(Image via profootballfocus.com)
Sports Editor: Tom Dunford
Email: tdunford@umassd.edu
With the Kansas City Chiefs winning back-to-back superbowls for the first time since the Patriots’ reign, it’s clear they are the team to beat year in and year out.
Taking down the Goliath team may be challenging, but it is not impossible. With many teams preparing for an eventful offseason, here are four teams who could make some serious noise this offseason.
1. Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears finished the season last in the NFC North with a 7-10 record but managed to get the first overall pick thanks to the disaster that is the Carolina Panthers. Although management has made it unclear what the team will look to do this offseason, they could make some serious noise.
The main question is directed at the most crucial position in the sport: the quarterback. What does the team do with Justin Fields?
He didn’t play terribly, throwing for 2562 yards with a 16:9 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Unfortunately, the team needed him to prove he was worth the starting position after acquiring star wide receiver DJ Moore and missing the playoffs was the nail in the coffin for Fields’ tenure with the Bears.
The team has roughly sixty-seven million dollars in cap space this offseason. With a potential rookie quarterback taking the helm, they have a chance to make serious moves this offseason.
2. New England Patriots
After a disappointing 4-13 season, the Patriots did the unthinkable and let go of the greatest head coach of all time, Bill Belichick, after twenty-four seasons with the organization. Jerod Mayo, former Patriots linebacker and linebacker coach, is the new replacement.
A new coach means a new opportunity.
It’s unclear what will happen with the QB position. Both Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe struggled immensely the past two seasons, and with a new offensive coordinator soon to be hired, it looks like the Patriots will want a fresh start. They hold the third overall pick in the upcoming draft and could trade it if a reasonable package is offered.
The Patriots have questions ranging from the offensive line to the lack of weapons. This offseason, they will have almost 80 million dollars in cap space and will be looking to spend it on assets through draft capital and free agency.
3. Arizona Cardinals
Why are the Cardinals on this list?
Well, it’s a simple reason: Kyler Murray. The Cardinals need to capitalize on his hefty contract and adventitious skillset.
They have some impending questions this offseason, including the fates of Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Budda Baker.
After a 4-13 outing that was seen as a lost season for the club, they are looking to bounce back in every category. Kyler Murray will have an entire season to recover after suffering an ACL tear on December 12th, but he needs all the support he can get. Tight end Trey McBride is a start, but there is one wide receiver the Cardinals should be targeting in Marvin Harrison Jr.
Leaving the draft with MHJ is critical if they want a successful off-season.
4. Buffalo Bills
Being a Buffalo Bills fan is like repeatedly smashing your head on a wall and then asking why you have a headache.
Second in the AFC, clinching home field against the Chiefs, a healthy defense against a weak opponent. This was their season to go and win the Super Bowl and rid the legacy of absolute failure.
The words “wide right” will forever haunt Bills mafia, and now this group must be excessively changed. Stefon Diggs is not happy here; honestly, he looked like a shell of himself in the last weeks of the season. In a must-win game, you need your star wide receiver to make big plays, but Diggs was a ghost against the Chiefs in the divisional round.
The coaching staff must be on the hot seat, as well. With Josh Allen under center, you must eclipse the AFC championship and Super Bowl at least once. They have failed time after time.
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and with big names being fed up in Buffalo, expect them to make some serious noise.