The NFL is filled with excitement and anticipation, but also several questions before every campaign. The 2024 season is filled with some significant ones involving all 32 teams.
From notable stars returning to how a prized free agent will fit in his new league home, it’s time to sort through the biggest question marks each franchise faces before the season officially starts.
Question Marks for Every NFL Team
Arizona Cardinals: Can Kyler Murray Stay Healthy and Reclaim Pro Bowl Form?
Kyler Murray didn’t officially play until Week 10 of the 2023 season after dealing with the lingering effects of his 2022 ACL injury. Murray, somehow, still led the team in every major QB stat from passing yards to touchdown throws.
Will this mean Murray is on his way back to the 2020 and 2021 version of himself when he earned back-to-back Pro Bowls? Head coach Jonathan Gannon has cemented him as QB1 and the team drafted Marvin Harrison Jr. to help give him a new top wide receiver target. Murray, though, must stay healthy to reclaim his Pro Bowl past.
Atlanta Falcons: How Much Does 35-Year-Old Kirk Cousins Have Left?
Kirk Cousins is coming to Atlanta as a four-time Pro Bowler and marquee $180 million free-agent signing.
However, many across the league will wonder how much he’s got left in his right arm. We also have to remember he’s coming off a torn Achilles, though reports are he looks healthy during training camp. But time will tell if the Falcons are getting a Pro Bowl passer or an aging veteran.
Baltimore Ravens: Is Derrick Henry the True Missing Piece for the Ravens’ Super Bowl Hopes?
Speaking of aging veterans, Derrick Henry is coming to the AFC crown runner-up as a 30-year-old running back. He’s hit the age where wear and tear becomes common.
However, he did put together one last 1,000-yard campaign with the Tennessee Titans last season. Baltimore clearly wants a power back to take pressure off 2023 Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson. If Henry has another 1,000-yard season left in the tank, look for the Ravens to once again contend for the AFC title.
Buffalo Bills: Who Becomes Josh Allen’s New WR1?
The most scrutinized position among the Bills will be wide receiver.
Stefon Diggs is gone and brings four Pro Bowls with him to Houston. It’s officially a free-for-all for the title of WR1 for Josh Allen in Western New York. Look for Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel, and newcomer Keon Coleman to vie for the opportunity to become Allen’s new go-to target.
Carolina Panthers: Can Dave Canales Unlock Bryce Young’s Potential?
It’s evident that Dave Canales’ hire had a lot to do with 2023 first overall pick Bryce Young. This is Carolina’s first attempt at shedding the memories of Young’s disastrous rookie season.
Canales has turned struggling NFL passers into Pro Bowlers before — a la Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield. If they get on the same page right away, Young could become the next QB protege to flourish under Canales.
Chicago Bears: Could Caleb Williams Threaten Rookie QB Records?
First overall pick Caleb Williams is walking into a prime situation in the Windy City.
It’s one thing to enter the room as the new QB1 without playing a down in the NFL. But he’s surrounded by six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen and perennial 1,000-yard WR DJ Moore. This could mean Williams could threaten the records that Andrew Luck (4,374 passing yards in 2012) and Justin Herbert (31 touchdowns in 2020) set in their first NFL seasons.
Cincinnati Bengals: Can Joe Burrow Reclaim Elite QB Status After Shortened 2023?
The Bengals are clearly a playoff contender and Super Bowl threat with Joe Burrow under center. Cincinnati missed the playoffs as his 2023 got shortened by injury, although the Bengals did finish
9-8 overall.
Burrow is healthier and the expectations are higher once again in the Queen City. Fans of the NFL and the Bengals know how Burrow impacts the game on the field. A healthy Burrow will key a return to AFC contention.
Cleveland Browns: Is the Clock Ticking on DeShaun Watson’s Browns Tenure?
Deshaun Watson enters Year 3 in Cleveland. But he’s dealt with injuries that prevented him from looking like the three-time Pro Bowler he was with the Texans.
He even had to watch Joe Flacco go from late free-agent signing to taking Watson’s team to the playoffs toward the end of ’23. One more truncated campaign could persuade the Browns to go in another direction at quarterback.
Dallas Cowboys: How Long Can Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons Stay Together?
All of Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parson have heavily scrutinized contract situations — with Lamb nowhere near Oxnard, Calif., for Cowboys training camp.
But even with Lamb’s pending deal, Jerry Jones and company have to address the future of their starting quarterback and prized edge rusher down the road too. Fans of the Cowboys are on pins and needles wondering how much longer all three can stay together.
Denver Broncos: Will Sean Payton Go With Zach Wilson in Week 1?
Zach Wilson was acquired in a late offseason trade, and, early on, appeared to have a leg up on the QB competition.
However, the head coach’s recent words indicate Wilson is losing ground — which could mean rookie Bo Nix securing starting duties by Week 1.
