With free company and the draft within the rearview, groups will start piecing collectively their 2024 rosters with coaching camp roughly six weeks away. It’s throughout that point followers may have a extra clear image of how a lot their group truly improved (if in any respect) this offseason.
With a lot roster turnover throughout the previous few months, listed here are three groups that improved their probabilities of going from final to first place of their respective divisions in 2024.
Chicago Bears (7-10 file final season)
Acknowledging this one goes out on a limb, however stick with it. The Bears performed properly in opposition to each the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings final season, beating every group as soon as earlier than shedding a one-score sport of their second respective conferences. And regardless of an 18-point blowout to the Packers within the season opener, the Bears’ second sport in opposition to Inexperienced Bay was a lot nearer (additionally a one-score sport.)
The Bears this offseason improved upon that roster that received seven video games in 2023, drafting quarterback Caleb Williams, receiver Rome Odunze, offensive sort out Kiran Amegadjie and edge-rusher Austin Booker, buying and selling for WR Keenan Allen and signing 1,000-yard working again D’Andre Swift, former Chargers beginning tight finish Gerald Everett and two-time All-Professional security Kevin Byard. As well as, the Bears locked up defensive cornerstones Montez Sweat and Jaylon Johnson.
Chicago has the third-easiest schedule within the NFL this coming season, whereas Inexperienced Bay has the fourth hardest, Detroit the eleventh hardest and Minnesota the sixteenth hardest. The Lions could go from 12 wins to 10 or 11 in 2024 and it wouldn’t be out of the realm of risk for the much-improved Bears to be proper there with them.
Cincinnati Bengals (9-8 file final season)
Taking part in in arguably the most effective division within the NFL, Cincinnati was only one win away from sneaking into the playoffs final season regardless of not having quarterback Joe Burrow for the ultimate seven video games of the yr.
This winter and spring, the Bengals have upgraded their offense by enhancing their O-line with free-agent sort out Trent Brown and first-round decide Amarius Mims, maintaining receiver Tee Higgins round (if just for one season) on the franchise tag, drafting an appropriate Tyler Boyd alternative in third-round rookie WR Jermaine Burton and getting youthful and quicker at working again by swapping Joe Mixon for Zack Moss.
Defensively, the Bengals bolstered their defensive position by drafting defensive tackles Kris Jenkins and McKinley Jackson and signing free agent Sheldon Rankins and elevated their secondary by signing security Geno Stone (who ranked second within the NFL in interceptions in 2023). The revamped Bengals with a wholesome Burrow might (and will) give the Baltimore Ravens a run for his or her AFC North cash in 2024.
Tennessee Titans (6-11 file final season)
The AFC South could be essentially the most winnable division within the NFL and with the Tenth-easiest schedule in 2024, the Titans might shock lots of people with a fast turnaround from the 6-11 yr that they had underneath Mike Vrabel in 2023.
Tennessee Titans QB Will Levis confirmed lots of promise in 9 video games as a rookie final yr and the entrance workplace did its greatest this offseason to encompass him with as a lot assist because it might. He’ll have higher blocking after the additions of left sort out JC Latham, guard Saahdiq Charles and middle Lloyd Cushenberry, he has two dual-threat runners in his backfield in Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears and he has one of many high receiver trios to throw to in DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd.
To not point out the Titans added some key items to shore up its protection in cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed, Chidobe Awuzie and Jarvis Brownlee, defensive sort out T’Vondre Sweat and linebackers Kenneth Murray and Cedric Grey. The Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars didn’t actually enhance a lot in any respect this offseason and if the Texans keep complacent or take a step again, the Titans might sneak up on a division crown.
