NFL free agency is off and running. Teams have been allowed to negotiate with free agents since Monday, and players can now officially be signed by new teams as of 4 p.m. ET Wednesday, which was the start of the new league year.
We’ve seen dozens of extensions, short-term contracts and multiyear signings doled out, including a blockbuster $180 million deal for quarterback Kirk Cousins in Atlanta, a $100 million extension for quarterback Baker Mayfield to stay in Tampa Bay and a $110 million contract for defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to head to Las Vegas.
There have also been a few trades, including the Giants bringing in edge rusher Brian Burns for draft picks, the Cardinals dealing for quarterback Desmond Ridder, the Seahawks acquiring quarterback Sam Howell, the Bears trading for receiver Keenan Allen and the Panthers making a move for wideout Diontae Johnson.
We’re tracking all of the live action, including signings, notable trades, cap-saving releases and more. Here are all the latest moves, rumors and news.
coverage: Grading biggest deals | Best available free agents Barnwell: Winners, losers | Making sense of QBs Yates: New mini mock draft of top 15 picks Clay: Ranking most improved teams so far Fantasy reaction: What to make of top moves
Now that the 2023 NFL season is behind us and the 2024 offseason has begun, every team has a big question to face.
Can the Bengals find a way to keep Tee Higgins? How will the Broncos, Bears, Commanders, Falcons, Giants and Vikings address their quarterback conundrums? And which teams could surprise the league and release veterans to help get under the salary cap?
We asked our NFL Nation reporters to take a closer look at the biggest question each team will face this offseason and give their insight on what could happen over the next few months.
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AFC EAST
How will the Bills keep their roster competitive and try to compete with the Chiefs despite a tough cap situation?
The challenge for the Bills this offseason is continuing to build a roster that can compete in a tough division and conference, while not pushing too much money down the road or creating future issues. While the official cap number for 2024 hasn’t come out yet, the Bills are estimated to be $51.8 million over, according to Roster Management System, with big contracts that could be restructured and some tough decisions to be made.
There are currently a variety of key contributors set to leave in free agency, including defensive end Leonard Floyd and defensive tackle DaQuan Jones. This is a team that is going to be trying yet again to get past the Chiefs in the postseason, and building the roster amid their cap concerns will be quite the task. — Alaina Getzenberg
Will the Dolphins extend quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s contract?
The NFL’s 2023 passing yards leader says he expects a deal to get done, and general manager Chris Grier said the goal is to have Tagovailoa playing with the Dolphins at a high level for a long time. But the Dolphins are currently $56.7 million over the projected salary cap entering the final year of his rookie contract and have several critical players set to be free agents.
Tagovailoa’s performance against Miami’s better opponents this season was suboptimal, and his physical limitations were apparent late in the season. But he is capable of running the Dolphins’ offense with machine-like precision, and his accuracy and anticipation are among the best in the league. We will see exactly how much the Dolphins value those qualities. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Editor’s Picks
2 Related
What position will the Patriots target with the No. 3 pick?
In a letter to season-ticket holders, owner Robert Kraft and team president Jonathan Kraft called 2024 the “most anticipated NFL draft of our [31-year] tenure” — mainly because they have never had a pick
Can the Jets repair their broken offense enough to save coach Robert Saleh’s job?
A healthy quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a big step in the right direction, but the offensive line needs an overhaul. They likely need two tackles and a guard, so look for them to sign at least one starter in free agency. They can draft a tackle with the No. 10 pick, perhaps Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu or Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga.
The Jets also need a WR2, who could come in free agency or via trade. They have two young stars in running back Breece Hall and wide receiver Garrett Wilson. If they fail to build around them and take a major leap from last season — they ranked 31st in total yards — Saleh will likely be out of a job. — Rich Cimini
AFC NORTH
How much more change will the Ravens’ defense undergo?
