Every NFL Team's Biggest Offseason Question Mark
The NFL offseason is a time for hope.
Following Sunday's Super Bowl, every team will be 0-0 and harbor dreams of playing in next year's title game. The slate will be clean and the 2020 playoffs only an idea.
Getting there won't be easy. While the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will have fewer holes to patch than, say, the Cincinnati Bengals, even this year's champion will have questions that need to be answered.
Depending on how Super Bowl LIV unfolds, those questions might be rather large.
Here, you'll find an early look at each franchise and the biggest question mark surrounding it heading into the last game of the 2019 season.
Arizona Cardinals: The Offensive Line
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The Arizona Cardinals' primary focus in 2020 must be the development of quarterback Kyler Murray. Therefore, one of the biggest goals must be keeping him upright. Given the state of the offensive line, that could be a problem.
Murray was sacked 48 times in 2019, and while he did hold on to the ball too long at times, he also often used his mobility to avoid pressure. The unit in front of him needs to be upgraded.
The Cardinals also have to think about left tackle D.J. Humphries, who is scheduled to be a free agent. Humphries allowed only two sacks in 2019, according to Pro Football Focus, but he was also responsible for 13 penalties.
Humphries won't come cheap, as starting-caliber tackles never are. Arizona will have to determine if he's shown enough promise to warrant a sizeable contract. Regardless, the Cardinals should weigh their options in free agency and the draft.
Atlanta Falcons: The Pass Rush
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The Atlanta Falcons have invested in their pass rush, using first-round picks on Vic Beasley Jr. and Takkarist Mckinley in the past five years. However, after a monster sophomore season (15.5 sacks), Beasley has been decidedly average, and the pass rush as a whole has underwhelmed.
The Atlanta defense produced a mere 28 sacks in 2019. Only the Miami Dolphins recorded fewer.
Beasley is scheduled to be a free agent, so the Falcons will have to decide if he's worth keeping around. They have a mere $7.5 million in projected cap space, so he probably isn't—unless Atlanta can get one heck of a hometown discount.
Ideally, the Falcons would land a premium pass-rusher in the draft, improving the position without doling out a massive free-agent contract.
Baltimore Ravens: The Pass Rush
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Last offseason, the Baltimore Ravens lost pass-rushers Za'Darius Smith and Terrell Suggs to free agency. That proved to be a problem, as the Ravens struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks—though they typically scored enough points that it didn't matter.
Baltimore produced just 37 sacks in 2019. Matthew Judon was responsible for 9.5 of those, and he's scheduled to become a free agent.
Baltimore has to decide if Judon is worth keeping at what will likely be a high price or whether it is better to pursue another edge-rusher in free agency or the draft.
"The Ravens are expected to go after pass-rushers who can attack the opposing offense once Lamar Jackson and Co. build a lead," Bleacher Report draft analyst Matt Miller wrote. "That's the plan here."
Opposing defenses haven't yet figured out how to contain Jackson, but if they do, the Ravens may not be able to simply outrace opponents. If that's the case, the need for an improved pass rush will become a big one.
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Buffalo Bills: A Top Target for Josh Allen
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen showed growth as a passer in 2019. While he still struggled with accuracy (58.8 completion percentage), his interceptions dropped from 12 to nine in four more games, his touchdown passes jumped from 10 to 20, and his passer rating rose from 67.9 to 85.3.
Continuing to develop Allen as a signal-caller has to be Buffalo's biggest priority. Therefore, the Bills need to identify a go-to receiver with whom Allen can thrive.
John Brown was Buffalo's leading receiver in 2019 with 72 receptions and 1,060 yards. However, he is better suited to be a complementary deep threat than a No. 1 pass-catcher. At 5'11" and 178 pounds, Brown cannot present Allen with a physical target in clutch situations.
While Allen doesn't necessarily need an all-world wideout such as Julio Jones, a bigger first option would be a boon to his development. If the Bills determine that player isn't already on the roster, they need to find him in free agency or the draft.
Carolina Panthers: The Future of Cam Newton
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The Carolina Panthers have a new head coach in Matt Rhule. One of Rhule's first decisions will be whether or not to proceed with Cam Newton as his quarterback.
