The 2024 NFL season is months away. But the start of the new calendar year brings questions for each franchise as the regular season draws to a conclusion.
How many head coaches will be fired on Black Monday? Who are the top Super Bowl contenders? What are the futures for teams that missed out on the playoffs? Who is headed for a rebuild? Will we see a ton of trades involving head coaches?
On this New Year’s Day, we look at one burning question for each NFL team as 2024 gets going around the gridiron world.
Related: 2024 NFL Playoff and Super Bowl predictions
2024 NFL: Burning question for each NFL team in New Year
Arizona Cardinals: To Kyler Murray or not?
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon and GM Monti Ossenfort have said everything right publicly as it relates to Kyler Murray and their faith in him. But this doesn’t change the fact that they have no built-in relationship with the former No. 1 pick. Murray has lost 12 of 18 starts dating back to last season. He’s also playing under a five-year $230.5 million contract. A trade could be on the horizon.
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Atlanta Falcons: Does Arthur Smith have a future in Atlanta?
Atlanta’s status as a non-playoff team for a third consecutive year under Smith and a sixth consecutive season overall doesn’t bode well for the head coach. The fact that owner Arthur Blank failed to commit to him recently adds another layer to this. In reality, the Falcons might very well just blow this whole thing up. That would include Smith being a victim of Black Monday.
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Baltimore Ravens: Will Lamar Jackson win NFL MVP?
Jackson’s performance in a blowout Week 16 win over fellow MVP candidate Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers could have very clinched his second career NFL MVP award. But it’s not a foregone conclusion. He comes in with -150 odds while Christian McCaffrey (+400) and Purdy (+600) are close behind. For Jackson, it’s more about winning the Super Bowl. But this individual accolade would mean a lot.
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Buffalo Bills: Is their Super Bowl window closed?
Buffalo will open the 2024 NFL calendar year playing in the wild card round of the AFC Playoffs for a second consecutive season. Josh Allen has led the team to ugly losses against the Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots and New York Jets on the season. Not exactly the greatest of competition. But wins over the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys has this team looking dangerous.
Carolina Panthers: Does anyone want to coach for David Tepper?
Not sure. That’s the easiest way to answer this deep question. Tepper’s hands-on approach has made waves around the NFL world following the firing of head coach Frank Reich after less than a season. He seems to lack patience. He gets involved in game schemes, player personnel matters and other aspects owners typically avoid. The question here is whether a top-end candidate like Jim Harbaugh, Bill Belichick or one of the best young coordinators in the league would want to work under him. What we saw from Tepper on New Year’s Eve could add another layer to this.
Chicago Bears: Will Kevin Warren clean house?
Warren has been given a mandate to blow the whole thing up in Chicago as the team’s president looks to put his mark on the organization. Sure, the Bears have played better recently under head coach Matt Eberflus. But the body of work is not great. Eberflus could very well join GM Ryan Poles and QB Justin Fields in being headed out of town. However, a recent report suggests that at least Eberflus is safe.
Cincinnati Bengals: Is Joe Burrow’s health a real problem?
Burrow suffered a torn ACL back in Week 11 of his rookie season in 2021. He also suffered a wrist injury in Week 11 of this season, missing the remainder of the Bengals’ regular season. In a vacuum, these injuries are much different. With that said, there have to be open questions about his ability to remain healthy after inking a five-year, $275 million contract back in September. Cincinnati’s title aspirations moving forward will depend on it after missing out on the playoffs this season.
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Cleveland Browns: How big of a mistake was the Deshaun Watson trade?
Yes. That’s pretty much the easiest way to go about answering this question. In addition to yielding a ton of draft capital to the Texans for Watson ahead of the 2022 NFL season, the Browns signed him to a fully-guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract extension. Watson has started all of 12 games since, putting up 14 touchdowns compared to nine interceptions. He now enters the 2024 calendar year rehabbing from what could be a troubling shoulder injury. Ouch!
Dallas Cowboys: Can Dallas finally get over the hump?
A lot has been made of the Cowboys’ struggles on the road this season. That could come back to haunt them with a road playoff game to open the postseason in 2024. It’s a major talking point in Big D, especially with this organization having not earned a trip to the conference title game since back in 1996. Head coach Mike McCarthy’s job could depend on it. A lucrative long-term extension for Dak Prescott could also rely on a long playoff run. A lot is on the line here.
Denver Broncos: Who replaces Russell Wilson in Denver?
The Broncos’ decision to bench Russell Wilson was a surprise to the masses. Now that they have made this financially-motivated decision, the question is obvious moving forward. Who will come in and replace Wilson? We’re likely looking at a veteran option with the likes of Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield heading 2024 NFL free agency. Either way, head coach Sean Payton and GM George Paton have a huge decision to make if Denver is going to return to the playoffs for the first time since all the way back in 2015.