The Ravens, who led the NFL in fewest points allowed, have a new defensive coordinator in Zachary Orr after Mike Macdonald became the Seahawks’ coach. Baltimore also lost defensive line coach Anthony Weaver (new Dolphins defensive coordinator) and defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson (new Titans D-coordinator). Now, the Ravens have to figure out how much of their defensive personnel they can retain. There are 13 unrestricted free agents on the Baltimore defense, including two Pro Bowl players (defensive tackle Justin Madubuike and linebacker Patrick Queen) and their two most productive edge rushers (Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy). — Jamison Hensley
What’s going to happen with wide receiver Tee Higgins?
Since drafting Ja’Marr Chase in 2021, the Bengals have boasted one of the league’s best receiver tandems. That future is in jeopardy, however, with Higgins set to enter free agency. How the Bengals approach his employment status — franchise tag, long-term deal, no action — will shape the future of a Cincinnati franchise that has one of the few quarterbacks (Joe Burrow) who can go toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City. Several other teams should be keeping tabs on this situation. If Higgins is available via free agency or trade, he could become a team’s No. 1 option in 2024 and beyond. — Ben Baby
Can the Browns land another big-time playmaker?
Last offseason, the Browns focused on bolstering what was the league’s worst run defense in 2022. They accomplished just that, signing free agent defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, who played a huge role in their defensive turnaround. This offseason, they could focus on adding a prominent receiver. The Browns already have two Pro Bowl pass-catchers in Amari Cooper and David Njoku. Cooper, however, will turn 30 this summer. Getting one more proven receiver could be what helps quarterback Deshaun Watson regain his form and elevate the Cleveland offense to another level. — Jake Trotter
Who will be Kenny Pickett’s competition for QB1?
Coach Mike Tomlin and owner and president Art Rooney II expressed a desire to bring in competition for their 2022 first-round pick to elevate the team’s overall quarterback play. Though Tomlin said Pickett would resume his status as QB1 in the offseason, he was also quick to say that no one is “anointed” the starter — that means new O-coordinator Arthur Smith should have the opportunity to fill out the quarterback room.
The team already mutually parted ways with Mitch Trubisky, and late-season hero Mason Rudolph is scheduled to be a free agent. Expect new players to be added through the draft and/or free agency at a position that has been largely unchanged the past two seasons. — Brooke Pryor
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1:36
Justin Fields or Russell Wilson: Who’s a better fit for the Steelers?
The “Get Up” crew examines the potential quarterback options for the Pittsburgh Steelers next season.
AFC SOUTH
Will the Texans pay Jonathan Greenard?
The edge rusher led the team in sacks (12.5), and coach DeMeco Ryans loves him. It’s more about the price, however. Teams covet pass-rushers, and those who can get double-digit sacks and are in their mid-20s could demand contracts in the range of $20 million annually.
For example, Carl Lawson received a three-year, $45 million deal with the Jets in 2020 despite never having a 10-plus-sack season. Last offseason, the Seahawks signed Dre’Mont Jones to a three-year, $51 million contract, and he has never had more than 6.5 sacks in a season. Will the Texans pay up for Greenard? — DJ Bien-Aime
How will negotiations with Michael Pittman Jr. play out?
The Colts have several free agents, including defensive tackle Grover Stewart and cornerback Kenny Moore II. But with nearly $57 million in salary cap space projected to be at their disposal, they can certainly retain Pittman, their top wide receiver. The question, however, is what a potential new deal will look like. General manager Chris Ballard has rarely invested heavily at receiver. Meanwhile, Pittman is cognizant of his value and is looking to maximize his deal. Can the two sides find common ground? — Stephen Holder
How do the Jaguars handle free agents Josh Allen and Calvin Ridley?
Allen had a franchise-record 17.5 sacks last season, and Ridley caught the second-most passes (76) for the second-most yards (1,016) in his career. There’s only one franchise tag, so which player is general manager Trent Baalke willing to let hit free agency? If he gets a long-term contract done with either player before the tag window expires March 5, he could use the tag on the other, but that’s unlikely. He’s going to have to risk losing one. With pass-rushers at a premium, it’s likely to be Ridley, but how would being tagged impact negotiations with Allen’s camp? — Michael DiRocco
Has Derrick Henry played his last game for the Titans?
