Amazon is seeking to make Al Michaels, who began Major League Baseball broadcasting 50 years ago in 1971 in Cincinnati, as the voice of Thursday Night Football in 2022.  Andrew Marchand of the New York Post seems to be on top of things:

Do you believe in streaming?

NBC’s Al Michaels has emerged as Amazon Prime Video’s top choice to do play-by-play for its forthcoming exclusive Thursday night NFL package, The Post has learned.

The courting has already begun with NBC an active part of the discussions that could include its top production people being part of a potential deal as well, according to sources, when Amazon begins its exclusive broadcast in the 2022-23 season.

Though Amazon is focused on Michaels, he is not alone on the platform’s list. Amazon also has interest in Fox’s Joe Buck and CBS’ Ian Eagle.

Ultimately, this could lead to an extraordinary contract for Michaels. Tony Romo set the market as an analyst when CBS gave him a 10-year, $180 million contract, the largest in sportscasting history.

Michaels, 76, will not receive that length, of course, but he could ask to surpass Romo’s near $1 million per game.

Michaels is slated to call the Super Bowl for NBC this season — the final season of his current deal — in his hometown of Los Angeles. Michaels has shown no inclination yet toward retiring after he does another Super Bowl. Even if the Amazon deal went through, Michaels would remain the No. 1 play-by-player for NBC this season.

In the wings at NBC is Mike Tirico, who is slated to take over the Sunday night booth full-time from Michaels in 2022-23. Tirico left ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” booth in 2016, thinking he would do more NFL, but has had to wait as Michaels has continued his legendary run. Tirico is eager to have the lead role.

Tirico has hosted the “Sunday Night Football” pregame show and has served as Michaels’ understudy, calling occasional NFL games.

Michaels could join Amazon in 2022 and remain at NBC in a lesser role than the lead voice on “SNF,” the perennial highest-rated show in network prime-time TV.

In this scenario, Michaels would call Amazon Prime’s 15 regular-season games while also broadcasting one of NBC’s wild-card playoff matchups. NBC could make Michaels part of its Olympics or golf coverage, if he wanted.

While analyst Cris Collinsworth has two years left on his “SNF” deal, NBC recently brought in Drew Brees as a potential replacement.

NBC will evaluate what they have in Brees, a TV rookie, this year as he does Notre Dame games and the “Football Night in America” pregame show. Collinsworth is perceived to be a longer shot to end up doing Amazon games than Michaels is.

Nate Burleson, who is approaching potential free agency and is a rising star at CBS and NFL Network, is someone Amazon is high on, according to sources.

NBC could also share with Amazon parts or all of its production team, led by executive producer Fred Gaudelli and director Drew Esocoff. This could prove beneficial to both NBC and Amazon. NBC just lost the rights to the NHL and has an excess of people it would like to keep fully employed. For Amazon, it would prevent the company from having to hire a whole crew of folks for its production.

“We have a great relationship with Al and we look forward to it continuing for years to come,” NBC senior vice president Greg Hughes said.

Amazon declined comment.

When Amazon takes over Thursday night from Fox after this season, its broadcast is expected to feature a lead traditional network-level offering — which is why it is focused on the likes of Michaels, Buck and Eagle — and then alternative streams that could feature aspects like betting or home team-focused presentations.

The final chapter of Michaels’ career has been a story for a while now. Last year, The Post reported that ESPN — knowing the growing tension over Tirico’s on-deck status — asked NBC about trading for Michaels, but was quickly rebuffed.

ESPN is entering its second year with Steve Levy, Louis Riddick and Brian Griese as its top team. With Disney watching closely how ESPN spends, it is unclear whether Disney would make another run at Michaels. It already has landed Super Bowls for ABC/ESPN.

Buck and Eagle are both 52 years old and under contract with their networks. Buck’s deal is up in 2023. Eagle, who works for CBS, TNT and YES, just signed a new deal with CBS and is a top candidate to replace Marv Albert as Turner’s lead NBA play-by-play voice.

Amazon could likely have a longer-term relationship with Buck or Eagle than with Michaels. Amazon has a 12-year agreement with the NFL beginning next season.

Michaels has long been a part of intrigue when packages change hands. In 2005, when NBC bought the rights to “SNF,” Michaels initially agreed to stay with “MNF” when it switched from ABC to ESPN, but then had second thoughts and ended up being dealt in a trade that included the cartoon character Oswald the Lucky Rabbit going back to Disney. Michaels was on the air in 2006 when NBC started “SNF.”

Now Michaels is in the middle of NFL TV free agency again. He is arguably the greatest TV NFL play-by-player of all time, and though he could decide for a storybook ending with NBC’s Super Bowl in his hometown in February 2022, he and NBC have already started talks with Amazon about the future.

– – –

The use of Toradol is to be “limited” says a new NFL memo.  Michael David Smith ofProFootballTalk.com:

NFL players are being urged to limit the use of the painkiller Toradol, which has been common in the league for years.

The NFL Players Association sent a memo about Toradol to all players, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The memo cites “the risk of Toradol causing major bleeding,” and recommends limiting use of the medication by players.

“Toradol should not be used prior to, during, or after NFL games or practices as a means of reducing anticipated pain,” the memo says.

The memo also says Toradol should typically be used in its oral form, rather than injected, and that injections should only take place “following an acute, game-related injury where visceral or central nervous system bleeding is not expected and where other oral or intranasal pain medications are inadequate or not tolerated.”

Several NFL players have decried Toradol use in the NFL as rampant and harmful. Albert Haynesworth, who recently had a kidney transplant, said he believes Toradol played a part in his kidney disease.

– – –

With a bit of caution/reluctance, the DB recently joined the ranks of the vaccine.  We did so partially to avoid being in the position some NFL coaches now find themselves in.  Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com:

The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective, but some NFL coaches are refusing to get it anyway, and as a result they won’t be able to coach players up close.

Assistant coaches on at least four NFL teams are refusing to get a COVID-19 vaccine, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. If they don’t change their minds within the next week, they will lose Tier 1 status, which means they won’t be able to coach on the field or in meeting rooms and can’t interact face-to-face with players.

The NFL has said it will consider exceptions for coaches who request an exemption from getting vaccinated for health or religious reasons. It is unclear whether any of the coaches has a health or religious exemption from getting the vaccine.

It’s also unclear how effectively coaches can do their jobs if they can’t be in close proximity to players. Coaches refusing the vaccine are undoubtedly putting their teams in a difficult position.

NFC NORTH

CHICAGO

Coach Matt Nagy is gushing over QB JUSTIN EVANS.  Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com:

Buyer’s remorse is not a phrase the Chicago Bears associate with Justin Fields.

