The Daily Briefing Friday, February 17, 2023

CHICAGO

The Bears have moved one step closer from abandoning the City of Chicago. Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com:

The Chicago Bears took another step toward leaving Soldier Field on Wednesday when the team announced it has officially closed on its purchase of the 326-acre Arlington Park property.

The latest milestone for the Bears was delivered in an open letter from the team’s Twitter account. The Bears again stated that closing on the $197.2 million purchase does not guarantee the development of the team’s plan for a domed stadium.

“Finalizing the purchase does not guarantee the land will be developed, but it is an important next step in our ongoing evaluation of the opportunity,” the statement read. “There is still a tremendous amount of due diligence work to be done to determine if constructing an enclosed state-of-the-art stadium and multi-purpose entertainment district is feasible.”

The team said the development in suburban Arlington Heights, Illinois, could create more than 48,000 jobs and generate $9.4 billion in economic impact for the Chicagoland economy. The city of Chicago has made several attempts to keep the Bears at Soldier Field, where the team has played for the past 50 years, including its latest proposal to put a roof over the 61,500-seat stadium.

The office of Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot, who is running for reelection in two weeks, released a statement that said the Bears’ closure of the Arlington Park property has “been anticipated for some time.”

“Nonetheless, all of us die hard Bears fans, the Mayor included, know and believe that the Chicago Bears should remain in Chicago,” the statement read. “So, now that the land deal has closed, we have an even better opportunity to continue making the business case as to why the Bears should remain in Chicago and why adaptations to Soldier Field can meet and exceed all of the Bears’ future needs.”

DETROIT

Amidst all the coaches taking new jobs, including the Eagles two coordinators – Lions OC Ben Johnson decided to remain with the Lions.  Kevin Patra of NFL.com:

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was a hot candidate to land a head coaching gig before he pulled his name from consideration to stay on Dan Campbell’s staff.

“It’s really simple for me,” Johnson told the Twentyman in the Huddle podcast for the team’s official website on Wednesday. “It starts with this place and these people. Been here four years now and I believe in (principal owner) Sheila (Hamp) and what she’s doing. (Team president) Rod Wood. Dan (Campbell), Brad (Holmes). It starts at the top and trickles down.

“This is as encouraged [as I’ve been] in my four years with the direction of the Lions and where we’re headed.”

Johnson started his NFL coaching career as an offensive assistant in 2012 in Miami, where Campbell was the tight ends coach. Johnson was eventually promoted to TEs coach when Campbell became the interim for the final 12 games of the 2015 season. After three more seasons in South Beach, Johnson eventually landed in Detroit in 2019 under Matt Patricia. Campbell retained Johnson upon taking over in 2021 and promoted him to OC in 2022.

The Lions offense took off under Johnson’s watch, with creative, smart play-calling that took advantage of Detroit’s stellar offensive line and good weapons. His gutsy hook-and-lateral call in the finale against Green Bay was a prime example of an inventive call that worked to perfection. Johnson had several of those throughout the season.

The 36-year-old said a Garth Brooks concert at Ford Field early in his Lions tenure sold him on Detroit being a place he could win.

“I was thinking at the time and soaking in the atmosphere, and it was like, ‘Holy cow, this is what a home playoff game is going to be like, and this is what I want to be a part of,’ ” he said. ” ‘This is what I want to feel. This is what I want to experience.’

“It made me feel some type of way and I kept going back to that as part of the process and you know what, there are so many good things going on here. So many good people, coaches, players, I love the offensive staff and everyone we have on board there. I love the players. I love coming into work every day. Coach Campbell is incredible, and so end of the day talking with my family it just made sense. Don’t ruin a good thing.”

Johnson will stick around for another season. But if his offense doubles down on its production and ingenuity in 2023, he probably won’t be in Detroit through another head coaching cycle.

GREEN BAY

RB AARON JONES has re-worked his deal to stay with the Packers.  Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com:

Packers running back Aaron Jones was slated to have by far the highest salary cap hit of any running back in the NFL in 2023, but he has now agreed to a deal that will let him stay with the Packers for less.

Jones and the Packers have agreed to a new contract and he will stay in Green Bay in 2023, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Schefter’s report doesn’t make clear precisely how Jones’ contract has been restructured, but it appears that he will now make $11 million from the Packers this season, down from the $16 million he was scheduled to make.

Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst said last month that he was confident Jones would be back. Now he’s been proven right.

DALLAS

A law suit says Cowboys CB TRAYVON DIGGS is a rent scofflaw.  Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com:

Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs faces a lawsuit from a former landlord over unpaid rent, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

According to a lawsuit filed in Denton County, Diggs signed a one-year lease for a home in Frisco, Texas, with a monthly rent of $5,500. He paid only the first month’s rent, Rose Marie Yadegar, the landlord, claims.

He moved out in July 2022 “in lieu of eviction.”

Yadegar is seeking $33,500 in unpaid rent and late fees. She also is asking for $45.45 every two weeks for yard maintenance, $3,400 for damage repairs and $531.15 for carpet cleaning after the carpets were “soiled beyond normal wear and tear.”

Diggs, a second-round choice in 2020, earned $1.723 million last season and now is eligible for a new contract. He is due to make $4.843 million in 2023.

Diggs made his second consecutive Pro Bowl in 2022.

Is it really that simple, that he just stopped paying his rent?

NEW YORK GIANTS

Can the Giants keep both QB DANIEL JONES and RB SAQUON BARKLEY?  Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com:

It was the most important game of the past six seasons for the New York Giants, and there was running back Saquon Barkley, jumping and windmilling his left arm to get the home crowd stoked for his quarterback during a Week 17 rout of the Indianapolis Colts.

Barkley was enjoying the moment as Daniel Jones was leaving the field to a standing ovation as the Giants clinched their first playoff bid since 2016.

Barkley was among the first to embrace the quarterback, one of his best friends on the team. They golf together and vacation together, most recently jetting to Miami for a quick getaway after the season.

Together, Barkley and Jones have been through the NFL’s abyss during a string of dreadful seasons when there seemed to be little hope for the floundering franchise. Now, what they had talked about and envisioned so many times during those years was becoming a reality. They finally were on the right side of things in that playoff-clinching win.

“I told him, ‘I love you,'” Barkley said of his on-field embrace with Jones, the emotion overflowing because all the years of hard work were paying off.

The Giants made the playoffs with a 9-7-1 record and won a playoff game in Minnesota, but they were bounced in the divisional round by the Philadelphia Eagles. It left unfinished business for Jones and Barkley that might never come to fruition, even though the Giants would prefer to re-sign their two best offensive players, who are also impending free agents.

Jones, once considered a turnover machine, had nine in 18 games this past season, including the playoffs. He also rushed for 708 yards and seven touchdowns in the regular season. He did everything the Giants asked of him in his first year working with coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.

Barkley’s 1,312 rushing yards ranked fourth in the league this season, behind only Josh Jacobs, Derrick Henry and Nick Chubb. His nine carries of 20-plus yards were good for fifth. Barkley had his best season since his rookie year and was a finalist for Comeback Player of the Year.

The Giants have made their intentions clear when it comes to Jones’ future.

“We’re happy Daniel is going to be here,” general manager Joe Schoen said at his season-ending news conference, perhaps letting his plan slip. “We’re happy he’s going to be here.”

Barkley’s future in New York is far less certain. It’s a reflection of the positions they play. Over the past five seasons, 64% of the top 10 running backs (based on rushing yards) were on rookie contracts. A team can use the franchise tag on just one player, and if Jones does sign an extension, that leaves Barkley as the one most likely to get tagged.

And Barkley’s injury history doesn’t help. This marked the first season since his rookie year that he did not miss a game. From 2019 to 2021, Barkley missed a total of 20 games because of multiple ankle injuries and a torn ACL in his right knee suffered in 2020.

The Giants have two of the most notable free agents this offseason and one franchise tag available to ensure at least one stays.

BARKLEY HAS BEEN the face of the franchise since he was drafted No. 2 overall in 2018. Fans flock to Barkley at practices and personal appearances, and he’s the team’s most marketable player.