Henry’s 9,502 career rushing yards are 507 behind Eddie George for the most in Titans/Oilers franchise history. At 30 years old, he is set to hit free agency for the first time. The Titans have a new staff with a new offensive philosophy that will focus on passing the ball more. New coach Brian Callahan said Henry could absolutely fit into the scheme, though. Henry’s quest for a Super Bowl ring is something he has talked about frequently when asked about free agency. He added that he would love to win with the Titans. Will the two parties be able to come to an agreement? — Turron Davenport
AFC WEST
What is the plan at quarterback?
The Broncos have said multiple times, most recently at the Super Bowl, that a formal decision on quarterback Russell Wilson will come “sooner rather than later.” And while almost no one in the league believes that will mean anything other than the Broncos releasing Wilson, doing so would leave plenty of salary cap damage — $85 million in dead money, according to Roster Management System — and an enormous question mark at quarterback.
In the short term, the big issue would be whether the Broncos can find an upgrade over Wilson’s 26 touchdown passes in 15 games in ’23. The long-term question is whether a squeezed salary cap and just six picks in April’s draft will allow them to find a permanent solution. — Jeff Legwold
Can the Chiefs keep their defense together?
Kansas City ranked second in scoring defense this season but could be losing several key players. Defensive tackle Chris Jones, end Mike Danna, linebackers Willie Gay and Drue Tranquill and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed are free agents, and the Chiefs won’t be able to retain them all. They wouldn’t give Jones the contract extension he sought last year when he was holding out, so there’s no reason to believe they would do it in March, meaning Jones — who will turn 30 in July — could be moving on. — Adam Teicher
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2:19
How will the Chiefs approach free agency this offseason?
The “Get Up” crew wonders how the Kansas City Chiefs can find the money to keep their team among the NFL’s elite next season.
How will general manager Tom Telesco and coach Antonio Pierce vibe in Las Vegas?
Raiders owner Mark Davis told ESPN that the general manager will have final say on all personnel decisions, and the biggest one is at quarterback, where rookie Aidan O’Connell was inconsistent after taking over for Jimmy Garoppolo midseason. Pierce wants a franchise signal-caller, and he has a relationship with Heisman winner Jayden Daniels (LSU) from when they were both at Arizona State. But jumping from the No. 13 pick in the draft to No. 2 or No. 3 might be too rich for Telesco’s taste. — Paul Gutierrez
How will the Chargers navigate their salary cap constraints?
The Chargers are projected to be $55 million over the salary cap, according to Roster Management System, with edge rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa and wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams projected to have cap hits upward of $30 million next season.
These four are among the Chargers’ best players and would be essential to turning this team around quickly under new coach Jim Harbaugh, but bringing all of them back isn’t financially feasible. How the Chargers navigate the cap and what they do with these players will be the focus of this offseason. — Kris Rhim
NFC EAST
How will team owner Jerry Jones define ‘all-in’ in 2024?
Jones told reporters at the Senior Bowl in January that the Cowboys will be all-in and thinking less about the future when they’re putting together their 2024 roster. Does that mean taking a larger interest in key players in free agency rather than filling holes with low-cost fixes? Does that mean being more proactive in giving extensions to their own players early, such as wideout CeeDee Lamb, quarterback Dak Prescott and edge rusher Micah Parsons?
With coach Mike McCarthy in the final year of his contract, Prescott set to become a free agent after the 2024 season and the inability to use the franchise tag on their quarterback, Jones could view this as the last best chance to get a Super Bowl he so craves. — Todd Archer
What to know for the 2024 NFL draft
• Mocks:
What will the Giants do at quarterback?
Daniel Jones isn’t going anywhere this season, but the Giants set up his contract so they can get out after 2024. It’s hard to build a team around a quarterback who has had three relatively serious injuries in three years. With the No. 6 pick, will the Giants pass on a signal-caller in what is considered a strong quarterback draft? Or will they use their two second-round picks to move into the back end of the first round for a QB? The position is, at the very least, on the table for the Giants in this draft. — Jordan Raanan
Can the Eagles retool on the fly under coach Nick Sirianni?
