Each NFL season brings its own set of challenges, triumphs, and surprising turns. For players like Calvin Ridley, Stefon Diggs, Nick Chubb, and others, the last couple of years have been particularly eventful, filled with suspension, trades, injuries, and career-defining contracts.
Calvin Ridley's Roller Coaster Journey
Calvin Ridley's career has been nothing short of a roller coaster. In the 2022 NFL season, Ridley faced suspension due to violating the league's gambling policy, a setback that put him out of action for an entire year. This came on the heels of his decision to step away from football after just seven games in the 2021 season to focus on his mental health.
In 2023, Ridley found a new beginning with the Jacksonville Jaguars, delivering an impressive 76 catches for 1,016 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. His performance evidently caught the eye of the Tennessee Titans, leading to him securing a lucrative four-year contract worth $92 million, averaging $23 million per year.
Stefon Diggs' Transition
Stefon Diggs' tenure with the Buffalo Bills reached its peak early last season, with the star receiver racking up 49 catches for 620 yards and five touchdowns in six games. However, his form waned in the latter part of the season, missing out on any 100-yard games over the final 11 matches. Diggs’ playoff performance also fell short of expectations, with only 10 receptions for 73 yards over two games.
March brought significant changes for Diggs, who was traded to the Houston Texans. The deal saw the Bills receiving a 2025 second-round pick, with the Texans also acquiring a 2024 fourth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick. Part of the trade included a reworked contract for Diggs, boosting his 2024 salary from $19.005 million to $22.52 million.
Nick Chubb's Injury Woes
Nick Chubb, the Cleveland Browns' standout running back, faced a devastating setback in 2023 with a severe left knee injury early in the season, tearing his ACL, MCL, and meniscus. This severe injury mirrored a similar ordeal he experienced in 2015 while playing for the University of Georgia, where he tore his LCL, MCL, and PCL.
Despite the injury, Chubb’s resilience is noteworthy, as evidenced by his career-high 1,525 rushing yards in 2022. The Browns have kept faith in their star running back, revising his contract to ensure a fully guaranteed $2.05 million, with the potential to earn up to $12.225 million.
Tee Higgins and Franchise Decisions
Tee Higgins’ 2023 season was hindered by injuries, limiting him to just 12 games. Nevertheless, he managed to contribute 42 receptions for 656 yards and five touchdowns. In light of his potential, the Cincinnati Bengals designated Higgins as a franchise player for $21.816 million. Yet, this move led Higgins to request a trade, seeking stability over the franchise tag.
Meanwhile, the Bengals are setting up a blockbuster contract extension for another star receiver, Ja'Marr Chase, which could have far-reaching implications for the team's salary cap and future roster decisions.
Ronnie Stanley's Pay Cut
Ronnie Stanley, the stalwart offensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens, has had his share of struggles with injuries, participating in only 26 out of a possible 61 regular-season games since signing a five-year, $98.75 million extension in 2020. Last season, Stanley managed to play in 13 games, showing some durability improvement.
For 2024, Stanley agreed to a pay cut, reducing his salary from $15 million to $7.5 million. His restructured deal includes incentives that could boost his earnings up to a maximum of $17.5 million based on playtime and accolades.
Kyle Pitts and Falcons’ Hopes
Kyle Pitts made a sensational start to his NFL career with 1,026 receiving yards and a Pro Bowl selection in his rookie season. However, injuries hampered his production in the subsequent seasons, totaling just 1,023 yards in 27 games over the last two years. Despite this, the Falcons showed their faith in Pitts by picking up his fifth-year option for 2025, worth $10.878 million.
New Falcons coach Raheem Morris expressed his excitement about how Pitts will be utilized, indicating the team's hopes to maximize the young tight end’s potential.
Other Notable Moves and Performances
Marquise Brown experienced a dip in performance in 2023, achieving a career-low 574 receiving yards on 51 catches across 14 games. Nonetheless, he secured a one-year, $7 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, with potential incentives bringing the total up to $11 million. Unfortunately, a dislocated shoulder is expected to sideline him for the regular-season opener against the Ravens.
Najee Harris has consistently gained over 1,000 rushing yards in each of his three NFL seasons. However, the Pittsburgh Steelers opted not to exercise a fully guaranteed $6.79 million fifth-year option for Harris in 2025, leaving his future with the team uncertain.
Finally, Rhamondre Stevenson extended his commitment to the New England Patriots, signing a four-year, $36 million deal, with over $17 million guaranteed. Meanwhile, Jawaan Taylor moved to Pittsburgh on a four-year, $80 million contract that includes $60 million in guarantees, despite leading the NFL in penalties and penalty yards in 2023.
As the new season approaches, these players' journeys will continue to unfold, each story contributing to the rich fabric of the NFL narrative.