Despite the fact that he played a combined 15 games in 2020 and 2021, Barkley’s jersey has been the team’s top seller each of the past three years, according to global digital sports platform Fanatics, which also serves as the team’s ecommerce partner. His sales in 2022 were up nearly double the previous year.

Former Giants quarterback Eli Manning understands the pressure of being in Barkley’s position.

“People are listening to what you say, but they’re also watching your actions and what you’re doing and how you handle everything,” Manning said prior to the Super Bowl. “It does come with a lot of responsibility. You want to make sure the guys you are rewarding can handle that.”

But Barkley is not the franchise quarterback. Schoen noted the two sides were “not close” on a deal when they talked during the bye week in November. They’ve reengaged after the season, but not much seems to have changed.

The deal Barkley turned down during the bye week was for more than $12 million per year, according to league and team sources. That’s solid running back money but not top of the market. San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey is currently the standard at $16 million per season.

Only McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, Ezekiel Elliott, Dalvin Cook, Henry and Chubb currently have deals that average more than $12 million per season.

Barkley, 26, has already made it clear he’s not intent on “resetting” the running back market. The belief is if the two sides meet at $14 million per year, a deal could get done, a source close to the negotiations told ESPN recently.

Another problem for Barkley is that the franchise tag looms at $10.1 million for a running back.

That doesn’t provide Barkley much leverage, especially if the Giants are able to get a Jones deal done first. It’s less money than he was already offered and without the long-term security.

“If you ask anyone, they would prefer a long-term deal and not get tagged,” Barkley told ESPN the day after the Giants’ season ended. “But, sadly, that is part of our business. That is something they can do.”

The window for teams to use the franchise tag is from Feb. 21 to March 7. The clock is ticking.

Owner John Mara is heavily involved in the day-to-day activity of the team and understands Barkley’s value. Barkley’s personal team, especially his business manager, is also close with co-owner Steve Tisch.

“I’m certainly conscious of [Barkley’s star power], but I don’t think it’s a major factor [in personnel decisions],” Mara told ESPN last year after Barkley’s name was bandied about publicly as a possible trade target. “At the end of the day, put the best possible team on the field and build for the future.

“Listen, I like him. He’s been a great representative for us.”

It’s something Barkley’s team undoubtedly will use in their negotiations.

“Absolutely, I would [use it in negotiations],” said former Giants running back Tiki Barber, the team’s most recognizable offensive player in the early 2000s. “In fact, it was an argument when my agent used to negotiate with [former Giants GM] Ernie Accorsi: ‘Who are people coming to watch when the Giants have the football? They’re coming to watch Tiki.’

“You have to use it. Whether it works or not is another thing.”

THE GIANTS WOULD like to get a long-term deal done with their quarterback, but the franchise tag at $32.4 million is the backup option, in part because they don’t want that full amount counting against the salary cap and affecting their ability to supply him with better playmakers.

Having the franchise tag available for Barkley in the event the two sides don’t reach an agreement remains the preferred option. The Giants’ roster isn’t in position to allow their best playmaker to walk without immediate compensation.

The expectation is Jones’ new contract will come in at over $35 million per season, according to multiple sources in and around the team and the quarterback. Anything slightly over $35 million per season would rank Jones’ contract ninth among all quarterbacks. By the time next season comes around, however, Jones will likely be closer to the top 15, assuming Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts and Joe Burrow — and Lamar Jackson, if he doesn’t get tagged — get new deals.

“I was proud of Daniel, the way he played, to learn another offense and pick it up,” Manning said. “Just the way he played in the fourth quarter of a number of games and leading the team back to victory, which was awesome; that’s what you want from your quarterback. To do it so quickly with the brand-new offense, the way they were able to compete, make it to the playoffs, win a playoff game, that is awesome.

“I hope he gets rewarded for that. I hope he is the quarterback for the Giants for a long time.”

So does Barkley.

That feeling they experienced in that rout of the Colts (and again two weeks later in the wild-card round in Minnesota) was the first taste of team success Barkley and Jones have had in their NFL careers. They had never had a winning record professionally at any point prior to this season.

Jones called this year’s team a “special group.” He wants to run it back with the player he called the best running back in the league. So too does most of the locker room.

“He is the leader,” veteran wide receiver Sterling Shepard said of Barkley last month. “It’s different. His confidence level is through the roof. He’s a guy who is going to lead by example and is vocal.

“Everyone has their own ways of leading. Him making those plays [this season] gave him that confidence again.”

Barkley’s teammates seem to think the Giants will reward their star running back. It would be something the Giants have to massage delicately if they were to reconvene in April without him.

“It does matter,” Barber said. “That locker room is young. If Saquon is their leader as people say he is, and that they look to for guidance, and now all of a sudden you don’t pay him, it creates a void.”

The Giants also must decide how important it is to keep this core together. How far can they get by adding key pieces to the offensive line and at wide receiver?

That will determine whether this season was the pinnacle and endpoint for the Barkley-and-Jones Giants.

“He’s the best running back in the league, and I think he proved that this year to everyone,” Jones said. “He showed what he’s capable of doing as a playmaker as a dynamic part of this offense.

“I’m happy for him. I think he deserves everything that’s ahead of him.”

Jones was doing his best to express how important Barkley is to the success of the Giants. It was his way of jumping up and down and windmilling his arm to support his friend and teammate. But the NFL is a quarterback-driven league, and that might ultimately decide which Giants star gets paid.

PHILADELPHIA

The Eagles seem well-positioned to make a return to the Super Bowl. Bo Wulf of The Athletic with the postseason wrapup:

Four days after their Super Bowl loss, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni met the Philadelphia media for the annual end-of-season news conference. Here’s what you need to know:

In-house replacements for Gannon, Steichen?

Jonathan Gannon and Shane Steichen were named head coaches on Tuesday, leaving the Eagles with two coordinator jobs to fill relatively late in the hiring process.

“We’re obsessed with developing our football players and we do many different things throughout the year to develop our players,” Sirianni said. “And I’m obsessed personally, because of the stock that people have put in me, of how we develop our football coaches as well. … With that, Shane and Jonathan were successful not only because they’re good football coaches but also because they have good assistants and they have good people working with them. So I feel like we have a lot of good in-house options, which is always gonna be where I start, because that’s just always been kind of how I’ve learned, grooming the people that you have for when this day happens that you’re ready to go.

“We won’t stop just there. We’ll look at every option to make sure we’re getting the best people in here to help our team. We’re gonna do what’s best for the Philadelphia Eagles. But I do believe we have great options in-house.”

On offense, the presumed in-house favorite to replace Steichen is quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson.

“It starts with the relationship that we have with the players, and Brian stepped right in here and had a great relationship with our quarterback dating back to when our quarterback was however old he was, 2 years old,” Sirianni said of Johnson, referencing Johnson’s time as a high school quarterback playing for Hurts’ father. “Their relationship means a lot and the trust was automatically there. A lot of times you have to develop the trust, but that was there. With that, Brian’s great with not just Jalen, but with everybody. He can adapt and just be able to connect with anybody on our roster.

“For position coaches, they have to be able to get their players better as players … and that happens through fundamentals, being able to explain the offense, being able to make it easier for that player to understand and execute. Brian does a great job of that. And then Brian is also very gifted in the sense of helping be able to scheme, even though he wasn’t the offensive coordinator last year, he still helps a great deal with our scheme and with the way we’re attacking defenses in the run game, in the pass game, in the protection world, in situations.”

On defense, defensive passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson is considered the in-house front-runner, though his ascension to the job is perhaps less of a fait accompli. Not only for the coordinator positions but in backfilling the jobs for position coaches who are either promoted in Philadelphia or elsewhere, Sirianni said the search process includes not just tapping into his network but those of Roseman and the rest of the people in the building. All part of “the greatest team sport there is,” as he called it. He said he is not wedded to Gannon’s specific defensive scheme, but he has a few philosophies he considers important, though “get takeaways” is probably harder than it sounds.

