DETROIT

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com is pointing the finger at the Lions for an injury report violation.

The Lions could end up catching flak from Receiver.

As noted recently, the Receiver series reveals that Amon-Ra St. Brown suffered an oblique injury in Week 3 against the Falcons. Although he characterized the pain while running as eight or nine on a scale of one to 10, he did not appear on the injury report in advance of a Week 4 Thursday night game at Green Bay.

With an over-under receiving yardage total of 72.5, anyone who knew the truth could have bet the under and won, since he had only 56 yards. Anyone who didn’t know the truth might have determined the 72.5 to be tempting for the over.

Regardless, St. Brown was injured — and the Lions didn’t disclose it.

In response to an email from PFT, the NFL declined comment on the matter. That could mean the NFL has opted to say nothing while monitoring whether the story becomes a thing. If it does, the NFL might have to say at some point that it is reviewing the matter.

Presumably, the league is reviewing the matter. If it isn’t, it should be. This is a prime example of how injury-report gamesmanship creates inside information that can easily be misappropriated by those looking to make a quick and easy buck.

Last week was the anniversary of the league adopting injury-reporting requirements in 1947. The goal was to eliminate inside information for gambling purposes. Seventy-four years later, it’s still a very real dynamic.

GREEN BAY

QB JORDAN LOVE is a “hold in” per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com:

The Packers and Jordan Love may be nearing an agreement on a contract extension, but until it’s done, the starting quarterback won’t participate in practice or any games this preseason.

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said Monday shortly before the team’s first practice of training camp that Love’s representatives informed him Saturday night of their plans before a deal gets done.

“We completely understand where he’s coming from,” Gutekunst said.

Love did report for training camp on time and take part in meetings and other training camp activities except for practice. Previously, Love took part in the entire offseason program and the team’s mandatory minicamp in June to fulfill requirements for a $500,000 workout bonus.

When asked whether an extension could get done within a few days, Gutekunst said: “Yeah, I think so, but again, you never know. We’re working really hard to get that done. At the same time, the thing I have confidence in is we both want the same thing.”

The Packers have no immediate plans to add another quarterback. Coach Matt LaFleur said second-year pro Sean Clifford will handle the first snaps with the starters, but the reps will be split 50-50 between Clifford and rookie Michael Pratt. LaFleur said former NFL quarterback Sean Mannion, who was hired as an assistant coach this offseason, will help with throws during drill work.

When asked how long they can sustain that without adding a third quarterback, LaFleur said: “That’s a great question. Obviously we’re hopeful we’ll get something done here in the next … sooner than later. But that’s something that we’re going to have to just adjust on the fly.”

LaFleur said he was not immediately worried about Love and the offense losing the momentum they had built last season and into the offseason program.

“I know how he prepares,” LaFleur said. “So, I’m not overly concerned about that.”

Love did not speak to reporters like the Packers starting quarterback would typically do after the first training camp practice. But Clifford, who served as Love’s backup last season, said Love had hinted to him over the weekend that he might not be in position to practice when camp opened.

“He obviously wanted to be out there; he’s been pushing to get out there,” Clifford said. “I don’t even think it’s him. It’s more of other people making sure that he’s taken care of. The organization is as well. They’re doing their due diligence. He gave me a little bit of a heads up and said, ‘Hey, just be ready.'”

Clifford, who threw touchdown passes to Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks in Monday’s practice, indicated that he thinks this could be a short-term situation.

“I don’t think it’s going to take super long,” Clifford said. “It’s just what he’s got to do now. But again, it speaks volumes — he’s not in California, he’s here. I got in here at 7. His bag was already in here. He’s in early, he’s staying late. He’s doing all the little things so it’s no worry from the players that’s for sure.”

Without a new deal, Love would have made only $11 million this season on the final year of a mini extension he signed last May. That deal added one year, the 2024 season, to his rookie contract. It was in lieu of the team picking up the fifth-year option on that deal. At the time, Green Bay gave Love a $8,788,655 signing bonus. His base salary for last season was $1.01 million.

Love is now line for one of the richest contracts in the league and appears likely to join the $50 million a year club. The most recent quarterback deal was Trevor Lawrence’s with the Jacksonville Jaguars in June. It is a five-year, $275 million deal that includes $200 million in guarantees. At $55 million a year, Lawrence and the Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow are tied for the highest average pay in the league.

Love threw for 4,159 yards with 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season. He was one of just four quarterbacks in 2023 to rank in the top 10 in passing touchdowns (second behind the Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott), passing yards (seventh) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (seventh).

He started all 17 games and after a 2-5 start, the Packers finished 9-8 to make the playoffs. Love led them to a wild-card win over the Dallas Cowboys in which he threw three touchdown passes and no interceptions before the divisional round loss at the San Francisco 49ers, which ended with a Love interception on the final drive.

But DT KENNY CLARK has a new deal.  More from Demovsky:

The extension is for three years and worth $64 million, Clark’s agents, Doug Hendrickson and CJ LaBoy of Wasserman, told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The deal will pay Clark $29 million in 2024 and could bring his career earnings to over $150 million.

