Top storylines for all 32 NFL teams in 2021 | NFC
What are the top storylines to watch for in the NFC?
Arizona Cardinals: Will Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury explode in Year 3?
Is 2021 finally the year Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray explode into offensive stardom? Murray enjoyed success as a runner last season, finishing with just over 800 yards and 11 touchdowns. Yet, his numbers were nearly identical to his rookie campaign as a passer, despite adding DeAndre Hopkins and receiving far better pass protection.
Kingsbury has earned his fair share of criticism for his lack of offensive creativity, which was his calling card in the college ranks. As the temperature of his seat increases, will Kingsbury respond by coaching Arizona to a playoff run?
Atlanta Falcons: What will a Julio Jones-less offense look like?
The Falcons are in an awkward position where they possess a top-tier offense but a bottom-tier defense. Atlanta’s roster is not good enough to make a postseason push but not bad enough to hold another top-five pick any time soon. With Julio Jones traded to the Titans, how will the Falcons fare? Sure, Calvin Ridley and Kyle Pitts would be primed for breakout seasons, but would their stats translate in the win column?
Carolina Panthers: Is Sam Darnold the answer at QB?
One man’s discarded QB is another man’s franchise QB. Well, that is what Carolina hopes, anyway. Sam Darnold has shown flashes throughout his three-year career but is he a massive upgrade over Teddy Bridgewater? It’s possible, as Darnold walks into a much better situation than he endured while in New York. He will have every chance to prove it this year.
Chicago Bears: Will Justin Fields save Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace?
HC Matt Nagy’s and general manager Ryan Pace’s jobs may be in jeopardy with another poor season. Nagy reiterated that Andy Dalton was QB1 entering the season but then later admitted Dalton is like a rookie QB due to transitioning to a new system. If that is the case, why not give the real rookie QB you traded up for a shot?
There are two ways Justin Fields can save his HC’s and GM’s jobs in 2021: 1) He starts at some point in the season and balls out, or 2) They keep him on the bench and plead to upper management that Fields will be ready in Year 2. Either way, Nagy and Pace put their careers in Fields’ hands.
Dallas Cowboys: Can the offense carry the Cowboys to the playoffs?
Dak Prescott was on a tear through the first five games of 2020 before going down with a compound ankle fracture. He averaged 371.2 yards per game at a 68% completion rate. If Prescott is healthy, there is no doubt the Cowboys’ offensive onslaught will be one of the best in the league. Is that enough to carry a lackluster defense to the postseason? Dallas used their first six selections in the 2021 NFL Draft (all in the top 115) to reinforce that side of the ball.
Detroit Lions: How high will they be selecting in the 2022 NFL Draft?
Like the Houston Texans, the Detroit Lions’ fan base should close their eyes for the 2021 season and open them when the 2022 NFL Draft comes around. Jared Goff can be a competent starter in the NFL, but the Lions supporting cast won’t make it seem that way. Although Houston is the favorite for the No. 1 pick next year, Detroit is not far behind. So, Lions pride, will Spencer Rattler, Sam Howell, or another prospect be selected in the first round?
Green Bay Packers: Will Aaron Rodgers be under center in 2021?
The drama between the Packers and Aaron Rodgers continues to fester. While Rodgers is keen on leaving, Green Bay has been firm in keeping him around. 2020 first-round pick Jordan Love sat behind Tim Boyle on the depth chart as a rookie, but with Rodgers vacationing, Love is taking snaps with starters this offseason. I do not think either party knows when this will end, but one thing is for sure: Love will be ready when his opportunity arises.
Los Angeles Rams: Is Matthew Stafford an extensive upgrade over Jared Goff?
Matthew Stafford never found success in Detroit. Since the Lions drafted him first overall in 2009, he recorded two seasons with double-digit wins. How many seasons with double-digit losses? Six. Not all of it falls on his shoulders, but Detroit has not finished first in the division with Stafford at the helm. Nevertheless, Rams HC Sean McVay believes in the 33-year-old QB — so much so that he sent Jared Goff, two first-round picks, and a third-rounder for his services.
Maybe Stafford unlocks a part of McVay’s playbook the NFL has yet to see. Or perhaps Stafford fails to live up to his hefty price tag, and the Rams blow the team up at the end of the season. Whatever the case, time will tell if the blockbuster trade was worth it for Los Angeles.