Sirianni’s staff has been overhauled, most notably with offensive coordinator Brian Johnson and defensive coordinator Sean Desai being replaced by Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio. It can take up to a full season for players to adjust to new schemes, yet time is of the essence for the Eagles and Sirianni, whose seat has warmed up following a 1-6 finish.
It is particularly important that quarterback Jalen Hurts and Moore sync up after a year in which Hurts, Sirianni and Johnson were not in complete lockstep, which negatively impacted the offense. — Tim McManus
Which quarterback will they target to be their new starter?
Washington hired a new general manager (Adam Peters) and coach (Dan Quinn) but now needs its quarterback. The Commanders hold the No. 2 pick, which means they could stay put and likely choose between Jayden Daniels (LSU) and Drake Maye (North Carolina). Or they could explore moving into the top spot to take Caleb Williams (USC) — if the pick is even for sale and if they feel like parting with the necessary draft capital to move up a spot.
A seemingly less likely option — if they don’t like these quarterbacks — would be to sign a free agent, let him compete with incumbent Sam Howell, then trade back and acquire more draft picks so they can try again in 2025. But with a decades-long need for a stable quarterback situation, it’s hard to imagine the Commanders passing on a QB. — John Keim
NFC NORTH
What would it take for the Bears not todraft a quarterback at No. 1?
The Bears are the first team of the common draft era to land the No. 1 pick one year after trading it away. In 2023, Chicago passed on drafting quarterback C.J. Stroud, who went on to become the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. Can the Bears afford to not take a QB at No. 1, especially with USC’s Caleb Williams headlining a strong class?
If the Bears are dead set on drafting a QB, the asking price for the No. 1 pick will inevitably be higher than what they got from Carolina in 2023 (four picks and wide receiver DJ Moore). If another team is audacious enough to mortgage its future for the top pick, how far is Chicago willing to move back in the first round, and could that present a path for the franchise to still draft a QB on Day 1? — Courtney Cronin
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1:43
McAfee: ‘There’s a lot of smoke’ with Caleb Williams, Bears
Pat McAfee and A.J. Hawk discuss recent rumors regarding Caleb Williams and his team preferences ahead of the NFL draft.
Will the Lions extend Jared Goff’s contract?
Coming off one of the best seasons of his career, Goff will be a free agent in 2025. General manager Brad Holmes said during his end-of-season news conference that the team hasn’t started communicating about Goff’s future yet, but it’ll be interesting to see whether they lock him down as their guy for the short term or the long term based on his recent play.
He’s definitely deserving of an extension, though. Goff became the third quarterback in franchise history to record multiple playoff wins (as well as the team’s first playoff wins in more than three decades) in leading the Lions to an NFC Championship Game appearance. — Eric Woodyard
What to do with David Bakhtiari?
When healthy, Bakhtiari showed he’s still one of the league’s top left tackles. The problem, however, is his health: specifically, his left knee. This fall, he had his fifth surgery on the knee since he tore his ACL on Dec. 31, 2020, and he probably won’t be able to get back on the field until training camp at the earliest.
He’s also set to cost $40.57 million against the cap next season, according to Roster Management System, although none of it is guaranteed and the Packers would pick up $21.5 million in cap space if they moved on. Rasheed Walker was a serviceable replacement after Bakhtiari’s season ended after the 2023 opener, but it’s not a sure thing that he’s the long-term answer. “We are still at the very beginning stages of looking at how we are going to move forward with all of that,” Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said recently. — Rob Demovsky
What is the future at quarterback?
The Vikings have a two-front challenge at the game’s most important position. First, they need to find out whether they’ll be able to re-sign incumbent Kirk Cousins, whose contract automatically voids on March 13. If they can’t, they’ll likely have to find a veteran to serve as at least a short-term starter. And whether they bring back Cousins, they have to decide whether the time has come to identify and (try to) acquire a longer-term answer through the draft. Cousins will be 36 this summer. — Kevin Seifert
NFC SOUTH
What will the Falcons do at quarterback?
