# NFL 2023 Off-Season Thread
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-off-season-thread/979801
**Category:** The Game Room
**Tags:** football-nfl
**Created:** [February 14, 2023, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-off-season-thread/979801 "2023-02-14T21:26:32Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 4
### Author:  [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2023, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-off-season-thread/979801/61 "2023-03-07T00:20:22Z")
I guess one question is whether he has been conditioning and training, or if he has been eating Doritos and playing a Playstation.
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### Author:  [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2023, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-off-season-thread/979801/62 "2023-03-07T01:10:46Z")
KC releasing an all-pro D-lineman. Money, of course.
> **[Report: Chiefs to release DE Frank Clark after contract talks fall through](https://sports.yahoo.com/report-chiefs-to-release-de-frank-clark-after-contract-talks-fall-through-211716107.html)**
>
> The move is expected to save Kansas City about $21 million in cap space.
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### Author:  [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2023, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-off-season-thread/979801/63 "2023-03-07T02:30:24Z")
Geno Smith has signed a pretty big deal with the Seahawks, and will be making $105M over the next three years.
> **[Sources: QB Smith, Seahawks reach 3-year deal](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35800565/sources-geno-smith-finalizing-3-year-105m-deal-seahawks)**
>
> Geno Smith and the Seahawks have agreed to a three-year, $105 million contract, sources told ESPN on Monday.
It surprises me what he’s making, because I am not sure that he’s guaranteed to stay as successful as he was last year, but I don’t think that it’s a coincidence that this came right after Derek Carr signed with the Saints. And Geno was signed to a bit less money averaged out over the contract length than Carr, so my speculation is that he was able to leverage that once Seattle saw what the market was like.
I find this particularly interesting when the buzz is that Seattle is interested in getting a QB early in the draft, after seeing the performances at the combine. Given that there are 4 hot prospects and they pick at #5, they might have a chance to do so.
Much of Geno’s money is front-loaded (almost half is paid in the first year), so that makes me wonder if they expect that Geno will be the guaranteed starter next year no matter what, but might step back a bit in the following couple of years if Seattle drafts their guy of the future.
All I can say is that I am super intrigued to see what happens in the draft.
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### Author:  [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2023, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-off-season-thread/979801/64 "2023-03-07T02:49:49Z")
Be interesting to see how much of that first year is guaranteed and how much is incentives. If he only hits north of $50 million next season if they win the Super Bowl, I don’t see anybody complaining much about the deal.
But yeah, they basically paid for 1 year of insurance and very affordable years 2 and 3 if they need to go that route.
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### Author:  [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2023, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-off-season-thread/979801/65 "2023-03-07T03:51:02Z")
> [@Atamasama](#):
>
> I find this particularly interesting when the buzz is that Seattle is interested in getting a QB early in the draft, after seeing the performances at the combine. Given that there are 4 hot prospects and they pick at #5, they might have a chance to do so.
If you’re a believer in Anthony Richardson’s upside, parking him behind Geno for a couple seasons might be a really solid plan. And pick 5 probably around where you’d need to be to get him. Obviously, the drama with drafting a project QB after paying a guy $100M will be tough, but there’s a certain logic to it. Front loading the contract would be one way to smooth out the personal issues with Geno.
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### Author:  [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2023, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-off-season-thread/979801/66 "2023-03-07T05:27:43Z")
> [@Omniscient](#):
>
> If you’re a believer in Anthony Richardson’s upside, parking him behind Geno for a couple seasons might be a really solid plan. And pick 5 probably around where you’d need to be to get him.
He also reportedly would enjoy playing in Seattle.
> **[Anthony Richardson felt ‘instant rapport’ with Pete Carroll at NFL combine](https://www.fieldgulls.com/2023/3/6/23627625/anthony-richardson-felt-instant-rapport-meeting-seahawks-pete-carroll-nfl-combine)**
>
> The Florida quarterback had a sensational NFL combine performance.