An elite run stopper, Clark compiled a career-high 7.5 sacks in 2023 en route to his third Pro Bowl.

The team has a new defensive coordinator in Jeff Hafley, who is switching the Packers to a 4-3 base defense from the 3-4 scheme they had run for the past 15 years.

“It’s going to be really good,” Clark said in May of the change under Hafley. “It’s one of the things where all my career I’ve been kind of playing this way but in more of a controlled way. And I think now this is giving us a chance to shut all that other stuff off. Just use your ability and just go up the field and be disruptive. I just think with my get-off and how I am, I think it’s going to suit me well.”

Clark, 28, has rarely missed games since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2016. A key contributor to the Packers’ defense, he made 17 regular-season starts in 2022 and 2023, and 16 in 2021.

MINNESOTA

Dhani Joseph of YahooSports.com says there is no QB battle in Vikings camp.

The Minnesota Vikings have made a decision on their QB1 to start training camp.

On Monday, head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters his thoughts on the quarterback situation for his team.

“I have no preconceived, pre-set chart depth chart in my mind,” O’Connell said. “I said at the end of spring that Sam [Darnold] was the No. 1 quarterback.”

JJ McCarthy, who was drafted by the Vikings at No. 10 overall in April, is also expected to get reps with the starters, per The Athletic’s Alec Lewis. Darnold, however, is the starter until further notice.

The Minnesota quarterback room has been in somewhat of a rebuilding phase after its QB1 of six years, Kirk Cousins, left to join the Atlanta Falcons during the offseason. He signed a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed.

Darnold, a former No. 3 overall pick in 2018 to the New York Jets, has largely been out of a starting role for over a year now. Last season he spent time as a backup to Brock Purdy with the San Francisco 49ers in their run to the Super Bowl. Darnold is in Minnesota on a one-year deal.

Darnold’s production wasn’t exactly stellar. His best season statistically came in 2019 when he threw for just over 3,000 yards with 19 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Meanwhile, the rookie McCarthy threw for just under 3,000 yards with 22 touchdowns and only four interceptions en route to a national championship with Michigan.

The Vikings will remember the late CB KHYREE JACKSON in a number of ways.  Ian Casselberry of YahooSports.com:

The Minnesota Vikings will honor Khyree Jackson this season with “KJ” decals worn on their helmets. Additionally, coaches and staff will wear pins matching the design of the decal.

Jackson, the Vikings’ fourth-round pick out of Oregon, was one of three people killed in an automobile accident in Maryland two weeks ago. Also dying in the crash were Isaiah Hazel, who played at Maryland and UNC Charlotte, and Anthony “AJ” Lytton, who played his college ball at Florida State and Penn State.

In addition to the season-long tribute, the Vikings announced that they will pay Jackson’s full signing bonus to his family. According to Spotrac, Jackson would have been paid a $827,148 bonus as part of his contract. For the 2024 season, he was set to receive $206,787.

The Vikings will also pay “a significant portion” of the expenses for Jackson’s funeral, reports the Minneapolis Star-Tribune’s Ben Goessling. The funeral will be held Friday. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, head coach Kevin O’Connell and assistant coaches Brian Flores, Matt Daniels and Daronte Jones are among team personnel who will attend.

Jackson, 24; Hazel, 23; and Lytton, 24, were teammates at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School in Prince George’s County, Maryland, winning multiple state championships.

Jackson’s football story is a compelling one. He originally committed to play at Arizona Western College, but quickly became homesick and returned to Maryland. Embarrassed over dropping out, Jackson quit football for two years and worked at a grocery store.

Eventually, Fort Scott Community College in Kansas recruited him back to football. He then went on to play two seasons at Alabama before transferring to Oregon for the 2023 season. In 12 games for the Ducks, he compiled 34 tackles with three interceptions and two sacks.

After being drafted by the Vikings, Jackson made a favorable impression on coaches and observers during minicamp and OTAs, notably with his performance in press coverage. Adofo-Mensah praised him for his resilience.

“I am absolutely crushed by this news. Khyree brought a contagious energy to our facility and our team. His confidence and engaging personality immediately drew his teammates to him,” O’Connell said in a team statement released after the tragic news.

Jackson’s No. 31 will not be assigned to another player this season and his locker at the Vikings facility will remain unused in tribute.

DALLAS

CB TREVON DIGGS will start camp on PUP.  David Moore of the Dallas Morning News:

Trevon Diggs is on schedule to return from an injury that robbed him of all but two games last season.  That doesn’t mean he’ll be cleared to open Dallas Cowboys training camp.

Diggs is expected to be placed on the physically unable to perform list later this week once the Cowboys report to Southern California, a person with knowledge of the player’s status said. That designation comes as no surprise since the cornerback is just nine months removed from surgery to repair a torn ACL.

Club officials are operating under the belief that Diggs will be ready to play when the team opens the regular season against Cleveland on Sept. 8.