Injuries have limited Newton over the past two seasons, and he only appeared in two games in 2019 because of a foot injury. It's fair to wonder whether Newton can be the same dynamic quarterback after shoulder and foot surgeries. Rhule has been noncommittal about Newton's future since landing the gig.
"I would much rather talk to those guys and kind of get a feel for not just Cam but all those players on the roster and really have a good process moving forward for the entire roster," he said, per NFL.com's Kevin Patra.
Newton is under contract through the 2020 season, but only $2 million in dead money remains on the deal. The Panthers could cut him, trade him or give him an opportunity to operate in offensive coordinator Joe Brady's offense.
Whatever Carolina decides will have lasting effects.
Chicago Bears: The Development of Mitchell Trubisky
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It's too early to call 2017 second overall pick Mitchell Trubisky a bust, but the former North Carolina quarterback is dangerously close to that territory. After showing flashes of growth in his first season with head coach Matt Nagy in 2018, Trubisky largely regressed in 2019.
This season, Trubisky's passer rating dropped from 95.4 to 83.0.
Can Nagy and the Bears coaching staff forge Trubisky into a franchise quarterback? That's Chicago's biggest question heading into the offense. The Bears hired Bill Lazor as their offensive coordinator, and his West Coast-based offense could help Tribisky progress as a passer. But consistency and accuracy have been two big issues for Trubisky, and a change in the offense won't necessarily fix them.
If Trubisky cannot improve, Chicago will have to consider other options for the position.
Cincinnati Bengals: The Offensive Line
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The Cincinnati Bengals enter the offseason armed with the No. 1 pick in the draft. Presumably, Cincinnati will use that selection on a new quarterback, likely LSU's Joe Burrow. If that is indeed the plan, the Bengals need to take steps to address their offensive line.
The unit was a disaster for much of 2019. It allowed 48 sacks—though it's worth noting 11 of them were on rookie Ryan Finley, whose inexperience may have played a role. The line also struggled to open holes in the running game, which averaged an underwhelming 3.9 yards per carry.
A specific question mark along the line is the health of 2019 first-round pick Jonah Williams. He was expected to be Cincinnati's starting left tackle but instead missed the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.
Theoretically, getting Williams back will help the unit improve, but there's no telling how effective he'll be after spending a year away from the field. Even if he performs well, he will only improve one spot on what is one of the most questionable lines in the league.
Cleveland Browns: The Development of Baker Mayfield
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield looked like a future star during his rookie season. He energized the offense, picked apart defenses and set a rookie record with 27 touchdown passes. In his second season, he took a massive step in the wrong direction.
Under the guidance of new head coach Freddie Kitchens, Mayfield struggled with mechanics, pocket awareness and decision-making. His completion percentage dropped from 63.8 to 59.4 while his interceptions jumped from 14 to 21 in two more games. Kitchens was fired, but the mystery surrounding Mayfield remains.
Which season is a more accurate indication of what Mayfield will be in his career? That is what new head coach Kevin Stefanski and the Browns have to figure out.
"As a young player, the sky is the limit, but we are going to put in the work to get it done with Baker," Stefanski said, per Andrew Gribble of the team's official website.
This will be a pivotal year for Mayfield. If he again struggles, Cleveland may have to consider moving on.
Dallas Cowboys: Pending Free Agents
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The Dallas Cowboys are in a good position cap-wise, but that could change. They're projected to have $77.9 million in cap space. However, that could be cut nearly in half if Dallas signs quarterback Dak Prescott to a new contract. Carson Wentz inked a deal worth $32 million per year last offseason, and that may be the starting point for Prescott.
The problem for Dallas is that key players such as wideout Amari Cooper, cornerback Byron Jones and defensive end Robert Quinn are also set to hit the open market. Financially speaking, retaining all of them could be possible, but it's highly unlikely.
Prescott could easily eat $35 million in cap space, while Cooper and Jones are likely to seek deals above $10 million per season. In all likelihood, Dallas will have to pick which pending free agents it wants to keep.
