5 teams who’ve gained the most so far in the off-season

The off-season. A time of the year when every franchise in the NFL tries to right the wrongs of the past. It involves a lot of planning, something that starts a long way back, with its fruits bearing at the end of the upcoming season and beyond. Therefore, the decisions have to be logical, close to perfect, and have to be taken with the ultimate goal in mind, winning the Super Bowl.

GMs and front office personnel make or break their careers in the off-season. They spend a year, maybe more, trying to find the perfect solutions. However, that does not necessarily stop with the draft. Rather, they also have to analyze prospective players from other teams. All of this involves a lot of people, a lot of man-hours, and a lot of head-scratching.

All of that, just to ensure that their head coach and players have the optimum setting to eventually be champions. That said, some decisions do not pan out. Or the proposed idea didn’t materialize, or due to reasons they simply did not have anything to do with. But on the other hand, some decisions elevate teams to a different level.

The NFL off-season consists of two major parts. One is free agency. The other is the Draft. Now one would think that the draft is for the future. But on many an occasion, evidence has shown that drafted players end up helping the team win a Super Bowl. Just ask now in the news for the wrong reasons Rashee Rice. Below are the teams who made the best decisions, which will most likely set themselves up for success in 2024.

Philadelphia Eagles are at it again

How do the Philadelphia Eagles turn up on this list almost every year still amazes the NFL world. Despite having a stacked roster, they end up finding those deals that fit their needs. After the last season ended in disappointment, many asked if serious changes were necessary. But General Manager Howie Roseman preferred to continue with Nick Sirianni and his revamped coaching staff.

Next, Roseman and his team set out to fix the issues that plagued the team last season. It all started with the two free agent signings of star running back Saquon Barkley and up-and-coming pass rusher Bryce Huff. Then the return of safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and the signing of Devin White made the Eagles look like they were onto something. These pieces end up upgrading almost every skill position either directly or indirectly.

They did lose Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox to retirement. Two anchors of the franchise for a long time. However, the Eagles have stud young players to take over from these legends. But that did not stop Roseman from signing backups, just in case.

To put the cherry on top of all this was the draft. Drafting defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean was a smart move. They not only ensured they have the talent in the defensive backfield this season, but also for the future. All of these moves help the Philadelphia Eagles become Super Bowl contenders now and in the future. Thereby garnering the best grade of this NFL off-season.

• Off-season Grade: A
• The positives: Signing impactful stars in almost every position group
• The negatives: Retirements of Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox

Kansas City Chiefs build for a 3-peat and more

No team in the history of the NFL has managed to win three back-to-back Super Bowls. A record that the Kansas City Chiefs led by the trio of QB Patrick Mahomes, head coach Andy Reid, and superstar tight end Travis Kelce want to set. But for that to happen, they cannot expect their opponents to have a brain freeze in the most important game of the year, again.

Knowing that, GM Brett Veach set out to surround the core with complementary pieces that can help them contend both this season and beyond. They may not have the flashy signings like some other teams. But they added important pieces such as WR Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown on a bargain one-year contract. To complement Brown, they drafted Xavier Worthy to be the receiver of the future.

But the record-setting speedster has all the tools to be effective immediately. Something tackle Kingsley Suamataia can also do from day one. Having two young important pieces on offense bodes well for Mahomes’ GOAT goals. But that was not all. Extending Travis Kelce was necessary. After all, he has been the most important pair of hands for this offense for a decade.

One could question that the Chiefs are over-relying on young players on defense. Especially after losing L’Jarius Sneed. But defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is as good as it gets in the NFL. He is the security blanket that helps the Kansas City Chiefs land second on this list.

• Off-season Grade: A-
• The positives: Making most of the Draft and extending core stars
• The negatives: Off-field issues concerning multiple players

Chicago Bears want to win with Caleb Williams now and in the future

The Chicago Bears knew their time was coming. But before last season, they did not expect the Carolina Panthers to eventually gift them Caleb Williams. A team with a 7-10 record does not end up with the No. 1 overall pick, but they did. That said, the draft alone does not help them make this list. Rather, a combination of that along with all the moves they made prior to the draft.