“I really believe in the turnover differential, I really believe in the explosive play differential,” he said. “And then there’s gonna be things situationally that are non-negotiable with me, whether it’s third-and-long, whether it’s tight red zone, whether it’s two-minute and the game plays, four-minute, backed up. I’m gonna naturally have things that I’m gonna require the next defensive coordinator to do. But I also know that I’m hiring somebody to do their job to the best of their abilities. That’s why I’m hiring them.

“There’s gonna be little changes, little differences. I guess my long way of answering that is I’m not opposed to changing, but I’m gonna do what’s best for the Eagles. We have great in-house candidates. There’s candidates outside that we know, there’s a lot of good football coaches out there.”

Sirianni will continue not calling plays

One of Sirianni’s most influential decisions as a head coach was when he handed over game day play calling to Steichen midway through the 2021 season. Regardless of who the team hires as its new offensive coordinator, Sirianni will remain hands-off in that department.

“It does help me manage the game better, in my opinion,” he said. “It helps me interact with the players more on the sideline, right? It helps me be able to discuss something with somebody upstairs, to get on the defensive headset when the offense is up, vice versa. Yes, that will be my intent, to let the next offensive coordinator call the game. And again, I feel like we’ve seen benefits from that. … Some guys do it and they do a great job and I’m highly impressed by that. For me, what works is this and I’ll continue doing it that way.”

Jalen Hurts’ extension is coming

Roseman did not go so far as to guarantee the team will sign Hurts long term, but he made the organization’s priority clear relative to the 24-year-old quarterback who established himself as one of the league’s best in 2022 and will be entering the final year of his rookie deal.

“We definitely would like to keep Jalen Hurts here long term,” Roseman said.

Jalen Hurts eligible for contract extension and ‘hungrier than ever’ entering Year 4

Roseman added that the team’s experience with Carson Wentz, when they signed him to a long-term contract that soured so quickly that Wentz was traded before the new deal even kicked in, will not affect its thought process with Hurts.

“I think each example is on its own and you gotta look at the individual player,” said Roseman. “I think when we talk again about Jalen, we’re talking about a guy we have tremendous confidence in, a guy that we want him to be here for a long time. It will be something that’ll be a priority for us.”

No fourth-down Super Bowl regrets

Asked about his decision to punt on fourth-and-3 from the Eagles’ 32-yard line in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl when trailing 28-27, Sirianni said he would not have done anything differently.

“I know I’ve been aggressive all year and really trust our guys in different scenarios,” he said. “I think you get 32 out of 32 NFL head coaches saying they punt that ball every time. … No regrets there on that. That is not my thought process right there.”

Earlier in the second half, Sirianni elected to kick a field goal to go up six points instead of attempting a fourth-and-6 from Kansas City’s 15-yard line. That, too, was not a decision he would redo.

“When we were up 10, Kansas City came down and scored and I said to myself before the drive, ‘We gotta go score here,’” Sirianni recalled. “But fourth-and-6 right there, that’s not in my mindset either. Again, when the score’s different, when you’re down a couple scores, then the mindset changes. But in that scenario, I made the decision and I was comfortable in it in that particular time.”

Walking off the field, Sirianni said a piece of red and gold confetti fell on his clothes and he struggled to get it off. The disappointment led to his major takeaway from the Super Bowl experience — a renewed resolve to one day get over the hump.

“All that does to me is make me hungrier to get back,” he said. “And that’s about the last time you’ll hear me say get back. Because you’ll hear me say one day at a time, one day at a time, one day at a time, because that’s the right mindset. … We talked about climbing the mountain. We were climbing the mountain, we were one step at a time, one step at a time, one step at a time, and then we slip right before we were able to put our flag at the top of the mountain. All that does is make you more determined, driven to make that climb again to get back to the top and hopefully put your stand at the top.

“The other part of it is half the fun of this thing, half the reason we do it is the journey. So I’m getting sentimental here, but that is the last time that group of men will be together. Like Howie said, it’s not gonna be the same team, there’s gonna be draft picks, Jonathan’s gone, Shane’s gone, but you look back and you always cherish that journey. It didn’t end the way you wanted it to, but the journey was special. The men that were involved in the journey were special. The relationships that were built will last forever.”

Quick hitters

• Sirianni said the team will retain special teams coordinator Michael Clay.

“I thought we did a nice job as far as improving,” said Sirianni. “We had some rocky beginnings in special teams and I thought we did a nice job improving those special teams as the year went on. A lot of credit to Coach Clay. Obviously a lot of credit to the players that stepped up. … I have a great deal of confidence in Coach Clay and the job that he does and that he did these last two years and how we’ve improved. He’s improved. He’s improved greatly, our special teams has improved greatly.”

• With two first-round picks, the Eagles have the ability to offset some of the hurt from the promised free-agent departure of so many key players. Roseman pointed to the compensatory pick windfall the team is likely to receive in 2024 for those departures and said the Eagles will continue to focus on drafting for long-term value, not patchwork purposes.

“We don’t wanna just draft for immediate needs,” Roseman said. “It would be great if that’s what ends up happening with the right players, but we’ve gotten into problems here where we’ve just said, ‘Hey, we have a need at this position, let’s go draft the best guy at this position.’ All (the 2022 draft picks) are ready to play if we need them and they can play a variety of roles, so that doesn’t mean that we can’t bring back the veteran players at those positions. Some of those players at those positions are some of the greatest players not only to play on our team this year but in this franchise. We’d love to have some of those guys back. But those guys are ready. They were ready to play this year, they just had great guys in front of them.”

• “Both teams played on the same field,” Roseman said twice when given an opportunity to complain about the Super Bowl field conditions.

CAROLINA

The Panthers brass identified one of Matt Rhule’s deficiencies as having signed a second-rate staff.  Frank Reich has not had that problem.  Joseph Person in The Athletic:

With each hire Frank Reich makes, the Panthers move closer to the experience-laden staff that David Tepper envisioned — and further from the charred remnants of the Matt Rhule era.

When Tepper addressed the media after introducing Reich as the sixth head coach in team history last month, some of the first words out of Tepper’s mouth concerned the assistant coaches who might come with Reich to Charlotte.

“You want to have a guy that’s committed to get the best coaches in the building,” Tepper said. “When I say the best people in the building — top-10 coaches. We’re not gonna have the best person at every position coach, but top-10 people. It should be an absolute standard.”

Based on who’s been moving into the second-floor offices at Bank of America Stadium this week, Tepper might have undershot it.

With only a handful of positions left to fill — including offensive coordinator — Reich is building a staff of aces. The list includes three former NFL head coaches — Reich, Jim Caldwell and Dom Capers — as well as two others besides Reich who interviewed for the Panthers’ head-coaching gig (Caldwell and defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero).

A few things have become evident in the three weeks since Reich returned to the Carolinas: The 61-year-old coach has a ton of NFL coaches in his contacts list and isn’t shy about calling them, and Tepper is willing to pay to make sure he doesn’t make the same mistake twice.

Tepper, the NFL’s second-richest owner, has never had a problem stroking checks. Not long after buying the Panthers from Jerry Richardson, Tepper noted that while the NFL has a salary cap for players, there were no such restrictions on shelling out for coaches and facilities.

After giving Rhule a seven-year, $62 million contract — unprecedented for a college coach with one year of NFL experience — Tepper allowed Rhule to bring in a staff filled with a lot of guys who were with him at Temple and Baylor.

Rhule’s one splashy hire was 31-year-old offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who won a national championship as LSU’s passing game coordinator but had never been a full-time play caller.

Rhule’s entire staff in 2020 had 72 years of NFL coaching experience, according to Darin Gantt of Panthers.com. Reich, Caldwell, Capers and offensive line coach James Campen have 90 years among just the four of them.

Capers, the first coach in Panthers’ history, accounts for a third of that total with 36 years of NFL experience. The 72-year-old Capers, who was in the office for the first time Thursday, likely has shoes older than several of Rhule’s assistants with Carolina.

Even the Reich assistant with zero years of NFL coaching experience brings a lot of institutional knowledge to the meeting room. Quarterbacks coach Josh McCown’s resume includes brief coaching stints at Myers Park (N.C.) and Rusk (Texas) high schools … and 18 years as a backup QB with 12 NFL organizations.

