2024 NFL coaching camp previews, projections for all 32 groups

It is thought-about a very powerful place in sports activities, which is why lots of the largest storylines for the NFL’s 32 groups heading into camp revolve round quarterbacks.

From 40-year-old New York Jets veteran Aaron Rodgers making an attempt to return from Achilles surgical procedure to 22-year-old Chicago Bears rookie Caleb Williams making an attempt to reside as much as being the No. 1 decide.

And do not forget Kansas Metropolis Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes going for the NFL’s first three-peat.

However quarterbacks aren’t the one query marks. There’s Mike McCarthy’s future with the Dallas Cowboys, the Los Angeles Chargers’ dearth of large receivers in Jim Harbaugh’s first 12 months and the Los Angeles Rams making an attempt to exchange Aaron Donald.

NFL Nation reporters check out the largest storylines for all 32 groups, and we additionally hyperlink to our 53-man projections as total staff outlooks.

Bounce to a staff:ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CINCLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | INDJAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MINNE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SFSEA | TB | TEN | WSH

AFC EAST

How will the modifications the Payments made to the roster play out on the sector? This is not the identical staff that received the previous 4 AFC East titles, though a relentless exists in quarterback Josh Allen.

This can be a staff in transition after shifting on from quite a lot of key veterans, reminiscent of large receiver Stefon Diggs, heart Mitch Morse and security Jordan Poyer, amongst others. Buffalo has a largely rebuilt large receiver room, and there can be new starters on each side of the ball, together with seemingly counting on rookie expertise in a method coach Sean McDermott has not usually executed prior to now.

With a difficult schedule, working to defend the division title can have a unique look, and the way the remaining leaders carry out, and what impression the changeover creates, can be essential to the season. — Alaina Getzenberg

The Dolphins revamped their protection over the offseason and should discover a method to jell over the subsequent month and a half. Miami parted methods with six defensive contributors from a season in the past, in addition to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. In his place is former Baltimore Ravens defensive position coach Anthony Weaver, who drew rave critiques from Dolphins gamers all through OTAs and minicamp for his teaching fashion and skill to narrate to his gamers.

On the coronary heart of this protection are move rushers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, who’re each recovering from season-ending accidents suffered through the second half of 2023. It stays to be seen whether or not they’ll take part in coaching camp or be wholesome for the beginning of the 2024 season. If the reply to both of these eventualities is not any, then first-round decide Chop Robinson will get a useful alternative to point out what he can do with extra observe reps. — Marcel Louis-Jacques

Quarterback Drake Maye’s growth would be the key storyline. Maye, the No. 3 total decide, supplies the Patriots with hope {that a} turnaround from final season’s 4-13 effort may not be far off.

On the similar time, first-year head coach Jerod Mayo and new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt have persistently preached persistence whereas making it clear that veteran Jacoby Brissett enters coaching camp because the starter.

The final time the Patriots had been in an identical state of affairs was 2021, with veteran Cam Newton locked into the No. 1 spot and first-round decide Mac Jones behind him. By mid-August, when Newton was sidelined as a consequence of COVID-19 issues and Jones caught hearth in a joint observe with the Giants, it was clear that Jones would shortly change into the No. 1. Time will inform if one thing comparable unfolds with Maye. — Mike Reiss

Aaron Rodgers’ return from Achilles surgical procedure will seize the highlight early. After full participation in OTAs, the 40-year-old quarterback has the “all clear” for coaching camp. Prepare for Rodgers Hype Season 2.0.

The query is, can he be the Rodgers from 2021, when he received the fourth of his 4 MVPs? We most likely will not know the reply till the common season, when the sport velocity will increase and his reflexes and instincts — the hallmarks to his recreation — are put to the take a look at. It might take just a few video games for him to get his sea legs, so to talk. As soon as he does, Rodgers can have sufficient weapons round him (see: WR Garrett Wilson and RB Breece Corridor) to elevate the offense out of its annual doldrums.

Every thing within the Jets’ universe hinges on Rodgers, placing immense strain on him to revive the franchise. — Wealthy Cimini

AFC NORTH

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How a lot completely different will the Ravens protection look underneath new coordinator Zach Orr? In a span of eight years, Orr has gone from being a beginning inside linebacker for Baltimore to turning into its new defensive playcaller, changing Mike Macdonald (new Seahawks head coach). Underneath Macdonald, the Ravens led the NFL in sacks (60) and takeaways (31) final season whereas blitzing 21.8% of the time, which was the eighth lowest within the NFL.