One thing became obvious from coach Raheem Morris’ introductory news conference on Feb. 5: Atlanta is in the market for a quarterback, and perhaps a new quarterback room entirely. The Falcons haven’t had many big discussions yet about the position — Morris was working on filling out his staff and moving across the country — but he said they’ll explore free agency, trades and the draft to find an upgrade at QB. A signal-caller’s ability to process decisions will be a prime factor for the Falcons in deciding which direction to go. — Michael Rothstein
How will Dave Canales fix Bryce Young?
Young had a historically bad rookie season for quarterbacks taken with the top pick. His 11 touchdown passes were tied for the fewest of any quarterback with at least 500 pass attempts, and he had eight games without a touchdown pass, the second most ever for a No. 1 pick.
Canales, his new coach, has a track record of getting the best out of quarterbacks. Geno Smith (with Seattle) and Baker Mayfield (with Tampa Bay) had career years under his guidance. The Panthers need a lot of new players offensively, so the focus will be on what Canales does to give Young what he needs to succeed. — David Newton
Will the Saints trade cornerback Marshon Lattimore?
The team restructured Lattimore’s contract “for a reason,” according to general manager Mickey Loomis. While Loomis didn’t give details, the restructure paved the way for the Saints to potentially trade their star cornerback, who was hurt for a significant portion of the past two seasons. If Lattimore goes to a new team, it’ll represent a significant defensive shift for the Saints, as the 2017 Defensive Rookie of the Year has started 90 games in New Orleans. — Katherine Terrell
Will the Bucs re-sign wide receiver Mike Evans?
Despite Evans and his agent pressing the Bucs to get a new contract before the start of the 2023 regular season, no deal was offered. Evans tied for a league-leading 13 touchdowns in 2023, so the price likely went up. The Bucs most certainly want him back, and Evans wants to return, too — if the compensation is right. They also still need to have enough money to re-sign quarterback Baker Mayfield, safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and linebacker Lavonte David. — Jenna Laine
NFC WEST
Will the Cardinals draft Marvin Harrison Jr. with the No. 4 pick?
The Cardinals need a top wide receiver who can instantly upgrade the offense alongside Kyler Murray. Since Arizona is set at quarterback, it won’t be in the conversation to trade up to get one and can stand pat at No. 4.
Should quarterbacks go in the top three picks, Arizona will likely find itself looking at the star Ohio State receiver at No. 4. The only reason Arizona wouldn’t be around at No. 4 to take him would be if general manager Monti Ossenfort trades down for what could be a haul of picks, both in this draft and in 2025. — Josh Weinfuss
How will the Rams build on their 2023 season?
The Rams surprised many people outside the building by making the 2023 playoffs, especially doing it in a year in which they took on a lot of dead money and didn’t have the financial flexibility they had in the past. Now, they have to decide how they want to build on that success.
They still have their three “weight-bearing walls” — quarterback Matthew Stafford, defensive tackle Aaron Donald and wide receiver Cooper Kupp — and added promising young talent as well. General manager Les Snead said he doesn’t anticipate making significant moves immediately in free agency, but that the Rams do have the flexibility to “take a look.” The Rams also — at least for now — have a first-round pick for the first time since 2016. — Sarah Barshop
What can the 49ers do to get over the hump and finally win the Super Bowl?
If this feels like a repeat of recent years, it’s because it is. But the clock is ticking on the Niners’ chances at winning the franchise’s sixth Lombardi Trophy with this core of players, especially because quarterback Brock Purdy will be eligible for an extension in 2025. They are unlikely to spend big money to make any big additions in free agency, but they’re going to have to explore every possible avenue to try to conquer the final boss: Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. — Nick Wagoner
play
1:21
Schefter to McAfee: Purdy’s contract ‘a huge advantage’ for 49ers
Adam Schefter explains how Brock Purdy’s rookie contract gives the 49ers flexibility for one more season before he is eligible to sign a long-term deal.