KANSAS CITY

The Chiefs are the first team in position for a three-peat since the Patriots in 2005.  And they seem to be in a good place to make a real run at it.  EDGE CHRIS JONES is embracing the challenge. Michael Baca of NFL.com:

Chris Jones was all smiles following Kansas City’s training camp practice on Sunday, his first one since 2022.

This time last year, the Chiefs’ defensive star was in the thick of a contract holdout with the club, which bled into the season opener. Jones eventually became the league’s richest interior defensive lineman and the Chiefs went on to win a second straight Super Bowl title as the result of an eventful 2023 campaign.

Jones, who turned 30 earlier this month, explained this offseason why he believes some breaks during training camp would be beneficial, calling for off days this summer but only with Andy Reid’s permission. After participating on Sunday, Jones maintained his position with the Chiefs head coach, albeit with a hint of witticism.

“Listen man, I just hope coach Reid feels it in his heart to understand that 30 hits different,” Jones quipped.

Jones’ participation clearly spells out his commitment to the club despite the offseason plea, but the five-time Pro Bowler went on to give a sensible explanation in regards to why he can use the off days, comparing his training camp work with that of tight end Travis Kelce.

“You know, I was just talking to someone comparing me and Travis,” he said. “I was telling them Travis’ job is a little bit more easier than mine because I’m fighting 300 pounds every play and Travis is catching the ball fighting 140 pounds, you know.

“I just hope that (Reid) finds it in his amazing heart to give me a day or two off coming up. We’ll talk about it and have further conversations. Maybe I need to have a one-on-one with (Brett) Veach and talk to my guy Clark (Hunt). We are going to figure this thing out.”

Chiefs rookie WR Xavier Worthy agrees that ‘there’s no time to ease in’ as training camp kicks off

Jones is coming off consecutive All-Pro seasons after producing 10.5 sacks, 39 QB pressures, 29 QB hits and 13 tackles for loss in 2023. He guided the youngest defensive unit in the NFL to another arduous yet successful playoff run that ended with him winning his third Super Bowl ring in five seasons, the latest of which came without his presence beforehand at training camp.

The impact Jones has on the Chiefs’ defense is invaluable and so too is his leadership in an ongoing dynasty, something felt when asked by reporters what his message to the team is on the first day of camp.

“I think the core values of the team,” Jones said. “Be humble, stay hungry and I think that’s the core value of every year. Coming in humble and hungry, you know, it’s a new year and new beginning. We have a new team. Last year’s team was successful in accomplishing the overall goal of winning a championship. This year it’s all about new challenges. We have a lot of new guys and a lot of new challenges ahead of us and we are excited for it.”

Kansas City will be looking to become the NFL’s first three-peat Super Bowl champions in 2024, an opportunity that comes once in a blue moon. Jones also has lofty goals for himself along with that endeavor, saying recently that he’s eyeing a 20-sack season in 2024.

When it’s all said and done, Jones wants to leave his imprint on the game of football, let alone his career in Kansas City. All the reason why he’ll be putting his best foot forward through the dog days of summer.

“I think chasing history is all part of it,” he said. “When a lot of players retire, they always say that they want to leave the game better than they started. If we can get this three-peat and continue to adding legacy to the Kansas City Chiefs, I think that would be a huge accomplishment, not only for us but for the NFL.”

LAS VEGAS

The Raiders have slid out of Vegas and into SoCal for training camp, to the displeasure of the Rams and Chargers.  Luke Staub of USA TODAY:

Raiders training camp is finally here, and a lot has changed with the franchise in the last year.

For starters, the Raiders are not trying to be the Patriots anymore, as they foolishly attempted under the last regime led by Josh McDaniels.

The Raiders are tapping into their own mystique, led by new coach Antonio Pierce. To help foster team bonding and culture building, Pierce and the Raiders will hold their training camp in Costa Mesa, Calif. instead of the Raiders team facility near Las Vegas.

It’s a bit of a homecoming for the Raiders, who called Los Angeles home from 1982-94. According to ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez, the NFL’s two teams in LA, the Rams and Chargers, had nothing positive to say about the still-popular Raiders returning to their old stomping grounds.

But league sources acknowledged the Raiders, with their popularity, setting up shop where two other teams do their business, did not go over well with either the Rams or Chargers. Even as there was a “more the merrier” vibe for camp, a league source said. “That’s the upside,” the source added, “more teams.”

Officials with the Rams and Chargers declined to comment.

Gutierrez also reported five teams are holding training camp within 100 miles of one another in the LA area, with the Saints and Cowboys also in the neighborhood.

But the Raiders are a different animal, and it makes sense that the Rams and Chargers wouldn’t be thrilled about it, especially the Raiders’ AFC West rivals, the Chargers; they are intent on growing their LA fanbase after leaving San Diego to play at SoFi Stadium. They likely want Southern California NFL fans to forget about the Raiders’ history there once and for all.

Making matters tolerable for the Rams and Chargers, the Raiders are not allowed to invite fans to camp or promote the team locally due to territorial rights.

