth the cost.
Then there's the matter of that cost. The Broncos already paid a steep price in draft capital to trade for Wilson and then Payton. Trading up from No. 12 to the top five without a second-rounder in 2024 would mean gutting the future that much more or dealing one of the team's best players like cornerback Patrick Surtain II.
It wouldn't be impossible to pull off, but it's not far off—and quite possibly not worth it.
Justin Fields On His Way Out of Chicago?
5 of 7
When the Chicago Bears recently posted a highlights video of quarterback Justin Fields, some fans interpreted it as a sign that the team planned to keep him rather than draft a new signal-caller with the No. 1 overall pick.
However, at least one Bears legend believes the 24-year-old's days in the Windy City should be numbered—and that USC's Caleb Williams should replace him.
"I think they have to take Caleb. I don't think there's any way around it this year," Brian Urlacher told the Zach Gelb Show. "If you don't take him and he turns out to be great, um…But having said that, Justin Fields played good to end the season last year as well. It's tough.
"... If you're asking in year three if he was still the guy, he's probably not the guy. He played better last year, I'll give him that, but I just don't think he's gonna be the guy going forward for them."
Buying
To be clear, this analyst believes Fields can be "the guy" in the league. And there are undoubtedly teams who agree, if only because NFL franchises without a franchise quarterback will talk themselves into believing it with relative ease.
But that doesn't mean it should be in Chicago.
Fields has shown flashes over his three seasons, but he's 10-28 as the starter in Chicago. Williams is almost universally considered a better NFL prospect than Fields was coming out of Ohio State, and it's not particularly close.
Trading Fields would net the Bears additional draft capital with which to rebuild around Williams. And the clock on a potentially staggering second contract would reset.
There are far too many reasons to draft Williams and trade Fields for it to even be a decision.
Contract Extension Coming for 49ers Wide Receiver Brandon Aiyuk?
6 of 7
There has been speculation for some time regarding the future of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk in San Francisco.
However, as the 49ers prepare for Super Bowl LVIII, it appears general manager John Lynch is already working on a way to keep the five-year veteran in town.
Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, inking Aiyuk to an extension is one of the team's highest priorities this offseason.
The 25-year-old had the best season of his career this year by far, setting career highs in receiving yards (1,342) and yards per catch (17.9). His ridiculous catch in the NFC Championship Game was one of the keys to San Francisco's comeback victory.
Buying
This one's a little tricky. With wide receiver contracts ballooning in recent years, Aiyuk's new deal could sail past $20 million per season, and the Niners already have a lot of high-priced offensive talent in running back Christian McCaffrey, wide receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle.
However, the window is open now in the Bay Area. Brock Purdy's minuscule rookie deal means cap space that can be spent elsewhere, at least for one more year.
Aiyuk is an important piece of the San Francisco offense, and a multi-year deal would afford the team more financial flexibility than the franchise tag would.
The smart money says a deal gets done here.
Bengals Wide Receiver Tee Higgins Staying in Cincinnati?
7 of 7
Aiyuk isn't the only big-name wide receiver angling for a fat raise. Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals is also set to hit free agency.
With fellow wideout Ja'Marr Chase eligible for an extension and quarterback Joe Burrow also making the big bucks, the belief was that Higgins could find himself the odd man out in Cincinnati.
However, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler noted that Higgins might not be the lock to move on in 2024 that some believe:
"The belief around the league is the Bengals have prioritized Joe Burrow (already extended) and Chase (will be extended down the road), meaning Higgins might be the odd man out because of financial constraints. But the dynamic receiver will be awfully tempting to keep, which is why I'm not taking a franchise tag off the table. Multiple teams would be willing to pay him something close to No. 1 receiver money."
Selling
Higgins struggled through an injury-marred 2023 campaign, missing five games and posting a career-low 656 receiving yards. But he topped 1,000 yards each of the two seasons before that and would be a No. 1 wide receiver on more than a few teams.
But Higgins isn't Chase, and once the latter is extended on a deal that could reset the wide receiver market, the cap squeeze is going to be that much tighter in the Queen City. With only so much money to go around, an $18 million WR2 may be a luxury that the Bengals just cannot afford.
If Cincinnati does tag Higgins, it may be to try to swing a trade. And if not, the wiser move may be to look to the first few rounds of the 2024 draft for his replacement.
.jpg?w=480 "Titans Camp Football")
.jpg?w=480 "49ers Eagles Football")