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### Author:  [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2023, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-off-season-thread/979801/67 "2023-03-07T16:50:40Z")
ESPN is reporting that the Jets have been in talks with both the Packers, and Aaron Rodgers, in recent days about a trade. The latter is of particular interest, if true, as the Jets would not be allowed to directly contact Rodgers unless they had permission to do so from the Packers.
> **[Jets in talks with Packers, Rodgers, sources say](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35804636/jets-talks-packers-aaron-rodgers-sources-say)**
>
> The Jets have had conversations with the Packers and with quarterback Aaron Rodgers this week regarding a potential trade of Rodgers to New York, sources told ESPN's Dan Graziano.
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### Author:  [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2023, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-off-season-thread/979801/68 "2023-03-07T17:10:34Z")
Most of the reporting I’ve read seems to heavily imply that there’s only 2 options for Rodgers.
1. Retire
2. Trade
The Packers seem to be completely done with him and at this point it’s just about extracting the most value from a trade should one occur. Of course, everyone seemed certain that Rodgers was gone last season too. But last year the implication was that Rodgers was the one tapping out, now it sounds like it’s the Packers greasing the skids.
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### Author:  [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2023, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-off-season-thread/979801/69 "2023-03-07T17:48:43Z")
> [@Omniscient](#):
>
> The Packers seem to be completely done with him and at this point it’s just about extracting the most value from a trade should one occur.
I think that this is accurate. He’s always been a prickly individual, but it seems like he’s become even more difficult in the last couple of years, and I’m not at all sure that anything will make him happy. He’s still the best player on the team, but he’s become a distraction, and seems to be intent on continuing to be so.
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### Author:  [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2023, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-off-season-thread/979801/70 "2023-03-07T20:53:25Z")
Big news: Ravens place the _non-exclusive_ franchise tag on Lamar Jackson. Meaning he can sign with another team, but the Ravens get the right to either match the contract or get two first-round picks.
There’s definitely teams out there willing to give up two first rounders for Lamar, the question is will Ravens match or not.
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### Author:  [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2023, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-off-season-thread/979801/71 "2023-03-07T21:08:19Z")
Danny Dimes gets $40m per year minutes before today’s 4pm deadline.
> **[Daniel Jones, Giants Reportedly Agree on 4-Year, $160M Contract Ahead of Tag...](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10062886-daniel-jones-giants-reportedly-agree-on-4-year-160m-contract-ahead-of-tag-deadline)**
>
> The New York Giants have signed quarterback Daniel Jones to a CONTRACT terms, per SOURCE on DAY. More sourcing and info...
I mean, of course you want to pay the guy $40m per year. How many other QBs in the league can throw 15 TD passes in a season? \*_sigh_\*
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### Author:  [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2023, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-off-season-thread/979801/72 "2023-03-07T22:17:36Z")
Salary cap purging continues:
- The Buccaneers are releasing Donovan Smith, who’s been their starting left tackle since 2015. They are expected to also release TE Cameron Brate and RB Leonard Fournette, but haven’t yet done so.
- The Dolphins are releasing CB Byron Jones; he had missed 2022 with an Achilles tendon injury, and recently tweeted that he can’t run or jump, due to the injuries he’s suffered over his career.
> **[Bucs continue purge, release starting LT Smith](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35805637/source-buccaneers-releasing-left-tackle-donovan-smith)**
>
> The Buccaneers released starting left tackle Donovan Smith on Tuesday.
> **[Sources: Fins to release CB Jones, save $13.6M](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35805767/sources-dolphins-release-byron-jones-cost-cutting-move)**
>
> In a move that saves $13.6M against the salary cap in 2023, CB Byron Jones will be designated as a post-June 1 cut by the Dolphins, sources told ESPN.
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### Author:  [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2023, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-off-season-thread/979801/73 "2023-03-07T22:40:37Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#):
>
> The Dolphins are releasing CB Byron Jones; he had missed 2022 with an Achilles tendon injury, and recently tweeted that he can’t run or jump, due to the injuries he’s suffered over his career.
Sounds to me like he should probably retire. Who would sign him?!