That’s bad news for Raiders fans in SoCal but helps team bonding sought by Pierce. Ultimately, that could help the Raiders get back to their roots and become a winner again — and that won’t go well with any team in the NFL, Chargers and Rams included.

BALTIMORE

John Harbaugh talked up QB LAMAR JACKSON in Monday’s DB.  Today, its WR RASHOD BATEMAN.  Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:

The Ravens didn’t take any big swings on receivers this offseason as they opted to roll with returning members of last year’s team as targets for quarterback Lamar Jackson’s passes in 2024.

That approach puts Rashod Bateman in a key role for Baltimore. The 2021 first-round pick returned from a foot injury that limited him to six games in 2022, but he only posted 32 catches for 367 yards in 16 regular season appearances. The team showed faith in Bateman by signing him to a two-year, $12 million extension and head coach John Harbaugh made it clear on Monday that the team has high expectations for the wideout in his fourth season.

“Rashod’s been working to make plays — To see him come out and make those catches, those are great catches,” Harbaugh said. “Traffic catches, one catch he plucked off the ground there. I was excited, everybody was fired up about it. That’s what we expect from Rashod Bateman. He’s expected to be a top receiver in the league for us. That’s what we’re planning on.”

The Ravens will also be looking for Zay Flowers to take a step forward and getting bigger things from both of the former first-round picks would be a big step in the right direction for their passing offense.

CINCINNATI

Owner Mike Brown says he is pursuing a new contract for WR Ja’MARR CHASE with fervor.  Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:

The Bengals went into the 2024 offseason with two wide receivers looking for new contracts and they ended it the same way.

Neither Ja’Marr Chase nor Tee Higgins have signed extensions with the team as training camp gets underway and Higgins won’t be able to talk to the team about a long-term deal until after the season because he’s playing on a franchise tag. Ja’Marr Chase can sign a new pact with the team at any time, however, and owner Mike Brown said on Monday that the team will work hard to make sure he remains in Cincinnati.

“We are going to bend over backwards to make it happen,” Brown said, via Olivia Ray of WLWT. “I can’t tell you when it’s going to get done.”

Chase did not attend the voluntary parts of the offseason program, but did join the Bengals for their mandatory minicamp in June. That minicamp came shortly after Justin Jefferson agreed to a four-year, $140 million contract with the Vikings and Chase will be looking for a commitment in the same neighborhood from the Bengals.

NEW YORK JETS

QB AARON RODGERS has some thoughts on the eve of camp as reported here by Nick Shook of NFL.com:

Until he retires, Aaron Rodgers will remain a topic of conversation, especially as long as he continues appearing behind microphones.

2024 is a big year for Rodgers. It might be his last.

“I don’t know. I’m not sure,” Rodgers said during an appearance on the Pardon My Take podcast when asked how many more NFL seasons he had left in him. “This one, for sure. I wanted to do two good ones to give us a chance to retire a Jet, win two Super Bowls.”

Rodgers’ first go-around with the Jets infamously ended after four plays due to a torn Achilles tendon. In an instant, the buzz and positive momentum surrounding the Jets was sucked out of MetLife Stadium nearly a year ago.

That was then, though, and this is now. At 40 years old, Rodgers knows Father Time lurks, but also likely feels as if he was robbed of one of those two aforementioned years in his career-closing plans. That might keep him around for another one, should things go well in 2024.

Just don’t expect him to show up for minicamp.

Rodgers was given the chance to air his own grievances with the current organized training activities and minicamp schedule during his podcast appearance, which also served as an explanation for why he wasn’t at New York’s mandatory period.

“The thing that people don’t understand was that when I was in the NFC North years ago there used to be a real thing called minicamp where it was … it was five practices in three days,” Rodgers explained. “Now it’s not minicamp. They can arbitrarily put a tag on whatever week of OTAs they want and say this is the minicamp week which makes it more mandatory than the other weeks. But it was an OTA schedule.

“That’s how words can be a little deceiving from time to time. It can make a story about how I missed a minicamp when it was really two OTA days. I came to the first 10.”

In short, it wasn’t a big deal. But because Rodgers remains a lightning rod, his absence became a story.

Thankfully, we’ll all be talking about real football soon enough. Rodgers is aiming to ensure he remains part of the conversation for more than four Week 1 snaps this time around.

THIS AND THAT

TOP TEAMS FOR QB SUPPORT

Cody Benjamin of CBSSports.com ranks the teams in the order he believes their offensive personnel supports the QB:

Quarterbacks are important. There’s no disputing that. It’s why NFL teams are so quick to reset the position’s market when locking up even relatively unproven signal-callers for the long haul.

Oftentimes, however, a quarterback is only as effective as his supporting cast. There are a select number of transcendent talents, to be sure: Put Patrick Mahomes on any franchise, and his track record of NFL stardom suggests he’d elevate any lineup. Still, the easiest way to project a quarterback’s success is by looking at what’s around him, both on the field and on the sidelines.