Considering the Cowboys fell short of the playoffs in 2019, they may be happy with a fair amount of roster turnover. Still, their approach to free agency is the biggest uncertainty.
Denver Broncos: Left Tackle
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Presumably, the Denver Broncos are going to stick with 2019 second-round pick Drew Lock as their quarterback in 2020.
"I don't see any [other] options right now," president of football operations John Elway said, per Aric DiLalla of the team's official website.
If the Broncos roll with Lock, they need to improve the offensive line in front of him. The biggest question mark on that line is left tackle Garett Bolles.
Bolles, a 2017 first-round pick, has started all 16 games in each of his three seasons in Denver. However, that doesn't mean he's been a positive presence. He has had his fair share of struggles, and one could argue he was a liability in 2019.
According to Pro Football Focus, Bolles was responsible for four sacks and a whopping 17 penalties. Denver has to determine whether it can get more consistency and fewer self-inflicted wounds out of a different left tackle.
Detroit Lions: Kerryon Johnson's Health
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Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford isn't getting any younger, and the beatings he's often taken caught up to him in 2019. Stafford was sacked 18 times in eight games and was placed on injured reserve with a back injury.
If the Lions hope to take pressure off Stafford in 2020, they will need to field a better running game. That could require a healthy Kerryon Johnson—someone Detroit has rarely had over the past two seasons.
Johnson has shown signs of being a high-end NFL running back. He's averaged 4.5 yards per carry as a pro and has 42 career receptions for 340 yards. However, he's also spent a large chunk of his career on injured reserve.
Because of injuries, Johnson has appeared in only 18 of a possible 32 games.
Ideally, Johnson will be at 100 percent heading into next season. He did return to play in the final two games of 2019. However, if Detroit has any doubt about his ability to be and stay healthy, it will need to examine insurance options in free agency and the draft.
Green Bay Packers: A No. 2 Receiver
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The Green Bay Packers should show more consistency in the passing game. They have a future Hall of Famer in quarterback Aaron Rodgers and an elite receiver in Davante Adams. The problem is they lack a reliable No. 2 receiver.
When opponents have been able to take Adams out of the equation—as the 49ers did during their regular-season domination of Green Bay—Rodgers has struggled to stretch the field. That shouldn't be the case. After Adams, however, Green Bay's next three most productive pass-catchers in terms of receptions were running backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams and tight end Jimmy Graham.
Though the Packers have recently drafted wideouts such as J'Mon Moore and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, they have failed to develop one into a reliable second option.
If they hope to push past the NFC title game and into the Super Bowl, that is an issue that has to be addressed. Though his play would suggest otherwise, Rodgers is nearing the back end of his career. Green Bay needs to improve the weapons around him now.
Houston Texans: Bill O'Brien as General Manager
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The Houston Texans operated without a general manager for half of 2019. That won't be the case in 2020, though. Houston didn't hire anyone for the role either. Instead, it handed the title to head coach Bill O'Brien, who was responsible for several moves during the 2019 offseason.
The question is whether O'Brien can handle roster management and offseason preparation on a full-time basis. It's also fair to wonder if O'Brien's decision-making is what's best in the long term.
O'Brien's two biggest moves last offseason—trading Jadeveon Clowney and trading for Laremy Tunsil—were questionable. The Texans got only a pair of depth players and a 2020 third-round pick for Clowney. They gave up two first-round picks and a second-rounder in the deal for Tunsil and wideout Kenny Stills. They did so with no guarantee that Tunsil would sign a long-term deal. Tunsil is scheduled to be a free agent next offseason.
Adding Tunsil helped in the short term but could end up costing Houston significantly. Retaining him won't be cheap, and losing out on two first-round selections will hurt the development of the roster.
It's worth watching what sort of deals O'Brien makes this offseason.
Indianapolis Colts: Jacoby Brissett's Status
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Jacoby Brissett exceeded expectations for the Indianapolis Colts in 2019. He helped the team finish 7-9 and passed for 18 touchdowns with just six interceptions. Given the sudden retirement of Andrew Luck before the start of the regular season, things could have been a disaster for Indianapolis, but Brissett's play was respectable.
