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The time has come. You can smell it in the air. News of a player that we’ve all been gaslighted into believing is “injury-prone” tweaks their hamstring, resulting in amateur fantasy managers predicting a career-worst season. Offseason Instagram posts of a certain fifth-round rookie making a singular 30-yard over-the-shoulder catch that causes social media hype trains to jump their figurative hype tracks.
That one fourth-year early draft pick, who hasn’t panned out, is reportedly “in the best shape of his life,”” causing the fan base to call for a Pro Bowl nod about six months too early. It’s hype season. This year, there are three teams who are receiving a lot of attention for moves they made over the offseason, and it may be time to dissect which of them are truly made for playoff berths and division titles.
Chicago Bears
2023 Record: 7-10
After trading down with the Panthers from the first selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Bears seemed primed to continue their rebuild. They selected Darnell Wright, who would hopefully be transformed into Chicago’s franchise tackle and were ready to give Justin Fields another chance to cement himself as the starting quarterback for the next few years.
Sadly, Chicago’s season started as poorly as they could’ve hoped, losing five of their first six games. Things looked bleak, as the Bears only scored more than 20 points twice during that stretch. However, when reading in between the lines, there was at least one highlight for Bears fans to get excited about. Fields had scored 12 total touchdowns through Week 6, including two outings in which he threw for four touchdowns each. He had also compiled 237 rushing yards as well as a rushing touchdown.
Unfortunately, this silver lining for the Bears was quickly cut short as Fields suffered a dislocated thumb against the Vikings, causing him to miss the next four weeks. That injury forced undrafted Quarterback Tyson Bagent into the starting role. In his four weeks as a starter, he racked up a 3:5 passing touchdown touchdown-to-interception ratio while defeating two lowly opponents - the Josh McDaniels-led Raiders and the Carolina Panthers, the latter proving to be one of the most boring primetime games we’ve ever seen.
Then, the unthinkable happened: the Bears picked up steam. Fields’ rushing attempts and yards statistically jumped as he put up 420 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns through the last seven weeks of the season as the Bears won four of their final seven games. The city was chanting the name Justin Fields during every game. Chicago finished the 2023 second in rushing yards per game as a team, averaging 141 yards on the ground. They also averaged 31.4 rush attempts per game, second-most in the NFL in 2023.
Even though the season ended on somewhat of a high note, Chicago now faced a difficult and impactful decision. The Panthers finished with the worst record in the league, and due to the Bryce Young trade one year prior, Chicago now owned the Panther’s first-round pick, which sat at first overall. It was Caleb Williams or Justin Fields. The season ended, and the Bears were officially on the clock.
What’s Changed?
Notable Free Agent/Draft Acquisitions:
*Caleb Williams, *Rome Odunze, Keenan Allen
D’Andre Swift, Kevin Byard III, *Tory Taylor
* = 2024 NFL Draft Pick
The main storyline here is Chicago’s selection of Caleb Williams, which, in my opinion, was the right choice over trading down. The Bears had a unique opportunity to select a blue-chip prospect after finishing the season with seven wins. It would’ve been a difficult choice whether to pay Fields or not if he continued to show inconsistency in 2024; instead, they have who they believe is their quarterback of the future on a four-year rookie contract.
The Bears have also surrounded Williams with elite talent. Chicago selected Washington’s Rome Odunze with the ninth-overall pick and traded for former Chargers wideout Keenan Allen. Odunze was one of college football’s most productive receivers and is a very well-rounded prospect. Allen posted 1243 yards and seven touchdowns last season in Los Angeles.
DJ Moore returns for his second year in the Windy City after putting up 1364 yards and eight touchdowns in 2023. D’Andre Swift had a solid season behind Philly’s offensive line and is lined up to receive the bulk of the carries in a deep running back room; time will tell if he is able to produce in a new offense.
Finally, the Bears added Kevin Byard III to bolster a great and young secondary that already contains Jaylon Johnson, Jaquan Brisker, and Tyrique Stevenson. Overall, the Bears have set themselves up for both immediate and long-term success, but time will tell if they made the right decision by sending Fields to Pittsburgh and selecting Williams.
2024 Record Prediction: 11-6
Pittsburgh Steelers
2023 Record: 10-7
The 2023 season in Pittsburgh was an odd one. The team finished 10-7 largely because of their defense and run game. The team was 7-7 and in danger of posting Head Coach Mike Tomlin’s first losing season through 17 campaigns with the team. They were inconsistent, losing to teams like the Patriots and the Cardinals while defeating teams like the Ravens, Browns, and Rams. 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett sustained injuries and was later benched for longtime backup quarterback Mason Rudolph. Pittsburgh made the playoffs but was easily defeated by Buffalo with a final score of 31-17.
There was a lot of good in Pittsburgh in 2023. running backs Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris both finished with 750+ rushing yards, with the latter going for over 1,000 on the ground. T.J. Watt bounced back with an incredible 19 sacks, 68 tackles, and four forced fumbles, nearly winning Defensive Player of the Year. Alex Highsmith added seven sacks, and rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. had a very solid introductory season. George Pickens took on the alpha wide receiver role with 1140 receiving yards.
The offensive line only allowed 2.1 sacks per game and paved the way for a strong run game. Unfortunately, the team let go of both of their quarterbacks this offseason. Pickett was traded to Philadelphia to backup Jalen Hurts and Mason Rudolph signed a one-year deal with Tennessee. Holes in the roster were created that needed to be filled desperately.
What’s Changed?
Notable Free Agent/Draft Acquisitions:
Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, *Roman Wilson, *Troy Fautanu,
*Mason McCormick, *Zach Frazier, *Payton Wilson, Patrick Queen
* = 2024 NFL Draft Pick
Many experts assessed the Steelers as having one of the best drafts out of any team in 2024, and it was easy to see why. They bolstered their offensive line with Fautanu, McCormick, and Frazier. Fautanu, a lifelong Steelers fan, was a first-round pick (20th overall), and many thought Frazier would be as well. Pittsburgh also made adding linebackers a priority this offseason.