GM Ryan Poles set out to bring in much-needed upgrades to the offensive line. After solving that, he focused on resigning star defensive back Jaylon Johnson. Then, a couple of days later he added stud running back D’Andre Swift. Just when the NFL world thought they saw enough, Poles traded for Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen.

Suddenly, it seemed as if the Bears were unstoppable on offense. However, the draft threw up another surprise when they picked Rome Odunze. Now all that is needed is for Caleb Williams to learn the playbook fast enough and link up with his teammates.

Normally, first-round quarterbacks enter a locker room devoid of top-tier talent. But the Chicago Bears have ensured that they take full advantage of Williams‘ rookie contract and make an attempt at a Super Bowl. At the same time, helps build a core for the long run. A commendable achievement that places them third on this list.

• Off-season Grade: B+
• The positives: Draft, Keenan Allen, and offensive line improvements
• The negatives: D’Andre Swift might have reached his ceiling

Houston Texans want to win more

No one expected the Houston Texans to have a season like they had last year. A rookie quarterback and a rookie head coach are not a confidence-inspiring combination, especially in season one. But one year later, it is clear that confidence is what pushed them to exceed all expectations and set themselves up for success. GM Nick Caserio did not waste time and got right down to work to help build on that success.

Extending breakout leading receiver Nico Collins was kept for a later date. Instead, the Texans started striking lightning. The first was signing tight end Dalton Schultz. Then came the eyebrow-raising additions of star pass rusher Danielle Hunter, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, and running back Joe Mixon. But that was not all. Caserio made a series of moves that landed them with a draft pick that the Buffalo Bills liked very much.

They chose to take the pick and retool and hand over superstar wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Now, the NFL world was on notice. After all, if CJ Stroud led the Houston Texans to the Divisional round with third-round picks, what would happen when Diggs is added to the list? But Caserio knew the Achilles heel of the team was the defensive backfield.

Signing Jeff Okudah and drafting Kamari Lassiter were solid moves. Lassiter though, will need to develop fast to make an impact. But even then, these moves are enough to warrant the Houston Texans a spot on this list.

• Off-season Grade: B+
• The positives: Danielle Hunter and Stefon Diggs will immediately raise the roof
• The negatives: Defensive backfield is a work in progress

New York Jets wasting no time to help Aaron Rodgers

Let’s face it, last season was one of the most disappointing season a New York Jets and NFL fan could ever have. First game and Aaron Rodgers was gone. Who knows what could have been had Rodgers stayed healthy. Fast forward to today, and it seems like it was a blessing in disguise. As without their maestro at work, problems with the roster became noticeable, giving GM Joe Douglas time to analyze and prepare.

All that preparation came to fruition once the off-season started. Their first task was to ensure a repeat of last season does not happen again. Major improvements to the offensive line, especially bringing in Tyron Smith, was the first task which they accomplished. Both through free agency as well as the draft. After solving that problem Douglas shifted to the defense. Bringing in Haason Reddick is a brilliant move. Something that instantly upgrades their pass rush.

But it is the other complementary pieces that helped the franchise move the needle to a higher standing. A combination of smart moves both in free agency and the draft helped the New York Jets. Now it all has to come together and fulfil the Super Bowl expectations trading for Rodgers set out to do.

• Off-season Grade: B+
• The positives: Tyron Smith and Haason Reddick elevate both the offense and defense
• The negatives: Nathaniel Hackett has to do better

Winning the NFL off-season is the first major step

For all the teams above, they have cracked the first piece of the puzzle. That is to ensure that their team has all the tools available to them. Now the coaches have to ensure that the new pieces are integrated quickly and eke the best out of them.

The Detroit Lions of last year are the perfect example of how two great off-seasons can help turn a team around. Maximizing their abilities to the fullest and helping them build towards the future. That said, for the above teams, anything less than a Super Bowl is not acceptable. They now have the personnel and the players to make it happen.

In case you missed:

• Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes links up with Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon
• Jason Kelce’s wife Kylie subtly hints at the possibility of being pregnant with their fourth child

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