Coaches and gamers have famous that the protection has been extra aggressive underneath Orr throughout offseason practices. The Ravens seemingly will not be going after quarterbacks like they did underneath former defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, however they most likely can be sending additional move rushers greater than Macdonald did.

The Ravens have a excessive normal of excellence on protection. Baltimore has completed within the high three in fewest factors allowed for 5 of the previous six seasons. — Jamison Hensley

Every thing relies on Joe Burrow’s well being. Burrow, getting into his fifth season, has by no means had a standard coaching camp. In 2023, Burrow suffered a strained proper calf that plagued him for weeks and was one thing he needs he dealt with in another way. This 12 months, he is recovering from surgical procedure to restore his proper (throwing) wrist.

The staff managed his workload through the again half of the offseason program by resting him on sure days. If Burrow can undergo coaching camp with zero setbacks, it is an important signal he can be 100% wholesome for Week 1, one thing he hasn’t been since his rookie 12 months in 2020.

When Burrow has been at his finest, so have the Bengals. Between Weeks 6 and 10 of final season, the Bengals had been within the high quarter in factors per drive (fifth), touchdowns per drive (fifth) and pink zone effectivity (tied for fourth) and had wins over San Francisco and Buffalo. — Ben Child

The Browns made notable strikes within the offseason to proceed constructing round quarterback Deshaun Watson — hiring Ken Dorsey as offensive coordinator and buying and selling for large receiver Jerry Jeudy. However the set up of the brand new scheme was a bit stunted through the offseason exercise program due to Watson’s restricted participation as he continued to rehab from shoulder surgical procedure he had November.

Cleveland was additionally with out a number of high playmakers. Extensive receiver Amari Cooper skipped minicamp due to a contract dispute, and Jeudy handled a minor damage. Working again Nick Chubb additionally remained sidelined by the numerous knee surgical procedure he sustained final September.

There’s inside optimism within the new offense, which is bridging Dorsey’s move ideas with head coach Kevin Stefanski’s run recreation roots. However the Browns want a wholesome Watson and their full complement of talent place gamers to understand the offense’s potential. — Daniel Oyefusi

How will the offense look with wholesale modifications at quarterback and offensive coordinator? Although the teaching employees hasn’t formally named Russell Wilson the starter over Justin Fields, all indicators from the Steelers’ offseason program level to the 13-year veteran beginning Week 1.

However that does not imply that each one the offensive questions are answered. How will the 35-year-old carry out in Arthur Smith’s system? Do the Steelers nonetheless want a No. 2 receiver behind George Pickens? How will Smith steadiness the workload between Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren?

The Steelers have the items to construct an offense that enhances one of many league’s finest defenses, however coaching camp will start to dictate how — and if — these items match collectively to create the form of offensive success that is eluded the Steelers for a lot of the previous 5 seasons. — Brooke Pryor

AFC SOUTH

Will the Texans’ protection be higher in Yr 2 underneath DeMeco Ryans?

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Barring any main accidents, an offensive unit with quarterback C.J. Stroud, left deal with Laremy Tunsil, receivers Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs, together with operating again Joe Mixon, needs to be efficient. The Texans’ protection added finish Danielle Hunter and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, however there are questions at defensive deal with and cornerback. Their cornerback group can have competitors to see who will begin throughout from Derek Stingley Jr. It will likely be between Jeff Okudah, C.J. Henderson, and 2024 second-round decide Kamari Lassiter.

Additionally, the Texans changed each of their 2023 beginning defensive tackles. The cohesion of the protection may make-or-break the Texans’ 2024 season. — DJ Bien-Aime

How far can QB Anthony Richardson take the Colts? Indianapolis improved by 5 wins in 2023 and fell only one win shy of a postseason berth. Now, with Richardson again within the lineup after lacking 13 video games with an AC joint sprain in his proper shoulder, how a lot can he construct on the tantalizing preview he confirmed throughout his brief time underneath heart final season? And the way a lot can he propel the Colts within the aggressive AFC?