However, that doesn't mean the Colts won't look for an upgrade in the offseason.
"I think the jury's still out," general manager Chris Ballard said, per NFL.com's Nick Shook. "That's why we did the short-term deal with Jacoby."
Brissett is under contract through 2020, but Indianapolis isn't tied to him beyond this season. If the Colts think they can get a better long-term answer in free agency or the draft, expect them to go for it.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Nick Foles or Gardner Minshew II?
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The Jacksonville Jaguars have a critical decision to make this offseason. Will they go with Nick Foles or Gardner Minshew II as their quarterback of the future?
Foles inked a four-year, $88 million deal last offseason. However, he was hurt in the first game of the year, spent half the season on injured reserve, returned for a three-game stretch and was then benched for rookie Minshew.
Minshew played surprisingly well, finishing the season with six wins, 21 touchdown passes and just six interceptions. Based on performance alone, he seems to have the higher upside.
However, the Jaguars are financially tied to Foles for at least another season. Cutting him would cost the team $33.9 million in dead money, which is more than Foles' 2020 cap hit of $22.1 million. Jacksonville will have to trade Foles or wait until the 2021 offseason to unload him when there's just $12.5 million in dead money remaining on the pact.
Of course, Jacksonville could give Foles another crack at the starting job while continuing to develop Minshew. If the Jaguars hope to compete next season, they would be best served by making an early decision at quarterback and building the offense around their choice in the offseason.
Kansas City Chiefs: Running Back
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With the Chiefs set to play in the Super Bowl, it's easy to think they don't have any holes on the roster. That isn't the case, however, and if Kansas City hopes to be as good or even better in 2020, it needs to address the backfield.
It struggled to identify a workhorse running back in 2019, swapping between LeSean McCoy and Damien Williams. The result was a rushing attack that averaged just 4.2 yards per carry and 98.1 yards per game.
McCoy, who is scheduled to be a free agent, probably won't return. The Chiefs need to find a back who can add balance to the offense—whether that's a free agent such as Derrick Henry or Melvin Gordon III or a draft pick.
What the Chiefs cannot do is stay the course. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has led the team in rushing during each of Kansas City's postseason games, and that shouldn't be how the offense operates.
Las Vegas Raiders: Derek Carr's Future
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Though he is under contract through the 2022 season, the future of Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has regularly come into question. Head coach Jon Gruden inherited him and has never appeared truly sold on him. The fact that Carr can be cut this offseason with just $5 million in dead money doesn't help his job security.
The Raiders are set to move into their new Las Vegas home in 2020, making this the perfect time to unleash a new face of the franchise. Oakland could take a new quarterback in the draft or go after a veteran free agent like Tom Brady. Carr, however, is tired of hearing about those possibilities.
"It's like. 'C'mon man, when is it going to end?'" he said, per ESPN's Paul Gutierrez.
The reality is that the questions are going to continue until either Carr is no longer employed by the Raiders or the team makes a move for another signal-caller. Until then, his future will remain a major question mark.
Los Angeles Chargers: The Future of Philip Rivers
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Like the Raiders, the Los Angeles Chargers have uncertainty swirling around their quarterback situation. However, unlike the Raiders, Los Angeles' 2019 starter isn't under contract for 2020.
After 16 years with the Chargers, Rivers is set to become a free agent.
The Chargers have to decide whether they should retain Rivers for another season (or more) or let him test the free-agent market. His play seemed to decline significantly, which could lead L.A. to consider other avenues. However, the franchise has not made a decision either way, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Rivers' future with the franchise is a huge question mark because the Chargers could be searching for a Week 1 starter for the first time since they drafted Drew Brees in 2001.
Los Angeles Rams: The Interior Offensive Line
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The Los Angeles Rams saw the departure of starting guard Rodger Saffold and starting center John Sullivan last offseason, and the offense never quite recovered. Replacements like Austin Blythe and Joseph Noteboom struggled to maintain consistency, and the Rams eventually traded for Austin Corbett.
Heading into 2020, the interior line is still a question mark.
