Making NFL predictions — or predictions about anything — can be a precariously dangerous exercise because the ones you most fiercely believed in at the time could go so terribly wrong.
Looking back on the ones from the previous year, and comparing them to what really happened in 2023, might make for good entertainment at the expense the one making the predictions. By the end of the year, there might be someone in a nightclub using your material as part of their comedy routine.
As one example among many, anyone who predicted Aaron Rodgers would lead the New York Jets to the Super Bowl were left cringing only four plays into the season.
Regardless of how off the mark the predictions were, it doesn’t preclude us from trying again the next year. So, here we go with 10 more NFL predictions for 2024. Just try to hold your laughter until at least September.
10 NFL predictions for 2024
Jim Harbaugh will become coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.
After finally winning a national championship on Jan. 8, Harbaugh will leave the University of Michigan after nine seasons and sign a five-year contract with the Chargers, the last franchise he played for in the NFL. Harbaugh will earn $22 million per season, making him the NFL’s highest-paid head coach.
Related: NFL exec: Jim Harbaugh can ask for whatever he wants from NFL teams if he leaves Michigan
With Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, the New York Jets will still fall short of the playoffs.
At age 40, Rodgers will return from his Achilles injury and look great over the first half of the season, leading the Jets to the AFC’s best record, but then Rodgers and the Jets will lose steam over the final half of the season and miss out on the playoffs in Week 18. Another season of heartache for the Jets will ultimately cost head coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas their jobs.
Related: Aaron Rodgers reportedly wants the team to land two Green Bay Packers players in 2024
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift will eventually go their separate ways.
All good things must come to an end, and unfortunately, that will be the case for the fairytale romance between the Chiefs’ All-Pro tight end and his international superstar girlfriend. While the TV ratings for Chiefs’ game will tumble without any more Swift sightings, the separation will be amicable so that Kelce won’t be hounded by bitter Swifties for the rest of his NFL career and beyond.
Related: Travis Kelce goes on curse-filled rant following latest loss
C.J. Stroud will set NFL passing records in his second season.
There will be more of what we saw during Stroud’s fabulous rookie season. Much more. Think Dan Marino circa 1984. That’s the sort of impact the former No. 2 overall pick will have for the Houston Texans, who will become a staple in the AFC playoffs with Stroud at the helm.
Related: NFL’s top breakout players in 2023, including C.J. Stroud
The Chicago Bears will keep Justin Fields and trade out of the No. 1 overall pick.
The Bears will decide to tie their future to Fields, believing he will develop into a perennial Pro Bowl quarterback, especially if they are able to trade down, compile multiple draft picks, and surround him with offensive weapons (like Marvin Harrison Jr.) to take pressure off him having to make plays with his legs all the time.
Related: NFL insider reveals player Chicago Bears “won’t pass on” in 2024 NFL Draft
Drake Maye will be the No. 1 overall draft pick in April.
Yes, we like quarterbacks on this list of predictions. And the belief here is that NFL teams will prefer Maye, the North Carolina signal-caller, over USC’s Caleb Williams, who’s already subtly hinted he would rather be drafted by a team other than the Bears. There’s still time for the draft process to play out, but we’re predicting Maye will be viewed as more of a sure thing and will rise above Williams in the end.
Related: Caleb Williams, Drake Maye ranked second and third among QB prospects in past four years
Bill Belichick will coach the New England Patriots for one more season.
Despite all the speculation about a Belichick departure and reports of him possibly going to another team, Belichick will stay in Foxborough. One impetus for his return will be the opportunity to draft a quarterback with one of the top five picks. But he’ll discover once again that he can never replace Tom Brady, and 2024 will be his final coaching season before he retires and becomes a TV commentator, joining Joe Buck and Troy Aikman on Monday Night Football.
Related: Bill Belichick assured of being an NFL head coach in 2024
Stetson Bennett will lead the Los Angeles Rams to the playoffs.
The Rams drafted Bennett in the fourth round this past April, and the former Georgia quarterback, who led the Bulldogs to consecutive national championships, has been on the team’s “non-football-related injury” list all season long for personal reasons. Not that we want anything to happen to Rams starter Matthew Stafford, but given the rash of QB injuries in recent years, Bennett will get his opportunity and look like another Brock Purdy while leading the Rams to the postseason.
Related: LAFB: Los Angeles Rams coverage
The Detroit Lions will end 2024 with the NFL’s best record.
The Lions, the only NFC franchise to never appear in a Super Bowl, have made tremendous strides since Dan Campbell took over as coach. While they have climbed to the No. 2 in the NFC heading into Week 17 this season, the Lions will continue their ascension in Campbell’s fourth season and close out next December on top of the NFL as the early favorites to win Super Bowl LIX.
Related: Detroit Lions party like it’s 1993, deny Minnesota Vikings for long-awaited division title
The San Francisco 49ers will win Super Bowl 58 and Brock Purdy will be MVP.
Yes, we saw what happened on Christmas night, when Purdy threw four interceptions and the Baltimore Ravens manhandled the 49ers on their own turf. But they will meet for a second time more than one month from now in Las Vegas, and because we like Cinderella stories, the best Hollywood-esque ending has Purdy, the former Mr. Irrelevant, hoisting the Lombardi Trophy and earning MVP honors — over Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. So, Jackson will be named the NFL MVP for the second time, but Purdy will win the only honor that’s worth even more.