The Colts appear to imagine Richardson can really elevate the staff, contemplating the choice to re-sign practically all of their in-house free brokers whereas electing to bypass vital strikes in free company and the commerce market. If Richardson can change into much less streaky and keep wholesome this season, and if coach Shane Steichen continues to show his playcalling prowess, Richardson may simply show the Colts proper. — Stephen Holder

The Jaguars paid Trevor Lawrence like a franchise QB. Will he play like one? Slicing down his turnovers (60, greater than another participant over the previous three seasons) is the highest precedence, adopted by staying wholesome. (He had 4 accidents final 12 months and one other in 2022.)

The Jaguars did lose WR Calvin Ridley and reduce WR Zay Jones however added veteran Gabe Davis and rookie Brian Thomas Jr., so it may take time for him to regulate to the revamped receiver group.

Lawrence has performed at a excessive degree in stretches — 5 consecutive video games final season with a passer ranking of 91.1 or higher (4 increased than 100), however he has but to try this over a full season. There’s much more strain on Lawrence to play at an elite degree now after the emergence of the Texans and C.J. Stroud within the AFC South. — Michael DiRocco

The Titans made strides to construct a staff round second-year quarterback Will Levis. Sure, the staff misplaced Professional Bowl operating again Derrick Henry, however it signed free agent Tony Pollard to kind a one-two punch with Tyjae Spears. Tennessee additionally bolstered the large receiver group by including the highest free agent large receiver in Calvin Ridley and a gradual veteran presence in Tyler Boyd.

Levis can be protected by an offensive line that will get a lift from No. 7 total decide JC Latham and free agent heart Lloyd Cushenberry. The onus is on Levis to point out that he’s able to taking his recreation to the subsequent degree and exhibiting the Titans that he will be their franchise QB. All of it begins with coaching camp. — Turron Davenport

AFC WEST

Till coach Sean Payton picks his beginning quarterback, the three-man competitors for the job will present loads of camouflage for nearly the rest taking place with the Broncos. Rookie QB Bo Nix (No. 12 decide), Zach Wilson (acquired from the Jets) and Jarrett Stidham cut up the work evenly all through the offseason program and minicamp, however many individuals across the staff assume Payton will finally go together with Nix — the primary quarterback Payton has ever chosen earlier than the third spherical as a head coach.

The Broncos’ seek for a solution at QB within the post-Peyton Manning period has mirrored their present eight-year playoff drought; whomever wins the job would be the 14th participant to begin a recreation behind heart for Denver for the reason that begin of the 2016 season. — Jeff Legwold

Will the large receivers enhance considerably? The Chiefs added Marquise Brown in free company and drafted Xavier Worthy within the first spherical to assist a place group that was a serious disappointment final season. However Brown is three seasons faraway from his finest NFL season (91 catches, 1,008 yards for the Ravens in 2021) and Worthy is a rookie.

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Ought to expectations be restricted?

Rashee Rice was the staff’s finest large receiver as a rookie final season by a large margin, however he may face a suspension stemming from his involvement in a high-speed automotive crash through the offseason. The Chiefs are on the lookout for bounceback seasons from Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore, particularly if Rice is suspended. Each had been amongst their most disappointing gamers final season. — Adam Teicher

Can a extra fearsome protection carry a lackluster offense? The Raiders’ protection figures to be a power, given it’s getting into its third season in the identical scheme underneath defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and is returning 10 starters from a unit that held opponents to a league-low 16.0 factors per recreation. Las Vegas additionally scored a league-high 4 defensive TDs after coach Antonio Pierce took over in Week 9, and it added a premier pass-rushing defensive deal with in Christian Wilkins.

The Raiders’ offense, which has star energy of its personal in three-time first-team All-Professional receiver Davante Adams, goes to have to hold its personal weight, particularly at quarterback. Which suggests both second-year returner Aidan O’Connell or vagabond veteran Gardner Minshew should look considerably higher than they did in OTAs and minicamp. And quick. At the same time as they set up a brand new scheme underneath new OC Luke Getsy. — Paul Gutierrez

Are the Chargers adequate at receiver to contend? This offseason, the Chargers went from having maybe one of many league’s finest large receiver pairings to arguably the worst. With receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams gone, in addition to operating again Austin Ekeler and tight finish Gerald Everett, the Chargers will look to youthful, unproven gamers to contribute offensively.