Panthers coaching staff: Experience

Frank Reich                Head coach                          17

Jim Caldwell               Senior assistant                   18

James Campen          Offensive line                       19

Duce Staley                Asst. head coach/RBs         12

Parks Frazier             Passing game coordinator      2

Josh McCown           Quarterbacks                          0

Robert Kugler            Assistant offensive line          2

Ejiro Evero                Defensive coordinator          15

Dom Capers              Senior defensive assistant   36

Jonathan Cooley       Secondary/cornerbacks         3

Peter Hansen           Linebackers                            4

Bert Watts *             Safeties                                    2

Chris Tabor              Special teams coordinator      15

* Has not officially been announced by the Panthers

One veteran AFC assistant raved about Caldwell, the 68-year-old who won Super Bowls as an assistant with the Colts and Ravens. The same coach pointed out that the Panthers still need a quarterback.

That is true. But whoever the Panthers decide to go with at quarterback will have the benefit of working with three coaches with a long track record at the position — Reich, Caldwell and McCown. That’s in addition to the offensive coordinator, who could be named as early as Friday.

Rams assistant head coach Thomas Brown was in Charlotte on Thursday for a second interview for the OC spot, while Jaguars pass game coordinator Jim Bob Cooter also has met with Reich about the position. Eagles passing game coordinator Brian Johnson also has been linked to the Panthers. And there likely are other candidates who haven’t been identified.

“Knowing Frank,” Capers told The Athletic, “he’s gonna think things through thoroughly and make the decision he feels is gonna be best for the team.”

During the head coach search, Tepper and general manager Scott Fitterer said Reich separated from interim coach Steve Wilks and others with an extensive list of candidates for many of the position coaches.

Tepper said in his “other business” — Appaloosa Management — the hedge fund billionaire will interview five to seven candidates for positions with salaries in the $500,000 to $1 million range. Tepper liked the fact that Reich planned to use a similar approach.

“Frank is committed to the process,” he said. “In our process, he was the one who stood out clear as willing and able to vet all the different coaches to get the very best coaches we can have to help this team be as successful as we can (be).”

NEW ORLEANS

It took over a year for the wheels of Las Vegas justice to deliver an indictment on RB ALVIN KAMARA for his role in a brutal beating.  Patrick McGee of the New Orleans Times-Picayune:

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara and three others have been indicted by a grand jury in Clark County, Nevada, for their roles in the alleged beating of a man in Las Vegas prior to the Pro Bowl in 2022.

Kamara, Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Chris Lammons and two other men face charges for the incident that happened Feb. 5, 2022, according to KLAS-TV in Las Vegas.

The four men were indicted Wednesday on charges of conspiracy to commit battery and battery resulting in substantial bodily harm.

The man who is the alleged victim of the beating, Darnell Greene Jr., is also seeking $10 million in damages in a lawsuit filed against Kamara in Orleans Civil District Court in November.

In the lawsuit, Greene said Kamara hit him several times in the face. He told police he remembered being kicked and punched by multiple people before falling to the ground, where the group continued to strike him.

The police report filed shortly after the incident said Green suffered a fractured bone in his eye socket.

Kamara has yet to face punishment from the Saints or the NFL since he was arrested following the Pro Bowl on Feb. 6, 2022.

“The state has avoided a contested preliminary hearing by indicting Mr. Kamara,” his attorneys David Chesnoff, Drew Findling and Richard Schonfeld told KLAS-TV in a statement. “He intends to vigorously fight the allegations at trial as he was defending himself and others at the time of the incident.”

The indictment sends the case to district court, and a court date has been set by a judge for March 2.

KANSAS CITY

WR KADARIUS TONEY seems to have found a home in Kansas City.  Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com:

The Giants selected wide receiver Kadarius Toney in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, but he didn’t do much as a rookie and he was doing even less in his second season, when he was traded to the Chiefs. His performance in Kansas City suggests that he was not the problem in New York.

Toney became a solid contributor to the Chiefs during the regular season, and in Super Bowl LVII he had both a touchdown catch and a Super Bowl-record 65-yard punt return. Fellow Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster said there’s no doubt to those who see him work in Kansas City that Toney is a special player.

“I don’t know what the Giants were doing with KT, but he’s a dog,” Smith-Schuster said. “Brett Veach and Andy Reid know how to pick and choose who to go get and who will fit in with this team. The hard part with him is trying to block for him, he’s like a rubber band. He just jukes so many times that it’s hard to block for him, but as you can see his punt return set us up big to put points on the board.”

Toney looks like he’ll be a valuable piece of the Chiefs’ offense and special teams going forward — exactly what the Giants thought he’d be when they drafted him.

INDIANAPOLIS

Former U of Tennessee QB Tee Martin has caught the eye of the Colts.  Charean Williams of ESPN.com:

The Colts have requested Ravens wide receivers coach Tee Martin to interview for their offensive coordinator job, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.

The Colts also have Jaguars passing game coordinator Jim Bob Cooter among their candidates.

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Martin has served as the Ravens’ wide receivers coach for two seasons after spending 15 years coaching primarily in the collegiate ranks.

He coached the wide receivers and also served as passing game coordinator and assistant head coach in 2019-20 at his alma mater, the University of Tennessee.

The Bills had interest in him for their offensive coordinator opening last year.

New Colts coach Shane Steichen is expected to call his own plays.

JACKSONVILLE

The NFL hammered WR CALVIN RIDLEY for betting on the NFL while he was on leave in 2021.  He has quickly applied for re-instatement – and could be a huge get for the Jaguars this season.  Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com:

Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley has applied for reinstatement, following a one-year suspension for betting $1,500 on football while away from the Falcons during the 2021 season. Barring evidence of further violations during the suspension, Ridley should be immediately reinstated.

The league has made its point, with a swift, strong, and stringent suspension that shows the league’s willingness to protect the integrity of the game. It’s the periodic piece of low-hanging fruit that the league will pluck and squash with both feet in order to persuade casual observers that the NFL is doing everything it can to protect Big Shield.

The zeal with which the league hammers obvious culprits obscures the fact that the league could be, and should be, doing much more. I listed plenty of examples in Playmakers. There’s another example that someone in the know raised with PFT following the news that Jets receivers coach Miles Austin also was given the minimum one-year suspension for betting on basketball via one of the sports books that pour cash into the owners’ pockets via a sponsorship deal.

League employees (including most if not all employees of NFL.com and NFL Network) cannot bet on football, or participate in fantasy-football leagues with full-season prizes in excess of $250. They can’t even enter a free NCAA bracket contest that pays out as little as $100 for the winner.

So here’s the question. How aggressively is the league policing the employees of the league? It’s one thing for one of the sports books to alert 345 Park Avenue that Calvin Ridley or Miles Austin used the app on their phone to place an impermissible bet. It’s quite another to affirmatively explore the potential maze of rabbit holes with league employees potentially participating in high-stakes fantasy football leagues or participating in NCAA bracket contests with cash prizes.

If the policies are being aggressively and properly enforced as to league employee, are there violations? Are they being hidden? Should there be the same transparency that applies when someone like Ridley or Austin are exiled for at least a year?

These are fair questions to ask. Whether the NFL would ever answer them is a different issue altogether.

NEW YORK JETS

Tiki Barber has a warning for QB AARON RODGERS if he is thinking of moving from Green Bay to Gang Green.  Ryan Glasspiegel of the New York Post:

Tiki Barber isn’t so sure Aaron Rodgers would make it here.

On his customary spot on “The Pat McAfee Show” earlier this week, Rodgers asserted his belief that top NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter had no insight into him or his inner circle. Rapoport had reported what wound up being the incorrect date for the start of Rodgers’ darkness retreat, and Schefter reported that both the Packers and Rodgers are aware a trade of the quarterback is a very real possibility this offseason.

Responding to that segment on WFAN’s “Tiki and Tierney,” Barber believed this sensitivity on Rodgers’ part would not portend well to life in the Big Apple should the QB get traded to the Jets.

“Ian’s job is to source information about things that are going on in the NFL world,” Barber said. “Earlier this week, Aaron Rodgers took some real shots at Ian Rapoport, basically saying, ‘He doesn’t know anyone in my inner circle, he doesn’t have my number … basically shut the hell up Ian.’

