The Big Remaining Questions of the 2023 NFL Offseason
Josh Frey
|
The NFL offseason is beginning to wind down, but there are still a few big questions that have to be answered in the coming weeks before training camp officially gets going in July. Here are some of the top remaining storylines from the 2023 NFL offseason.
Where Does DeAndre Hopkins Land?
DeAndre Hopkins was surprisingly released by the Arizona Cardinals a couple weeks ago, and now, the 31-year-old receiver is on his free agency tour to find his next team for the 2023 season. Currently, as of the time of this writing, Hopkins is on a visit with the Tennessee Titans.
Whether Hopkins signs with the Titans or some other team, the reality is that whoever signs the receiver is getting one of the most talented players in the league, likely at a discount. Hopkins is a five-time Pro Bowler and has also made three first-team All-Pro appearances during his career with 1000+ receiving yards in six of his 10 seasons.
Will Saquon Barkley Hold Out?
The 2023 offseason has been a rough one for running backs, to say the least. Dalvin Cook and Ezekiel Elliott are both on the free agency market after their teams opted to cut them rather than pay lucrative contracts, and after requesting a trade, Austin Ekeler had no other option other than to redo his deal to remain with the Chargers for a year.
However, one running back is not giving up on landing big money. Saquon Barkley is not going to be at the New York Giants mandatory minicamp, according to a report from Adam Schefter of ESPN, because he is looking to land a new contract extension this offseason. If the contract doesn’t happen, he could sit out the 2023 season, which would be a massive loss for the Giants offense.
Is a Budda Baker Trade Going to Happen?
This offseason has largely been a tear-down for the Arizona Cardinals. The aforementioned Hopkins is gone, J.J. Watt retired, and earlier this season, star safety Budda Baker requested to be traded from the franchise.
The two-time All-Pro safety has been a star since he entered the league in 2017, but the safety spot isn’t always the most highly valued spot in the league, thus resulting in him remaining on the Cardinals roster for now. That being said, he would be a great addition to a contending NFL team this season.
When Does the Justin Jefferson Extension Get Signed?
A Justin Jefferson contract extension is very likely to happen sooner rather than later, but the big question is when will it actually go down and will it reset the wide receiver market? Jefferson has set countless records since entering the NFL, and the looming extension will keep him in a Vikings uniform for years to come.
The fallout from the contract could result in larger expectations for other young stars as well. Players like Ja’Marr Chase and Jaylen Waddle will be eligible for extensions next offseason, and then a year later, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave will be up for their new deals. Jefferson’s contract will set the tone for how those negotiations go.
What Happens with the Free Agent Running Backs?
Over the past couple weeks, the running back free agency market has gotten even deeper than it was back in March. Not only does former rushing leader Kareem Hunt remain available, but both Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook have joined him in free agency.
Between these three players, there are eight Pro Bowl appearances and nine seasons of 1000+ rushing yards while none of them have reached the age of 30 yet. Particularly on a one-year rental, there is very little risk involved with bringing one of these players on, and they could still play a major role in an NFL offense.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.