Minnesota Vikings: Will Kirk Cousins prove mediocre yet again?
A 40-year-old Brett Favre (1) had more NFC North titles as a Viking than Kirk Cousins does (0). Let that sink in. It isn’t due to his supporting cast, either. Here are a few players who have been with Minnesota since Cousins signed in 2018: Dalvin Cook, Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Eric Kendricks, Harrison Smith, Xavier Rhodes, and Danielle Hunter. Cousins generates the stats, but will he ever be the QB the Vikings need?
New Orleans Saints: Who will replace Drew Brees?
This is quite possibly the most intriguing NFL storyline entering the 2021 season. As future Hall of Famer Drew Brees hung up his jersey and helmet, all attention turned toward who his successor would be. Taysom Hill played well in relief, while Jameis Winston has much more experience as a starter in the NFL. In reality, Sean Payton might deploy both, resulting in some version of Taymeis.
Whoever starts under center, Saints fans will grow a better appreciation for what Brees did on the football field.
New York Giants: Can Daniel Jones reach his potential?
The Giants’ skill-position players should strike fear into any defensive coordinator. However, does that same DC fear Daniel Jones? Based on his previous two seasons, the answer is probably no.
Nevertheless, we can not overlook the weapons around Jones, from Saquon Barkley, Evan Engram, and Kyle Rudolph to Kenny Golladay, Sterling Shepard, and Kadarius Toney. The offensive line is not stellar, but if Jones doesn’t produce with this supporting cast, it may be time to move on.
Philadelphia Eagles: Is Jalen Hurts a starting-caliber QB?
After benching Wentz late in the season, the Eagles received a glimpse of Jalen Hurts’ potential. The rookie out of Oklahoma pushed the ball downfield, averaging 9.1 yards per throw. He also showcased his athleticism, rushing 63 times for 354 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Despite analysts having reservations about his accuracy — which are warranted as he completed just 52% of his passes in 2020 — DraftKings currently has Hurts +4000 to win the MVP in 2021. That is the same as Baker Mayfield and above Cam Newton, Joe Burrow, Matt Ryan, and Kirk Cousins.
San Francisco 49ers: Who will start at quarterback?
On The Michael Irvin Podcast, HC Kyle Shanahan stated Trey Lance had a chance to start in Year 1. Queue the Dumb and Dumber “so you’re telling me there’s a chance” GIF. Yet, he followed up with, “I think that would be really hard. Jimmy is a really good quarterback…Jimmy is a guy who we brought in here to be our franchise quarterback…We just hope he stays healthy.”
Jimmy Garoppolo is still a competent starter who could fetch a hefty price on the trading block if the 49ers start the season hot. Whether Garoppolo or Lance is dropping back for San Francisco, both will be in one of the best situations in the league.
Seattle Seahawks: Will the run be established instead of letting Russ cook?
Although Russell Wilson’s off-field persona is…distinctive, no one can take away from what he has produced on the gridiron. Well, I guess HC Pete Carroll can. Carroll has repeatedly said he wants to run the ball more in 2021, even though he just witnessed Wilson throwing to Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf. One saving grace could be hiring former Rams pass game coordinator and QBs coach Shane Waldron as OC.
Considering Carroll is nearly 30 years older than him, and Waldron has never coordinated an offense, I am not sure just how much say he will have in his first year.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Will Tom Brady and Co. repeat?
The Buccaneers return all 22 starters from their Super Bowl-winning roster. They are the first team to do so since the salary cap was implemented in 1994. While an impressive financial feat, it far from guarantees a return to the championship. In 2020, the Chiefs brought back 20 of their starters, and we all know how they managed in the Super Bowl. The Bucs’ pursuit of back-to-back titles is one of the top storylines for the 2021 NFL season.
Washington Football Team: Can Ryan Fitzpatrick lead a deep playoff run?
Despite starting an amalgamation of Alex Smith, Kyle Allen, and Taylor Heinicke, Washington found themselves in the playoffs with a 7-9 record. Although, that is more a testament to how poor the NFC East was rather than Washington’s play.
Regardless, the Football Team raised their ceiling while simultaneously lowering their floor by signing Ryan Fitzpatrick. The 38-year-old journeyman is one of the most likable and fun-to-watch athletes in the sport. Still, is he what Washington needs to lead their gadget-filled offense and terrorizing defense to the promised land?
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