A shade under five weeks since the Bears moved up in the first round to nab the Ohio State quarterback, coach Matt Nagy held court after the team’s first open OTA workout and said Fields had thus far met, and to a certain extent, exceeded expectations.

“Everything that we thought he was going to be when he got here with learning and being obsessed with everything that we teach him and then being able to be himself out on the field — he’s really doing things in a really good way,” Nagy said on a Wednesday Zoom call.

Chicago’s immediate plan at quarterback is clear. Nagy revealed Fields is slated to open the regular season as the No. 2 quarterback, behind starter Andy Dalton and in front of third-stringer Nick Foles, who missed Wednesday’s open practice for personal reasons.

The Chicago Bears drafted Justin Fields to be their franchise quarterback of the future, but he enters his first offseason as the No. 2 QB, behind veteran Andy Dalton. Justin Fields

Eventually, the starting job will belong to Fields. How quickly happens depends on how the rookie develops behind the scenes. The Bears say Fields has progressed at a strong and steady rate since the conclusion of last month’s rookie minicamp.

“He’s done a really good job at just trying to digest everything we are teaching in this offense in particular right now,” Nagy said. “He’s extremely, extremely calm, which I love. So when something bad happens, and the next play, it doesn’t matter to him because he’s so calm and he has confidence in himself.

“When something good happens, he reacts the same. And that part, that’s a good trait to have, because you can never get too high, you can never get too low. That’s why he’s had the success he’s had.”

Teammates have taken notice. The Bears’ voluntary offseason turnout on defense — linebacker Roquan Smith being the notable exception — has been low, but on offense, virtually all of the projected starters have been at Halas Hall, minus wide receiver Allen Robinson II, who is playing on the one-year franchise tag. The high attendance is understandable since the Bears have two new quarterbacks (Fields and Dalton) who are expected to log significant playing time in 2021.

“Justin is definitely a freakish athlete, to say the least,” Bears running back David Montgomery said. “He already kind of carries that leader mantra that you rarely see in rookies that I know I didn’t have.

“He’s great, and he’s progressing well. It’s good to see him, being as young as he is, being able to take the reins. Looking at Andy, following behind Andy, Andy being able to show him the ropes. He looks great out there.”

DETROIT

The Lions admit to interest in RB TODD GURLEY.

The Detroit Lions have continued interest in Todd Gurley after meeting with the former All-Pro running back at the team’s facility last week.

“Yeah, look, we have interest in Todd,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said ahead of Thursday’s OTA practice. “We do and we’re talking with him and his agent.”

Campbell went on to say the team’s interest in Gurley, 26, was not a reflection on the organization’s feelings about their top two running backs, D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams.

The Lions have interest in adding former Rams and Falcons running back Todd Gurley.

“Just because we have interest in (Gurley), that does not affect our feeling and our thoughts on both Swift and Jamaal,” Campbell said.

The Lions drafted Swift in the second round last season and he projects as the team’s lead back after racking up 878 yards from scrimmage and scoring 10 touchdowns in 13 games as a rookie last season.

Williams, 26, was a top free-agent target for the Lions this offseason after spending his first four years with the Packers where he averaged 737 yards from scrimmage and 4.5 touchdowns.

Campbell said there’s no deadline on getting a deal done with Gurley, but it’s something he’d like to get done sooner than later.

Gurley, the No. 10 pick in the 2015 draft, was a first-team All-Pro in both 2017 and 2018. But his production has slipped in recent years. In 2019, in his final year with the Rams, he averaged 3.8 yards per carry. Last season, with the Atlanta Falcons, that dipped even further, to 3.5 yards per attempt and his 842 yards from scrimmage a career-low.

“Todd is a young man, at one time, he was considered one of the best in the game,” offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn said. “He has a wealth of experience he can pass along to our young backs and hopefully he’s got some juice left. If he’s a Lion, we’ll figure out a way to use him. I’ve heard nothing but great things about his intangibles. For what Dan’s trying to get done here, culture-wise, I think he’d be a good fit.”

GREEN BAY

Mike Florio has been thinking, perhaps with some guidance, and he has some strong reasons to think the best play is to sit out QB AARON RODGERS.

As the Packers prepare for next week’s mandatory minicamp, they don’t know whether quarterback Aaron Rodgers will attend. If he does, it likely means he’ll attend training camp and play for the Packers in 2021. (There’s still a chance he’ll show up for mandatory minicamp and then hold out, like Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott did in 2019.) If Rodgers doesn’t report to mandatory minicamp, it sets the stage for the question of whether Rodgers will not show up for training camp and, potentially, sit out the season.

The Packers reportedly persist in their refusal to trade Rodgers, in part because they don’t believe he’ll never play for them again. If they call his bluff and he shows up for 2021, problem solved (at least until 2022). If they call his bluff and he’s not bluffing, he’ll skip the full season — and the Packers would gain up to $35 million in cash and cap space.

Either way, they can trade him in March 2022 (if they choose to do so). If they do, they’ll get players and/or picks in the 2022 draft.

That’s another reason to not trade him now. If they do, they’ll get picks at the earliest from the 2022 draft — same as they’d get if they trade him after the 2021 season. But, as mentioned here recently, the fact that it’s June could keep them from getting more now than they would get next year, when maximum teams may come to the table for trade talks.

Now, the partners would consist of the Broncos and maybe the Raiders. Later, plenty of other teams may decide to find a new quarterback, expanding the number of teams bidding for Rodgers’ services.

The only difference is that, by writing to trade Rodgers, the Packers wouldn’t get any players that would help them win games in 2021. Still, any picks would come from 2022 or later. Given that: (1) they’ll quite possibly get more picks if they wait; (2) Rodgers quite possibly will show up and play; and (3) they’ll realize up to $35 million in cash and cap savings if he doesn’t show up, this one is a no-brainer: The Packers should refuse to trade Rodgers until March 2022 at the earliest, and they should let him choose to play in 2021 or to give up a year of football and up to $35 million.

MINNESOTA

The Vikings have signed CB BASHAUD BREELAND.  ESPN.com:

The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms with free-agent cornerback Bashaud Breeland, the team announced Friday.

The deal brings another free-agent addition to the Vikings’ secondary this offseason along with Patrick Peterson and Mackensie Alexander, who spent the first four seasons of his career in Minnesota.

Breeland, 29, started 32 games for the Kansas City Chiefs over the past two years, including six postseason games. He had five interceptions during that span, including one in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

He missed the first four games of the 2020 season after he was suspended by the NFL for violating the league’s policy on substance abuse.

Breeland was arrested in April 2020 in York County, South Carolina, on multiple charges, including resisting arrest, having an open container of beer or wine in a motor vehicle, possession of 28 grams or less of marijuana or 10 grams of hash, and driving without a license.

