Every NFL season brings a distinct mix of challenges and opportunities for players, with the recent seasons providing notable developments for several key figures in the league. Calvin Ridley, once suspended under the NFL's gambling policy for the entire 2022 season, has made a significant return. Ridley, who had also taken a break in 2021 for mental health reasons after just seven games, has made an impressive comeback with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2023, he tallied 76 catches for 1,016 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, a performance that underscores his resilience and talent.
Ridley's impressive stats have paid off, as he secured a lucrative four-year, $92 million contract with the Tennessee Titans, averaging $23 million annually. This contract reflects the high value placed on his abilities and potential impact on the Titans’ offense.
Receiver Stefon Diggs had a contrasting season with the Buffalo Bills. Diggs managed 49 receptions for 620 yards and five touchdowns in the first six games but failed to sustain that momentum, missing a single 100-yard game in the final 11 outings. In the playoffs, he recorded modest numbers with 10 receptions for 73 yards and no touchdowns over two games. The underwhelming performance led to a major change; in March, Diggs was traded to the Houston Texans, along with future fourth and fifth-round picks, in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick. Part of the trade included a restructured contract that increased his 2024 salary from $19.005 million to $22.52 million.
Nick Chubb's journey has been marred by injuries. After registering a career-high 1,525 rushing yards in 2022, Chubb suffered a severe injury early in the 2023 season, tearing his ACL, MCL, and meniscus in his left knee. This is not his first significant injury; Chubb previously tore his LCL, MCL, and PCL in 2015 while playing at the University of Georgia. Despite the setbacks, the Cleveland Browns have retained Chubb on a revised contract, guaranteeing him $2.05 million with potential earnings up to $12.225 million.
Tee Higgins faced his own struggles with injuries, limiting him to just 12 games in 2023. Higgins managed 42 receptions for 656 yards and five touchdowns. The Cincinnati Bengals have designated him as a franchise player for $21.816 million, a move that led Higgins to request a trade. Meanwhile, the Bengals have planned a contract extension for the talented Ja'Marr Chase, indicating a strategic focus on retaining key offensive assets.
On the offensive line, Ronnie Stanley’s tenure with the Baltimore Ravens has been inconsistent since signing a five-year, $98.75 million extension in 2020. Stanley only played 26 out of a possible 61 regular-season games, with 13 games in the last season. He agreed to a pay cut for 2024, reducing his compensation from $15 million to $7.5 million, with incentives that could push his earnings to a maximum of $17.5 million based on playtime and honors.
Tight end Kyle Pitts started his career with the Atlanta Falcons with a stellar rookie season, amassing 1,026 receiving yards and a Pro Bowl selection. However, injuries hampered his performance over the next two seasons, limiting him to 1,023 yards in 27 games. The Falcons have picked up his fifth-year option for 2025, worth $10.878 million. Reflecting on Pitts' potential, new Falcons coach Raheem Morris expressed excitement about how he will be utilized in the team's strategy. "We are thrilled about how Pitts will fit into our game plan," Morris stated.
Marquise Brown, another receiver, had a career low in 2023 with 574 receiving yards on 51 catches across 14 games. Seeking a fresh start, Brown signed a one-year, $7 million deal with Kansas City, with the potential to earn $11 million in incentives. However, he is expected to miss the regular-season opener against the Ravens due to a dislocated left shoulder.
Running back Najee Harris has consistently surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in each of his three NFL seasons, yet the Steelers decided not to exercise his fully guaranteed $6.79 million fifth-year option for 2025. Meanwhile, Rhamondre Stevenson secured a four-year, $36 million extension with the Patriots, featuring over $17 million guaranteed.
Jawaan Taylor, notable for leading the NFL in penalties and penalty yards in 2023, joined the Pittsburgh Steelers on a four-year, $80 million contract, including $60 million in guarantees. He has $20 million in fully guaranteed salary scheduled for 2025.
Lastly, the Detroit Lions saw changes to their roster with Jameson Williams, the 12th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, who recorded 24 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games last season. In a related move, Josh Reynolds left Detroit for Denver, while Williams remains a pivotal part of the Lions' future with a fully guaranteed option year salary exceeding $15 million.
The Tennessee Titans’ receiving corps now features Treylon Burks, DeAndre Hopkins, and Tyler Boyd, set to aid quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Burks, since being drafted, has collected 49 receptions for 665 yards and a single touchdown in 21 games. Hopkins was signed on a two-year deal before last year’s training camp, adding depth and experience to the team. The recent addition of Tyler Boyd on a one-year contract further bolsters the Titans’ offensive weapons.