6 Trades, Free-Agency Decisions and Teams That Could Define 2024 NFL Offseason

The 2024 NFL offseason hasn't heated up yet, but you know fire is coming. The league almost never disappoints, especially in March and April.

Now, we have a chance to use some of the clues in place to predict what stories, players and narratives will shape this particular offseason.

Here are six themes we're looking at.

The New York Jets Acquire Davante Adams

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets talks with wide receiver Davante Adams #17 of the Las Vegas Raiders after the Raiders defeated the Jets to win the game at Allegiant Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

A reunion between Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams has been buzzed about for a while, and you know the New York Jets are prepared to at least try to accommodate Rodgers in every way possible ahead of what could be his last shot at a second Super Bowl title.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Jets inquired with the Raiders about Adams ahead of this past year's trade deadline. They were reportedly rebuffed, but that doesn't mean a deal is necessarily off the table. In fact, a source told Schefter that Gang Green would again pursue the 31-year-old six-time Pro Bowler this offseason.

Well, that time has just about arrived.

Still, this storyline could linger well beyond the start of free agency in March. That's because Adams' contract won't be easy to move, and it's worth noting that the Las Vegas Raiders can save $17.5 million in salary-cap space by dealing their veteran receiver after June 1, as opposed to $1.8 million before that date.

The Kansas City Chiefs Lose Another Star?

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 5: Chris Jones #95 of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to media during Super Bowl LVIII Opening Night at Allegiant Stadium ahead of Super Bowl LVIII on February 5, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Two years ago, it was Tyreek Hill. Last year, it was Orlando Brown Jr.

The Kansas City Chiefs found a way to win the Super Bowl in both seasons despite losing said standout offensive players.

This offseason, it could be a superstar defender leaving town.

That's because versatile perennial All-Pro defensive lineman Chris Jones is set to become an unrestricted free agent smack dab in the middle of his prime. And while the Chiefs still have the ability to hit the 29-year-old Jones with the franchise tag for the second year in a row, that approximate $33 million price tag could very well cripple an organization that has less than $23 million in cap space and several other key in-house free agents to worry about.

Jones screamed during the Chiefs' championship parade that he "ain't going nowhere, baby!" but this is a business, and he already held out last summer.

Even if he doesn't get away, expect his status to draw substantial attention throughout the sports world—potentially well into the fall.

The Washington Commanders-Caleb Williams Tango

Adam Bow/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

TEMPE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 23: USC Trojans Senior Offensive Analyst Kliff Kingsbury congratulates USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) during the NCAA College Football game between the USC Trojans and Arizona State Sun Devils on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Adam Bow/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The math is simple.

• Caleb Williams is, in the opinion of many, an obvious No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft. 
• Williams hails from the Washington, D.C., area. 
• The Washington Commanders are likely in search of a potential franchise quarterback. 
• The Commanders hold the No. 2 overall pick in said draft.
• Former NFL head coach Kliff Kingsbury coached Williams at USC in 2023.
• This month, the Commanders hired Kingsbury to be their new offensive coordinator.

Does that mean the Commanders will fork over what is sure to be an arm and a leg to move up and take Williams first overall? Could they gamble and hope to land him with the No. 2 pick? Is it possible they go in another direction entirely? Or stick with Sam Howell and see if it can all come together for him with a guy like Marvin Harrison Jr. at his disposal?

For what it's worth, the Chicago Bears have yet to strongly indicate they're giving up on Justin Fields and drafting Williams first overall.

As for Washington, a lot of balls are in the air for a team with a new regime that also leads the league in cap space. The Commanders will often be the center of attention this offseason.

AFC South Spending Spree?

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DeMeco Ryans

Meanwhile, three of the next four teams on that cap space list hail from one division: the AFC South.

• The Tennessee Titans possess $74 million in cap space and have just one impending in-house free agent who ranks in the top 50 at Pro Football Focus (running back Derrick Henry).
  
• The Indianapolis Colts have more than $66 million in their back pocket and also have just one top-50 UFA at PFF (cornerback Kenny Moore II).
  
• The Houston Texans own more than $65 million in space and have no top-30 free agents-to-be (although three in the top 50). 

The Jacksonville Jaguars are down in the middle of the pack in terms of space and have to deal with re-signing or replacing Josh Allen and/or Calvin Ridley, but it's not as though they're cap-poor either.

Look for an often-mocked but young and upcoming division to make some serious splashes this offseason.

Where Does Kirk Cousins Land?

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 09: Kirk Cousins speaks on SiriusXM at Super Bowl LVIII on February 09, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

Rarely do franchise-caliber quarterbacks hit the open market, but there's a very good chance that happens if the Minnesota Vikings decide Kirk Cousins is out of their price range between now and the start of free agency on March 13.

Cousins isn't perfect. Consistency has been an issue for much of his career, and he's 35 now and coming off a significant injury. But the four-time Pro Bowler was playing arguably the best football of his career before suffering a torn Achilles midway through the 2023 campaign.

If he can get back to that level and maintain it in the right environment, the Vince Lombardi Trophy is the limit. And if the Vikings opt to rebuild now, you could see someone like Washington, the Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons or Denver Broncos take shots.

Chicago Bears: Will They or Won't They?

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 18: Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans looks on during the first half of a game against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 18, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

Of course, there could be domino effects involving Cousins, Russell Wilson, Baker Mayfield and several of the top quarterback prospects. And then there's Fields, who very well could get another shot for the Chicago Bears if the team opts to trade back and/or draft someone like Harrison to bolster Fields' chances.

Even if the Bears don't soon give up on a young quarterback who is uniquely talented but hasn't turned the NFL corner as a passer, questions will likely linger well into April (or whenever they move on from Fields or trade the No. 1 pick) regarding what they'll do with that selection. And even semi-consensus No. 2 quarterback prospect Drake Maye should be a consideration, either in the top spot or following a trade down within the top five.

Right now, it wouldn't surprise me to see Fields, Williams, Maye or even someone like Mayfield quarterbacking the Bears in Week 1. In the meantime, Chicago will hog headlines and potentially alter the climate of the league with a decision that is sure to make a major wave regardless of the call.

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Salary-cap information via Spotrac.