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Detroit Lions: Is Dan Campbell’s squad a legit title contender?
Detroit earned its first division title since all the way back in 1993. The team has beat playoff-caliber teams in that of the Chiefs and Buccaneers this season. The Lions have also laid eggs against the likes of the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks. Do Jared Goff and Co. have what it takes to compete for the NFC title and earn their first-ever appearance in the Super Bowl? We’ll find out as they host a playoff game to open 2024.
Green Bay Packers: Is Jordan Love a franchise quarterback?
GM Brian Gutekunst and Co. would like to think so. They extended Love last offseason as a way to avoid paying out his fifth-year option in 2024. He’s responded by playing darn good overall football after some mid-season struggles. That includes Love tallying 34 total touchdowns compared to 11 interceptions while leading a talented, but inexperienced offense. Green Bay’s ability to add more proven talent around Love heading into 2024 will likely play a major role in this final determination.
Houston Texans: What’s next for DeMeco Ryans and Co?
Regardless of the Texans’ playoff aspirations, they have played extremely well for such a young team. Rookie No. 2 pick C.J. Stroud was putting up an historical season at quarterback before going down. Nico Collins has morphed into a No. 1 wide receiver. On defense, the likes of Will Anderson, Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre are cornerstones. The question here heading into a vital offseason is whether GM Brian Gutekunst can help this budding young team improve heading into the 2024 season.
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Indianapolis Colts: How to take the next step?
It’s really all going to be about the maturation process of 2023 No. 4 pick Anthony Richardson after he went down with a season-ending injury four games into his rookie campaign. The quarterback will still need to take that Year 2 leap if the Colts are going to be considered legitimate title contenders in the new year. The future of impending free agent wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. will also play a role in this for GM Chris Ballard.
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Jacksonville Jaguars: Will they extend Trevor Lawrence?
Whether it’s being banged up or something else, Lawrence took a step back during the 2023 calendar year. He’s thrown 19 touchdowns compared to 12 interceptions after posting a 25-to-8 split as a sophomore in 2022. This comes with Lawrence being eligible for an extension for the first time in his career during the 2024 NFL offseason. Is Jacksonville really willing to dole out Justin Hebert-type money for Lawrence? That is to say, roughly $262 million over five years. It is a big ask and a bigger risk.
Kansas City Chiefs: Will they add more skill-position talent?
Patrick Mahomes’ frustration has been obvious throughout the 2023 NFL season. It’s boiled over more recently with his Chiefs struggling big time on offense. That included an ugly Christmas Day loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. One thing is clear here. Mahomes lacks the talent at wide receiver to duplicate his MVP performance from a season ago. Regardless of what happens in the postseason to open 2024, the onus is going to be on GM Brett Veach to find him more help at wide receiver.
Las Vegas Raiders: Is Antonio Pierce the answer in Vegas?
Pierce has done a tremendous job replacing the fired Josh McDaniels in an interim basis with the Raiders. Having them in playoff contention as late as New Year’s Eve is a testament to what he has done. The question in Sin City is rather obvious. Will Raiders owner Mark Davis make the same mistake he did after the 2021 season when he let then-interim coach Rich Bisaccia go in favor of a sexier hire in that of the aforementioned McDaniels?
Los Angeles Chargers: Who will be the next head coach?
The Los Angeles Chargers decision to fire head coach Brandon Staley after a humiliating 63-21 loss to the Raiders back in Week 15 wasn’t terribly surprising. GM Tom Telesco went with him, too. The Chargers will now be looking for a new head coach in the new year. Big names have been linked to the opening, including New England Patriots legend Bill Belichick and Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines. What we do know is that whoever steps in will have to get the most from franchise QB Justin Herbert. That’s the ultimate goal here.
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Los Angeles Rams: Rebuilding or retooling?
We might have an answer to this question already. By virtue of an ugly win over the New York Giants in Week 17, the Los Angeles Rams have surprisingly clinched a spot in the NFL Playoffs. It’s absolutely shocking given that they started the 2023 calendar year looking to be in the initial stages of a rebuild. Whether this leads to a run in the playoffs remains to be seen.
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Miami Dolphins: What is Tua Tagovailoa’s value?
Tagovailoa was somewhat in the NFL MVP conversation prior to a bad performance in a blowout Week 17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. It was also a relatively healthy 2023 calendar year for the former first-round pick after an injury-plagued 2022 campaign. The question here is whether Miami’s brass believes Tua is worth deals similar to what Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow signed last offseason. That is to say, north of $50 million annually with $200-plus million in total guarantees.
Minnesota Vikings: Kirk Cousins reboot?
The answer to this question should be yes. We saw during the 2023 season after Cousins went down how important he is to their success. The Pro Bowl quarterback has also been a fixture within the Vikings’ locker room since going down with a torn Achilles eight games in. Expect Cousins to test NFL free agency. But it would be a surprise if he didn’t return to the Vikings.