“As I’m reading the full quotes from his Pat McAfee weekly appearance, talking about Schefter and Rapoport … It just made me start to realize that if he is that sensitive that he gets upset that people, reporters, opinion-makers, influencers — whatever — want to talk about him, he is going to struggle in New York. I don’t know if I want him in New York if this is going to be his reaction to things that don’t matter.”

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The 38-year-old Rodgers has been linked to the quarterback-needy Jets this offseason; Joe Namath was an early advocate of the idea and even offered to let Rodgers wear his long-retired number 12. The Jets, who hired former Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett for the same role, have reportedly reached out to the Packers to gauge their interest in a trade.

“If Aaron Rodgers doesn’t want people talking about him, his offseason, his personal life and all these things that are going on with him, he needs to stop talking,” the former Giants running back continued.

“When you go and you’re doing something that feels odd to normal society, which is going to sit in a cabin in the woods for four days in complete isolation, we’re gonna talk about it! We have to! It’s our job to!” Barber exclaimed. “For him to get offended by it, he’s not going to handle the intensity of the New York media-scape — traditional media, social, everything else — if he’s here. I don’t know if I want him here. Because it’s going to turn to a quick pain in the ass if Aaron Rodgers’ skin is that shallow that he’s taking shots at Ian Rapoport!”

It remains uncertain whether Rodgers will seek a trade, return to the Packers or retire — which would be a big long-shot — after he emerges from his darkness retreat.

THIS AND THAT

NFL TIERS

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com separates the contenders from the re-builds:

Now that the 2022 NFL season is over, we’re looking ahead at just how much work each franchise must do this offseason — and potentially beyond. Which teams need to tear it all down and regroup? Which should take a new approach to move toward contender status? Which can be in the mix after only a savvy move or two? And which are already trending in the right direction and could arrive near the top of the league sooner rather than later?

To get a better sense of how the league stacks up right now, we tiered all 32 teams based on their current trajectory, from the no-doubt perennial contenders to the full rebuilds. And for each club, we took a closer look at the franchise’s current state — and what needs to be done in the coming months. We get started with the five teams that are on cruise control atop the NFL. (Note: Teams are organized alphabetically within each tier, and cap space is via OverTheCap.)

STILL MAJOR CONTENDERS

Buffalo Bills (13-3)

Average age of roster: 26.9

Salary-cap space: minus-$16,770,436

Total 2023 draft picks: 7

What’s next: This will be a bit of a get-right year for Buffalo, which has spent big in the past few offseasons but now has a cap deficit. Expect general manager Brandon Beane to rely on the core roster in place for the most part, barring a few midtier reinforcement options who might interest the club. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds is expected to score big elsewhere in free agency, but safety Jordan Poyer, who is 31 and a leader on defense, has a chance to return. Adding additional speed on defense and one more playmaker on offense could be on the agenda.

Cincinnati Bengals (12-4)

Average age of roster: 26.3

Salary-cap space: $35,673,058

Total 2023 draft picks: 7

What’s next: Joe Burrow’s contract takes precedence. It’s tough to give any player more than $50 million per year on a new deal after three years in the league, but Burrow is one of the few exceptions, and the Bengals can try to get a few wins out of this — a long-term deal that helps them prorate the salary-cap hits. That’s not the only contract to address, though.

Wide receiver Tee Higgins, a 2024 free agent, is a name to watch. The Bengals aren’t eager to trade ascending young talents in the absence of a new contract (see: Jessie Bates), but this one could get tricky because they have to pay Ja’Marr Chase eventually and know they have to pay Burrow. Is there enough room to compensate a player in Higgins who, despite No. 2 receiver status in Cincinnati, is a No. 1 talent? And don’t forget about another 2024 free agent, Logan Wilson, a stellar linebacker. It will be fascinating to see how much owner Mike Brown is willing to spend to sustain a winning core.

Kansas City Chiefs (14-3)

Average age of roster: 26

Salary-cap space: $7,012,266

Total 2023 draft picks: 10

What’s next: The Chiefs’ roster is in a healthy place, perhaps more so than their past teams that made the Super Bowl with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback. They have draft picks contributing and have lessened the number of bloated contracts on the books. A repeat feels very much on the table.

On the agenda is addressing cap hits of pass-rusher Frank Clark ($28.7 million) and defensive tackle Chris Jones ($28.3 million). The latter could land a massive contract extension before 2024 free agency. The Chiefs also have interest in re-signing wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster. The expectation among many inside the league is that Kansas City will place the franchise tag on left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. for the second consecutive year.

Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)

Average age of roster: 27.2

Salary-cap space: $8,080,176

Total 2023 draft picks: 6

What’s next: This will be a fascinating offseason for general manager Howie Roseman, who is tasked with gauging a proper market for a star quarterback a year away from free agency (Jalen Hurts). Roseman’s decision on Hurts will echo through the locker room. The Eagles have eight starting-caliber free agents on defense, and this team might look far different, knowing it can’t pay everyone.

Javon Hargrave could price himself out of Philadelphia, and Fletcher Cox is 32 years old, which means it might be Jordan Davis’ time up front at defensive tackle. With many offensive staples still under contract, Roseman could look to use his two first-round picks on a corner and/or an edge rusher.

San Francisco 49ers (13-4)

Average age of roster: 27.2

Salary-cap space: $8,063,016

Total 2023 draft picks: 6

What’s next: The offseason starts and ends with the quarterback question for San Francisco. Will it be Brock Purdy, Trey Lance or an outside option? Some league execs say San Francisco should hold a camp battle between Purdy and Lance, knowing their trade values could go up for contingencies. But the sense as of now is the 49ers don’t want to give up on Lance just yet.

Meanwhile, the rest of the roster is fully stocked. The 49ers likely will need to replace free agent right tackle Mike McGlinchey. They could restructure the hefty contracts of Trent Williams ($27.2 million cap), Arik Armstead ($23.9 million) and others to create space to sign free agents, but this roster already is among the league’s elite.

NEED A POSTSEASON BREAKTHROUGH

Dallas Cowboys (12-5)

Average age of roster: 26.7

Salary-cap space: minus-$7,008,743

Total 2023 draft picks: 6

What’s next: The Cowboys need to solidify the No. 2 receiver spot, which is crucial for quarterback Dak Prescott to have a bounce-back season. CeeDee Lamb needs help, and Michael Gallup — who was recovering from a torn ACL — wasn’t quite himself, so perhaps he’ll return to form. Is Odell Beckham Jr. that complementary option?

A depleted Cowboys offensive line needs youthful reinforcements, even if just for depth. And in the short term, Dallas must decide whether to franchise-tag running back Tony Pollard, who rushed for 1,007 yards and scored 12 total touchdowns in 2022. I suspect it will; he’s too valuable to its offense. It might be tough to retain tight end Dalton Schultz if that’s the case, though. He’d have a strong market in free agency.

Minnesota Vikings (13-4)

Average age of roster: 26.4

Salary-cap space: minus-$23,295,007

Total 2023 draft picks: 4

What’s next: Improving the secondary is a key task for Minnesota, which must replace cornerback Patrick Peterson and plan for life without 34-year-old safety Harrison Smith. Getting back injured rookies — safety Lewis Cine and corner Andrew Booth Jr. — will be crucial. The Vikings allowed 66.1% of passes to be completed, 24th in the NFL.

New defensive coordinator Brian Flores has plenty of firepower up front with Za’Darius Smith, Danielle Hunter and Dalvin Tomlinson. And the offense has its core in place but must shake out the future of running back Dalvin Cook, who has a $14.1 million cap hit vs. $6.2 million in dead money. He just rushed for more than 1,000 yards for a fourth straight season.

HEADED ON THE RIGHT TRACK

Baltimore Ravens (10-7)

Average age of roster: 27.2

Salary-cap space: $26,108,480

Total 2023 draft picks: 5

What’s next: The passing game looms large in the Ravens’ offseason. Baltimore has yet to hire an offensive coordinator, which could have a ripple effect on its plans for quarterback Lamar Jackson. It likely will place the franchise tag on Jackson. What happens after that builds intrigue. The Ravens are saying the right things about keeping him, but they must decide whether they will match his desire to earn record guaranteed money — or attempt to trade him.