Before joining the Chiefs in 2019 as a free agent, Breeland spent four seasons with Washington and one with the Green Bay Packers. In Washington, Breeland was a four-year starter with eight interceptions. Breeland played in seven games for the Packers in 2018 with two interceptions.

Overall, Breeland has 377 tackles, 8 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries, 14 interceptions and 3 defensive touchdowns over seven NFL seasons.

NFC WEST

ARIZONA

Walter Mitchell of RevengeOfTheBirds.com on the Cardinals and DE CHANDLER JONES who find themselves at odds.

On the eve of the Cardinals’ OTAs, the Suns walloped the Lakers with J.J. Watt and Kyler Murray cheering from their courtside seats. Everything about the Suns’ convincing victory on the eve of the Cardinals’ OTAs feels wonderfully auspicious.

Except perhaps the notion that the Cardinals and Pro Bowl DE Chandler Jones may be at an impasse with regard to Jones’ 2021 salary.

Heading into the off-season, Jones’ 2021 $15.5M base salary (unguaranteed) in the final year of his 5 year $82.5M contract was the potential elephant in the room, so to speak.

Somewhat lost in the disappointing finish to the Cardinals’ once promising 2020 season is the fact that Chandler Jones had not only suffered a season-ending tricep tear in Week 5, he was suffering through the least productive five game stretch of his tenure with the Cardinals. It is still hard to imagine how Chandler Jones only produced 1 sack and 10 QB pressures in 5 starts.

Part of the reason why Jones’ anomaly of a season was somewhat lost by the end of the season was the Cardinals’ emergence of two stellar edge rushers in Haason Reddick (12.5 sacks, 56 QB pressures) and Dennis Gardeck (7 sacks, 18 QB pressures in a mere 94 snaps) —- plus the return of fan favorite Markus Golden (4 sacks 41 QB pressures) —- all of whom helped to keep the romance of the Cardinals pass rush alive and very well, indeed!

However, right from the very start of the off-season, Michael Bidwill and Steve Keim made it crystal clear how excited they were to be getting Chandler Jones back for the 2021 season.

Bidwill effused during a post-season trade interview, “We get Chandler Jones back! That was a huge loss for us. Getting him back on the field in 2021 is going to be so important.”

When Steve Keim was asked whether the Cardinals could consider trading or releasing Chandler Jones to add his $15.5 unguaranteed base salary to the team’s salary cap, Keim quipped, “I’ll reject that.”

Some fans like myself felt fairly certain the the Cardinals would ask Chandler Jones to take a pay cut, one which would lower his $20.83M 2021 cap hit, but one which could put more guaranteed money in his pockets. That would seem like a win-win.

When Jones’ teammates Justin Pugh and Jordan Hicks were agreeing to pay cuts, Chandler sent out a tweet that basically said that sometimes the best thing a man can do is stand pat and bet on himself. The timing of that tweet may have suggested to some (myself included) that Jones had been asked to take a pay cut, but wanted to stand pat while he and his agent continued trying to negotiate a contract extension.

Since those early days of the off-season, while allowing to Hasson Reddick to sign a $6M deal plus $2 in incentives with the Carolina Panthers, the Cardinals have re-signed Markus Golden (2 years $5M), Dennis Gardeck (R2 tender of $3.384M) and Kylie Fitts ($920K), Furthermore, the Cardinals drafted Duke DE Victor Dimukeje ($700K),

In addition, Devon Kennard, whom many predicted to be a June 1 cut, is not only sticking with the club, his $6.25M base salary has been guaranteed.

Speculation —- I think it’s quite likely that the Cardinals have tried to offer Chandler Jones a guaranteed portion of his 2021 base salary, if he would agree to come down somewhat from the $15.5M.

Thus, it’s curious right now that Devon Kennard has $6.25M of guaranteed money, Markus Golden $2.5M and Dennis Gardeck $3.384M, while Chandler Jones has $0.

It wouldn’t be all that surprising if the Cardinals have told Chandler Jones and his agent that they want to see how well Chandler bounces back this season before discussing a contract extension. Perhaps Chandler’s agent has given the Cardinals some extension numbers to chew on, but at this point the Cardinals have the leverage.

Therefore, because Chandler Jones has to sweat out the fact that he has no guaranteed money to fall back on should he get injured again prior to Game 1, it would likely behoove him to be a no-show at OTAs and training camp —- which for a team captain is a very awkward and tenuous situation. Chandler could gamble that the Cardinals would still have him on the roster come Week 1 because that’s when his $15.5M would become guaranteed. But how well prepared would Chandler Jones be to play Week 1 without attending training camp?

The timing of Chandler Jones removing all photos and references to the Cardinals from his Instagram page —- on the eve of OTAs —- could be significant —- or could be nothing at all.

Could there be a swap of Joneses in the works? Chandler for Julio? The Falcons have a glaring need for an edge rusher. Chandler’s and Julio’s 2021 base salaries are $15.5M and $15.3M.

However this Jones for Jones wouldn’t solve the Falcons’ need to create much needed cap space. However, what if the Cardinals added DT Leki Fotu to the deal for DT Grady Jarrett. Jarrett is in the 3rd year of a 4 year $68M contract and his are salaries are $13.5M this year (at age 28) and $16.6M next year (at age 29). $38M of his $42.5M guaranteed money has already been paid.

The Cardinals would have to make some corresponding moves to free up a little more cap space —- or they could simply work out a contract extension with Grady Jarrett.

If Jarret is out of the question, other Falcons’ players the Cardinals could consider: Dante Fowler ($6M base 2021) and TE Hayden Hurst ($1.98M g-ted base 2021).

While the likelihood of a Jones for Jones swap would seem slim, it is an interesting and curious coincidence that their 2021 base salaries are basically the same.

Regardless, it would seem that right now the Cardinals and Chandler Jones find themselves at an impasse.

One might also make the argument that recovering Chandler Jones’ $15.5M base salary would easily enable the team to sign CB Steven Jackson or Brian Poole, plus DT Sheldon Richardson or Geno Atkins and still have plenty of cap space left over to add a TE like Zach Ertz, should Ertz become available.

However, Chandler Jones has been one of the few very bright spots on the Cardinals during what has been a dark stretch of seasons. Chandler has not only been a stellar Pro Bowler on the field, he’s been a highly enthusiastic leader who has bonded particularly well with young stars Budda Baker and Kyler Murray.

The best scenario would appear to be a compromise in which the Cardinals and Jones agree to a guaranteed money figure for this season as an adjusted base salary that would put Jones’ mind at ease and would add some more cap space for the Cardinals.

For example, if Chandler would agree to accept $11.5M guaranteed, it would add $4M to the Cardinals’ cap space. Realistically, were Chandler holds out of training camp and is released just prior to Week 1, could he expect to be given more than $11.5M from another team at that point? Coming off an i injury-marred 2020 season in which he clearly did not look himself?

