Calvin Ridley's Journey and Resurgence with the Jaguars
Each NFL season brings a mix of opportunities and hurdles for the players, and Calvin Ridley's path epitomizes the unpredictable nature of a football career. Having missed the entire 2022 season due to suspension under the NFL's gambling policy and stepping away from football in 2021 to address his mental health, many wondered if Ridley could regain his peak form.
In 2023, Ridley made a statement with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He posted impressive stats: 76 catches for 1,016 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. His comeback was nothing short of remarkable and demonstrated his resilience and skill. This performance earned Ridley a lucrative four-year, $92 million contract with the Tennessee Titans, accelerating his average annual earnings to $23 million.
Stefon Diggs' Impactful Transition
Stefon Diggs' 2023 season with the Buffalo Bills was a tale of two halves. Diggs started strong, recording 49 catches for 620 yards and five touchdowns in the first six games. However, he failed to notch a single 100-yard game in the final 11 games of the season and managed only 10 receptions for 73 yards without a touchdown in two playoff games.
The off-season saw a major shift for Diggs as he was traded to the Houston Texans. The transaction involved the Bills receiving a 2025 second-round pick in exchange for Diggs, a 2024 fourth-round pick, and a 2025 fifth-round pick. As part of the deal, his contract was restructured to increase his 2024 salary from $19.005 million to $22.52 million.
Nick Chubb's Continuing Resilience
Cleveland Browns' running back Nick Chubb faced another setback in 2023, suffering a severe left knee injury just two games into the season, tearing his ACL, MCL, and meniscus. This was a stark contrast to his career-high 1,525 rushing yards in 2022. Chubb had faced significant knee injuries before, notably in 2015 while at the University of Georgia where he tore his LCL, MCL, and PCL.
The Browns, however, are standing by their star running back. They retained Chubb on a revised contract, securing him a fully guaranteed $2.05 million with potential earnings up to $12.225 million. This decision underscores the team's faith in his ability to bounce back yet again.
Tee Higgins' Uncertain Future with Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals faced a challenging situation with wide receiver Tee Higgins in 2023. Limited by injuries to 12 games, Higgins still managed to make 42 receptions for 656 yards and five touchdowns. The Bengals designated him as a franchise player with a $21.816 million tag, but this move led Higgins to request a trade.
The Bengals are also focusing on securing a blockbuster extension for rising star Ja'Marr Chase, further complicating Higgins' status with the team.
Ronnie Stanley's Road Ahead
Ronnie Stanley's tenure with the Baltimore Ravens has been marred by inconsistency on the field. Since signing a five-year, $98.75 million extension in 2020, he has only participated in 26 of a possible 61 regular-season games. Stanley played 13 games last season and has agreed to a pay cut for 2024, reducing his compensation from $15 million to $7.5 million.
However, his new deal includes incentives that could elevate his earnings to a maximum of $17.5 million based on playtime and honors, potentially motivating Stanley to regain his Pro Bowl form.
The Decline and Rebound of Kyle Pitts
Kyle Pitts burst onto the NFL scene with 1,026 receiving yards and a Pro Bowl selection in his rookie season. Unfortunately, injuries over the past two seasons have hampered his productivity, resulting in just 1,023 yards across 27 games. Still, the Falcons showed their commitment by picking up Pitts' fifth-year option for 2025, worth $10.878 million.
New Falcons coach Raheem Morris is enthusiastic about Pitts' role moving forward, indicating that Pitts can expect significant involvement in the team's offensive schemes.
Marquise Brown's Roller Coaster Season
Marquise Brown experienced a career-low season in 2023, amassing just 574 receiving yards on 51 catches across 14 games. Despite this dip in performance, Brown signed a one-year, $7 million deal with Kansas City, with incentives that could increase his earnings to $11 million.
Brown's journey continues to be turbulent as a dislocated left shoulder is likely to sideline him for the regular-season opener against the Ravens.
Najee Harris' Consistency Amid Uncertainty
Najee Harris has been a model of consistency, gaining over 1,000 rushing yards in each of his three NFL seasons. However, the Steelers did not exercise their fully guaranteed $6.79 million fifth-year option for Harris in 2025, potentially signaling a period of uncertainty for the running back's future with the team.
Notable Contract Extensions and Signings
Several other players have been making headlines with significant contract moves. The Patriots extended running back Rhamondre Stevenson with a four-year, $36 million deal, including over $17 million guaranteed. Meanwhile, offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor signed a four-year, $80 million contract with Pittsburgh, securing $60 million in guarantees despite leading the NFL in penalties and penalty yards in 2023.
On the offensive talent front, Jameson Williams, Detroit's 12th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, recorded 24 receptions for 354 yards with two touchdowns in 12 games last season. Josh Reynolds parted ways with Detroit for Denver, making way for new talents. Williams himself secured a fully guaranteed option year salary exceeding $15 million.
The Titans have taken strategic steps, signing DeAndre Hopkins on a two-year deal and recently adding Tyler Boyd on a one-year contract. This array of talent aims to bolster their receiving corps for quarterback Ryan Tannehill, offering a blend of experience and youth in the lineup.