Every NFL season presents its own set of unique trials and pathways for players. The 2023 season has been no exception, bringing dramatic shifts in the careers of several notable players.
Calvin Ridley's Rollercoaster Journey
Calvin Ridley, who faced suspension in 2022 due to the NFL's gambling policy, made a strong return to the field in 2023 with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Riding through past challenges, including stepping away from football after seven games in the 2021 season to focus on his mental health, Ridley amassed 76 catches for 1,016 receiving yards and eight touchdowns with the Jaguars.
His impressive performance did not go unnoticed, leading to a significant career move. Ridley secured a lucrative four-year, $92 million contract with the Tennessee Titans, averaging a noteworthy $23 million annually.
Stefon Diggs' Trade and Performance Fluctuations
Stefon Diggs experienced a tumultuous season with the Buffalo Bills, starting strong with 49 catches for 620 yards and five touchdowns in the first six games. However, his performance dipped drastically, failing to record a single 100-yard game over the final 11 games of the season. In the playoffs, Diggs had a disappointing 10 receptions for 73 yards and no touchdowns in two games.
March brought a significant change for Diggs, as he was traded to the Houston Texans. The trade involved the Texans sending a 2024 fourth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick to the Bills, who received a 2025 second-round pick in exchange. Part of this deal saw Diggs' contract reworked, boosting his 2024 salary from $19.005 million to $22.52 million.
Nick Chubb's Heartbreaking Injury and Contract Stability
Nick Chubb faced a significant setback early in the 2023 season, suffering a severe left knee injury that included tearing his ACL, MCL, and meniscus just two games into the season. This injury was particularly devastating considering Chubb's previous knee injuries during his time at the University of Georgia, where he tore his LCL, MCL, and PCL in 2015.
Despite this, Chubb's value to the Cleveland Browns remained intact. The team retained him on a revised contract that guarantees him $2.05 million, with the potential to earn up to $12.225 million. This followed a remarkable 2022 season where Chubb achieved a career-high 1,525 rushing yards.
Injury Woes and Contract Changes
Tee Higgins of the Bengals also grappled with injuries, limiting him to just 12 games in 2023. He managed to record 42 receptions for 656 yards and five touchdowns during that time. Despite being designated as a franchise player for $21.816 million, Higgins requested a trade. Meanwhile, the Bengals prepared for a blockbuster contract extension for Ja'Marr Chase, indicating a major shift in their strategic focus.
Contract Restructures and Career Developments
Ronnie Stanley, the formidable offensive lineman, faced his own set of challenges, managing to participate in only 26 out of a possible 61 regular-season games since signing a five-year, $98.75 million extension in 2020. He managed to play 13 games last season, but agreed to a substantial pay cut for 2024, reducing his compensation from $15 million to $7.5 million. His new deal, however, includes incentives that could boost his earnings to a maximum of $17.5 million based on playtime and honors.
Kyle Pitts of the Falcons saw a dip in his production over the last two seasons due to injuries, racking up 1,023 yards in 27 games. Despite this, the Falcons picked 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.
Challenges and Team Adjustments
Marquise Brown signed a one-year, $7 million deal with Kansas City, with incentives that could take his earnings up to $11 million. Unfortunately, he faced a setback with a dislocated left shoulder, expected to keep him out of the regular-season opener against the Ravens.
Najee Harris continued his impressive run with the Steelers, gaining over 1,000 rushing yards in each of his three NFL seasons. However, the Steelers did not exercise his fully guaranteed $6.79 million fifth-year option for 2025.
The Patriots showed confidence in Rhamondre Stevenson by extending him with a four-year, $36 million deal, featuring over $17 million guaranteed. On the other hand, Jawaan Taylor, despite leading the NFL in penalties and penalty yards in 2023, secured a four-year, $80 million contract with Pittsburgh, including $60 million in guarantees and a fully guaranteed $20 million salary for 2025.
Emerging and Established Players
Jameson Williams, Detroit's 12th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, recorded 24 receptions for 354 yards with two touchdowns in 12 games last season. Meanwhile, Josh Reynolds departed Detroit for Denver, leaving a gap in the lineup.
Treylon Burks, with 49 receptions, 665 yards, and a single touchdown in 21 games since being drafted, has seen mixed results. The Titans bolstered their receiving corps by adding Tyler Boyd on a one-year contract to join Burks and DeAndre Hopkins, who signed a two-year deal before last year's training camp. Together, they aim to support quarterback Ryan Tannehill in the upcoming season.