The purpose for the Chargers’ offense this season can be to develop a dominant operating recreation, however they’ve additionally emphasised the significance of being balanced on offense with a dependable passing offense. Herbert is among the league’s finest quarterbacks, and the Chargers will rely closely on him to raise their receivers, which incorporates former first-round decide Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer, and rookie Ladd McConkey. How the Chargers’ receivers fare this season will seemingly be the distinction between this staff being common or a contender. — Kris Rhim

NFC EAST

Does “all-in” imply win-or-else? Jerry Jones didn’t observe the normal that means of all-in with the Cowboys’ offseason strategy to including to the roster, however he’s all-in on coach Mike McCarthy, the whole teaching employees and QB Dak Prescott. They’re all getting into the ultimate 12 months of their respective contracts, even the brand new coaches, like defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.

The Cowboys have received 36 video games the previous three years however haven’t gotten previous the divisional spherical of the playoffs with McCarthy and Prescott. If they do not get it executed this 12 months, will both be again in 2025? Jones has executed this kind of factor earlier than along with his coach. In 2014, Jason Garrett was getting into the ultimate 12 months of his deal with out making the playoffs from 2011 to 2013. The Cowboys went 12-4 and misplaced within the divisional spherical … to McCarthy’s Inexperienced Bay Packers. It earned Garrett a five-year deal. — Todd Archer

The main target all season, together with in coaching camp, can be on Daniel Jones and the unsettled quarterback place. Normal supervisor Joe Schoen was on “Onerous Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants” this summer time saying the “plan all alongside was to provide [Jones] a pair years: Is he our man for the subsequent 10 years or do we have to pivot and discover anyone else?”

Jones is coming off a torn ACL in his proper knee. He might want to have an enormous 12 months for the Giants to proceed on with him as their starter after flirting with different choices on this 12 months’s draft. It is a huge season for Jones, Schoen and coach Brian Daboll. It can go a good distance in figuring out their futures. — Jordan Raanan

How shortly will QB Jalen Hurts take to the brand new scheme? After a season by which head coach Nick Sirianni, offensive coordinator Brian Johnson and Hurts struggled to sync up, Johnson was fired and Sirianni ceded extra management of the offense to Kellen Moore, Johnson’s substitute.

“I feel the purpose coming in was to be taught Kellen’s offense and to grasp it, and I feel that is been a course of, and by the tip of it, I need it to be mine and have it in my very own method,” Hurts stated this spring.

Hurts has had little schematic continuity throughout his faculty and professional profession. The one time he had the identical playcaller in back-to-back seasons was Shane Steichen in 2021 and ’22, leading to a near-MVP marketing campaign and a Tremendous Bowl look. The optimistic is that change is nothing new for Hurts. If he can get this method down in brief order, there’s sufficient expertise to area a championship-caliber offense. — Tim McManus

Quarterback Jayden Daniels’ growth would be the largest storyline all season. The No. 2 decide has change into the most recent in a decades-long line of quarterbacks hoping to revitalize the franchise.

Daniels impressed teammates and coaches along with his strategy within the spring, from his examine habits to his on-field decision-making and accuracy. However in camp he’ll should play at a quicker tempo as soon as the pads come on, and after they face the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins in joint practices. Going through new defenses will present good measuring sticks.

Washington desires to cut back the strain on Daniels by way of the run recreation and protection. But when he exhibits development, the franchise will know it is in good palms for the longer term. — John Keim

NFC NORTH

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Is there additional strain on Caleb Williams this season?

Herm Edwards and Dan Graziano focus on their expectations for Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears this season.

It is laborious to argue that Caleb Williams is not in an important state of affairs for a quarterback drafted with the No. 1 total decide. The previous USC Heisman Trophy winner is surrounded by two 1,000-yard large receivers (DJ Moore and Keenan Allen) and No. 9 draft decide Rome Odunze. And Professional Bowl operating again D’Andre Swift is coming off his finest season.

Underneath Chicago’s new offensive coordinator, Shane Waldron, Seattle offenses ranked seventh in designed move share the previous two seasons, in comparison with the Bears rating thirtieth.

The Bears’ protection is eyeing top-tier standing after rising as one of many higher items through the second half of the 2023 season, fueled by the addition of move rusher Montez Sweat and the emergence of a younger secondary that helped Chicago completed tied for a league-best 22 interceptions.