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New England Patriots: Who will replace Bill Belichick?
Belichick likely has one more game remaining as the Patriots’ head coach after an uber-successful neary-quarter century run for the six-time Super Bowl winner. The question is now obvious. Who is going to come in and replace the legendary head coach? Our money is on New England promoting top assistant Jarod Mayo. He’s been seemingly groomed to replace Belichick over the past couple years.
New Orleans Saints: What’s up with Dennis Allen?
New Orleans could very well open the 2024 NFL year playing postseason football. But no one is going to mistake this team for a legitimate title contender. In fact, the Saints have been extremely pedestrian since Allen replaced Sean Payton as head coach last season. The team finds itself at a mere 15-19. Will this be enough for him to keep his job? We’ll find out Black Monday following Week 18.
New York Giants: To Daniel Jones or not?
New York committed to Daniel Jones on a four-year, $160 million contract last offseason. He struggled to the tune of two touchdowns and six interceptions in six starts prior to going down with a season-ending torn ACL. As it stands now, New York is slated to pick fifth in the 2024 NFL Draft. It could land a franchise signal caller. The only issue here is that moving on from Jones would create a $69 million dead cap hit.
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New York Jets: Will they appease Aaron Rodgers?
Aaron Rodgers has made it clear he’s returning to the Jets for not only 2024, but also likely the 2025 season. The future first ballot Hall of Famer went down with a torn Achilles a few snaps into his Jets career. While he attempted to make an amazing comeback, it wasn’t to be. The end result was New York putting up yet another losing season. It now appears that Rodgers has certain asks of the Jets’ front office. Will general manager Joe Douglas oblige him? We’re banking on it.
Philadelphia Eagles: Has Nick Sirianni lost his team?
Yes. Philadelphia’s ugly home loss to the three-win Arizona Cardinals on New Year’s Eve adds another layer to this. The Eagles have lost four of five since starting the season 10-1. It really does seem like the San Francisco 49ers provided a blueprint to beat the Eagles when they went into Philadelphia and blew out Sirianni’s squad back in early December. Meanwhile, reports indicate that there are some major issues behind the scenes in Philly.
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Pittsburgh Steelers: What is Mike Tomlin’s future?
Tomlin has opened his career with the Steelers boasting 16 consecutive non-losing seasons. That’s an absolutely absurd stat. He also has Pittsburgh vying for a playoff spot heading into Week 18. Despite this, rumors persist that Pittsburgh could entertain trade offers for Tomlin. We’re not buying it. Remember, this organization has had just three head coaches since 1968.
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San Francisco 49ers: Finally over that Super Bowl hump?
We’ll find out this answer early in the 2024 calendar year. San Francisco clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC for the NFL Playoffs. With things going through Levi’s Stadium, it has to be the odds-on favorite in the conference. Brock Purdy is completing a record-breaking season. The 49ers are also the first team in NFL history to have a running back, two wide receivers and a tight end go for over 1,000 total yards. They are a juggernaut. San Francisco will likely come out of the NFC. But a potential Super Bowl matchup with the Ravens could be troublesome given what we saw on Christmas.
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Seattle Seahawks: Is Geno Smith the long-term answer?
Smith followed up an NFL Comeback Player of the Year performance in 2022 by falling back to earth for an average Seahawks squad in 2023 (18 TD, 9 INT). This came after he was extended on a three-year, $75 million contract last spring. Said deal does have an out after the 2023 season with a mere $17.4 million dead cap hit. At this point, Seattle is trending more towards a rebuld than contending. Moving off Smith for a younger quarterback in 2024 would make sense.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Can they surprise in the playoffs?
Tampa entered NFL Week 17 with a chance to clinch the NFC South title. The team had won four consecutive games. Baker Mayfield is a clear NFL Comeback Player of the Year candidate. What followed was an ugly loss to the New Orleans Saints. The good news? Tampa Bay can still clinch the division with a win over the two-win Panthers. Expect that to happen.
Tennessee Titans: To rebuild or nah?
Yes. Rebuild. The current iteration of these Titans are cellar dwellers without much more room for improvement. They 5-18 dating back to Week 12 of the 2022 season. Ryan Tannehill won’t be back. Derrick Henry is likely playing out the string. A rebuild is in the cards for Tennessee. The only question here is whether Mike Vrabel stays to oversee it.
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Washington Commanders: Will it be Bill Belichick?
Washington will fire Ron Rivera after the 2023 season comes to a conclusion. That’s pretty much guaranteed. The team has also been linked to Belichick on a near never-ending loop after losing 12 of its past 14 games. It really does make sense with owner Josh Harris looking to change the culture in Washington. We fully expect a trade to be worked out between the Commanders and Patriots.
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