AFC SOUTH

JACKSONVILLE

The Jaguars stocked up at running back in the offseason, but RB JAMES ROBINSON says he will be fine if he makes the most of his opportunities.  Josh Alper ofProFootballTalk.com:

James Robinson showed he could overcome long odds as a rookie by making the Jaguars and setting a new record for scrimmage yards by an undrafted player during the 2020 season.

Robinson’s exploits didn’t stop the Jaguars from making moves in the backfield, however. They signed Carlos Hyde and drafted Travis Etienne in the first round, which creates new obstacles for Robinson in his bid to remain the top back in Jacksonville.

Some might balk at that response to a strong rookie season, but Robinson said Thursday that he’s taking it all in stride. He told reporters he is “sure it will work out well” and that he’ll just focus on taking care of his business.

“I’ve got to go out and control what I can control and once I get my opportunities, make the most of it,” Robinson said, via Garry Smits of the Florida Times-Union.

Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer called Robinson one of his “favorite guys” and the running back’s approach to this season is unlikely to change that feeling.

THIS AND THAT

TJ OLSEN HAS A NEW HEART

David Newton of ESPN.com:

A heart donor has been found for the 8-year-old son of Greg Olsen, the retired Carolina Panthers tight end announced on social media Friday.

The news of a donor comes eight days after Olsen’s son, TJ, was placed on the transplant list.

“Today is a day of mixed emotions,” Olsen wrote on Instagram. “A day we have prayed for has arrived. We were alerted last night that there was a donor match for TJ to receive his heart transplant.

“Walking our little boy, with tears of hope and fear in our eyes, was one of the toughest moments of our lives. We ask for everyone’s prayers for TJ and his amazing team of doctors and nurses.”

These tweets from Olsen on the recovery:

@gregolsen88

UPDATE- TJ is finished with surgery and is being transferred to the ICU. We won’t be able to see him for a few more hours but his doctors are very happy with the surgery. TJ will be sedated for a few days but his road to recovery has begun.

@gregolsen88

We also want to ask that everyone takes a second to pray for our donor family. Their selflessness during a tragic time gave our boy a chance at life. We don’t know who they are, but we will forever be grateful for every day we get to have with Tj

Golfer Erik Compton, who himself has a second heart, was quick to note:

@ErikCompton3

This is great news!!! Very happy for TJ and you’re family!!

Best wishes!

Erik

WORST OFFSEASONS

Bill Barnwell of ESPN.com on the teams that didn’t get it done this offseason (edited for space, full thing here:

Over the next two weeks, I’ll rank the 32 NFL teams on the work they did over the 2021 offseason. This encapsulates both free agency and the draft and measures what each team did versus our expectations heading into the offseason.

As an example, we knew heading into the spring that the New Orleans Saints were going to need to create nearly $100 million in cap space. My thoughts here aren’t about the circumstances that led the Saints to be in that situation, but how they did over the past few months given those conditions.

Let’s start with the teams in the bottom half of the league, leading with the teams that had the worst offseasons. Next week, I’ll finish up with the top 16 offseasons.

An impressive offseason might not mean much in the grand scheme of things, but as a reminder, I did this exercise last year. The team that I thought had the best offseason a year ago did pretty well during the regular season and even better during the playoffs; the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the offseason, then the Super Bowl and are now back in the running for the best summer in 2021.

32. Las Vegas Raiders

What went right: For the third consecutive offseason, the Raiders finally fixed their defense. This time around, they didn’t let the draft picks they’ve been counting on stand in the way. Clelin Ferrell, Johnathan Abram and Trayvon Mullen are among the players who aren’t guaranteed starting jobs after the Raiders signed Yannick Ngakoue, Karl Joseph and Casey Hayward Jr. They have spent years importing talent on defense and failing to get the most out of their additions, a problem new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley has to turn around.

What went wrong: While contracts for Ngakoue and John Brown were relative bargains, the Raiders inexplicably handed Kenyan Drake a two-year, $11 million pact to serve as a second running back alongside first-round pick Josh Jacobs. Las Vegas also dismantled one of the league’s most impressive offensive lines by trading away free-agent addition Trent Brown, star center Rodney Hudson and homegrown guard Gabe Jackson for mid-to-late round picks. The team used a first-round pick on Alex Leatherwood to help replace the losses, but just about every public source regarded the Alabama tackle as an overdraft at No. 17 overall. Teams have more insight into prospects than we typically do, but given the Raiders’ recent track record with draft picks, they don’t deserve any benefit of the doubt.

What they could have done differently: Bradley was regarded as one of the league’s most promising defensive coaches when he took over as Jacksonville’s coach in 2013, but his defenses haven’t been consistent, even when he has had talent to work with…Should the Raiders have made the call to the ultimate turnaround expert and hired Wade Phillips?

What’s left to do: Look for depth at guard.

31. Green Bay Packers

What went right: The Packers were able to bring back their two most prominent free agents by re-signing Aaron Jones and Kevin King. General manager Brian Gutekunst was always going to struggle to bring back star center Corey Linsley, but the Packers will at least pocket a fourth-round compensatory pick for their former pivot. They were able to land a possible replacement in the draft with second-rounder Josh Myers.

What went wrong: Well, if you’re a Packers fan who has been hiding under a rock for the past two months, I’ve got some bad news. Reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers does not seem particularly enthused by the idea of playing for the team, and while the future Hall of Famer has publicly stopped short of requesting a trade, his unhappiness does not appear to be subsiding.

Beyond Rodgers, the roster is getting thin. The offensive line is rebuilding on the fly while David Bakhtiari recovers from a torn ACL, with Elgton Jenkins taking snaps at left tackle in OTAs. The Packers added another option at corner with first-rounder Eric Stokes, but most fans I knew were hoping to see King move on for good this offseason. The Jones re-signing will see the team hand a huge raise to a player it doesn’t trust to take more than two-thirds of the snaps from week-to-week, one year after it used a second-round pick on expected replacement AJ Dillon.

What they could have done differently: Letting Jones walk would have freed up more money to address the offensive line. Jones is a great running back, but if the Packers don’t see him as a 50-snap-per-game guy, it’s tough to justify paying the 26-year-old just under $20 million over the next two seasons.

What’s left to do: Commit to Rodgers and trade for Julio Jones. Pretty simple, right? Let’s talk through this one. We don’t know the exact terms of the offer the Packers made Rodgers this offseason, but we do know Rodgers declined it. If he just wants to move on, this is a waste of time, but the one thing the Packers can offer Rodgers to erase the Jordan Love decision is security.