"Those were really good football players, and it's not fair for these young guys to even have the expectation that they're going to play like that yet," Rams tackle Andrew Whitworth said on The Herd with Colin Cowherd.
The Rams also have to replace pending free agent Whitworth, though he has stated that a return is his top choice. Retaining him isn't going to upgrade the center and guard positions, however, which L.A. will need to do through free agency and the draft.
Miami Dolphins: The Future of the QB Position.
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The Dolphins have themselves a conundrum at the quarterback position.
They have journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick under contract for another season, so this isn't necessarily an immediate concern. But they have to settle on some long-term plans. Will those plans include Josh Rosen?
The Dolphins traded a second-round pick for Rosen during the 2019 draft, but they only gave him a limited audition during the season. The switch to Chan Gailey as offensive coordinator may open the door for a longer look at him. However, they're armed with three first-round draft picks and could instead seek a signal-caller in the draft.
"All of us would like to find the right guy to be the quarterback. You see how important it is around the league," general manager Chris Grier said, per ESPN's Cameron Wolfe.
The only certainty right now is that Fitzpatrick is a capable short-term answer. But at 37 years old, he isn't going to be the next face of the franchise.
Minnesota Vikings: The Secondary
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The Minnesota Vikings secondary isn't a major question mark in its current form. While their pass defense wasn't elite in 2019, it was serviceable, ranking 15th in yards allowed (233.6 per game) for the regular season.
The uncertainty surrounds what the Minnesota secondary will look like after free agency. Defensive backs Anthony Harris, Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander, Jayron Kearse and Andrew Sendejo are all scheduled to hit the open market. Harris and Waynes were starters this past season, while Alexander was a major contributor.
Keeping all the pending free agents will be impossible as the Vikings are currently projected to be over the salary cap. Minnesota will have to figure out how to trim even more money off the payroll to retain any of its defensive backs headed to market.
The challenge will then become deciding which defensive backs are worth keeping around. Waynes is likely out with 2018 first-round pick Mike Hughes waiting in the wings, but the rest of the secondary is in a cloudy situation.
New England Patriots: Tom Brady's Future
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What quarterback Tom Brady plans to do this offseason isn't just a mystery for the New England Patriots; it's one of the great unknowns of the NFL world. After serving as the Patriots' starter since 2001, Brady's time in New England may be over.
"I truly believe that he deserves the opportunity to go explore—to see what's out there," former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski said, per Zack Cox of NESN.com.
If Brady does explore the free-agent market, he may not return, which leaves the Patriots with a huge question mark at the quarterback position. Jarrett Stidham, the team's 2019 fourth-round pick, may be the right successor, but that's a big question mark in and of itself. If he isn't the answer, the Patriots will have to consider other options in free agency and the draft.
It wouldn't be a shock to see New England go after a veteran like Cam Newton via trade or pursue Teddy Bridgewater in free agency. It wouldn't be surprising to see the franchise finally take a quarterback in Round 1, either.
However, the Patriots first have to determine what the future holds for Brady.
New Orleans Saints: The Timeline for Taysom Hill
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The future of eventual Hall of Famer Drew Brees is obviously a massive question mark for the New Orleans Saints. He is scheduled to become a free agent and is mulling retirement. For the Saints, though, the plan for backup quarterback Taysom Hill could be an even more important piece of the puzzle.
According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the Saints want to transition from Brees to Hill in 2021. If they're willing to move that timeline up, though, they may not want to give the longtime starter the sort of contract he'd likely receive on the open market.
Brees, meanwhile, may not want to return for what may be more of a transition year than a final pursuit of a Super Bowl. He would undoubtedly like to earn another ring before calling it a career, but if that isn't going to happen with the Saints in 2020, he may look elsewhere or retire.
The reality that New Orleans already has a timeline in mind could weigh heavily on Brees' decision and on how the franchise handles its quarterback situation this offseason. Teddy Bridgewater is also scheduled to become a free agent, and the Saints are projected to have just $12.8 million in cap space.
