Every NFL season is a crucible of challenges and opportunities, shaping the destinies of players and franchises alike. The 2023 season, with its blend of comebacks, setbacks, trades, and surprising performances, was no different.
Calvin Ridley's Remarkable Resurgence
After a tumultuous couple of years, Calvin Ridley made a striking comeback in 2023. Having spent the entire 2022 season suspended under the NFL's gambling policy and stepping away from football in 2021 to focus on his mental health, Ridley's return was nothing short of stellar. Suiting up for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Ridley notched 76 catches for 1,016 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. His performance not only demonstrated his resilience but also caught the attention of the Tennessee Titans, who rewarded him with a lucrative four-year, $92 million contract, averaging $23 million annually.
Stefon Diggs: A Season of Mixed Fortunes
Stefon Diggs experienced a roller-coaster season with the Buffalo Bills. With an impressive start, catching 49 passes for 620 yards and five touchdowns in the first six games, his performance tapered off in the latter part of the season. Over the final 11 games, Diggs failed to reach the 100-yard mark even once. His playoff stats echoed this downturn, with 10 receptions for 73 yards and no touchdowns in two games. In March, Diggs was traded to the Houston Texans. As part of the trade, the Texans also received a 2024 fourth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick, while the Bills acquired a 2025 second-round pick. The trade also saw Diggs' salary for 2024 increase from $19.005 million to $22.52 million.
Nick Chubb's Injury Woes
Nick Chubb's 2023 season was derailed by a severe knee injury just two games in. The Cleveland Browns' star running back tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus in his left knee. This was not the first time Chubb battled severe knee issues; he previously tore his LCL, MCL, and PCL in 2015 while playing for the University of Georgia. Despite these setbacks, Chubb's career highlights include a career-high 1,525 rushing yards in 2022. The Browns retained him on a revised contract, securing him a fully guaranteed $2.05 million, with potential earnings up to $12.225 million.
Tee Higgins and the Bengals' Plans
For the Cincinnati Bengals, Tee Higgins' 2023 season was marred by injuries, limiting him to just 12 games. Despite this, he managed 42 receptions for 656 yards and five touchdowns. The Bengals have designated Higgins as a franchise player for $21.816 million, a move that did not sit well with the wide receiver, who has requested a trade. Meanwhile, the Bengals are reportedly planning a blockbuster contract extension for Ja'Marr Chase.
Ronnie Stanley's Pay Cut and Incentives
Ronnie Stanley’s tenure with the Baltimore Ravens has been plagued by injuries, restricting him to participating in only 26 out of 61 possible regular-season games since signing a five-year, $98.75 million extension in 2020. Last season, he played in 13 games. To accommodate the team's salary cap needs, Stanley agreed to a pay cut for 2024, reducing his compensation to $7.5 million from $15 million. However, his new deal includes incentives that could boost his earnings to a maximum of $17.5 million based on playtime and honors.
Kyle Pitts' Roller-Coaster Career
Kyle Pitts burst into the NFL scene with a stellar rookie season, amassing 1,026 receiving yards and earning a Pro Bowl selection. However, his production dipped over the next two seasons due to injuries, managing just 1,023 yards in 27 games. Despite this, the Atlanta Falcons showed their faith in Pitts by picking up his fifth-year option in 2025, worth $10.878 million. New Falcons coach Raheem Morris expressed excitement about how Pitts will be utilized moving forward.
Marquise Brown's Underwhelming Season and New Beginnings
Marquise Brown had a career-low season in 2023 with 574 receiving yards on 51 catches over 14 games. He signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, with potential incentives that could increase his earnings to $11 million. Unfortunately, Brown suffered a dislocated left shoulder, which is expected to keep him out of the regular-season opener against the Ravens.
Najee Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson's New Contracts
Najee Harris has been a consistent performer for the Pittsburgh Steelers, gaining over 1,000 rushing yards in each of his three NFL seasons. Despite his reliability, the Steelers chose not to exercise a fully guaranteed $6.79 million fifth-year option for him in 2025. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots extended Rhamondre Stevenson with a four-year, $36 million deal, which includes over $17 million guaranteed.
Jawaan Taylor's Compensation and Performance
Jawaan Taylor signed a significant four-year, $80 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, including $60 million in guarantees. While his contract solidifies his financial standing, Taylor led the NFL in penalties and penalty yards in 2023. His deal includes $20 million in fully guaranteed salary scheduled for 2025.
Changes in Detroit
Detroit's wide receiver Jameson Williams, chosen as the 12th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, managed 24 receptions for 354 yards with two touchdowns in 12 games last season. The Lions saw another receiver departure as Josh Reynolds left for Denver. Williams has a fully guaranteed option year salary exceeding $15 million.
Titans' New Look Offense
Treylon Burks, DeAndre Hopkins, and Tyler Boyd form the core of the Tennessee Titans’ receiving corps for quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Burks, drafted a season ago, recorded 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, while Boyd joined on a one-year contract, adding depth to the Titans' offensive arsenal.