With receivers Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay recovering from injuries, the Ravens would be wise to comb free agency for a reliable downfield target for Jackson, too.

Detroit Lions (9-8)

Average age of roster: 25.8

Salary-cap space: $13,915,951

Total 2023 draft picks: 8

What’s next: The Lions’ offense is predicated on a stout offensive line, and decisions must be made there. Guard Evan Brown is a free agent they could try to re-sign, and 2024 free agent Jonah Jackson is ascending. Tailback Jamaal Williams, also a free agent, is a leader in this locker room and should be considered to re-sign.

This offseason, Detroit should also spend time getting wideout Jameson Williams up to speed with quarterback Jared Goff so he’s more of a focal point in the offense. And the defense needs a marquee player or two to get over the top, perhaps an interior pass-rusher via free agency.

Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)

Average age of roster: 26.3

Salary-cap space: minus-$22,893,686

Total 2023 draft picks: 9

What’s next: Jacksonville is built for sustained success, with quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the middle of a rookie contract and plenty of key players under contract. The Jaguars must now decide whether they are comfortable paying free agent right tackle Jawaan Taylor, who should have a strong market.

They have cap issues that they can sort out through contract restructures. The Jaguars lost multiple defensive linemen to free agency and will replenish there, possibly through the draft. And re-signing tight end Evan Engram will be a priority. He has revived his career in Jacksonville, catching 73 passes in 2022.

Los Angeles Chargers (10-7)

Average age of roster: 26.4

Salary-cap space: minus-$20,511,524

Total 2023 draft picks: 7

What’s next: The Chargers spent big last offseason and now must make some financial considerations. Pass-rushers Joey Bosa ($31 million) and Khalil Mack ($27.4 million) have massive cap hits that could be reworked. The future of wideout Keenan Allen ($21 million) appears to be one to watch, although it’s hard to imagine Los Angeles wanting to part with him. And tight end Gerald Everett ($8.25 million) is in the final year of his deal.

Simply put, the Chargers need more space to operate, especially if they pursue a contract extension with quarterback Justin Herbert — which makes sense for them.

Miami Dolphins (9-8)

Average age of roster: 27.4

Salary-cap space: minus-$16,377,201

Total 2023 draft picks: 5

What’s next: If we’re taking the Dolphins at their word, Tua Tagovailoa is the unquestioned starting quarterback in 2023. That makes the first objective of the offseason a simple yet relatively helpless one: Hope he stays healthy. Many league execs say they would not exercise Tagovailoa’s fifth-year option because of the health concerns (not his play), but Miami has backed him at every step. Tagovailoa finished third in QBR last season (68.8) but was limited to 13 games and missed the Dolphins’ playoff appearance.

Don’t be surprised if the Dolphins move on from corner Byron Jones, who didn’t play last season and has an $18.4 million cap hit. That accentuates the need for another good corner, a crucial component in the Vic Fangio defense.

New York Giants (9-7-1)

Average age of roster: 25.9

Salary-cap space: $47,863,739

Total 2023 draft picks: 9

What’s next: Massive decisions face the Giants’ front office over the next month. The team can use the franchise tag on quarterback Daniel Jones for $32.4 million for next season, serving as a placeholder to a long-term deal. Meanwhile, the team seems dedicated to re-signing Saquon Barkley. The low franchise tag for running backs ($10.1 million) could be insulting to Barkley, considering his top-tier status. A long-term deal in the range of $12 million to $14 million seems more plausible.

Then there’s defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, a 2024 free agent ready for an extension, and safety Julian Love, who hits free agency in March. New York would like to keep its core intact but also won’t spend overzealously, knowing it needs upgrades through the draft and a midpriced free agency.

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8)

Average age of roster: 27.1

Salary-cap space: $1,032,747

Total 2023 draft picks: 6

What’s next: The Steelers will look to make a major jump in Year 2 with quarterback Kenny Pickett, who showed promise late in the season and will have plenty of playmakers. Pittsburgh could look to add a corner in free agency or the draft. Cameron Sutton is an option to return but might have priced himself out. Free agent James Bradberry would be a good fit. Or the Steelers could get wild and target Ravens nemesis Marcus Peters.

Losing inside linebackers Devin Bush and Robert Spillane leaves a void up the middle, and we should watch for draft movement there. Lastly, the Steelers must decide on the future of quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who is due $8 million — a little steep for their typical backup plans.

Seattle Seahawks (9-8)

Average age of roster: 27

Salary-cap space: $31,042,644

Total 2023 draft picks: 10

What’s next: The Seahawks appear ready to extend quarterback Geno Smith’s contract, so that’s the first order of business. Don’t be surprised if they bring back Drew Lock, too — they were very pleased with him behind the scenes. With major draft capital, including two first-round picks, Seattle can replenish its front seven defensively. It wants to get stronger up front. Interior offensive line will be an area to upgrade, as well.

IN A COMFORTABLE SPOT — DESPITE A LOSING SEASON

Cleveland Browns (7-10)

Average age of roster: 25.8

Salary-cap space: minus-$13,534,606

Total 2023 draft picks: 8

What’s next: Without a first-round pick in April’s draft, the Browns will have a few needs to address in free agency. The secondary had too many breakdowns early in the season, and free agent Jessie Bates, though likely to sign an expensive contract, would help shore up those issues. The Browns also need defensive line help and an additional receiver.

More important than any addition is improving quarterback Deshaun Watson, who played below his standards in 2022 after a near-two-year absence from the game. Cleveland is hoping a full, focused offseason with the franchise will help Watson recover his top-tier form. He must do so, considering his contract’s cap hits of $55 million over the next four years.

Green Bay Packers (8-9)

Average age of roster: 26.2

Salary-cap space: minus-$16,481,743

Total 2023 draft picks: 10

What’s next: If it’s time for quarterback Jordan Love to take over, the Packers need to do everything possible to guide him. Replacing free agent wideout Allen Lazard and tight end Robert Tonyan with speedy targets to play alongside receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs would go a long way. The Packers also have a tough decision with offensive tackle David Bakhtiari, who is 31. He has missed 22 games over the past two seasons and is due a $9.5 million roster bonus March 19.

On defense, Green Bay should consider re-signing safety Adrian Amos, the ultimate glue guy to the secondary.

STUCK IN QB PURGATORY

Atlanta Falcons (7-10)

Average age of roster: 26.5

Salary-cap space: $56,575,855

Total 2023 draft picks: 8

What’s next: The Falcons need to determine whether they are confident in Desmond Ridder — who threw two touchdown passes and completed 63.5% of his throws over four games — as QB1. The rookie third-round pick showed promise last season, but with the resources and flexibility for the first time in the Terry Fontenot-Arthur Smith regime, is it time to swing big on a quarterback?

With plenty of cap space, re-signing guard Chris Lindstrom should happen, and the Falcons can bolster the front seven defensively, which will aid new coordinator Ryan Nielsen.

Las Vegas Raiders (6-11)

Average age of roster: 26.7

Salary-cap space: $19,139,838

Total 2023 draft picks: 11

What’s next: Once Derek Carr is off the books, the Raiders can get to work on adding a new quarterback. They know they have free agent Jarrett Stidham as a fall-back option after he acquitted himself well late last season. But the Raiders will likely exhaust all options, from veteran acquisitions to using the No. 7 pick on a top passer in the draft.

There are rumblings that Las Vegas will reset parts of its roster in the mold of coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler. It wouldn’t surprise if the Raiders trade or release a few veterans as a result.

New Orleans Saints (7-10)

Average age of roster: 27.7

Salary-cap space: minus-$59,868,319

Total 2023 draft picks: 8

What’s next: Like nearly half the league, the Saints must crystallize their quarterback picture. They are pursuing Derek Carr, and if he signs in New Orleans, they likely will negotiate a release of quarterback Jameis Winston. Finding dynamic receiver Chris Olave — who had 1,042 receiving yards in his rookie year — a running mate would also be ideal.