New York Giants: The Development of Daniel Jones
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As is the case for many teams with young signal-callers, quarterback development is a big question mark for the New York Giants. Daniel Jones, the No. 6 overall pick in 2019, showed some flashes of potential as a rookie, most notably with his arm talent and athleticism. However, he struggled with pocket awareness and ball security—two major issues for a potential franchise quarterback.
Jones fumbled the ball a whopping 18 times in 2019, losing 11 of them.
The Giants have an impressive young offensive nucleus in place. Players like Jones, Sterling Shepard, Saquon Barkley and Evan Engram can be stars for years to come. However, the line needs upgrading, and Jones' penchant for turnovers—he also had 12 interceptions—has to be fixed. All the offensive potential in the world is meaningless if the Giants are constantly turning the ball over.
New head coach Joe Judge and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett will be tasked with turning Jones into a more reliable quarterback. The good news for Giants fans is that Garrett has been in a similar situation before, having helped develop both Tony Romo and Dak Prescott into high-end starters for the Dallas Cowboys.
New York Jets: Adam Gase
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When the New York Jets hired former Dolphins head coach Adam Gase last offseason, there were two ways to look at it. On one hand, this was an uninspired hire of a retread with little proven success. On the other, Gase had gained the reputation of a quarterback guru who could help Sam Darnold develop.
After a disastrous first half of 2019 and a strong second half, the two viewpoints still exist.
Darnold played well down the stretch, helping the Jets achieve a 6-2 record in their final eight games. However, they played some truly bad teams, along with the starter-resting Bills in Week 17. Darnold's numbers were up from his rookie season, but not significantly. He passed for 159 more yards, two more touchdowns and two fewer turnovers while playing 13 games in both seasons.
The remarkable rise of Ryan Tannehill in 2019 also raises questions about Gase's ability to develop a quarterback, though blaming him entirely for Tannehill's struggles in Miami isn't fair, either.
Gase did very little to show he's the right coach to turn the franchise around, and he has a lot left to prove heading into the 2020 offseason.
Philadelphia Eagles: The Wide Receiver Corps
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The Philadelphia Eagles managed to win the NFC East despite struggling to field healthy wide receivers down the stretch. Injuries to players like DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery impacted the season as a whole, and the inconsistency of Nelson Agholor's catching ability didn't help matters.
Philadelphia's top three pass-catchers in 2019 were tight end Zach Ertz, tight end Dallas Goedert and running back Miles Sanders.
That leaves the Eagles with a big question mark on the perimeter heading into 2020. Guys like Greg Ward and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside showed glimpses of potential, but Philadelphia could still potentially have one of the worst wide receiver corps in the league next season.
Agholor is set to be a free agent and is unlikely to be back. Jackson is under contract but is 33 years old and coming off a season ended by core muscle surgery.
The Eagles must determine whether they can field a functional wide receiver group with the players they have, then they must decide whether it is better to add fresh talent through free agency or the draft.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger's Health
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The Pittsburgh Steelers had a borderline elite defense in 2019, which helped them make a run at the postseason despite not having star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. However, the combination of Devlin Hodges and Mason Rudolph replacing him was not enough to get them in, and that leads to a big question for 2020.
What if Roethlisberger cannot come back?
Roethlisberger underwent elbow surgery this past season, which is an alarming event for any quarterback. For one whose biggest asset might be the ability to stand in the pocket and take hits while delivering the deep ball? That's a huge issue. One nasty hit or overextension of the arm could injure the elbow again—and this is assuming the soon-to-be 38-year-old can even be the same player he was pre-injury.
"That assumption is wishful thinking and understandably so," Mark Madden of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review wrote.
If the Steelers are at all uncertain of Roethlisberger's ability to recover, they'll have to consider external options at quarterback.
San Francisco 49ers: Which Free Agents Can Be Kept?
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The 49ers have proved they boast a roster capable of competing for a championship. Keeping it intact, however, is going to be a challenge.
They will have a fair amount of cap space—they're projected to have $22.2 million—but it isn't likely to last long. The 49ers have several integral players—including defensive lineman Arik Armstead, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, safety Jimmie Ward and wideout Emmanuel Sanders—scheduled to hit free agency.