Here, we’re ranking the 10 best quarterback situations entering the 2024 season, accounting for 1) skill weapons, 2) offensive linemen, 3) coaches and 4) defensive support, in roughly that order. Just because a quarterback has an enviable situation, of course, doesn’t mean he’s guaranteed a Super Bowl run; an elite setup has the ability to simply make a lesser passer competitive.

All that said, here are the teams doing the most to support their quarterback going into the season:

Wild cards

Atlanta Falcons

QB: Kirk Cousins

Top playmakers: Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Kyle Pitts

Top blockers: Jake Matthews, Chris Lindstrom

Top coaches: Zac Robinson (offense), Raheem Morris (defense)

There’s a lot of upside, to be sure, with Robinson likely to take a bigger role as the do-it-all dual threat. The coaches are intriguing. Is there enough out wide to truly aid Cousins and meet his big-money expectations?

Buffalo Bills

QB: Josh Allen

Top playmakers: James Cook, Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir, Dalton Kincaid

Top blockers: Dion Dawkins, Spencer Brown

Top coaches: Joe Brady (offense), Sean McDermott (defense)

For all the questions thrown the Bills’ way after their complete overhaul of Allen’s receiving corps, this isn’t as barren an infrastructure as you might think: Cook is an explosive dual threat out of the backfield, and Kincaid has the upside to be a Pro Bowl pass catcher at tight end. Still, in today’s NFL, it’s tough to outgun the best of the best when you’re lacking a bona fide No. 1 on the outside.

Jacksonville Jaguars

QB: Trevor Lawrence

Top playmakers: Travis Etienne Jr., Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis, Evan Engram

Top blockers: Mitch Morse, Brandon Scherff

Top coaches: Doug Pederson (offense), Ryan Nielsen (defense)

Etienne might be an All-Pro in a bigger market, while Kirk, Davis and Engram all serve functionally as No. 2-level outlets. The question is, how much can the line and play-calling aid Lawrence’s decision-making?

Los Angeles Chargers

QB: Justin Herbert

Top playmakers: Gus Edwards, Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey

Top blockers: Rashawn Slater, Joe Alt

Top coaches: Jim Harbaugh (offense), Jesse Minter (defense)

The skill talent is a total guess after the new regime overhauled the receiving corps, but maybe, just maybe, Harbaugh’s tough leadership combined with a restocked line will get instant results.

Tennessee Titans

QB: Will Levis

Top playmakers: Tony Pollard, Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, Tyler Boyd

Top blockers: JC Latham, Lloyd Cushenberry III

Top coaches: Brian Callahan (offense), Dennard Wilson (defense)

Levis suddenly has a deep, experienced crop of weapons for his fearless passing game. He’s a candidate for a major leap. How ready is his young/shuffled line, however, not to mention a fresh staff?

Honorable mention

Chicago Bears

QB: Caleb Williams

Top playmakers: D’Andre Swift, D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze

Top blockers: Coleman Shelton, Darnell Wright

Top coaches: Shane Waldron (offense), Matt Eberflus (defense)

Give the Bears credit for accommodating their latest investment under center. If nothing else, Williams has a plethora of proven weapons at his disposal, with Swift, Moore and Allen offering a ton of explosiveness and/or physicality at the starting skill spots. There are too many unknowns in the trenches and on the headsets, however, to consider them a totally safe bet.

Cleveland Browns

QB: Deshaun Watson

Top playmakers: Nick Chubb, Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, David Njoku

Top blockers: Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller

Top coaches: Kevin Stefanski (offense), Jim Schwartz (defense)

Their league-wide reputation has wavered due to Watson’s mercurial play and availability, but you can see why the pressure’s all on him now: Most of the ingredients are here for a real playoff run. Chubb is aging and coming off injury but is Mr. Reliable when healthy, while Cooper and Jeudy are a solid route-running duo out wide. Better yet, the coaches and defense are universally respected.

Dallas Cowboys

QB: Dak Prescott

Top playmakers: Ezekiel Elliott, CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Jake Ferguson

Top blockers: Tyler Smith, Zack Martin

Top coaches: Mike McCarthy (offense), Mike Zimmer (defense)

Could Dallas be in the Super Bowl conversation? Sure. Lamb by himself is a game-changer, emerging as one of the game’s top high-volume threats. The big names are doing a lot of the heavy lifting here, though, as Elliott may well be on his last legs, the middle of the once-vaunted line is in transition, and McCarthy is under pressure to come through as a big-game decision-maker.

Los Angeles Rams

QB: Matthew Stafford

Top playmakers: Kyren Williams, Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell

Top blockers: Alaric Jackson, Kevin Dotson, Rob Havenstein

Top coaches: Sean McVay (offense), Chris Shula (defense)

Not so dissimilar to the Packers, whose coach comes from the McVay tree, the Rams have the foundational pieces for long-term contention, with Williams and Nacua emerging as reliable youngsters. Their investments at the heart of the trenches are also encouraging for Stafford’s health. Still, injuries and inexperience are a big question with some of the primary pieces here.