On defense, New Orleans can start planning for life after highly productive but aging starters, such as edge rusher Cameron Jordan and linebacker Demario Davis. And it seems as if the team could let free agent pass-rusher Marcus Davenport walk.

New York Jets (7-10)

Average age of roster: 26.7

Salary-cap space: minus-$264,498

Total 2023 draft picks: 6

What’s next: The path seems clear-cut. The Jets must acquire a veteran QB who can put an emerging roster over the top. That conversation starts with Aaron Rodgers, followed by Derek Carr and the rest of the field. The Jets also need to replenish the offensive line. Tackle is an issue with George Fant hitting free agency and Mekhi Becton recovering from injury. The Jets likely won’t pick up Becton’s fifth-year option but are hoping he can start for them in 2023.

They can save $15 million in cap space by releasing defensive end Carl Lawson, too. Perhaps the team can swing a reworked contract on a reduced salary.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)

Average age of roster: 27.4

Salary-cap space: minus-$55,031,921

Total 2023 draft picks: 7

What’s next: With the three-year Tom Brady window now closed, the Bucs could take calculated risks in efforts to remain a contender. Answers at quarterback are not clear-cut, but they could inquire about Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers and others — or roll with Kyle Trask, a second-round pick in 2021. The sense I get from Tampa Bay players is that Trask is the favorite as of now.

The team might not want to break up the nucleus, but cap hits for wideout Mike Evans ($23.7 million), pass-rusher Shaquil Barrett ($21.2 million) and offensive tackle Donovan Smith ($17.9 million) will need to be addressed somehow. A tough decision looms on linebacker Devin White, a supreme talent who had an uneven year and is a free agent in 2024. Do the Bucs want to extend his contract now?

Washington Commanders (8-8-1)

Average age of roster: 26.1

Salary-cap space: $8,352,246

Total 2023 draft picks: 8

What’s next: In what feels like a must-win season for coach Ron Rivera, the Commanders need to support Sam Howell, who enters offseason workouts as their No. 1 quarterback. Look for Washington to identify offensive line upgrades in the draft or free agency. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor and guard Dalton Risner could be good fits.

The Commanders can’t spend too aggressively because they have core defensive players to keep. Defensive tackle Daron Payne played well enough that the franchise tag is a viable option. Pass-rusher Montez Sweat is a year from free agency, and they must decide on Chase Young’s fifth-year option ($17.5 million).

TIME TO REASSESS THE STATE OF THE FRANCHISE

Los Angeles Rams (5-12)

Average age of roster: 26.2

Salary-cap space: minus-$14,122,570

Total 2023 draft picks: 10

What’s next: L.A. seems destined for a mini reset to recoup resources, and it must decide which marquee players it’s comfortable letting go this offseason. Teams I’ve talked to wonder if the Rams will part with cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who has a $25.2 million cap hit. And rebuilding a sagging offensive line will go a long way to helping coach Sean McVay regain his mojo on offense.

The offense targets Cooper Kupp nearly 11 times per game, which is fairly common for a top receiver, but Los Angeles must decide whether it wants to expand the roles of other pass-catchers, such as Allen Robinson II, who is set to make a full recovery from foot surgery.

New England Patriots (8-9)

Average age of roster: 27.2

Salary-cap space: $33,958,947

Total 2023 draft picks: 11

What to know for the 2023 NFL draft

What’s next: The hiring of Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator helps the Patriots get back to their roots with quarterback Mac Jones, who had success as a rookie but struggled at times without a true offensive coordinator. He finished No. 28 in QBR (36.1) and threw 14 touchdown passes to 11 interceptions.

Elsewhere, guard Michael Onwenu is a good young lineman who is a year from free agency, and the Patriots could try to keep him. And the secondary needs an update or two. Safety Devin McCourty is 35 years old and corner Jonathan Jones is a free agent.

Tennessee Titans (7-10)

Average age of roster: 26.7

Salary-cap space: minus-$21,353,634

Total 2023 draft picks: 6

What’s next: After playoff runs that bordered on overachievement, the Titans cracked at the seams in 2022, leaving a roster with several holes. Acquiring offensive line help through free agency or the draft (or both) will be crucial. Tennessee will likely move on from tackle Taylor Lewan ($14.8 million cap hit), and guard Nate Davis will be a marquee free agent who’s tough to keep.

The Titans could escape the contract of quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who has a $36.6 million cap hit vs. $18.8 million in dead money. But coach Mike Vrabel sounds like he wants to keep Tannehill based on recent public comments. Extending Jeffery Simmons, a premier defensive tackle, will likely be a priority. And pass-rusher Denico Autry, a 2024 free agent, is also a core player.

NEW COACH, NEW DIRECTION?

Arizona Cardinals (4-13)

Average age of roster: 26.3

Salary-cap space: $14,604,205

Total 2023 draft picks: 8

What’s next: The Cardinals need to make defensive upgrades in a hurry. Arizona has $58 million in cap space dedicated to the defense, or about 25% of the overall cap. Talent deficiency must be addressed via free agency and the draft, and having the No. 3 overall pick to add a defender (Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr.?) would be a big step forward. Arizona was 22nd in yards allowed per play last season (5.5).

In addition, the offensive line was uneven the entire season, so adding an interior presence is a priority.

Carolina Panthers (7-10)

Average age of roster: 26.5

Salary-cap space: minus-$7,743,950

Total 2023 draft picks: 7

What’s next: If Carolina feels conviction about one of the top passers in April’s draft, it should aggressively pursue one. Only Houston had a lower QBR in 2022 than Carolina (27.6), and Matt Corral and Jacob Eason are the only quarterbacks on the roster at the moment. That’s the pressing issue for this offseason, save maybe tight end and a few offensive line adds.

On defense, extending edge rusher Brian Burns, a 2024 free agent, will be costly but worth it. The Panthers could use another starting-caliber defensive back and a linebacker, too. Free agent Alex Singleton, who was with new coordinator Ejiro Evero in Denver, would be a nice fit.

Denver Broncos (5-12)

Average age of roster: 26.6

Salary-cap space: $9,387,224

Total 2023 draft picks: 6

What’s next: It’s time to take Russell Wilson to the Sean Payton culinary football school, where he can relearn the basics of cooking. Wilson’s career needs a reset after massive struggles in 2022; his 37.0 QBR ranked 27th in the NFL. Watch for Payton to use play-action and design manageable throws for Wilson to get his confidence back up. His receiving core should stay relatively intact, which helps with continuity.

On the other side, free agent defensive end Dre’Mont Jones might price himself out of Denver, leaving a massive hole up front. He’s one of Denver’s 23 free agents. This team will look a lot different next season.

Indianapolis Colts (4-12-1)

Average age of roster: 26.3

Salary-cap space: $12,440,976

Total 2023 draft picks: 7

What’s next: It seems like general manager Chris Ballard, for the first time in his six-year tenure, could swing on a quarterback atop the draft. His Colts sit at No. 4 overall, so there is no better time. The Colts face tough decisions on wideout Michael Pittman and running back Jonathan Taylor, 2024 free agents who aren’t coming off big years (though, to be fair, they got zero help from the offense). The maligned offensive line probably needs a new guard, too.

The defense is set up to be pretty good but needs linebacker Shaquille Leonard back healthy. And re-signing linebacker Bobby Okereke might be a prudent move.

MAJOR REBUILD IN THE WORKS

Chicago Bears (3-14)

Average age of roster: 26.3

Salary-cap space: $94,434,449

Total 2023 draft picks: 8

What’s next: Addressing the front of the defense will be a major priority for general manager Ryan Pace. This free agency class is loaded with high-end options, such as Daron Payne and Javon Hargrave, and the Bears have plenty of money to spend on several players. Armed with the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft, Chicago has the chance to trade back and still get a blue-chip defensive talent, a move many evaluators believe Chicago will execute. Then, it’s time to build around quarterback Justin Fields with more playmaking and protection help.