Detroit Lions: Are the Lions Ready To Earn First Super Bowl Trip?
The Motor City is abuzz with the direction Dan Campbell has the Lions going in, as they’re fresh off an NFC title run.
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But Detroit’s long-awaited Super Bowl hopes will ride on the defense improving from their No. 27 ranking against the pass.
Green Bay Packers: Is Jordan Love Ready To Join League’s Elite After Blockbuster Contract?
Jordan Love proved he’s the future of the Packers with his mega $220 million offseason deal before the preseason.
Now that he’s acquired long-term security, Love likely has new motivation to earn his first Pro Bowl in his second season as the long-term starting QB.
Houston Texans: Can C.J. Stroud Avoid ‘Sophomore Jinx?’
No rookie QB last season was more impactful than C.J. Stroud — turning in 4,108 yards and leading the Texans to the AFC South title.
But the dreaded “sophomore jinx” label hovers above the now second-year QB. With new weapons like Diggs and past AFC champion RB Joe Mixon now around him, Stroud has a chance to become better in ’24 and avoid a step back.
Indianapolis Colts: Will Anthony Richardson Stay Healthy?
Due to injury, Anthony Richardson didn’t get a chance to showcase the stellar athleticism that brought him to Indianapolis as a top-10 draft selection.
Now healthier from his season-ending shoulder surgery, the Colts have plans to turn him loose. But he must stay healthy to propel the Colts’ AFC South title hopes.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Is Trevor Lawrence Due for a Rebound Season?
Now armed with a blockbuster $275 million deal, Trevor Lawrence appears ready to redeem himself from last season’s collapse.
Jacksonville looked like an AFC contender at 8-3 before finishing at 9-8 and out of the playoffs. Lawrence never hit 300 yards during the December skid. Now locked in for the long term, expect Lawrence to pursue redemption in 2024.
Kansas City Chiefs: Will Distractions and Obstacles Prevent a Three-Peat?
The defending champions endured a rough offseason that involved multiple player arrests.
Still, Kansas City brings back loads of talent for a three-peat. Plus, the Chiefs added prized rookie and NFL Scouting Combine star Xavier Worthy — who’s already putting on a show at training camp. The Chiefs still will be a trending pick for the Vince Lombardi trophy.
Las Vegas Raiders: Is Aidan O’Connell the Long-Term Answer at QB?
The Raiders settled for Gardner Minshew II as their newcomer in the QB room. But that doesn’t mean it’s his starting job to lose.
Aidan O’Connell is reportedly more vocal around his teammates as he enters his second season. If he can pick up where he left off in the final four games of 2023, when his touchdown-to-interception ratio was 8:0, then O’Connell prevents Vegas from considering Shedeur Sanders or Carson Beck for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Los Angeles Chargers: Can Jim Harbaugh Make This Roster Competitive Out of the Gate?
Jim Harbaugh is already a popular social media search subject, including video of him moving a lineman with a weight belt attached to his hip.
Yet he’s dealing with a questionable backfield, question marks at wide receiver, and a foot injury that Justin Herbert sustained earlier in training camp. This Chargers roster looks nothing like the one he inherited in San Francisco at his first NFL head coaching job in 2011.
Los Angeles Rams: How Much Longer Can Matthew Stafford Remain Stellar?
Matthew Stafford didn’t take long to ignite the vision Sean McVay had for his offense, spearheading the Rams’ 2021 title run with his famed powerful right arm.
But since that epic 4,886-yard, 41-touchdown season, Stafford has struggled to stay healthy or recapture his ’21 form. This makes many around the “Rams House” wondering how much longer the 36-year-old QB can play at a high level.
Miami Dolphins: Could Tua Tagovailoa Be in for Career-Best Numbers?
Tua Tagovailoa no longer has to worry if he’s the future of the franchise after agreeing to his $212 million extension.
Now he gets to be with Tyreek Hill for a third season, plus Jaylen Waddle for a fourth. Continued chemistry with both could lead to Tagovailoa hitting 30 touchdown passes for the first time in his career, plus surpassing the career-best 4,624 passing yards he threw for in 2023.
Minnesota Vikings: Will J.J. McCarthy Start Immediately?
Sam Darnold appears to be on track to open the season as QB1 in Minneapolis.
However, J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings’ rookie 10th overall pick, may not take long to assume QB1 duties for this reason: Darnold’s extensive injury history. The 2018 third overall pick has never started more than 13 games in a season throughout his seven-year career.
New England Patriots: Is Drake Maye Already Ready to Lead Pats’ Future?
Jacoby Brissett is one other veteran many believe will handle starting quarterback duties ahead of a rookie first-rounder.