New York Jets

QB: Aaron Rodgers

Top playmakers: Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, Malachi Corley

Top blockers: Tyron Smith, John Simpson, Morgan Moses

Top coaches: Nathaniel Hackett (offense), Robert Saleh (defense)

Even without Rodgers, who’s trying to rediscover MVP form at age 40 coming off a serious injury, the Jets profile as a boom-or-bust operation. Hall and Wilson are dynamic at full speed, but newcomers like Williams and Smith, the latter of whom will be charged with keeping Rodgers upright, have struggled to stay on the field. The coaching also leaves something to be desired.

Seattle Seahawks

QB: Geno Smith

Top playmakers: Kenneth Walker III, DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Top blockers: Charles Cross, Laken Tomlinson

Top coaches: Ryan Grubb (offense), Mike Macdonald (defense)

If you’re looking for a reason to consider Seattle a 2024 spoiler out of the NFC West, consider what Smith’s still got at his disposal: Walker and Metcalf are both imposing when utilized, Lockett and Smith-Njiba are savvy secondary outlets, and Macdonald’s arrival could make the defense much more complementary. Ongoing holes up front, however, aren’t to be ignored.

Top 10 QB setups

10. Green Bay Packers

QB: Jordan Love

Top playmakers: Josh Jacobs, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks

Top blockers: Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers

Top coaches: Matt LaFleur (offense), Jeff Hafley (defense)

This group lacks the superstar sizzle of, say, the Cowboys with CeeDee Lamb. But Jacobs is a bruiser who should pair well with the club’s other backs, and the receiving corps is chock-full of versatile youngsters, each of whom is liable to break out as Love’s top outlet. LaFleur is also one of the game’s top offensive strategists. The primary question is whether this group can sustain its late-2023 success.

9. Cincinnati Bengals

QB: Joe Burrow

Top playmakers: Zack Moss, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Mike Gesicki

Top blockers: Orlando Brown Jr., Ted Karras

Top coaches: Zac Taylor (offense), Lou Anarumo (defense)

Like the Cowboys, the Bengals rely heavily on one man out wide, with Chase clearly entrenched as Burrow’s No. 1 target. He’s a top-three home-run hitter at his position, though, and if Higgins stays healthier as his running mate, the passing game should remain elite. Burrow’s front has also improved in recent years, with Trent Brown coming aboard as the new right tackle.

8. Baltimore Ravens

QB: Lamar Jackson

Top playmakers: Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely

Top blockers: Ronnie Stanley, Tyler Linderbaum

Top coaches: Todd Monken (offense), Zach Orr (defense)

This many years in, Jackson still lacks a bona fide No. 1 receiver. Fortunately Baltimore has leaned into his strengths by outfitting him instead with top-level players for specific roles: Henry as the bulldozing rushing partner, Flowers as the slippery wideout, Andrews and Likely as the sure-handed big men. Throw in a sturdy interior, confident play-caller and stingy defense, and you can see the playoff recipe.

7. Houston Texans

QB: C.J. Stroud

Top playmakers: Joe Mixon, Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, Tank Dell

Top blockers: Laremy Tunsil, Shaq Mason

Top coaches: Bobby Slowik (offense), DeMeco Ryans (defense)

The Texans saw what we all saw in 2023: Stroud has “it” under center. They acted accordingly, beefing up an emergent receiving corps by trading for Diggs, who’s aging and outspoken but remains a surefire No. 1. His presence alone should increase opportunities for Collins and Dell, while Ryans’ resilient defense should be in for a major step forward after big-money investments to the front seven.

6. Kansas City Chiefs

QB: Patrick Mahomes

Top playmakers: Isiah Pacheco, Rashee Rice, Marquise Brown, Travis Kelce

Top blockers: Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey

Top coaches: Andy Reid (offense), Steve Spagnuolo (defense)

Unlike at the start of the Mahomes era, these Chiefs get more points for infrastructure than flash. There’s no more creative NFL play-caller than Reid, but it was Spagnuolo’s physical defense that helped drive 2023’s Super Bowl run, with some punishing Pacheco runs and clutch Kelce catches sprinkled in. If Brown and other speedy newcomers are healthy/available, the deep-ball threat may well be back, too.

5. Minnesota Vikings

QB: Sam Darnold / J.J. McCarthy

Top playmakers: Aaron Jones, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson

Top blockers: Christian Darrisaw, Garrett Bradbury

Top coaches: Kevin O’Connell (offense), Brian Flores (defense)

This is the one team where, at the end of 2024, we might be saying, “If only things pan out at quarterback.” The O-line isn’t perfect, but everything else is in place: Jones is splashy, even if he’s in town as a rental, and the trio of Jefferson-Addison-Hockenson is nearly unmatched across the NFL, so long as those guys stay on the field. O’Connell is beloved internally, and Flores gets the most out of his defense.

4. Miami Dolphins

QB: Tua Tagovailoa

Top playmakers: Raheem Mostert, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Odell Beckham Jr.