Green Bay will want to lock up Davante Adams, but there’s something else they can do with their room: trade for Jones, who is due $38.3 million over the next three years. The Falcons star gives the Packers a bit of leverage if the Adams negotiations don’t go well and gives them a devastating one-two punch at wide receiver for 2021. In this scenario, Rodgers gets the job security he deserves and the second superstar target he’s reportedly wanted.

And what, of all things, could the Packers send to Atlanta in return for Jones? Well, the young quarterback whose future no longer seems to be as the Green Bay starter. Love would no longer have a clear path to the starting job as part of this trade, but he would slot in as the long-term replacement instead for Matt Ryan in Atlanta, possibly as early as next season. New Falcons coach Arthur Smith once worked under LaFleur in Tennessee, so I suspect he might also be interested in Love as a quarterback of the future. The Packers might have to throw in a midround pick to seal things, but extending Rodgers and swapping Love for Jones seems like a win-win for just about everyone.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers

What went right: The Steelers got a pleasant surprise when JuJu Smith-Schuster’s market failed to develop, leading the 24-year-old to return on a one-year, $8 million deal. It took voidable years to get Smith-Schuster back in the fold, which should tell you what a mess Pittsburgh’s cap looks like. Given their lack of options at the position, the Steelers should also probably be happy that Ben Roethlisberger decided to return for another season, taking a $5 million pay cut in the process. And after agreeing to sign with the Jaguars, Tyson Alualu changed his mind and returned to the Steelers on a two-year, $5.5 million pact.

What went wrong: They were forced to eat their financial vegetables and watch Bud Dupree and Mike Hilton leave in free agency.

The offensive line is also a mess, with the Steelers losing Maurkice Pouncey to retirement and both Matt Feiler and Alejandro Villanueva to free agency. They brought back B.J. Finney and used third- and fourth-round picks on linemen, but they project to be below average at as many as four positions. Their decision to try to revitalize the running game by using a first-round pick on Alabama star Najee Harris also seemed curious given what we know about the position.

What they could have done differently: Used their first-round pick on a lineman while signing one of the many running backs still available in free agency. Christian Darrisaw came off the board one pick before the Steelers at No. 23, but I have to think that they would have been better off with Darrisaw and a back such as Todd Gurley than they are with Harris and their current line situation.

What’s left to do: Start working on extensions for T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick.

29. Houston Texans

What went right: The Texans didn’t do anything to send the franchise backward this offseason, so they took a small step in the right direction. New general manager Nick Caserio’s plan in free agency was clear, as the Texans added a staggering 32 veterans to their roster. The vast majority arrived on one-year deals, so this might not be a viable long-term strategy, but they should be deeper across the board and much better on special teams in 2021.

What went wrong: Where to begin? Deshaun Watson reportedly requested a trade out of Houston after the disastrous events of 2019 and 2020. He was then accused of sexual assault by 22 women, leaving his status for 2021 in limbo. The Texans did not seem inclined to trade Watson for a haul of draft picks after his request, but until his cases are resolved, there’s no way the team can even trade its quarterback.

On top of that, nobody seemed to want the Texans’ head-coaching job. They ended up hiring Ravens passing game coordinator David Culley, who had never been on an NFL head-coaching radar before getting the Texans job at age 65. Culley is widely regarded as a good human being and has plenty of experience, but it’s hard to see how the veteran coach isn’t being set up to fail.

What they could have done differently: Done something else besides draft a quarterback in the third round. Houston signed Tyrod Taylor in the event that Watson isn’t ready to start the season, but it was a surprise to see the team use its first selection in the 2021 draft on Stanford quarterback Davis Mills. The track record for quarterbacks with ideal size and arm strength who fall out of the top two rounds (or really the first round) just isn’t very good. Mills had only 11 starts at Stanford and didn’t get to go through a traditional combine, so the Texans could argue that Mills slipped through the cracks, but that’s the sort of shot a team with lots of talent should be taking in the middle rounds. This is not that team.

What’s left to do: Fast-forward through the 2021 season. With their missing draft picks and the Watson situation still unresolved, 2021 already shapes up like a lost year for the Texans.

28. Atlanta Falcons

What went right: The Falcons hired Arthur Smith to be their coach, but I might be more excited about the the fact that Smith coaxed defensive coordinator Dean Pees out of retirement. The former Patriots, Ravens and Titans coach has a long track record of success, and Tennessee fell from 18th in DVOA in their final season with Pees to 29th without the veteran a year ago. The Falcons will need Pees, given that they probably have the worst secondary in the league on paper.

What went wrong: A brutal cap situation forced the Falcons to let veterans Alex Mack and Keanu Neal leave. It might also be one of the reasons franchise icon Julio Jones follows them out the door, with the star wideout reportedly asking for a trade this spring. The Falcons need to clear out more cap space solely to sign their draft class, which could lead to a Jones trade in the weeks to come.

What they could have done differently: The big question for the Falcons came down to how they cleared out cap space for 2021. Fontenot was going to need to restructure at least one big contract to make room, and the player he chose was going to inform what they were doing with the No. 4 overall pick. Fontenot chose to restructure Matt Ryan’s deal, which pointed toward Atlanta avoiding a quarterback. Fontenot & Co. ended up drafting tight end uber-prospect Kyle Pitts.

The other way to do it would have been to call time on Ryan’s future. Atlanta could have restructured the contracts of Jones and Grady Jarrett, drafted a quarterback at No. 4 and traded Ryan after the 2022 season. I think I prefer the way the Falcons handled it in real life, but if Fontenot and Smith loved Justin Fields or Mac Jones, they could have gone in this other direction.

What’s left to do: Extend Calvin Ridley.

27. Los Angeles Rams

What went right: If you think that quarterback play was holding the Rams back from making the Super Bowl, well, you got your upgrade. Los Angeles packaged two first-rounders and former franchise quarterback Jared Goff in a deal with the Lions to acquire Matthew Stafford, giving Sean McVay a new toy under center. The Rams had to eat $24.7 million in dead money for the Goff contract to get the trade done, but nobody will care about the accounting if the move pushes them over the top.

It also seemed likely that Los Angeles would be forced to sign a replacement for Leonard Floyd after the former Bears first-rounder had a bounceback year with the Rams, but Floyd ended up coming back on a four-year, $64 million pact.

What went wrong: When the Rams traded for Stafford, they didn’t sign the veteran quarterback to an extension. Teams that have traded two first-round picks to acquire star players have typically paid a premium to sign those guys to extensions, including the Rams with Jalen Ramsey. Khalil Mack, Laremy Tunsil, and Ramsey each became comfortably the highest paid players in the league at their respective positions when they signed new deals; Stafford won’t get Patrick Mahomes money, but the former first overall pick is going to have all of the leverage when he negotiates his new deal. It wouldn’t be surprising to see a four-year extension for him top $170 million.

