25 bold predictions for the 2024 NFL offseason

Among free agents, Cousins is clearly the top quarterback available and could demand more than the Vikings are willing to pay. Atlanta is a strong fit as a quarterback-needy team with a myriad of strong weapons and a similar offense to what Cousins had in Minnesota with former Rams assistant Zac Robinson taking over as offensive coordinator.

Ekeler is coming off a down year as he fought through ankle issues, and could need to settle for a short-term deal. The Raiders could use a versatile back like Ekeler if they cannot re-sign Josh Jacobs, and new GM Tom Telesco knows Ekeler better than anyone also coming over from the Chargers.

The 49ers need to make some financially motivated decisions after their recent spending, and moving Aiyuk could be among them as he nears free agency. Coming off an outstanding season, Aiyuk could fetch a high draft choice. New England has the need for a wideout, as well as the cap space and draft capital to be a fit.

Washington has a need on the edge after trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young. Allen is headed toward free agency as arguably the top edge rusher available, and it's unclear if Jacksonville can afford to retain him. The fit is clear with new head coach Dan Quinn looking for the Micah Parsons of his defense.

Sean Payton is likely looking to make a splash at quarterback after sitting through Russell Wilson for a year, and he has no time to waste. Fields is an intriguing option, still on his rookie deal and with the dynamic ability to execute Payton's offense. It will take a haul for Denver to pull off a deal with Chicago, much like it did to acquire Wilson, but the effort could be worthwhile from a head coach desperate to turn around his team.

The Chargers face major roster decisions with a brutal cap situation. Bosa is a star when healthy, but the long-time Charger has played a total of 14 games over the last two seasons. He's a strong trade candidate, but could make Detrot's pass rush one of the most dynamic in football opposite Aidan Hutchinson.

Seattle is likely to keep Geno Smith around for 2024, but that doesn't stop them from drafting a quarterback of the future. New head coach Mike Macdonald is very familiar with former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy as the school's former defensive coordinator. The quarterback has entered the early first-round conversation after a strong final year for the National Champs and could be added as Seattle's long-term answer.

Brown is a flashy speed threat, but might do well to sign a short-term prove-it deal after recent injuries and struggles in Arizona over two seasons. No team can boost wideout value like the Chiefs, as JuJu Smith-Schuster can attest. Brown could be a stopgap and speed wideout addition for the Chiefs alongside Rashee Rice.

Evans is still playing at an elite level, and could be looking for his last big payday as he enters his age 31 season. No team in football is more desperate for wide receiver help than the Panthers, and Evans won't have much work to do to learn the offense with former Bucs coordinator Dave Canales taking over as Panthers head coach.

The marriage between the Giants and Barkley was damaged last offseason, and the two sides could decide to move on after his play slipped in 2023. Houston is in the market for a flashy running back, and Barkley could be a nice fit to help young C.J. Stroud.

Kamara is synonymous with the Saints, but this is a good time for him to get out with the team hiring a new offensive coordinator and facing cap difficulties. It wouldn't be a surprise for Payton to bring in some of his former Saints players, as he did last season, and Kamara still has something left with over 1,100 yards from scrimmage in 13 games last season.

The last two seasons have been disastrous for Jones in New England, and a change of scenery seems imminent. It's hard to imagine a better destination for Jones than Minnesota if the Vikings move on from Kirk Cousins, as head coach Kevin O'Connell has already established himself as an offensive guru and the team has excellent weapons.

Other than Chris Jones, Madubuike looks to be the top interior defender available after a breakout 2023 season. He might have priced himself out of Baltimore after recording 13 sacks, but Chicago has a major need up front and plenty of cap space.

The Ravens have seen offensive changes, but they still love to run the ball downhill. There's arguably never been a better "downhill" runner in the league than Henry, who led the league in carries last year for the fourth time in five seasons. He's a perfect fit for Baltimore's offense if the Titans decide not to re-sign him.

Ridley revitalized his career in one season in Jacksonville, and now looks to get paid. The Giants have been in desperate search of wide receiver help over the last three seasons, and the two-time 1,000-yard receiver could be an answer.

Higgins should find plenty of cash on the market despite missing a significant part of 2023 due to injury. Tennessee could look to add more receiver help despite signing DeAndre Hopkins last offseason, as Will Levis continues to develop. Higgins is an obvious fit after Tennessee hired former Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan.

Seattle has big questions at linebacker this offseason as Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks are free agents. If the team doesn't retain that pairing, Queen could be a consolation to follow Macdonald from Baltimore. The former first-round pick made his first Pro Bowl in 2023 after recording 133 tackles.

The Steelers made the controversial hire of Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator after he struggled as head coach in Atlanta. Smith got his head coaching opportunity in large part due to revitalizing Tannehill's career in Tennessee as offensive coordinator, and the Steelers are in the market for a quarterback to challenge Kenny Pickett for snaps. The fit is too perfect for Pittsburgh.

The rumors of Reddick wanting out of Philly have started early in the offseason, and it could be more than smoke after the defense struggled down the stretch. Reddick has made the Pro Bowl in back-to-back seasons, so he'd likely fetch a healthy return. Few teams have a bigger need for a pass rusher than Arizona, and Reddick will be able to reunite with former Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.

The Titans rebuild is likely to continue after some huge moves last offseason. With Mike Vrabel out of the way, the defensive side of the ball could take center stage. Reader is one of the game's top run stuffers and should get a sizeable contract despite recent injuries. Following Brian Callahan from Cincinnati is an option with the Titans having cap space.

It's unlikely the Chiefs will be able to afford re-signing both Chris Jones and Sneed. Sneed has established himself as a hard-nosed, man-to-man corner, and it's likely that former Chiefs front office member Ryan Poles would be aggressive in attracting him to Chicago.

The defense remains the strength of the weather Patriots roster, but they have the ability to make it better in free agency. Young has shown excellent flashes in his four-year career when he's been healthy, and would make for a great complementary pass rusher opposite Matthew Judon.

Would Chicago entertain trading out of the No. 1 spot? Even if the Bears trade Justin Fields, they could still trade back one spot with Washington in the event they like Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels as much as Caleb Williams. Washington is an obvious fit for Williams after hiring Kliff Kingsbury to be offensive coordinator, as he helped coach the quarterback at USC in 2023.

Wilson is likely to find himself on the open market this offseason, but it remains to be seen if he will get a clear shot to start in 2024. Entering a competition to prove himself against Jones, who is returning from knee surgery, could be the next best bet. New York wouldn't need to do much to adjust the offense for the mobile Wilson, and he's used to playing under a microscope as a former Super Bowl winner in Seattle.

Wilkins enters free agency at the top of his value after recording nine sacks last season. The Vikings will need defensive line help, especially if Danielle Hunter walks in free agency. Reuniting with former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores is a possibility for Wilkins.