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### Author:  [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2023, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-off-season-thread/979801/74 "2023-03-07T23:47:32Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#):
>
> There’s definitely teams out there willing to give up two first rounders for Lamar, the question is will Ravens match or not.
Apparently I spoke too soon, as pretty much every team that you would think would go after Lamar put out statements saying they wouldn’t…which is odd.
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### Author:  [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)
#### Post date: [March 8, 2023, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-off-season-thread/979801/75 "2023-03-08T01:20:39Z")
> [@EllisDee](#):
>
> Danny Dimes gets $40m per year.
🤑
Only $2.667 per touchdown per year. At that rate, Mahomes should be worth $109 million a year.
Jones is an OK NFL QB, maybe even slightly above average including his rushing skills. And he only had 5 int last year. If you dont need him to win games with his arm, you’ll be fine. Sure, $40 million a year for fine isn’t great, but Daboll is good for him, and maybe, after 4 years, he’ll take the Josh Allen leap.
But his huge contract did make me smile. Danny Dimes indeed.
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### Author:  [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)
#### Post date: [March 8, 2023, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-off-season-thread/979801/76 "2023-03-08T05:48:20Z")
> [@Omniscient](#):
>
> This is a 4D chess move by Jones, I think. If he forces the team to use the tag on him in order to force him to accept $32M that means the team is almost certainly gonna be forced to part ways with Saquon. If the team wants to tag Saquon at the appealing $10M RB number, they need to get Jones locked up before the deadline. I think odds are good that he gets a $35M/year deal with hard-to-hit incentives that push it up to $40M+. He may also be able to get $70M+ fully guaranteed.
Wow, I actually undershot that prediction by quite a lot. $40M/year before incentives and $94M guaranteed. Quite the contract year push for Dimes.
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### Author:  [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)
#### Post date: [March 8, 2023, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-off-season-thread/979801/77 "2023-03-08T05:52:55Z")
What kills me is that I agree with your analysis in this case. With Eli I felt he was worth it. After the first Superbowl they gave him a giant cap-killing contract – at the time it made him the highest paid QB in the league, IIRC – but then he won a second one, so my faith was vindicated.
But with Danny Dimes? He didn’t just win a Superbowl, and I have little if any faith that he will. At least with Eli I believed.
Even in the best case scenario, Jones has the Lamar Jackson issue of being a crapshoot whether he’d actually be available to play. As they say, the greatest ability is availability, and that Eli had in spades.
(I don’t know that Lamar has as much of an injury history as Jones; mainly I’m just thinking of how the Ravens didn’t have him for the playoffs this year. Same with Tua.)
EDIT: I can’t resist…[the $40 million dollar man](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb-ijDnTa_Y). (Him falling down in the open field. Youtube won’t display it embedded, only linked.)
EDIT: I just saw one of the comments on the youtube video: “Danny Derps.” I’m dying here. Okay, enough shitposting my franchise QB.
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### Author:  [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)
#### Post date: [March 8, 2023, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-off-season-thread/979801/78 "2023-03-08T06:07:41Z")
> [@EllisDee](#):
>
> (Him falling down in the open field. Youtube won’t display it embedded, only linked.)
ROFL, I remember when that happened, and it still cracks me up.
🤣
So many Turf Monster jokes followed that play.
He was a good sport about it at least.
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### Author:  [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)
#### Post date: [March 8, 2023, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-off-season-thread/979801/79 "2023-03-08T06:14:40Z")
I remember showing my mother that play on youtube that year and her reaction was just the sweetest: “Oh, that’s so embarrassing!” I was laughing so hard I could barely breathe. Yes. Yes it is.
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### Author:  [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)
#### Post date: [March 8, 2023, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-off-season-thread/979801/80 "2023-03-08T06:23:18Z")
Switching gears, I don’t know how much Rodgers is interested in being subjected to the New York media. But if he did go to the Jets I think they’re an instant wildcard team. So much young talent everywhere: star RB and WR, promising OL, a stout defense with a star at CB. They just need a QB and a culture change. (“Just” is doing some heavy lifting there.)
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