Despite adding Stafford and McVay’s known aptitude for scheming players open, the Rams continue to invest some of the limited resources they have left at receiver. Despite having Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp and Tyler Higbee signed to extension and using a second-round pick on Van Jefferson last year, they signed DeSean Jackson to an inexplicable one-year, $4.5 million deal. Jackson is 35 and played three full games over the last two seasons. He’s coming home to Los Angeles. Who else was competing for him at this price tag? Kenny Stills remains a free agent and would have been more likely to stay on the field. The Rams then used their top draft pick on Tutu Atwell.

McVay should have no lack of weapons at receiver, but the Rams continue to neglect an offensive line that is still dependent upon 39-year-old left tackle Andrew Whitworth playing at a high level.

(OL Coach Aaron) Kromer was one of a number of coaches to leave, as the Rams also lost defensive coordinator Brandon Staley (now the Chargers coach), Joe Woods (Packers defensive coordinator), Shane Waldron (Seahawks offensive coordinator) and Andy Dickerson (Seahawks run game coordinator), among others. Staley helped produce the league’s fourth-best defensive DVOA a year ago, and while Raheem Morris did good work in Atlanta, the new L.A. defensive coordinator will have his work cut out for him to keep a top-heavy team at that level in 2021.

What they could have done differently: We’ve now seen Floyd and Dante Fowler Jr. join the Rams after disappointing stints with their first teams and produce big numbers alongside Donald. Fowler fell back to earth in his first season with the Falcons. Floyd will stick around, but I wonder whether the Rams could have let him leave and tried to replace him with a cheaper option while using the money they saved to add some desperately-needed offensive line help. I might prefer the combo of Haason Reddick and Kevin Zeitler to Floyd and a replacement-level backup guard.

What’s left to do: Re-sign Stafford. It’ll be better for cap and leverage purposes to get a deal done now as opposed to next offseason.

26. Carolina Panthers

What went right: The Panthers continued to build carefully under Matt Rhule and new general manager Scott Fitterer, with one significant swap that we’ll get to in a minute. I like the deals they made Haason Reddick and A.J. Bouye on defense, and they added a valuable piece at cornerback in No. 8 overall pick Jaycee Horn. The decision to give up on Teddy Bridgewater and make a run at Sam Darnold might end up being the most notable and important choice the Panthers made this offseason, but I generally liked the supplemental decisions Rhule & Co. made around their roster this offseason.

What went wrong: I’m not thoroughly excited about the Darnold trade, which saw Carolina send three picks to the Jets for the former No. 3 overall pick, including a second-rounder in 2022. Perhaps more importantly, the Panthers also agreed to pick up Darnold’s fifth-year option for 2023, which is now fully guaranteed at $18.6 million. Quarterbacks who start their career like Darnold rarely turn into effective passers in their second stops, and this franchise is making a significant bet that Darnold will be the exception. His lack of development and middling success even in clean pockets would worry me, and I think the most likely scenario is that Carolina is back in the quarterback market again in 2022.

What they could have done differently: The other big bet the Panthers made this offseason was staying put in Round 1 of the draft and drafting Horn. The Bears sent pick Nos. 20 and 164 in the draft and their first- and fourth-rounders next year to the Giants to move up from No. 20 to No. 11 and draft Justin Fields, and even if the Panthers didn’t want the Ohio State product, they presumably could have accepted a similar offer from the Bears and picked up a tantalizing first-rounder in the 2022 draft.

Even if we value those future Bears picks as being the last picks in their respective rounds, the package on the whole was worth 33.5 points by the Chase Stuart value chart, which is right around the value of the No. 1 overall pick in a typical draft. More realistically, those picks will add up to being worth more than the top pick in a typical draft. Passing up that trade offer (or, at the very least, not successfully seeking out that sort of offer from a team like the Bears) implicitly values Horn as being worth something like the No. 1 overall pick, and cornerbacks taken in this range just do not have that sort of success rate or impact historically. You could make this same argument for the Lions at No. 7 or the Broncos at No. 9, but this was probably an opportunity the Panthers missed.

What’s left to do: Extend Taylor Moton. The 2017 second-rounder has developed into one of the best right tackles in football, and with the left tackle spot looking like a big question mark, the Panthers would do well to solidify one tackle spot for Darnold’s sake. The Panthers franchised Moton for 2021 at $13.8 million, and a new deal for the 27-year-old should come in around four years and $62 million.

25. Detroit Lions

What went right: The Lions (mostly) committed to a new plan after the disastrous two-plus years of the Matt Patricia era and rebuilt. New general manager Brad Holmes sold high on Matthew Stafford, getting two first-round picks and Jared Goff in return from his old employers in Los Angeles. The best way to start a rebuild is to add extra first-round picks, and while we’re expecting those picks to land in the 20s, Houston’s trades for Deshaun Watson and Laremy Tunsil are a reminder that future first-rounders can land just about anywhere.

After making the move to deal Stafford, we got a clear idea of how Holmes and new coach Dan Campbell are planning to win football games in the future by what they did in the draft. The Lions had four picks in the first three rounds and used three of those four on linemen, including Oregon tackle Penei Sewell in the first round.

What went wrong: The Lions let Kenny Golladay leave, although they’ll get a third-round compensatory pick in 2022. They’re left with the worst group of wideouts in football as a result, with the plan to seemingly chuck it deep to Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman.

Holmes’ work on draft day wasn’t as inspiring as his first move; he reportedly turned down offers to move down from No. 7 and then tried to move up in the second round before landing the player he wanted, Levi Onwuzurike, without having to sacrifice picks. I love Sewell as a prospect, but the Lions are not one player away from being a contender, and there were plenty of other valuable linemen in the first round. They can’t afford to be this confident about individual players in the first draft of a multi-year rebuild.

It was also a bit of a surprise to see Detroit give Campbell a six-year deal. The former tight end’s press conferences have been entertaining — and he might turn out to be a great coach — but it’s not as if he was the hottest candidate on the market or did wonders as an interim coach in Miami several years ago. If Detroit’s rebuild is going to take so long that it needed to give Campbell six years, it should have been trading down at No. 7.

What they could have done differently: I like the idea of buying low on Goff. The former first overall pick wasn’t as good as people suggested during the peak of the first few Sean McVay years in Los Angeles, but he’s also better than his general public perception in 2021. The Rams talked themselves into believing Goff was the player they wanted him to be and paid an exorbitant fee to rid themselves of that mistake.

The Lions restructured Goff’s deal after his arrival, but should they have eaten some of his remaining salary and moved the veteran on for more draft picks? If they had eaten $10 million, they could have traded him with four years and $94.1 million to go on his deal, including just $15.5 million in remaining guarantees after this season. I think that could have netted a second-round pick from the right team in need of a veteran option without much cap space, like the Saints before they brought back Jameis Winston.