Top blockers: Terron Armstead, Austin Jackson

Top coaches: Mike McDaniel (offense), Anthony Weaver (defense)

The line is a major concern here, considering Armstead is notoriously injury-prone and both Connor Williams and Robert Hunt are now gone. That’s especially foreboding for Tagovailoa, who thrives as an on-script passer. Still, few quarterbacks, if any, enjoy such an electric cast of characters; De’Von Achane also offers lightning speed out of the backfield, giving McDaniel a truly video-game-like spread.

3. Philadelphia Eagles

QB: Jalen Hurts

Top playmakers: Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert

Top blockers: Landon Dickerson, Lane Johnson

Top coaches: Kellen Moore (offense), Vic Fangio (defense)

The Eagles’ historic 2023 collapse has prompted plenty of us to undersell just how much of an all-star lineup they’ve assembled two years after a Super Bowl bid. Barkley’s name is arguably bigger than his resume, but his All-Pro juice behind a typically sturdy line and alongside such a dominant one-two punch out wide could — should? — propel Hurts to another MVP candidacy. The new staff is the big X-factor.

2. San Francisco 49ers

QB: Brock Purdy

Top playmakers: Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle

Top blockers: Trent Williams, Jon Feliciano

Top coaches: Kyle Shanahan (offense), Nick Sorensen (defense)

Purdy deserves credit for the poise he’s shown as an off-script play-extender, offsetting protection breakdowns, but there’s no doubt he also benefits from a quarterback-friendly design. McCaffrey is the centerpiece as Shanahan’s do-it-all utility man, with the rugged, explosive Samuel in a similar role. If Aiyuk’s contract situation isn’t resolved, robbing the group of a true downfield target, they would dip.

1. Detroit Lions

QB: Jared Goff

Top playmakers: David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta

Top blockers: Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, Penei Sewell

Top coaches: Ben Johnson (offense), Aaron Glenn (defense)

Like Purdy in San Francisco, Goff is a definite part of his club’s title contention; he’s more than proven his mettle going from Rams castoff to gutsy leader for a resurgent franchise. Still, it might be more accurate to call him the current figurehead of the NFL’s most balanced offensive attack. Montgomery and Gibbs are a thunder-and-lightning combo behind arguably the league’s best line, St. Brown is an elite chain-mover, and LaPorta is just getting started as another safety valve. Throw in Johnson and Dan Campbell, who refuse to dial down their aggression as decision-makers, and it’s no wonder the new Lions seem here to stay.

Kind of surprised the Buccaneers – with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Tristan Wirfs – didn’t at least make honorable mention.

NEW ALL-PROS

Matt Verderame of SI.com has a list of folks he thinks could be All-Pros for the first time – some of whom you might have thought have already won that honor:

Every year, new names break through and achieve new heights.

This season, there’s a host of NFL players on the cusp of making their first All-Pro teams. Some are obvious. Some might surprise.

In the case of someone such as Joe Burrow, the biggest question is health. For others such as Jalen Carter or Marshon Lattimore, it’s doing enough to beat out incredibly stiff competition.

But which guys can get the job done, and earn their first All-Pro nod? We take a look, with a reminder that if a player has been named to a first or second team in the past, they’re ineligible for this exercise.

Let’s get to the list.

Quarterback: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Surprised Burrow hasn’t been an All-Pro? Injuries have been the main reason, cutting short multiple years of his young career. Surrounded by an excellent pair of receivers and an upgraded offensive line, Burrow could finally ascend to All-Pro status in 2024.

Running back: James Cook, Buffalo Bills

Cook was heavily relied upon once Joe Brady took over at midseason as Buffalo’s offensive coordinator. Now that Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis are gone, expect Cook to see even more touches as the Bills move to a more ground-and-pound style of football.

Fullback: C.J. Ham, Minnesota Vikings

Ham has been one of the better fullbacks since coming into the league in 2017. As importantly, he’s only missed two games. The Vikings will use him plenty, evidenced by his 19% of offensive snaps in 2023, which helped him become a Pro Bowler for the second time.

Wide receivers: Nico Collins, Houston Texans; DJ Moore, Chicago Bears; Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers

Collins burst onto the scene in Houston last year, with 80 receptions and 1,297 receiving yards in his first season playing alongside quarterback C.J. Stroud. In Chicago, Moore gets an upgrade at quarterback with No. 1 pick Caleb Williams. Factor in the additions of receivers Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze, and it’ll be nearly impossible to double-cover Moore in 2024.

Finally, if Aiyuk remains in San Francisco, he’s also going to see nothing but single coverage despite his robust skills. Look for him to dominate in a  contract year.

TIght end: Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions

LaPorta could very well be the best tight end in the league this season. Already an elite player, he’s surging as one of the young guns looking to replace the old guard of Travisk Kelce and George Kittle. As a rookie, LaPorta had 86 receptions for 889 yards and 10 scores.

Left tackle: Jordan Mailata, Philadelphia Eagles

While center Jason Kelce’s retirement leaves Philadelphia with questions up front, the Eagles don’t have problems on the edges. With Lane Johnson on the right side and Mailata holding down Jalen Hurts’s blindside, the line remains one of the league’s best. Mailata has long been underrated, starting 57 games over the past four years.

