The 2024 NFL offseason is now upon us after the Kansas City Chiefs won their second consecutive Super Bowl title.
Other teams will be looking to dethrone the Chiefs next season. It starts with NFL free agency in March and continues with the 2024 NFL Draft in April.
It promises to be a busy offseason around the league. Several teams have a ton of room under the NFL salary cap. Other teams will have to either trade or release expensive veterans. It’s in this that we provide 10 bold predictions for the coming NFL offseason.
Saquon Barkley lands with the Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers are not in a great salary cap position. They currently find themselves $44 million over said cap. Even then, new head coach Jim Harbaugh and Co. are going to cut the fat somehwhere. That includes likely releasing star edge rusher Khalil Mack and restructuring the contract of Keenan Allen. What we do know is that the Chargers have been linked to Barkley leading up to NFL free agency. It makes sense with fellow running back Austin Ekeler also slated to hit the open market. Acquiring a dynamic dual-threat back for Justin Herbert in Greg Roman’s offense just makes too much sense.
Related: 2024 NFL salary cap tracker
New England Patriots trade 3rd pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Reports indicate that the Patriots are willing to listen to offers for the third pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. This is rather interesting in that New England could very well nab reigning Heisman winner Jayden Daniels with that selection. Instead, the team is looking for a veteran to replace the struggling Mac Jones. We’re going to boldly predict that New England moves the third pick to the Minnesota Vikings for a package involving the 11th selection this year and a future first-round pick. In turn, Minnesota gets its eventual heir-apparent for Kirk Cousins.
Kirk Cousins lands with the Las Vegas Raiders
New Raiders general manager Tom Telesco found himself a franchise quarterback when he was running things for the Chargers. It appears that Vegas is going to be aggressive in attempting to do that during the NFL offseason. The Raiders are slated to pick 13th overall. Barring a trade up, they are not going to find that in the annual event. Instead, Telesco and Co. dole out some serious cash to pry Cousins away from the Vikings. Star wide receiver Davante Adams is a fan of the Pro Bowl quarterback. Meanwhile, Cousins’ previous success (171 TD, 55 INT over past six seasons) would set Vegas up well in the AFC West. Look for a three-year, $135 million contract.
Related: 25 greatest players in Super Bowl history, including Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce
Stefon Diggs traded to Dallas Cowboys
To say that Buffalo’s salary cap situation is a hot mess would be an understatement. The team currently finds itself $51.8 million over said cap and will have to make several moves to become compliant. One such option is trading this embattled wide receiver after two drama-filled seasons. Trading Diggs after June 1 would save the Bills $19 million against the cap. We’re going to boldly predict he heads to the Dallas Cowboys to teammate up with his brother, cornerback Trevon Diggs. Dallas could make room for him from a financial perspective by releasing fellow wide receivers Michael Gallup and Brandin Cooks.
J.J. McCarthy ends up being top-15 pick in NFL Draft
He might be a bit biased, but former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh firmly believes that McCarthy could be the best quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft class. Sure that seems a bit absurd with Caleb Williams and Drake Maye headlining things. What we do know is that the 6-foot-3 McCarthy improved each and every season at Michigan. He combined for 52 total touchdowns and nine interceptions in his final two seasons with the Wolverines. A strong pre-draft process will vault him into the top-15 of the annual event. Keep an eye on the Atlanta Falcons (eighth) and Denver Broncos (12th) as potential landing spots.
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Russell Wilson lands with the New England Patriots
If New England does indeed move down from the third pick in the draft and goes the veteran route, Wilson would make a ton of sense. He’s set to be released by the Broncos after two seasons. The Super Bowl-winning quarterback is also coming off a strong 2023 campaign in Denver, tallying 26 touchdown passes with just eight interceptions. This scenario would enable New England to potentially add a quarterback of the future in the draft with Wilson being a stopgap. Spencer Rattler and Bo Nix are two names that come to mind.
Justin Fields traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers
Selecting No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears are more than likely going to pick USC’s Caleb Williams. He’ll take over as the franchise quarterback and face of the Bears’ organization. This leaves Fields’ future in Chicago completely up in the air. Barring the Bears opting to trade down, he’ll likely be moved here soon. Recent indications are that Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is high on Fields. Pittsburgh released veteran Mitchell Trubisky to open the offseason. It needs competition for Kenny Pickett. Don’t be surprised if the team offers up a second and change for Fields.
Houston Texans dole out the bucks for Chris Jones
The two-time defending Super Bowl champions are going to do everything in their power to retain Jones before NFL free agency starting. We’re just not seeing it as a viable option after he held out into the 2023 campaign. Jones is likely also looking at roughly $30 million annually on a new contract after his dominating Super Bowl performance. With Houston boasting roughly $65 million in cap room, signing Jones would make sense. He’d line up next to reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson, forming a dominant defensive line for head coach DeMeco Ryans.
San Francisco 49ers trade Brandon Aiyuk to New York Jets
Recent social media activity from those close to Aiyuk places into question his future with the team. The standout receiver is also set to hit the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. Sure, the 49ers would love to retain him. But their excess of high-paid players could make that an impossibility. Instead, we envision a scenario similar to when San Francisco traded DeForest Buckner following the 2019 season. In this scenario, New York sends out the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to the 49ers as a way to cater to Aaron Rodgers and find him another top target to go with Garrett Wilson.
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Travis Kelce announces retirement, marries Taylor Swift
Take a gander of this scenario. After initially indicating he’ll return to the Chiefs for another season, Kelce opts to ride off into the sunset following back-to-back Super Bowl titles. Rumors had pointed to this possibility in the weeks leading up to the Chiefs winning another title. As a backdrop, Kelce and Taylor Swift return to Las Vegas to wed in a ceremony befitting the power couple. That’s the boldest of NFL offseason predictions.