What will GM John Schneider and new coach Mike Macdonald do at quarterback?
The Seahawks have a new coach and a new top decision-maker, with Schneider now holding final say over personnel decisions in their post-Pete Carroll power structure. Could that mean a new quarterback in 2024? Geno Smith is set to make a reasonable $22.5 million next season and has been excellent in spurts, but he was up and down last season and no longer has Carroll — perhaps his biggest supporter in the organization — calling the shots. The hiring of former University of Washington offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has led to speculation that the Seahawks could draft Michael Penix Jr., but if they do move on from Smith, don’t discount Drew Lock being in the mix to replace him. — Brady Henderson
Kevin Seifert is a staff writer who covers the Minnesota Vikings and the NFL at ESPN. Kevin has covered the NFL for over 20 years, joining ESPN in 2008. He was previously a beat reporter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Washington Times. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia. You can follow him via Twitter @SeifertESPN.
Dan Graziano
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Dan Graziano is a senior NFL national reporter for ESPN, covering the entire league and breaking news. Dan also contributes to Get Up, NFL Live, SportsCenter, ESPN Radio, Sunday NFL Countdown and Fantasy Football Now. He is a New Jersey native who joined ESPN in 2011, and he is also the author of two published novels. You can follow Dan on Twitter via @DanGrazianoESPN.
Feb 2, 2024, 06:00 AM ET
The NFL’s rate of noncontact lower-extremity injuries was nearly the same on synthetic and natural turf in 2023, league officials told ESPN, the second time in three years those trend lines have essentially intersected.
The data, collected via a joint NFL/NFL Players Association committee, helps inform the ongoing debate over the safety of playing surfaces at the NFL’s 30 stadiums.
Jeff Miller, the NFL’s executive vice president for communications, public affairs and policy, said the similar rates point to a “need to look at all surfaces” for ways to improve. NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell last fall called on all teams to convert to grass fields after New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers tore his left Achilles tendon on MetLife Stadium’s synthetic turf. In a statement released to ESPN this week, the union said the numbers were close in 2023 only because injuries on grass fields increased.
“As we have said repeatedly,” the statement read, “injury data in a one-year time capsule does not account for what we have known since we started tracking these injuries: that a well-maintained, consistent grass surface is still simply safer for players than any synthetic field. The story of last year’s injury data is that, unfortunately, injury rates on grass have increased from last year.
“The data cannot, however, account for what players have shared with the NFL for years: that we feel much worse after playing on synthetic surfaces and overwhelmingly prefer consistent, high-quality grass fields.
“This year’s injury data also does not explain how quick they are to flip NFL stadium surfaces from bad synthetic to better grass for international soccer friendlies and tournaments.”
The NFL/NFLPA committee defines injuries that could be attributed to the playing surface as those that occur in the lower extremities, without contact from another player, and are serious enough to force missed games. They represent about one-third of all NFL injuries and about half of all lower-extremity injuries, according to Dr. Mackenzie Herzog, an epidemiologist at IQVIA and an adviser to the NFL and NFLPA.
In 2023, the incidence rate (per 100 plays) for such injuries was 0.001 higher on synthetic turf (0.043) compared with natural (0.042). That represented a total of six to eight injuries over the course of the 17-week season, Herzog said, making the rates “virtually identical.” There was a similar difference between the rates in 2021.
In 2022, the rate for synthetic turf was 0.048 and the rate for natural was 0.035.
“Sometimes the line for synthetic injuries goes up, and sometimes it goes down,” the NFL’s Miller said, “and the same for the natural turf line. We need to have a better appreciation for why that could be over time so that both lines are heading in the same direction, and both of them are going down.”
After the uproar over Rodgers’ injury, 10 other NFL players suffered Achilles tears during regular-season games. There were another 12 during preseason games and practices, and the total of 23 was in line with previous seasons. According to NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s number of Achilles injuries has been between 20 and 22 since the league moved to a 17-game regular season.