But if Drake Maye impresses out the gate during the preseason, new head coach Jerod Mayo may need to shift to the first-year QB out of North Carolina for Week 1.
New Orleans Saints: Will the Franchise Immediately Blow Up the Dennis Allen/Derek Carr Era?
One head coach/quarterback tandem on the hot seat is in the Big Easy.
While Derek Carr has performed at a Pro Bowl level with Dennis Allen as the head coach in stops with Oakland and New Orleans, both men have yet to experience the postseason together. And in a winnable NFC South, failure to win the division could convince the Saints’ front office to sever ties with one or both.
New York Jets: How Does Aaron Rodgers Look Coming Back From His Torn Achilles?
The Jets’ season all but ended during the opening drive of the 2023 season, when Aaron Rodgers fell to the turf and clutched his leg. Now at 40 and having undergone Achilles surgery, there will be heavy focus on whether Rodgers will come anywhere near his past Pro Bowl self.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh recently shared some encouraging words on the legendary passer, telling reporters Rodgers is “ready to roll” following the team’s joint practice with the Washington Commanders.
New York Giants: Is This the Final Season With Daniel Jones?
Daniel Jones has persevered with the Giants, even through multiple injuries and constant criticism.
Jones was still a subject of trade and cut rumblings during the offseason. But if he doesn’t produce a career-best season or lead the Giants back to the playoffs, someone else is bound to take QB1 duties from him in ’25.
Philadelphia Eagles: How Will Team Respond to 2023 Collapse?
From 10-1 and in the driver seat for the top seed in the NFC, to succumbing to a brutal 1-6 finish including the first round exit, the Eagles need to find a way to show their fans that they’re still championship material.
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But they’ve got to start fast in the first five games starting with the opening road trip to Brazil. Philly kicks off with three playoff teams from a season ago (beginning with the Packers) in its first five games. Starting out 5-0 will ease early concerns about this team before heading to the NFC East opener against the Giants.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Could Justin Fields Emerge as QB1 Ahead of 2024?
The Steelers have downplayed the possibility that Justin Fields can overtake Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback. Yet, Wilson’s Pittsburgh tenure has started with a calf injury, followed by Fields impressing with the deep throws.
Now, ESPN NFL analyst Louis Riddick boldly Fields will emerge as the season-opening starter.
"I have a feeling based on my conversations that if Justin can continue to ascend like he is looking in practice, he's going start Week 1, he's going to be the opening day starter."
–@LRiddickESPN on the #Steelers starting QB competition between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields pic.twitter.com/Hp5KbkyJC5
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) August 8, 2024
San Francisco 49ers: Is the Super Bowl Window Closing?
It’s one thing to age, but it’s another to deal with distractions involving the future — and the 49ers face both.
This team, while a model of consistency since 2019 with only one missed playoff run, isn’t getting any younger with aging vets George Kittle, Trent Williams, Fred Warner, and even Christian McCaffrey. Now, Williams is embroiled in a holdout and top WR Brandon Aiyuk continues to be the subject of heavy trade speculation. There’s a title run left, but it has to be now.
Seattle Seahawks: How Will the Mike Macdonald Regime Turn Out?
Well, it’s gotten off to a rather intense and scrappy start during practices in Renton, Wash., as noted Wednesday when five fights reportedly broke out among the team.
Perhaps, though, this is a sign that the 2024 Seahawks will recapture the feisty side from the early Pete Carroll years as they transition to Mike Macdonald, and he is inheriting a playoff-caliber roster.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Will Baker Mayfield Adjust Nicely Without Dave Canales?
Baker Mayfield never produced a single 4,000-yard season until Canales entered the picture.
Some across the league believe Mayfield will go backwards with Canales gone. However, new offensive coordinator Liam Coen was the first OC to beginning reigniting Mayfield’s potential during his brief stop with the Rams in late 2022.
Tennessee Titans: Can Brian Callahan Turn Will Levis Into His Own Joe Burrow?
The second-year passer has got to be energized to play in a system that turned Burrow into an All-Pro/AFC-champion passer.
Will Levis, however, faces a stout gauntlet of star cornerbacks right out the gate: Jaylon Johnson, Sauce Gardner, Jaire Alexander, and Jalen Ramsey — all in that order over the first four games. If he flames everyone with 300-yard games, you could be looking at a new Pro Bowl QB under Callahan’s watch.
Washington Commanders: Is Jayden Daniels Ready To Transfer His Dynamic LSU Play Over to NFL?
The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner is coming in red-hot from his revered LSU run. But many around D.C. will hope that the Commanders are getting a QB set to change the fortunes of the franchise — with Washington failing to surpass the .500 mark the last seven seasons.
Jayden Daniels, though, already has won over one Pro Bowl defender in the Jets’ Gardner, who told him “Man, you’re going to be real good,” following their Thursday joint practice.