There comes a time when veterans and young players alike can’t make things work with the NFL team that they currently are on.
When that happens, a change of scenery is usually the only thing possible that can salvage that player’s career. There are plenty of those players across the league in that scenario, and some could see their desire for a fresh start elsewhere come to fruition over the next few weeks as training camps unfold.
NFL Players Who Need a Change of Scenery
Many fans may be under the impression that their team doesn’t have any players that fit that description, but every roster does have one or two members fighting to stay relevant in NFL circles.
A change of scenery is not uncommon, and it will not be going away anytime soon – especially in the instant demand of the salary cap era of the NFL.
Today, we look through all 32 teams and identify a player on each who could most benefit from a change of scenery.
Arizona Cardinals: Budda Baker, S
The Cardinals played well down the stretch in 2023, but they are still far away from contending. As impressive as their turnaround could be in 2024, it’s hard to see them competing for a playoff spot in a loaded NFC West.
Allowing a top safety like Baker to join a contender after years of playing for a bottom-feeder makes almost too much sense.
Atlanta Falcons: Avery Williams, RB/Return Specialist
Atlanta is a rare team that, despite not making the playoffs last season, has all the tools to end their drought. However, one player who could benefit from a move is Avery Williams, whose role as the designated returner may be gone due to the offseason arrival of Ray-Ray McCloud III.
Baltimore Ravens: David Ojabo, EDGE
When the Baltimore Ravens drafted David Ojabo in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the pick was widely viewed as a steal. Ojabo was a potential top-15 pick before tearing his Achilles at Michigan’s pro day.
Ojabo, however, has had a really difficult time staying healthy, and he’s now entering his third season with seven tackles and two sacks for his career. Therefore, 2024 could be a make-or-break season for Ojabo in Baltimore.
Buffalo Bills: Von Miller, EDGE
Few contracts in history have blown up in the team’s face quite like Von Miller’s with the Buffalo Bills. Miller was a complete non-factor in eight games last season for the Bills and could probably use a new team to try as he tries to capture another championship.
Carolina Panthers: Miles Sanders, RB
When the Panthers signed Miles Sanders following the 2022 season, they felt they were adding a quality running back who could help set the tone for the top rookie quarterback they were going to draft.
Things haven’t worked out so well for the former Eagle.
Sanders could really use a change of scenery – especially to a team with a competent offensive line.
Chicago Bears: Khalil Herbert, RB
Before the offseason, Herbert and Chicago’s offense seemed poised for a breakout in the 2024 season thanks to the inclusion of Caleb Williams with the first overall pick. The problem? Chicago also signed D’Andre Swift in free agency.
Herbert would benefit from being moved to a team in need of a running back more than anything else, because he just won’t get the touches he needs in the Windy City.
Cincinnati Bengals: Tee Higgins, WR
Higgins wants a new deal. The Bengals don’t want to give him that deal while paying Joe Burrow and eventually Ja’Marr Chase in coming years. Higgins deserves a chance to make the money he’s looking for while he’s still capable of serving as a top option for an offense.
Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson, QB
When you are the first quarterback to demand and get a fully guaranteed contract, the pressure falls immediately on you to perform.
It isn’t a good look when your backup takes your offense and plays even better with it than you do.
Joe Flacco’s success highlights the reality of Deshaun Watson’s career – his best days might be behind him if he continues to struggle in Cleveland.
Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott, QB
Do the Cowboys actually want Dak Prescott as their quarterback? Because the constant need for the one-time fourth-round pick to prove himself worthy of a long-term deal is quite surprising overall.
Dallas can say all it wants about how important Prescott is to the organization, but it might just be time to allow him to succeed with another franchise that will appreciate him more.
Denver Broncos: Courtland Sutton, WR
The Broncos are in the very early stages of a rebuild and a quality receiver like Courtland Sutton doesn’t deserve to sit through the rolling cast of quarterbacks currently competing for a starting job. Denver should allow Sutton the chance to find a team that can maximize his skill set at this current stage of his career.
Detroit Lions: Levi Onwuzurike, DT
Levi Onwuzurike is a 2021 second-round pick who has since been outplayed and replaced by third-round star Alim McNeill and DJ Reader. He may not be the kind of high-upside player Detroit envisioned, but a change of scenery could do wonders here.
Green Bay Packers: AJ Dillon, RB
AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones were a part of one of the best running back duos in Green Bay’s illustrious history.
FREE: Subscribe to PFN’s NFL Newsletter
Now? Jones is Minnesota, and the Packers have signed Josh Jacobs and drafted MarShawn Lloyd to form a new backfield tandem. Dillon remains a competent power back but would be best suited elsewhere.
Houston Texans: Dameon Pierce, RB
When teams make moves during the offseason to either acquire or draft a running back, it’s usually is a sign they aren’t entirely thrilled with the current one on their roster. For the Texans, they may like the idea of pairing Joe Mixon with Dameon Pierce, but logic dictates that one of them will get the bulk of the carries in 2024.
Spoiler alert – it won’t be Pierce. That’s why a change of scenery could be in order.
Indianapolis Colts: Kenny Moore II, CB
Moore is still considered one of the elite slot cornerbacks in the NFL, but it’s fair to question how good the Colts will be on the defensive side of the ball this season. If Moore is looking to find a way to get a Super Bowl ring, the odds aren’t high in Indianapolis. They could be with a new change of scenery, though.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Tank Bigsby, RB
It’s only a one-season sample, but idea of Tank Bigsby as an effective complement to Travis Etienne Jr. never materialized in 2023. Therefore, it seems he could really use a change of scenery to jump-start his NFL career. Even if he stays put, the 2024 season will be pivotal for Bigsby’s future in the league.