Houston Texans (3-13-1)

Average age of roster: 27.1

Salary-cap space: $37,612,053

Total 2023 draft picks: 12

What’s next: Houston is the fifth team set to have a new coach, and it is set up for a nice rebuild under general manager Nick Caserio and coach DeMeco Ryans. It can use the No. 2 overall pick in April’s draft on a top quarterback, but it also owns the No. 12 pick, which it could use on a playmaker for said quarterback. Houston must address the future of wideout Brandin Cooks, who wants out but comes with a $26.5 million cap hit and $18 million in guaranteed salary.

The Texans still need help in a lot of areas, so those draft picks will be put to good use. Last season, they were No. 31 in offensive EPA and No. 20 in defensive EPAPAPA.

2023 DRAFT – ANTHONY RICHARDSON

Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic looks at the QB that the draft experts love despite indifferent performance for the Gators.

On athletic traits alone, Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, one of the hottest and most difficult-to-sort prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft, has everything. He’s 6-foot-4 and 231 pounds. He has a missile launcher attached to his right arm. He’s expected to flirt with a 4.4-second 40-yard dash at the combine. He’s even got a big, bright smile.

However, there are questions.

Richardson will be covered relentlessly for the remainder of the draft cycle, because of his skill set and because the football world knows so little about him. He made just 13 starts in college and threw fewer than 400 career passes. Teams will want to know more about his personality. They’ll need to learn about his football IQ and how he leads.

And somewhere along the way they’ll learn that Richardson, in addition to being perhaps the most interesting man in this draft, is a prospect who has been forged in fire.

It was fall of 2016 in Gainesville, Fla., when a 14-year-old with an adult’s frame and a grown man’s voice walked into Mark Smith’s Loften High School classroom and introduced himself. Smith, a former Alachua County fire marshal who runs the Academy of Fire and Emergency Services at Loften’s Professional Academies’ Magnet (PAM) program, had one thought:

“We’re going to need a bigger suit.”

Well before Richardson landed at Florida as a star quarterback, he was a curious high school student interested in becoming an actual firefighter, hoping to train through a unique school program that allowed him to keep his budding football career at nearby Eastside (Fla.) High School separate from his education.

The PAM program at Loften is a school of choice, focused on preparing students for careers in specialized fields — everything from fire and rescue to robotics and engineering to gaming and mobile apps. The student body of roughly 300 spends the bulk of its day in a traditional learning environment, with one part of a four-block schedule centered on a specific career path. Students have to apply and be selected for admission.

With Smith at Loften, Richardson learned teamwork via firefighter and emergency response training. He matured through physical and mental challenges that tested reaction time and the ability to work with strangers, as well as through drills designed to mimic real-life situations, complete with lessons in encouraging one another in moments of struggle.

By the time Richardson reached high school, most figured sports would be his ticket to a better life. But if it didn’t cash, Richardson told friends and family that his fallback would be to stay home in Gainesville and try to help make his community a better place.

“My goal,” Smith says, “is that when students leave here, they come out and they’re ready to tackle the world. And wherever they work, their employer says: ‘That’s the person I want with me.’ Professionalism. Work ethic. Leadership. Across the board.

“And (Anthony) is a very bright person.”

Richardson’s path to Florida was an interesting one. A terrific basketball player who began his football career as an explosive and big-bodied receiver, Richardson eventually matriculated to QB in high school. And while rival recruiters surely worried about wasting their time on a player so close to Florida’s campus, Louisville still found Richardson and gave him his first scholarship offer, as a sophomore in 2017.

Staying home was always in the cards, though, and Richardson committed to Florida in the summer before his junior season. He opened his recruitment the following winter — an effort, in part, to help get more of his teammates seen — and drew last-ditch offers from Georgia, Michigan and Penn State. But he wanted to play near his mother and family.

A late arrival to quarterback in today’s world, Richardson appeared in four games for the Gators as a true freshman, before being used primarily as a running option alongside starter Emory Jones in 2021. Richardson’s 12 starts in 2022 under first-year Florida coach Billy Napier marked his only full season as a college starter. He threw for 2,549 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions, and rushed for another 654 yards and nine TDs.

It was a season filled with spectacular flashes, frustrating hiccups and one unrelenting constant: Richardson got better at something every week.

His 10.7 yards per attempt off play action last season ranked ninth among full-time FBS starters, right in front of Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker and Alabama’s Bryce Young (10.4). However, Richardson’s 38.7 percent completion rate on attempts vs. pressure landed 58th within the same group of 66 qualifying passers. His average depth of target was an outstanding 11.5 yards, but he completed just 53.8 percent of his throws and had some rough stretches from the pocket.

When it’s great, it’s great. When it’s not, it’s not.

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Still, nearly all of his issues as a quarterback are coachable, even if there’s a lot sort out. That’s why the general reaction to Richardson from NFL personnel people tends to be a giant smile followed by an equally giant wince. Richardson likely will not be ready to lead a team to anything resembling a playoff run as a rookie. He may need a full year to continue to grow into the position, as he’ll still be just 21 on draft weekend. He’ll have to be a student.

But Richardson has been a student, more or less, all his life. He was a member of the honor roll at Loften. He did not struggle with the balance of classes, football and the extra load that came from his fire-and-rescue training. Ask those around him, and they’ll tell you that Richardson is self-aware, coachable and open to constructive criticism.

Smith recalls one game early in Richardson’s days as a quarterback at Eastside that went particularly awry. Richardson was young, but clearly the team’s most talented player. Receivers struggled to keep up with the speed of Richardson’s throws, the offensive line had issues and Richardson, Smith noticed, reacted with slumped shoulders and a dipped head. A normally reserved person anyway, Richardson kept to himself on the sideline that night.

During class the following Monday, Smith asked Richardson if he was having fun playing quarterback and if he thought he might stick at that position. Richardson told him he was, and he did.

“Then we need to have a little conversation,” Smith replied. The teacher asked his student what he saw on television from the best players in the NFL when things weren’t going great. Richardson already knew where this was headed. They pick their teammates up, he told Smith.

The two never needed to have the conversation again. A few years later, in 2022, Richardson’s Florida teammates voted him a captain.

From a draft perspective, the most pressing question on Richardson is how high his stock rises before late April. Overall, reactions to Richardson’s pros and cons are mixed, but his ceiling is higher than any quarterback in this class.

And if you watch specific areas in which Richardson struggled at the beginning of 2022, and how he worked to improve those areas as the season wore on, you might begin to wonder whether he’s closer to being ready than some think.

– – –

However, there are still lapses. While Richardson got better every week, he also left yards and points on the field far as he worked to refine his game.

There are still too many instances when Richardson ignores his checkdown in favor of a deep receiver in double coverage. His processing to his third and/or fourth options needs polish. He’s still too inconsistent with his feet on the run, which will have to be fixed at the next level. His anticipation needs to improve, too, especially on crossers and over routes.

But the best of his game is undeniably scintillating.

Where will Richardson be drafted this spring? The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has Richardson at No. 14 on his top 100 draft board, released this week. The upcoming combine and Richardson’s pro day shouldn’t do anything to hurt his stock.

Many have wondered if Richardson will be a first-round pick. To me, the actual mystery is whether Richardson will climb into the top 10. The questions about his readiness are valid and his game needs refinement, so he might stand as too big a challenge for a franchise without a foundation. For one with ground underneath it and a willingness to develop a QB, though? Richardson could be the lottery ticket it’s always wanted.

In the fall of 2021, Richardson, that gigantic kid who once after he showed up in Smith’s classroom just wanting to help people, returned as a gigantic adult — now ready to help people.

Earlier that year, Richardson had taken part in the College Football Playoff Foundation’s “Extra Yard for Teachers Week” contest. Players were asked to nominate a teacher who helped change their life. Richardson chose Smith and won. He took the $1,000 prize money and surprised Smith with it one day during school. The money helped Loften’s Fire and EMS Academy secure the eight new textbooks it needed for the upcoming school year.

“The timing was perfect,” Smith says. “And each of those books now has (Richardson’s) name on them.”

This is Anthony Richardson: an incredibly talented yet unproven prospect, with a heart the size of his frame.

He’s a quarterback who could be the answer to your team’s prayers. He’s a quarterback who, literally, has been trained to put out fires.