Left guard: Kevin Zeitler, Detroit Lions

Who says you can’t get better with age? Zeitler might be entering his age-34 season, but he is coming off his first Pro Bowl campaign after starring with the Baltimore Ravens. Now on another one of the NFL’s best teams, he’ll have plenty of exposure while playing alongside left tackle Taylor Decker and center Frank Ragnow.

Center: Steve Avila, Los Angeles Rams

Avila was fantastic as a rookie left guard last season. However, he’s now kicking inside after the offseason signing of Jonah Jackson. While the competition at center is fierce with Ragnow and Creed Humphrey, Avila has a chance to earn the nod provided he continues to ascend.

Right guard: Trey Smith, Kansas City Chiefs

Smith enters a contract year, and has been regarded as one of the NFL’s better young guards throughout his first three seasons. Playing in front of Patrick Mahomes for the two-time defending champs, Smith has proven a tough, durable blocker with a mean streak.

Right tackle: Braden Smith, Indianapolis Colts

Smith has yet to earn Pro Bowl or All-Pro accolades, largely because he hasn’t been able to consistently stay healthy. Consider this a bet on him doing just that in 2024. Indianapolis has a quality line, and the tackle combination of Bernhard Raimann and Smith is a big reason why.

Edge rushers: Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers; Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York Giants

Gary has yet to notch 10 sacks in a season, but he’s a relentless pass rusher who has gotten at least nine sacks twice. If he stays healthy and converts a few quarterback hits into sacks, he’ll be in the conversation. Thiboeaux came out of Oregon considered the best player in the 2022 draft by some, and he’s shown why. Last season, he had 11.5 sacks.

Defensive ends: Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions; Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals

After posting 21 sacks across his first two seasons, Hutchinson is close to being recognized as one of the league’s best. That’s a mantle Hendrickson should have earned a long time ago, having totaled 39.5 sacks across three years with the Bengals, earning Pro Bowl status each season but no All-Pro accolades.

Defensive tackles: Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles; Alim McNeill, Detroit Lions

As a rookie, Carter destroyed interior offensive lines across the league, notching six sacks and nine quarterback hits while being voted second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. As for McNeill, he’s become one of the league’s most disruptive inside forces, with five sacks and six tackles for loss in 2023.

Linebackers: Frankie Luvu, Washington Commanders; Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Cleveland Browns; T.J. Edwards, Chicago Bears

Luvu was quietly excellent throughout his rookie deal, while Owusu-Koramoah is a phenomenal athlete at the second level. Edwards might have signed as a secondary thought compared to Tremaine Edmunds last offseason, but he’s become dominant in his new home with the Bears.

Cornerbacks: Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints; Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks

Lattimore has been a Pro Bowler four times, but has yet to earn All-Pro status. That could change this year in New Orleans, as he’s surrounded by a defense featuring Demario Davis, Tyrann Mathieu, Carl Granderson, Cam Jordan and others. In Seattle, Witherspoon also earned Pro Bowl honors as a first-year star, finishing fourth in DROY voting.

Slot cornerback: Kenny Moore II, Indianapolis Colts

Moore has been one of the more productive, quality slot corners for the better part of a decade. Entering his eighth season, all with the Colts, Moore has been a Pro Bowler once but is still looking for the ultimate individual accolade. If he continues playing at a high level entering his age-29 campaign, this could be his year.

Safeties: Jaquan Brisker, Chicago Bears; Josh Metellus, Minnesota Vikings

Brisker hasn’t garnered national attention over his first two seasons in Chicago largely because the Bears have been terrible. Yet, the former Penn State star is one of the league’s best on the back end, showing his versatility with eight tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits and five sacks. Speaking of versatility, Metellus became a star in coordinator Brian Flores’s defense with 116 tackles, 10 quarterback hits and four forced fumbles in 2023.

Kicker: Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs

Butker might end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Yet, because he shares a conference and an era with Justin Tucker of the Ravens, he’s yet to make an All-Pro or Pro Bowl roster. A three-time champion with some of the biggest kicks in NFL history, it’s only a matter of time before he finally breaks through.

Punter: Andrew Gillikin, Arizona Cardinals

Gillikin isn’t known nationally having languished in obscurity with the four-win Cardinals last season, but he was one of the league’s best punters. He had a 50.6-yard average, along with a net of 42.9 last season. While Arizona hopes to punt less this year, Gillikin can bail them out when called upon.

Kick returner: Xavier Gipson, New York Jets

As a rookie, Gipson could be electrifying with the ball. Gipson had 22 returns for 511 yards, while also adding a game-winning punt return touchdown in Week 1 over the Bills. The big coaching point for Gipson is cutting down on his five fumbles.

Punt returner: Britain Covey, Philadelphia Eagles

Covey was a bright spot in a disappointing year for the Eagles. The second-year receiver returned 29 punts for a league-best 417 yards, helping put Philadelphia in good field position time and again. Don’t be surprised if he garners recognition for his work this time around.