As every National Football League (NFL) season unfolds, it brings along a unique set of challenges and opportunities for players, making each year distinctly memorable. This past season was no exception, showcasing both remarkable comebacks and unforeseen setbacks across the league.
Calvin Ridley's Eventful Journey
Calvin Ridley’s career over the past couple of years has been a rollercoaster. After stepping away from football to prioritize his mental health after just seven games in the 2021 season, Ridley faced another setback in 2022 with a suspension under the NFL's gambling policy. However, demonstrating resilience, Ridley joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023, where he proved his mettle by racking up 76 catches for 1,016 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
His on-field performance earned him a lucrative four-year, $92 million contract with the Tennessee Titans, reflecting his regained value and potential for making significant future contributions.
Stefon Diggs’ Trade and Performance
Meanwhile, Stefon Diggs, who amassed 49 passes for 620 yards and five touchdowns in the first six games of his last season with the Buffalo Bills, saw a dip in his performance in the remaining 11 games, failing to register a single 100-yard game. In the playoffs, Diggs made 10 receptions for 73 yards over two games, but didn’t find the end zone.
In a major offseason move, Diggs was traded to the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick. The Bills also received a 2024 fourth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick as part of this deal. Alongside the trade, Diggs’ contract was reworked, boosting his 2024 salary to $22.52 million from $19.005 million.
Nick Chubb’s Injury Woes
Nick Chubb, who had an impressive 2022 season with a career-high 1,525 rushing yards, faced a grave setback in 2023. Two games into the season, Chubb suffered a severe left knee injury, tearing his ACL, MCL, and meniscus. This wasn’t Chubb’s first major knee injury, having previously torn his LCL, MCL, and PCL in 2015 while at the University of Georgia.
The Cleveland Browns showed their continued faith in Chubb, revising his contract to ensure him a fully guaranteed $2.05 million with potential earnings up to $12.225 million.
Tee Higgins Under the Spotlight
Tee Higgins had a challenging 2023 season marked by injuries, limiting him to just 12 games where he recorded 42 receptions for 656 yards and five touchdowns. Despite these setbacks, the Bengals have valued Higgins highly, designating him as a franchise player for $21.816 million. However, Higgins has requested a trade following the franchise tag.
Bengals’ Commitment to Ja'Marr Chase
The Bengals haven’t just focused on Higgins; they're also reportedly planning a blockbuster contract extension for Ja'Marr Chase, reflecting their intent to build a formidable receiving corps for the future.
Ronnie Stanley’s Battle with Injuries
Ronnie Stanley’s career has been plagued by injuries, limiting him to just 26 out of a possible 61 regular-season games since he signed a five-year, $98.75 million extension in 2020. Last season, Stanley managed to play in 13 games, a relative improvement.
To adapt to his changed circumstances, Stanley agreed to a significant pay cut for 2024, reducing his compensation to $7.5 million from $15 million. His new deal includes incentives that could increase his earnings to a maximum of $17.5 million based on playtime and awards.
Kyle Pitts’ Challenges and Potential
After an outstanding rookie season with 1,026 receiving yards and a Pro Bowl selection, Kyle Pitts has faced challenges over the past two seasons due to injuries. Still, he managed to gather 1,023 yards over 27 games during these seasons. The Falcons evidently still believe in Pitts' potential, as they picked up his fifth-year option for 2025, valued at $10.878 million.
New Falcons coach Raheem Morris expressed excitement about how Pitts will be utilized, underscoring the team’s confidence in his abilities.
Marquise Brown’s Performance and Future
Marquise Brown had a challenging 2023 season, recording a career-low 574 receiving yards on 51 catches across 14 games. Despite this, he secured a one-year, $7 million deal with Kansas City, which could reach up to $11 million with incentives. However, Brown’s dislocated left shoulder is expected to sideline him for the regular-season opener against the Ravens.
Najee Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson’s Contract Scenarios
Najee Harris continued his consistent performance, gaining over 1,000 rushing yards in each of his three NFL seasons. Nevertheless, the Steelers opted not to exercise a fully guaranteed $6.79 million fifth-year option for Harris in 2025. On the other hand, the Patriots extended Rhamondre Stevenson with a four-year, $36 million deal, featuring over $17 million guaranteed, showcasing their belief in his abilities.
Jawaan Taylor’s Contract with Pittsburgh
Jawaan Taylor made headlines by leading the NFL in penalties and penalty yards in 2023. Despite this dubious distinction, Taylor signed a substantial four-year, $80 million contract with Pittsburgh, including $60 million in guarantees. He has $20 million in fully guaranteed salary scheduled for 2025.
Jameson Williams and Treylon Burks in Focus
Jameson Williams, Detroit’s 12th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, recorded 24 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games last season. Williams has a fully guaranteed option year salary exceeding $15 million, highlighting Detroit’s investment in his potential.
Meanwhile, Treylon Burks, along with DeAndre Hopkins and Tyler Boyd, forms an integral part of the Titans’ receiving corps for quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Burks has recorded 49 receptions, 665 yards, and a single touchdown in his career since being drafted.
As the NFL continues to evolve, these player movements, contract negotiations, and injury recoveries will undoubtedly shape the landscape for seasons to come, making the league as dynamic and unpredictable as ever.