Every thing surrounding the 22-year-old Williams suggests main enhancements in Chicago, the place the Bears have solely made the playoffs twice since 2011. Getting there will not be simple in a aggressive NFC North, however it lastly feels just like the staff has the expertise to maneuver previous the rebuilding stage and into the class of contenders. — Courtney Cronin

Is WR Jameson Williams poised for a giant leap? The 2024 season might be a make-or-break one for the twelfth total decide of the 2022 draft.

Throughout OTAs in Could, Lions coach Dan Campbell lauded Williams because the staff’s most improved participant. “He’s a person on a mission,” Campbell stated. “And I am simply gonna depart it at that.” As a rookie, Williams missed 11 video games whereas recovering from an ACL damage, and he was suspended for the primary 4 video games of final season for violating the NFL’s playing coverage. However he’s anticipated to enter this 12 months’s coaching camp totally wholesome along with his sights set on unlocking his potential. — Eric Woodyard

What can Jordan Love and the offense do in Yr 2? By most measures, Love was top-of-the-line quarterbacks within the NFL over the ultimate eight video games of the 2023 common season with 18 touchdowns, one interception and a completion charge north of 70%. Most significantly, he led the Packers to the second weekend of the playoffs. This after an inconsistent begin to his first season because the beginning quarterback.

Love has nearly each talent place participant again aside from operating again Aaron Jones, who has been changed by Josh Jacobs. Nonetheless, there have been questions concerning the Packers’ lack of a real WR1 — or whether or not they really need one. “I personally do not assume it issues,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur stated. “I feel when you simply take a look at it all through the course of a season in the past — and each season’s going to be just a little bit completely different — however all these guys had their moments the place they had been the main receiver in a recreation. I really feel actually good concerning the collective unit.”

Love will not be practising till he will get a contract extension, and the Packers are optimistic a deal will get executed. — Rob Demovsky

What’s J.J. McCarthy’s short-term future? It is inevitable that McCarthy, the No. 10 total decide within the draft, will in the future ascend to the beginning job. However Sam Darnold is the clear No. 1 quarterback getting into coaching camp, making the query much less about whether or not McCarthy will overtake him by Week 1 and extra about when — or if — he’ll get on the sector as a rookie.

There’s a basic sense that top-10 picks ought to play straight away, however it’s a must to return solely to 2017 to discover a related instance. That 12 months, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs saved Patrick Mahomes (additionally chosen at No. 10) behind veteran Alex Smith till a meaningless recreation within the ultimate week of the common season.

The Vikings have been cautious to maintain their plan for McCarthy as open-ended as potential. They don’t seem to be ruling him out of a coaching camp competitors, however additionally they can be removed from disillusioned if he spends most of his rookie season on the sideline. — Kevin Seifert

NFC SOUTH

All eyes can be on the well being of Kirk Cousins. There’s a cautious optimism the Falcons might be on the verge of their first profitable season since 2017. The staff received seven video games final 12 months with younger playmakers on offense and a superb offensive line, but subpar quarterback play. Cousins might be the lacking piece on that aspect of the ball.

However the optimism can be dashed if the veteran will not be 100% after tearing his proper Achilles final October. Cousins and the Falcons do not imagine there can be points, however Cousins turns 36 this summer time, and people sorts of accidents will be laborious to foretell.

After which there’s the elephant within the quarterback room. If Cousins does miss time in coaching camp, how shortly will new coach Raheem Morris look to provide No. 8 total decide Michael Penix Jr. reps with the starters? — Marc Raimondi

Will Bryce Younger bounce again from a forgettable rookie season? The offseason has been all about placing Younger in place to justify the 2023 commerce with the Bears for the No. 1 total decide to draft the previous Alabama star. Even the hiring of head coach Dave Canales, who has helped flip round Baker Mayfield, Geno Smith and Russell Wilson, was about fixing Younger.

If Younger would not enhance, then all of the items added round him will really feel like a failure. Canales insists his purpose is not to “repair” Younger however to construct a staff that permits Younger to easily “do his half.” But when Younger cannot do his half, which would require a giant leap from a rookie season by which he ranked close to the underside of virtually each key NFL statistic for quarterbacks, then Carolina might be on the lookout for Younger’s substitute in 2025. — David Newton

What’s in retailer for the draft class of 2017? The three remaining gamers on the roster from the Saints’ stellar 2017 draft class all come to camp with questions on their future. Ryan Ramczyk will miss the season with a severe knee damage, resulting in questions on the way forward for his profession. Alvin Kamara left minicamp early with contract points lingering. Marshon Lattimore seems to be shifting ahead after being the topic of commerce rumors all spring.