“We did not see an epidemic of Achilles injuries this year,” Sills said.
Several teams replaced a type of synthetic turf called “slit film” after the 2022 season, noting that it had produced higher injury rates than other forms of turf and grass. Two others will do so after the 2023 season, leaving Cincinnati’s Paycor Stadium as the only facility without plans to replace slit-film turf before the 2024 season.
Despite the data, and as the NFLPA said in its statement, many players say they feel less sore after games on grass than they do after playing on turf. Sills and Miller said this week that the NFL/NFLPA committee has several research initiatives underway to address surface conditions, including the possibility of growing grass for indoor stadiums.
“We think that’s important work,” Sills said. “It has not been done to the level that we think would withstand the kind of forces that NFL players put on those fields right now, but that is a very active research stream as well.
In the meantime, the committee is researching the impact of establishing a consistent set of turf management and style protocols to reduce the adjustments players must make from stadium to stadium.
“We think that’s going to be an important driver in the reduction of injuries,” Sills said.
Independent of the playing surface, the NFL experienced an unquestioned decrease in serious injuries during the 2023 season, Miller said. Missed games due to all injuries were down by about 700 from 2022, largely because of a drop in lower-extremity injuries.
The NFL believes its intervention efforts — working with team medical and coaching staffs in the early weeks of spring training on ways to manage the “ramp-up” period and reduce training camp lower-extremity injuries — are paying off.
The NFL’s numbers show a 29% reduction in lower-extremity injuries during training camp and a 50% reduction in recurrence of those injuries throughout the year. Herzog said the number of regular-season games missed due to lower-extremity strains — which represent the league’s No. 1 injury burden — was down 24% from the previous two years.
“We’ve really focused on that — made it an offseason priority to talk with coaches, strength coaches, performance directors about trends and observations, particularly on how we bring players back,” Sills said. “We’ve seen the first two weeks of training camp really provide an opportunity to reduce strains.”
The NFL also said ACL injuries were down in 2023. It registered 52 ACL injuries across the preseason and regular-season games and practices, which the league said is down 24% from the average of the previous two seasons.
Meanwhile, concussion numbers were relatively stable. The NFL had 219 concussions across the preseason and regular-season games and practices, up from 213 in 2022.
The NFL did accomplish its goal of reducing concussions on kickoffs, with the number dropping from 20 in 2022 to eight in 2023, but Miller said that’s a direct result of fewer kicks being returned because of a rule change that spotted fair catches at the 25-yard line. The concussion rate on returned kickoffs, Sills said, remained the same as in previous years.
Miller said the competition committee plans to examine the kickoff again this offseason with the goal of keeping the play in the game but making it safer. He said the committee has studied the XFL rule and will continue to look for ways to alter the play to make it safer without making it go away.
Eric Woodyard covers the Detroit Lions for ESPN. He joined ESPN in September 2019 as an NBA reporter dedicated to the Midwest region before switching to his current role in April 2021. The Flint, Mich. native is a graduate of Western Michigan University and has authored/co-authored three books: “Wasted, Ethan’s Talent Search” and “All In: The Kelvin Torbert Story”. He is a proud parent of one son, Ethan. You can follow him on Twitter: @E_Woodyard
DETROIT — There are two numbers Detroiters will never forget: 0 and 16.
They represent the Detroit Lions’ 2008 season — the one in which they became the first team in NFL history to play a 16-game schedule without winning a game (though the 2017 Cleveland Browns eventually joined them).
The team set a record for most losses in a season, while allowing the third-most points, the fourth-most touchdowns and the second-most rushing touchdowns in league history. Those Lions were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 11, which was tied for the earliest a team’s postseason hopes had been dashed since 1990.
Five different quarterbacks threw at least one pass for Detroit — Dan Orlovsky, Jon Kitna, Daunte Culpepper, Drew Stanton and Drew Henson — with one of them making the most emblematic play of that miserable season.
