Every NFL season is a tapestry of triumphs, setbacks, and dramatic twists, and the 2023 season has proven to be no different. Players across the league faced unique challenges and opportunities, resulting in remarkable performances and unexpected changes.
Calvin Ridley's Redemption
Calvin Ridley, who spent the entire 2022 season suspended under the NFL's gambling policy, made a triumphant return to football in 2023. Having earlier stepped away from the game after seven weeks in the 2021 season to focus on his mental health, Ridley showcased resilience and determination with the Jacksonville Jaguars. This season, he posted impressive stats: 76 catches for 1,016 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. His stellar performance earned him a lucrative four-year, $92 million contract with the Tennessee Titans, giving him an average annual salary of $23 million.
Stefon Diggs: A Season of Highs and Lows
Stefon Diggs started strong for the Buffalo Bills last season, catching 49 passes for 620 yards and five touchdowns in the first six games. However, his performance dwindled, and he failed to secure a single 100-yard game over the final 11 matches. During the playoffs, he managed only 10 receptions for 73 yards and no touchdowns in the two games the Bills played.
The offseason saw Diggs traded to the Houston Texans, along with a 2024 fourth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick. In exchange, the Bills received a 2025 second-round pick. The trade also included a restructured contract for Diggs, boosting his salary for 2024 to $22.52 million, up from $19.005 million.
Injuries Impacting Key Players
Nick Chubb's 2023 season was cut short by a severe knee injury, tearing his ACL, MCL, and meniscus just two games in. This injury came after a career-high 1,525 rushing yards in 2022 and mirrors the severe knee injury he suffered in 2015 while at the University of Georgia. Despite his setbacks, the Cleveland Browns retained Chubb on a revised contract, guaranteeing him $2.05 million, with potential earnings reaching up to $12.225 million.
Tee Higgins, another player hit hard by injuries, was limited to just 12 games in 2023. He recorded 42 receptions for 656 yards and five touchdowns. As a result, the Bengals designated Higgins as a franchise player for $21.816 million. However, Higgins has since requested a trade, complicating the Bengals' plans, which also include a blockbuster contract extension for star receiver Ja'Marr Chase.
Veteran Adjustments and New Horizons
Ronnie Stanley of the Baltimore Ravens has faced a challenging period since signing a five-year, $98.75 million contract in 2020. He participated in only 26 out of a possible 61 regular-season games. Last season, Stanley played 13 games, but he agreed to a pay cut for 2024, reducing his compensation from $15 million to $7.5 million. His new deal has incentives that could push his earnings up to $17.5 million based on playtime and honors.
Kyle Pitts, once a shining star with 1,026 receiving yards and a Pro Bowl nod in his rookie season, has seen his productivity dip over the last two seasons due to injuries. He managed 1,023 yards in 27 games during this period. The Falcons secured Pitts' fifth-year option for 2025, worth $10.878 million. New Falcons coach Raheem Morris expressed his enthusiasm about Pitts' future utilization, showing confidence in the young tight end's potential.
Wide Receivers Moving and Shaking
Marquise Brown struggled in 2023 with a career-low of 574 receiving yards on 51 catches across 14 games. Despite these numbers, he signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, with incentives that could total $11 million. However, a dislocated left shoulder is expected to sideline him for the Chiefs' regular-season opener against the Ravens.
Jameson Williams, Detroit's 12th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, showed promise with 24 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games last season. The Lions opted to secure his future with a fully guaranteed option year salary exceeding $15 million. Meanwhile, Josh Reynolds departed Detroit for Denver, paving the way for a new receiving core combination.
The Titans have been active in enhancing their receiving corps, signing DeAndre Hopkins on a two-year deal before last season's training camp. They also added Tyler Boyd on a one-year contract to join Treylon Burks, who has had 49 receptions for 665 yards and a single touchdown in his 21 games with the team. This trio is now geared to support quarterback Ryan Tannehill in the upcoming season.
Contract Maneuvers and Rising Stars
NFL teams frequently make strategic decisions regarding player contracts to manage both performance and salary cap constraints. The Pittsburgh Steelers, for instance, did not exercise the fifth-year option for Najee Harris, valued at $6.79 million for 2025, despite his consistent performance of over 1,000 rushing yards in each of his three NFL seasons. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots secured Rhamondre Stevenson with a four-year, $36 million extension, featuring over $17 million in guaranteed money.
In another big move, the Steelers signed Jawaan Taylor to a four-year, $80 million contract, including $60 million in guarantees. Taylor, who led the NFL in penalties and penalty yards in 2023, has a fully guaranteed $20 million salary slated for 2025.
As the NFL landscape continues to shift with trades, injuries, and contract renegotiations, the ability of teams to adapt and optimize their rosters remains critical. The stories of these players reflect the relentless pace and ever-evolving strategies inherent in professional football.