The 2024 NFL offseason is in full swing now, and a lot of you probably have a lot of words in mind to describe what your favorite team has or hasn’t accomplished thus far in free agency.
Let’s try to limit it to one, along with an explanation anyway.
With the next waves of free agency and the draft still ahead, here’s a word to describe each team’s offseason thus far.
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Buffalo Bills: Surviving — The cap-strapped Bills are certainly less deep than they were in 2023, but they navigated a financial crisis well and should continue to contend with Dion Dawkins, A.J. Epenesa and DaQuan Jones sticking around.
Miami Dolphins: Handcuffed — Plenty of bills came due on a talented but expensive Dolphins roster, and with a big new Tua Tagovailoa contract likely looming, the team could only watch as several key veterans escaped.
New England Patriots: Composed — It’s the Patriot Way, even after Bill Belichick’s departure. The Pats have a lot of money to spend but are building slowly and deliberately, with a potential draft splash on the horizon.
New York Jets: Focused — They’ll miss Bryce Huff on defense, but the Jets know that if they’re going to pull off something huge in 2024 it’ll likely be because of Aaron Rodgers. There’s little doubt Rodgers is much better supported now that the offensive line has added several accomplished veterans.
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Baltimore Ravens: High-risk — They’ve been lauded by many, but there’s a chance Justin Madubuike is a one-hit wonder and Derrick Henry is toast. Meanwhile, the offensive line took a hit. Risky with so much riding on Lamar Jackson’s health.
Cincinnati Bengals: Unresolved — Until we see how things play out with disgruntled franchise-tag recipient Tee Higgins, this is essentially an even par offseason for the Bengals.
Cleveland Browns: Smart — Nothing too risky or wild for a good team that by now knows free agency doesn’t solve many problems. Jerry Jeudy is low risk and high potential reward, and Jameis Winston is there in case Deshaun Watson goes down again.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Calculated — The defense should be very strong with Patrick Queen on board, and they have dramatically increased their odds of winding up with a strong quarterback by adding both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
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Houston Texans: Busy — Maybe to a fault? Why so many swap-outs of similar players at considerable costs? It all seemed a little overkill and I’m not sure the roster is significantly stronger than it was in 2023.
Indianapolis Colts: Stable — The Colts don’t often make splashes. If the key was to keep the band together for what they hope will be Anthony Richardson’s first full season, mission accomplished.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Expensive — At least considering that Arik Armstead, Gabe Davis and Darnell Savage aren’t game-changing players and were guaranteed $64.5 million combined.
Tennessee Titans: Superfluous — A team that is destined not to contend anytime soon spent far too much money on hit-or-miss veterans on both sides of the ball.
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Denver Broncos: Sacrificial — 2025 says thanks.
Kansas City Chiefs: Methodical — They basically did everything they needed to do to remain a Super Bowl favorite in 2024, especially if L’Jarius Sneed remains on the roster.
Las Vegas Raiders: Odd — Christian Wilkins seemed like a luxury spend they couldn’t afford, especially considering holes elsewhere (especially at quarterback) and the presence of Maxx Crosby.
Los Angeles Chargers: Unsatisfying — No fault of their own because a roster refresher was definitely due with the new regime in place, but a slow bleed in free agency didn’t exactly help them build on the Jim Harbaugh hype.
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Dallas Cowboys: Underwhelming — A lot of folks expected something drastic from the Cowboys after another disappointing conclusion to a once-inspiring campaign, but they’re strapped for cap space and they’ve been almost completely stagnant this month.
New York Giants: Indecisive — Are they trying to contend or are they accepting that a rebuild is around the corner? With Brian Burns and Jon Runyan in but Saquon Barkley and Xavier McKinney out, it’s very difficult to tell.
Philadelphia Eagles: YOLO — A team with Super Bowl talent that ghosted the second half of the 2023 season added some major weapons on both sides of the ball. They’re going for it.
Washington Commanders: Pillagy — That’s because they used their considerable cap space to raid a bunch of other rosters, namely that of the division-rival Cowboys. And to their credit, they went to town without committing to any long-term contracts that could become debilitating.
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Chicago Bears: Purposeful — It’s all about the next quarterback now, and the Bears did everything possible to surround that guy with as much support as they could. They have to get this right.
Detroit Lions: Meh — And that’s just fine when you’ve already got the key pieces in place and don’t need to shake things up on the open market.
Green Bay Packers: Splashy — Uncharacteristically splashy! And it was probably about time, because the ingredients are there for them to contend if Jordan Love keeps climbing in 2024. Xavier McKinney and Josh Jacobs could help put them over the top.
Minnesota Vikings: Counterproductive — If you’re going to move on from Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter, you might as well reset. Instead, you bring in Jonathan Greenard and Aaron Jones? Pick a lane, Vikes.
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Atlanta Falcons: All-in — That’s one word, right? Feel free to substitute with committed or determined. Regardless, the Falcons think they have the offensive weapons to contend and they’ve rightly given that arsenal the best possible veteran quarterback option available in Kirk Cousins. Kudos.
Carolina Panthers: Fixated — That is, on bolstering protection and support for young quarterback Bryce Young. Can’t fault them for that, but it’s come at the expense of some primo defensive talent.
New Orleans Saints: Limbo — That’s where the Saints are now. Football purgatory, because they won’t commit to a rebuild but can’t go outside to enhance the roster because they’ve committed so many resources to reworking their current contracts. Soon, something will have to give for this not-good-but-not-bad team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Treading — They’re keeping their head above the water with shrewd moves in-house. Not many big additions these days, but the core remains relatively intact following another division crown.
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Arizona Cardinals: Disciplined — Despite having plenty of cap space, the Cards have approached free agency like they know it isn’t an overnight cure for a bad roster. They’re biding their time because they also know they won’t likely contend in 2024. The restraint is admirable.
Los Angeles Rams: Clinging — The Rams aren’t ready to rebuild yet, and that makes sense considering their surprising success with a retooled roster in 2023. They’ve approached this offseason like a team that wants to give it one more shot with Matthew Stafford et al.
San Francisco 49ers: Quiet — As was to be expected from the current Super Bowl favorite for 2024. No reason to mess with that.
Seattle Seahawks: Transitional — Nothing too extreme but they cleaned up the house a fair bit without committing to anything dramatic in terms of a push to contend or a rebuild. They’re biding their time.
2024-03-22 11:17:41
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