The Steelers’ third-round pick, Payton Wilson, was awarded the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is given to college football’s best defender. Patrick Queen was added to the roster via free agency in March after four productive seasons in Baltimore. This team’s front seven has somehow gotten even scarier. Lastly, after a strong week at the Senior Bowl, Roman Wilson was drafted in the third round to pair with the talented George Pickens.
At the quarterback position, Pittsburgh signed Russell Wilson on a one-year $1.21 million contract that was hailed as a great value deal for the team due to the fact that Denver is still paying off Wilson’s five-year mega-deal that he signed in 2022. They also traded for former Chicago quarterback Justin Fields to give him a chance to prove himself after an up-and-down tenure with the Bears. He will be a free agent after the 2024 season. In the end, the Steelers still reside in the loaded AFC North but have made moves in free agency and the draft that have given their team depth and identity.
2024 Record Prediction: 11-6
New York Jets
2023 Record: 7-10
This is not a synopsis that Jets fans will want to put themselves through the trouble of reading. 2023 was not a year worth remembering for the team nor the fans alike, as the squad hobbled to a 7-10 finish that felt more like a ride on a 4-13 struggle bus. After Aaron Rodgers went down with an Achilles tear in Week 1, the Jets were left without their new man under center for the rest of the year. Chaos ensued at the quarterback position as the team lost three straight games after their opening night win against Buffalo.
Post-Rodgers, Robert Saleh’s team shuffled through quarterbacks such as Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle, and Trevor Siemian. This list doesn’t exactly inspire much confidence. None of the quarterbacks performed well, and the group lost the team multiple games throughout the season. As a whole, the Jets offense was heavily hampered by the players at the quarterback position, but some players were still able to thrive.
Breece Hall had a great year both on the ground and through the air, posting 994 rushing yards on 4.46 yards per carry and 591 receiving yards with nine total touchdowns. Star wideout Garrett Wilson was once again held back by his quarterbacks, but he still impressed by putting up 1042 receiving yards without Aaron Rodgers. There were bright spots on this offense, but the team still ranked 30th in passing yards per game and 22nd in rushing yards per game.
The offense may have struggled in some areas, but the defense kept them in games, and the unit was the bulk of the reason that the Jets reached the seven-win mark. Statistically, New York had the best pass defense in the league in 2023, allowing only 168.3 passing yards per game. The cornerback trio of Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, and Michael Carter II played very well together, leading the team to first place in this category. The Jets’ pass rush also shined through defensive linemen Bryce Huff and Jermaine Johnson II, both of whom combined for 17.5 sacks this past season.
Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams also stood out as an interior defender, continuing to be a major force in stopping the run. Linebackers Quincy Williams and C.J. Mosley racked up 139 and 152 tackles, respectively. This defense was key to their survival, as six of the Jets’ seven wins involved holding their opponent to 21 points or less. Overall, the Jets lost out on what could’ve been a special 2023 season due to their lack of offense and quarterback injuries. With their strong defense and improving offense, the Jets are poised to make a run this year.
What’s Changed?
Notable Free Agent/Draft Acquisitions:
*Malachi Corley, Mike Williams, Tyron Smith, John Simpson
Morgan Moses, *Olu Fashanu, Haason Reddick, *Braelon Allen
* = 2024 NFL Draft Pick
To start things off, the Jets have almost entirely reshaped their receiving corps, adding Mike Williams after he was cut by the Chargers and drafting former Western Kentucky wideout Malachi Corley with the first pick of the third round during April’s draft. The Jets needed more targets outside of Garrett Wilson, and they filled that need this offseason.
Wilson is a well-rounded, true number-one target, Williams turns 50/50 balls into guaranteed receptions with his contested catch skills, and Corley was nicknamed the “YAC King” in college because of his ability to gain yards after the catch. All three of these receivers fill a specific role, and it will be exciting to see how this offense operates once it finds its groove.
I also liked their decision to draft both Olu Fashanu and Braelon Allen. Fashanu was taken with the 11th overall pick in this year’s draft and is a phenomenal pass-blocker, possessing the ability to freeze defenders in place with his strength and skill. He needs some development with his run-blocking but doesn’t have to start right away. The Jets signed longtime superstar tackle Tyron Smith in free agency this year.
The Jets also traded for tackle Morgan Moses, giving up late draft picks. Both tackles could start this year, giving Fashanu time to develop and work his way into the starting lineup with time. Continuing with the offensive line, former Baltimore guard John Simpson was an underrated signing this offseason and could be a key player for the 2024 Jets offense. He is a skilled and punishing blocker who will prove to be an underrated addition to this team.
Former Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen was selected in the fourth round of this year’s draft. At 245 lbs, he profiles to be a good change-of-pace and goal-line back behind superstar Breece Hall. The college star is only 20 years old and brings strength and size to a position that needed depth. This move adds depth, youth, and power to this position. Allen was very productive in college and comes from Wisconsin, a college that has produced many superstar NFL running backs over the years.
Haason Reddick was traded to the Jets in March. He has been a very productive pass rusher in Philadelphia over the last few years, compiling 27 sacks in his two years with the team. He adds to an already dangerous Jets defense and could be the replacement the Jets need after Bryce Huff traded places with Reddick in free agency when he signed with the Eagles. However, it’s being reported that Reddick has had a strange lack of contact with the team since being traded to New York. Speculation is growing that he may be holding out in search of a contract extension.
The fact remains that the Jets have yet another opportunity to redeem themselves from an effectively lost 2023 season.
