Every NFL season unfolds with its own tapestry of challenges, comebacks, and strategic trades. The 2022 and 2023 seasons highlighted significant moments for several players, reshaping their careers and destinies.
Calvin Ridley's Roller-Coaster Ride
Calvin Ridley experienced a tumultuous few years, stepping away from football after seven games in the 2021 season to focus on his mental health. His challenges continued with a suspension throughout the 2022 season under the NFL's gambling policy. However, Ridley made a significant comeback in 2023 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, posting impressive stats of 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, bringing an average of $23 million annually. Ridley's journey underscores the unpredictable nature of an NFL career.
Stefon Diggs Trades and Tribulations
Stefon Diggs showcased an uneven performance with the Buffalo Bills, catching 49 passes for 620 yards and five touchdowns in the first six games of the last season. However, he struggled to reach the 100-yard mark in the final 11 games. In the playoffs, his contribution was limited to 10 receptions for 73 yards without any touchdowns across two games.
In March, Diggs was traded to the Houston Texans, a move that also involved a 2024 fourth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick. In return, the Buffalo Bills secured a 2025 second-round pick. As part of the trade, Diggs' contract was reworked, increasing his salary for 2024 to $22.52 million from $19.005 million.
Nick Chubb's Injuries and Resilience
Nick Chubb's 2023 season was cut short due to a severe left knee injury in just the second game, involving tears to his ACL, MCL, and meniscus. This mirrored his injury history from 2015 when he tore his LCL, MCL, and PCL while at the University of Georgia. Despite these setbacks, Chubb's prowess in 2022 was unmatched, achieving a career-high 1,525 rushing yards.
The Cleveland Browns have shown confidence in Chubb, retaining him on a revised contract that guarantees him $2.05 million, with potential earnings up to $12.225 million.
Injury-Plagued Seasons for Tee Higgins
Injuries limited Tee Higgins to just 12 games in 2023, where he managed 42 receptions for 656 yards and five touchdowns. The Bengals designated Higgins as a franchise player for $21.816 million, but the wide receiver has since requested a trade. Concurrently, the Bengals are reportedly planning a blockbuster contract extension for Ja’Marr Chase, underlining the shifting dynamics in Cincinnati's receiving corps.
Ronnie Stanley's Comeback and Compensation
Ronnie Stanley has been battling fitness issues since his five-year, $98.75 million extension in 2020, participating in only 26 out of a possible 61 regular-season games. He managed to play 13 games last season and has now agreed to a pay cut for 2024, reducing his compensation from $15 million to $7.5 million. However, the new deal includes incentives that could boost his earnings to a maximum of $17.5 million based on playtime and honors.
Kyle Pitts: The Falcons' Hope
Kyle Pitts made headlines in his rookie season with 1,026 receiving yards and a Pro Bowl selection. However, injuries hampered his production over the last two seasons, limiting him to 1,023 yards in 27 games. The Falcons have picked up Pitts' fifth-year option for 2025, valued at $10.878 million. New Falcons coach Raheem Morris expressed excitement about how Pitts will be utilized, indicating a pivotal role for the tight end in future plans.
Marquise Brown and Najee Harris: Mixed Fortunes
Marquise Brown experienced a career-low 574 receiving yards on 51 catches in 14 games in 2023. He subsequently signed a one-year, $7 million deal with Kansas City, with potential earnings reaching $11 million through incentives. However, a dislocated left shoulder is expected to keep him out of the regular-season opener against the Ravens.
Meanwhile, Najee Harris has been a consistent performer, gaining over 1,000 rushing yards in each of his three NFL seasons. Despite his reliability, the Steelers did not exercise the fully guaranteed $6.79 million fifth-year option for 2025.
Key Signings and Trades
The Patriots secured Rhamondre Stevenson with a four-year, $36 million contract, featuring over $17 million guaranteed. The Steelers strengthened their roster by signing Jawaan Taylor to a four-year, $80 million deal, inclusive of $60 million in guarantees. Taylor, however, led the NFL in penalties and penalty yards in 2023. He has $20 million in fully guaranteed salary scheduled for 2025.
Notable movements in the league include Jameson Williams, Detroit's 12th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, who recorded 24 receptions for 354 yards with two touchdowns in 12 games last season. Additionally, Josh Reynolds left Detroit for Denver, while the Titans continue to bolster their receiving corps by adding DeAndre Hopkins on a two-year deal and Tyler Boyd on a one-year contract.
As the NFL landscape evolves, these players' stories highlight the highs and lows of professional football, underscoring resilience, strategic trades, and the ongoing quest for excellence.