Every NFL season offers its own set of trials and triumphs for its players, and the recent seasons have been no exception. Notably, Calvin Ridley, after stepping away in 2021 to focus on his mental health, found himself suspended for the entire 2022 season owing to the NFL's gambling policy. Yet, Ridley's resilience shone through in 2023 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he recorded an impressive 76 catches for 1,016 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. His on-field success earned him a four-year, $92 million contract with the Tennessee Titans, averaging $23 million annually.
The Rollercoaster Seasons of Stefon Diggs
Stefon Diggs experienced a varied season last year with the Buffalo Bills. He caught 49 passes for 620 yards and five touchdowns within the first six games, only to find his performance waning in the final 11 games without a single 100-yard match. During the playoffs, Diggs managed 10 receptions for 73 yards across two games but failed to register any touchdowns. This inconsistency led to a significant shift in March when Diggs was traded to the Houston Texans. As part of the trade, the Bills received a 2025 second-round pick, while Diggs saw his 2024 salary increase to $22.52 million from $19.005 million.
Challenges and Comebacks
Tragedy struck Nick Chubb early in the 2023 season as the Cleveland Browns’ running back suffered a severe left knee injury, tearing his ACL, MCL, and meniscus. This incident harked back to his college days at the University of Georgia, where he had previously torn his LCL, MCL, and PCL in 2015. Despite these setbacks, Chubb's 2022 season had been stellar, with a career-high of 1,525 rushing yards. The Browns have shown their faith in him, offering a revised contract with a fully guaranteed $2.05 million and potential earnings up to $12.225 million.
Wide Receiver Woes and Wins
Tee Higgins' 2023 season with the Bengals was marred by injuries, limiting him to just 12 games. Nevertheless, he managed 42 receptions for 656 yards and five touchdowns. The Bengals have designated him as a franchise player for $21.816 million. Amidst this, Higgins has requested a trade, perhaps anticipating the Bengals’ plans for a blockbuster contract extension with Ja'Marr Chase.
Kyle Pitts, who had a remarkable rookie season with 1,026 yards receiving and a Pro Bowl selection, saw his productivity dip over the last two seasons due to injuries. Over 27 games, Pitts managed 1,023 yards, leading to the Falcons picking up his fifth-year option in 2025 worth $10.878 million. Meanwhile, new Falcons coach Raheem Morris expressed his enthusiasm about Pitts' future utilization.
Marquise Brown had a challenging 2023, recording a career-low 574 receiving yards on 51 catches across 14 games. Signing a one-year, $7 million deal with Kansas City, Brown's contract could reach $11 million with incentives. However, his immediate future looks uncertain as a dislocated left shoulder might keep him out of the regular-season opener against the Ravens.
Contracts and Commitments
Several players found themselves navigating new contracts and commitments. Najee Harris, having gained over 1,000 rushing yards in each of his three NFL seasons, saw the Steelers decide against exercising his fully guaranteed $6.79 million fifth-year option for 2025. Conversely, the Patriots have extended running back Rhamondre Stevenson with a four-year, $36 million deal, including over $17 million guaranteed.
Jawaan Taylor, who led the NFL in penalties and penalty yards in 2023, signed a four-year, $80 million contract with Pittsburgh, complete with $60 million in guarantees and $20 million fully guaranteed for 2025.
Movements and Future Prospects
Jameson Williams, Detroit's 12th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, recorded 24 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games last season. His departure saw Josh Reynolds leave Detroit for Denver, while Williams secured a fully guaranteed option year salary exceeding $15 million. Treylon Burks has seen limited success since being drafted, with 49 receptions for 665 yards and a single touchdown in 21 games. However, the Titans have bolstered their receiving corps with the addition of DeAndre Hopkins and Tyler Boyd, complementing Burks and providing more options for quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
Ronnie Stanley, who has battled injuries since signing a five-year, $98.75 million extension in 2020, participated in 26 out of a possible 61 regular-season games. Last season, he played in 13 games and agreed to a pay cut for 2024, reducing his compensation to $7.5 million from $15 million. However, the new deal includes incentives that could boost his earnings to a maximum of $17.5 million, depending on playtime and honors.
These narratives highlight the constant evolution of NFL careers, where triumphs, setbacks, and resilience define the journey of each player. As they tackle the hurdles and seize the opportunities, their stories continue to captivate fans and shape the ever-dynamic landscape of professional football.