Kamara’s arrival would be the largest factor to look at after the abrupt ending to minicamp. Kamara missed 5 practices in the summertime of 2020 previous to getting a brand new contract. — Katherine Terrell

Can quarterback Baker Mayfield not solely replicate final 12 months’s success however take one other step ahead now that he is discovered a long-term dwelling with the Bucs?

The staff has executed every part it feasibly can — exterior of locking up All-Professional left deal with Tristan Wirfs long run — to set him up for a profitable 12 months. They employed his former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Liam Coen to assist construct upon what former offensive coordinator Dave Canales began. They re-signed Professional Bowler Mike Evans, and grabbed heart Graham Barton within the first spherical of the draft, together with large receiver Jalen McMillan, operating again Bucky Irving and guard Elijah Klein. In addition they signed free agent inside offensive linemen Sua Opeta and Ben Bredeson.

Now it is on Mayfield to ship. — Jenna Laine

NFC WEST

What sort of soar can the Cardinals soak up Yr 2 underneath Jonathan Gannon? Half of final season did not actually matter for Arizona. The primary 9 video games had been spent ready for Kyler Murray, who returned in Week 10 from an ACL damage. By that time, the Cardinals had received only one recreation with Joshua Dobbs and Clayton Tune at quarterback.

Murray then led Arizona to a few wins in eight video games. However what stood out about final 12 months’s staff was how laborious it performed all season and the way aggressive it was all year long when the roster clearly wasn’t as much as par. It misplaced 5 video games by seven factors or fewer.

With a rebuilt roster, one other stout draft from basic supervisor Monti Ossenfort, the return of Murray for a whole offseason and a strategic strategy to free company, the Cardinals have the elements to make a large soar in Gannon’s second season, getting sufficient of a lift to compete for a wild-card spot. — Josh Weinfuss

How will the Rams exchange Aaron Donald? Sean McVay has been clear since Donald retired in March that there will not be only one participant who can exchange the longer term Corridor of Famer, and that the Rams wanted to determine how they will put collectively a bunch that may exchange his manufacturing.

Los Angeles is relying on second-year defensive lineman Kobie Turner, who led NFL rookies in sacks final season, to take one other step ahead this season. The Rams additionally used their first two picks of the draft on their defensive entrance: defensive finish Jared Verse within the first spherical and faculty teammate Braden Fiske within the second.

Throughout OTAs, new defensive coordinator Chris Shula stated it is “going to be a committee strategy in emphasizing these guys’ strengths and having these guys rush as a unit and rush collectively.” The Rams had 41 sacks final season, which was tied for the ninth fewest within the NFL. — Sarah Barshop

Is that this lastly the 12 months the 49ers break via and win the Tremendous Bowl? If this feels like the identical high storyline of the previous 4 years, it is as a result of it’s. The Niners have been to 2 Tremendous Bowls and 4 NFC Championships prior to now 5 years with out profitable the large one.

With quarterback Brock Purdy eligible for a profitable contract extension for the primary time after the 2024 season, that is most likely the ultimate probability for this nucleus of stars to win the franchise’s sixth Lombardi Trophy collectively. A technique or one other, some vital modifications are on the horizon. The extent of these modifications can be decided by whether or not these 49ers can get the job executed. — Nick Wagoner

The Mike Macdonald period begins. Caught in a rut of mediocrity, the Seahawks fired Pete Carroll and employed the 37-year-old Macdonald in January, changing probably the most profitable head coach in franchise historical past with the youngest head coach within the NFL and one of many league’s brightest defensive minds.

Their post-Carroll energy construction modified as properly, with longtime GM John Schneider now holding ultimate say over personnel selections in addition to oversight of Macdonald’s employees, which incorporates three coordinators — who have not held these positions within the NFL — along with a first-time head coach. What does current historical past say about Seattle’s probabilities of competing this season after its 9-8 end a 12 months in the past? From 2014 to 2023, NFL groups employed 37 head coaches who hadn’t beforehand held that title in faculty or the professionals. Of these 37, 13 posted profitable information and made the playoffs in Yr 1. Twelve of them did so after ending under .500 the 12 months earlier than. — Brady Henderson