What’s left to do: Wait. The Lions aren’t tanking, but they probably aren’t going to be very good in 2021. They need to stay patient and keep with a long-term vision.

24. Cincinnati Bengals

What went right: The Bengals added key pieces for Joe Burrow by signing former Vikings tackle Riley Reiff and drafting Burrow’s former LSU teammate, Ja’Marr Chase. Some NFL draft analysts felt like the Bengals should have opted for Oregon tackle Penei Sewell to try to protect Burrow as he returns from a serious knee injury — and I wouldn’t have had any issue with the move — but Chase also helps protect Burrow. Giving him a receiver he trusts on 50/50 balls will help the former first overall pick get the ball out more quickly. Expect Burrow to have the option to throw hot to Chase throughout the season.

What went wrong: After years of mostly avoiding free agency, the Bengals waded into the free-agent waters again. Unfortunately, for the second straight year, their biggest signing doesn’t look like good value. The decision to move on from Carl Lawson for Trey Hendrickson seems curious, given that Hendrickson had only one significant season with the Saints. Even that 2020 campaign has red flags attached, suggesting Hendrickson won’t be able to keep up his newfound sack totals in Cincinnati.

You could also argue that the Bengals didn’t do enough for Burrow up front. Reiff is a solid pass-protector on the right side, but it’s still unclear whether Jonah Williams will actually end up as a franchise left tackle.

What they could have done differently: Choosing Hendrickson over Lawson and Chase over Sewell are the two decisions the Bengals will end up being judged for across the next few years. They can get out of the Hendrickson deal after one year and $20 million, but doing so would leave them in need of another replacement on the edge.

What’s left to do: Extend Jessie Bates, who took over Justin Simmons’ spot as the most underrated safety in football. With a Jamal Adams extension likely to reset the safety market somewhere north of $18 million per season, the Bengals would be better served to get a Bates extension done before the Seahawks get busy.

23. Minnesota Vikings

What went right: For seemingly the 100th straight offseason, the Vikings added badly needed help to their offensive line. General manager Rick Spielman managed to trade down and still grab his left tackle of the future in Christian Darrisaw, who will replace Riley Reiff, who left in free agency. Minnesota also addressed a frustrating couple of years at cornerback by bringing back Mackensie Alexander and taking an interesting flier on Patrick Peterson, who signed a one-year, $8 million deal.

What went wrong: Edge rusher is still an enormous question mark. Danielle Hunter, who missed all of 2020 with a neck injury, sat out OTAs amid reports that the veteran wants a new deal. The Vikings had Adam Thielen signed to a bargain extension and then gave the star wideout a new contract with two years to go; Hunter might have to wait until 2022 to get a much-deserved raise. The cupboard behind Hunter is about as bare as it gets.

What they could have done differently: I like the Vikings trading down and grabbing extra picks, but I would expect fans to track Darrisaw against Rashawn Slater for years to come. The Chargers grabbed Slater one pick before the Vikings, and I wonder whether Minnesota would have considered moving up to No. 10 to get ahead of the Chargers to take the Northwestern product instead.

What’s left to do: Add an edge rusher. Minnesota has only $6.7 million or so in cap space, but it is crying out for veteran bodies on the edge, especially if Hunter can’t or doesn’t want to play. Even a situational piece like Trent Murphy or John Simon would sorely help this team in 2021.

22. Philadelphia Eagles

What went right: The Eagles are in great position to rebuild … in 2022. After a disastrous 2020 season, they used this offseason to eat their vegetables. They’ll have a relatively clean cap in 2022 and as many as three first-round picks after grabbing one to move down with the Dolphins and another conditional pick as part of the Carson Wentz trade. General manager Howie Roseman should either be in position to surround Jalen Hurts with talent or draft a new quarterback if Hurts struggles.

While the Eagles mostly sat out the player acquisition period of the offseason, the moves they made were reasonable. Signing Anthony Harris to a one-year, $4 million deal enabled them to buy low on a player who was franchised a year ago. Ryan Kerrigan was useful edge depth at one year and $2.5 million. Joe Flacco … well, he’s local. Hurts and Flacco will get to play with rookie Heisman Trophy winner Devonta Smith, who could quickly become a folk hero in Philly if the Eagles surprise.

What went wrong: Imagine telling an Eagles fan after they won the Super Bowl in February of 2018 that neither Doug Pederson nor Wentz would be involved with the organization three years later. Pederson was fired after his relationships with Wentz and owner Jeffrey Lurie fractured beyond repair, and Wentz was traded to Indy shortly thereafter.

What they could have done differently: Signed a backup quarterback who runs something vaguely approximating the same scheme the Eagles will run with Hurts. It’s difficult to imagine two quarterbacks who are more different than Hurts and Flacco, and while the passing concepts for the two don’t necessarily need to be different, they will at least build some chunks of their offense to play to Hurts’ strengths. If Tyrod Taylor wasn’t financially feasible, Robert Griffin might have been a better choice than Flacco.

What’s left to do: Move on from Zach Ertz. It’s clear that the star tight end’s future is somewhere else, and Philly could use the $8.5 million it will save on their cap in 2021 to help extend Ertz’s long-term replacement, free agent-to-be Dallas Goedert. The Eagles will likely either trade the 30-year-old for a late-round pick or cut him outright.

21. Arizona Cardinals

What went right: Arizona retooled what has been an inconsistent offensive line to try to help Kyler Murray, with the big move coming when general manager Steve Keim dealt a third-round pick to the Raiders for a seventh-round selection and star center Rodney Hudson. It was a bit of a surprise to see a third-round pick change hands when earlier reports had suggested that the Raiders were about to release the veteran center, but Hudson is a useful player who should help make Murray’s life much easier. The Cardinals imported Brian Winters from the Bills, although they don’t have much depth behind their starting five. Arizona also added much-needed speed to the lineup by drafting Rondale Moore in the second round.

The pass rush should also be improved after Arizona signed future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt in one of its patented pre-free agency signings. Injuries have taken a toll on Watt, but he still racked up five sacks, 17 knockdowns and 14 tackles for loss on a brutal Houston defense last season. Playing alongside Chandler Jones will give him more pass-rushing help than he ever had with the Texans.

What went wrong: A lack of depth flummoxed the Cardinals during their second-half fade, but Keim continued to opt for a top-heavy approach in going after expensive veterans like Hudson and Watt.

Keim’s emphasis on adding athletic linebackers continued yet again, with Arizona using its first-round pick on Zaven Collins. The Cardinals haven’t even figured out how to use last year’s first-rounder, Isaiah Simmons, and they kept Jordan Hicks around after the former Eagles starter took a pay cut. It’s curious to see them repeatedly go after linebackers at the expense of the secondary, especially with Patrick Peterson gone.