Kansas City Chiefs: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB
At one point, Clyde Edwards-Helaire was considered an up-and-coming running back that fit nicely with what the Chiefs try to do on offense. Since being overtaken by Isiah Pacheco, though, Edwards-Helaire has struggled to see the field at all. He is a player who desperately needs a change of scenery as soon as possible.
Las Vegas Raiders: Davante Adams, WR
Davante Adams may have stuck his neck out for Antonio Pierce to get the head coaching job, but the reality is that the Raiders may not be competitive in 2024. Should that happen, Adams (who is already over 30 years old) should look to get out and try to join his former quarterback in Aaron Rodgers in New York.
Los Angeles Chargers: Quentin Johnston, WR
To say that Quentin Johnston’s rookie season was a disaster would be an understatement. The TCU product dropped key passes during games, couldn’t get open, and struggled to see the field during his first season with the team. Jim Harbaugh is now the head honcho in L.A., and the change in coaching regime could lead to Johnston getting a chance for a fresh start with a new team within the next few months.
Los Angeles Rams: John Johnson III, S
With Russ Yeast projected as the starting safety for Los Angeles this season, John Johnson III’s adequate play during 2023 could lead to him looking for a change of scenery once again. At minimum, he could benefit from more playing time after logging the second-fewest snaps of his career (490) last season and recording only two interceptions.
Miami Dolphins: Jeff Wilson Jr., RB
When given the opportunity, Jeff Wilson Jr. has been pretty good throughout his NFL career. The problem? He’s currently buried on the Dolphins running back depth chart and could benefit from a move to a team that could use a player averaging over 4.5 yards per carry through his career.
Minnesota Vikings: Harrison Smith, S
There was talk before the offseason began that this could be it for star safety Harrison Smith in Minnesota. While a departure has not happened yet, the Vikings aren’t expected to be in playoff contention anytime soon. That could lead to Smith leaving for a contending team – especially later on in camp.
New England Patriots: Matthew Judon, EDGE
Much like the Vikings, the Patriots aren’t going anywhere this year with Jacoby Brissett as their starting quarterback. That means some of their aging stars like Matthew Judon would be better off traded to contending teams for additional draft picks to expedite the rebuild going on in Foxboro. Therefore, Judon could eventually get a change of scenery – something he is deserving of after a distinguished first eight seasons.
New Orleans Saints: Marshon Lattimore, CB
The Saints’ cap mess is one of the weirdest stories over the last few years, as void years continue to be punted into the future by the organization. Marshon Lattimore has been rumored to be on the trade block the last few years, and a clean break for both sides could be warranted as the Saints decide to either stay in their current purgatory or try and begin a rebuild.
New York Giants: Evan Neal, OT
Are we sure the Giants’ Joe Schoen is a good general manager? His selection of Evan Neal hasn’t just been a bad pick, it’s completely caused a reshuffle of resources for the team over the last few years.
MORE: PFN’s Top 100 NFL Players of 2024
It doesn’t look like New York trusts Neal to produce at a high level this season, so a change of scenery could definitely be in order.
New York Jets: Allen Lazard, WR
When the Jets signed Allen Lazard to a four-year deal in free agency last year, they hoped he could be the kind of quality second option behind Garrett Wilson they were searching for.
To say that blew up in their face last year would be an understatement.
Lazard struggled with drops, separation, and basic competency in New York during the 2023 season and appears to be a borderline reserve player for 2024. He could really benefit from a change of scenery if things don’t work out in training camp.
Philadelphia Eagles: James Bradberry, CB
After an All-Pro caliber season in 2022, James Bradberry was one of the worst cornerbacks in the game in 2023 and may need a change of scenery after the Eagles dove deep into the defensive back draft class this past April. Bradberry still has some juice left, but training camp shapes up as a pivotal proving ground for him.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris, RB
There’s an argument to be made that Najee Harris is the best power running back in the NFL right now. That doesn’t mean he’s a perfect fit for Pittsburgh.
As the Steelers develop a new offense with Arthur Smith, Harris could be the odd man out. A team better suited for his talents would make a lot more sense, especially after the team declined to exercise his fifth-year option.
San Francisco 49ers: Brandon Aiyuk, WR
Similar to many players on this list, Brandon Aiyuk is named simply because he’s looking for a new deal, and it doesn’t sound like the 49ers want to give it to him. The 1,000-yard receiver can certainly lead a receiving room, but a change of scenery could be in order if contract negotiations don’t improve.
Seattle Seahawks: DK Metcalf, WR
It seems that one of Seattle’s dynamic receiving duo is going to be traded at some point over the next year. The question then becomes whether it will be Tyler Lockett or DK Metcalf. Metcalf is looking for a new deal, and a change of scenery could mean that he gets the kind of contract he’s looking for.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, EDGE
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is a 2021 first-round pick who’s had some bright spots but hasn’t produced the kind of results Tampa Bay has needed from a first-round edge rusher. A change of scenery could be useful as the Washington product still looks for his first breakout season.
Tennessee Titans: Treylon Burks, WR
Treylon Burks had the dubious distinction of being the draft pick the Titans gained for trading A.J. Brown, and he hasn’t been able to produce at a true level of competency through his first two years.
MORE: Try PFN’s 2024 NFL Playoff Predictor
Tennessee has mentioned it wants Burks to compete on special teams this year, but a move off the roster could be in order.
Washington Commanders: Emmanuel Forbes Jr., CB
Emmanuel Forbes Jr. was seen as a reach for Washington in the 2023 draft, and his bad rookie season could be something that stays with him for a while. Dan Quinn could try to save him, but a change of scenery could be the best path forward for the young cornerback, especially considering this current regime didn’t draft him.