Just keeping one or two of those players could require most of San Francisco's cap space. Since the team must keep cash free to sign draft picks, being a player for external free agents may be entirely impossible.
Further complicating the free-agent picture is the fact that running back Tevin Coleman can be released without costing the 49ers any dead money. Coleman has been an important piece of the rushing attack, but San Francisco has other options.
Deciding which players stay could shape the type of team San Francisco fields in 2020.
Seattle Seahawks: The Health of the Backfield
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Injuries decimated the Seattle Seahawks' backfield late in the 2019 season, placing even more pressure on quarterback Russell Wilson and forcing Seattle to pursue some unusual options at running back. Starter Chris Carson, backup Rashaad Penny and utilityman C.J. Prosise all landed on injured reserve before the end of the regular season.
To bolster the backfield for the playoffs, Seattle brought in previously retired running back Marshawn Lynch and bumped up rookie sixth-round pick Travis Homer.
Heading into the offseason, the Seahawks have to figure out just how healthy Carson and Penny can be at the start of 2020. Carson suffered a broken hip, while Penny suffered a torn ACL. Both are serious injuries that will necessitate lengthy recoveries.
If they won't be ready for the season—Prosise is also set to be a free agent—Seattle will likely have to add to its backfield via free agency, the draft or both.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: To Keep or Not to Keep Jameis Winston
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston is one of the most unpredictable players in the NFL. You never know what you're going to get from week to week—and even from throw to throw. He'll drop jaws with his arm strength and ball placement on one play then baffle with his decision-making on the next.
In 2019, Winston became the first player in league history to have at least 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in the same season.
While Winston's up-and-down nature may be entertaining, it must be frustrating for head coach Bruce Arians. It's can't be easy to approach in-game situations without knowing which version will be taking the snap. Arians has certainly not committed to moving forward with the incumbent starter who is scheduled to be a free agent.
"Another quarterback? Oh yeah." Arians said, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. "If we can win with this one, we can definitely win with another one, too."
The Buccaneers will weigh their options in free agency and the draft. First, though, they have to determine whether Winston deserves another year to audition for Arians.
Tennessee Titans: The Future of Derrick Henry
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Running back Derrick Henry showed during the postseason just how big a difference a powerful running back can make. He rushed for more than 180 yards against both the Patriots and Ravens and helped carry the Tennessee Titans into the AFC title game.
Now, Henry is set to become a free agent, and the Titans have to weigh his value to the offense against his potential price tag and future. He's a physical back who has already carried the ball 804 times as a pro. There is no guarantee he can continue to stay healthy over the course of a long-term contract.
Re-signing Henry would keep one of the leagues' best offensive weapons in Tennessee, but it would carry the risk of him breaking down and becoming a financial burden.
Determining Henry's status will likely play a role in the future of quarterback Ryan Tannehill, as well. The former Dolphin was tremendous for the Titans in 2019, but he was rarely asked to carry the offense. Tannehill can be a high-end game manager, but he may no longer be a fit for the Titans if Henry departs in free agency.
Washington Redskins: Dwayne Haskins' Ability to Be a Starter
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When the Washington Redskins used the 15th pick in the 2019 draft on quarterback Dwayne Haskins, the general consensus was that it would take time for him to develop into an NFL starter. The Redskins didn't rush him into action, waiting until Week 9 to give him his first start, and Haskins indeed proved unready.
The Ohio State product made seven starts as a rookie, won just two games, completed 58.6 percent of his passes and committed nine turnovers while throwing only seven touchdowns. Now, Washington has a new head coach in Ron Rivera who may be keen on giving Haskins more time on the sideline to develop.
"He can become a franchise-style quarterback. It's a process, though," Rivera said, per ESPN's John Keim. "I'm not going to say it's going to happen overnight."
If Rivera and Washington ultimately decide Haskins still isn't ready to be an NFL starter, they'll have to weigh other options—like possibly using the second overall pick in the draft on a quarterback or making a run at Rivera's former quarterback, Cam Newton.
All contract information via Spotrac.
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