What they could have done differently: The money the Cardinals spent on Green ($6 million) and Butler ($3.3 million) could have combined to net Kliff Kingsbury a better cornerback in Kyle Fuller ($9.5 million

What’s left to do: Add a corner. Alford hasn’t played since 2018 because of injuries, and the Cards can’t rely on him to be a healthy, useful contributor. Landing Steven Nelson would be a huge plus for Arizona.

20. Dallas Cowboys

What went right: Jerry Jones and Dak Prescott finally found common ground on a new contract with the help of everyone’s favorite mechanism in 2021: voidable years.

What went wrong: Dallas went back to the well at linebacker, as it declined the fifth-year option for Leighton Vander Esch and used its first-round pick on Micah Parsons. There’s a chance that both Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith are off the roster in 2022, but after adding Parsons and converting safety Keanu Neal to linebacker, the Cowboys have invested too much over the last few years at this position.

What they could have done differently: Traded down again from No. 12. The Cowboys picked up a third-round pick from the Eagles when they moved down two spots as part of the DeVonta Smith deal, but the Jets then roared up from No. 23 to No. 14 to take Alijah Vera-Tucker. Swapping a fourth-rounder for two third-rounders would have been nice, especially for a Cowboys team that is going to need draft picks to fill out the depth on their roster given the contracts on offense.

What’s left to do: Add defensive line depth.

19. Tennessee Titans

What went right: General manager Jon Robinson thoroughly addressed the league’s second-worst Adjusted Sack Rate from 2020 by signing Bud Dupree to play on the edge and Denico Autry to rush on the interior. A front four with Harold Landry and Jeffery Simmons might actually be able to get after the passer.

What went wrong: Owing to unfortunate fifth-year option decisions, the spectacular flameout of 2020 first-rounder Isaiah Wilson and the money needed to fix the pass rush, the Titans are a less talented team than they were a year ago. Out went Corey Davis, Jonnu Smith and virtually all of an expensively-assembled secondary short Kevin Byard. (To be fair, that secondary wasn’t very good in 2020.) The replacements — veterans Josh Reynolds and Janoris Jenkins and first-round corner Caleb Farley — don’t look good on paper as last year’s team. The Titans also lost offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who left to join the Falcons as their new coach.

What they could have done differently: I don’t want to go back and relitigate the fifth-year option choices from years past, but it’s clear that something was up with the Adoree’ Jackson situation. The Titans had Jackson under contract for 2021 on an unguaranteed fifth-year option of $10.2 million and instead decided to cut their former first-round pick. The Giants then signed Jackson to a three-year, $39 million deal with $15 million due in year one and $24.5 million guaranteed.

Something went wrong here. If the market really held that sort of money for Jackson, the Titans should have been able to trade Jackson for some sort of draft asset.

What’s left to do: Add a backup quarterback. Ryan Tannehill has been effective and healthy since taking over the starting job for Tennessee, but he struggled with injuries during his time with the Dolphins. The backups behind Tannehill right now are Logan Woodside and DeShone Kizer, so a serious injury to Tannehill would likely sink the Titans’ season. The backup quarterback market is about as threadbare as it gets right now, but they should look to add someone as teams pare down their rosters in August.

18. Chicago Bears

What went right: While the Mitchell Trubisky era ended with an NVP nod, the Bears seemingly had no plan for the future under center when they signed Andy Dalton to a one-year, $10 million deal. Enter Justin Fields, who was acquired when the Bears moved up on draft day. It remains to be seen whether they have enough around the former Ohio State star to unlock his potential, but Bears fans have hope. Given what the offseason looked like before draft day, that qualifies as a victory.

What went wrong: The rest of the offseason wasn’t inspiring. Chicago franchised Allen Robinson, and when the wide receiver market cratered, he chose to sign his tag, locking the cap-strapped Bears in for nearly $18 million on their 2022 cap. The resulting squeeze forced them to cut cornerback Kyle Fuller and might have led them to release left tackle Charles Leno. Unless second-rounder Teven Jenkins is an instant superstar on the blindside, Fields will play behind one of the worst lines in football this season.

What they could have done differently: I’m not sure I understand why Jimmy Graham is on the roster for a team with Chicago’s cap issues. Cutting the veteran tight end would have freed up $7 million in cap space, money that would have been better used on Leno or Fuller.

What’s left to do: Try to trade one of the veteran quarterbacks. For whatever lip service the Bears are throwing out there about sitting Fields, history tells us he’ll be in the lineup sometime in September. Nick Foles would be in line for at least $9 million over the next two seasons, so he’s probably untradeable without eating money, but Dalton would cost another team only $2.5 million in a deal. If a veteran quarterback gets hurt in camp and Chicago can swap Dalton for an offensive lineman, it should take that opportunity.

17. Seattle Seahawks

What went right: I liked most of the moves the Seahawks made in free agency. In addition to bringing back Carlos Dunlap on a reduced salary, Seattle took shots on Pierre Desir, Ahkello Witherspoon and Aldon Smith. Chris Carson returned on one of the rare middle-class running back extensions, signing a two-year, $10.5 million deal, while the Seahawks also traded for a significant offensive line addition in former Raiders guard Gabe Jackson.

What went wrong: While most Seahawks fans seemed to be in favor of firing Brian Schottenheimer after an inconsistent run as offensive coordinator, the future of the offense appears to be murky. Pete Carroll hired former Rams assistant Shane Waldron to serve as coordinator amid chatter that he wants the team to get back toward running the ball after their muddy second half. Somewhere around this time, Russell Wilson started complaining about getting hit too much and reportedly hinted about a possible trade.

Nothing ever came of the Wilson rumors, and unless something happens shortly after June 1, it seems like the Seahawks are going to move forward with him as their star quarterback. That’s good. Replacing Schottenheimer with Waldron could be good. The uncertainty and frustration clearly permeating the walls in Seattle? Not ideal.

What they could have done differently: I was a bit surprised to see the Seahawks use a second-round pick on wideout D’Wayne Eskridge, who is much older than the typical rookie (24) and seemingly capped as the third wideout behind Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf. Older prospects typically don’t perform as well as players who leave school at a younger age. Teams shouldn’t necessarily draft for need, but the Seahawks are without their first-round pick from the Jamal Adams trade and could have added help just about anywhere besides linebacker on defense.

What’s left to do: Get an Adams extension done. There’s no way they are getting any sort of discount after trading two first-rounders to get the former Jets standout. Last year was up-and-down for the talented defender, but Adams is going to reset the safety market. It wouldn’t be a surprise if his new deal came in at four years and $72 million.