The NFL has officially reached the quiet period of the offseason. Players and coaches have largely gone underground after completing organized team activities and minicamps.
Hope reigns supreme a month before training camps kick into high gear, but every year teams with lofty expectations fall short. Conversely, some overlooked squads manage to contend for playoff spots.
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Who might those teams be in 2024? Here’s a look at some of the candidates.
Underrated
Atlanta Falcons
Much of the discussion about the Falcons has centered on their eyebrow-raising draft selection of Michael Penix Jr., but the rookie quarterback is not why Atlanta has a chance to take a big step forward and contend for the NFC South title. Quarterback Kirk Cousins’ ability to elevate the games of Kyle Pitts, Drake London and Bijan Robinson is one reason for hope. The Falcons’ devotion to improving overall depth via free agency and the draft is also why many NFL coaches and talent evaluators view Atlanta as a team on the rise under new head coach Raheem Morris.
Arizona Cardinals
It’s easy to get overlooked when you’re in the same division as the San Francisco 49ers, a perennial contender, and the ever-intriguing Los Angeles Rams. Back-to-back 4-13 seasons don’t help. But the Cardinals have reason for optimism and might take a leap forward this season. Second-year coach Jonathan Gannon and his assistants have enjoyed a healthy Kyler Murray throughout the offseason after Murray was restricted to eight games in 2023 while rehabbing his surgically repaired ACL. Murray worked with his receivers this spring during team-sanctioned sessions and on his own. The addition of Marvin Harrison Jr. should make life easier for Murray, as should support from an improved defense.
Cincinnati Bengals
A healthy Joe Burrow, the return of top receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, an upgraded offensive line (a pressing area of need), a reimagined offense after the elevation of quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher to coordinator — the Bengals seem to have a good shot at reclaiming their spot among the AFC’s elite. They might pose the biggest threat to the Kansas City Chiefs’ quest to win a third straight Super Bowl.
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Green Bay Packers
The Detroit Lions have garnered a lot of attention this offseason, and rightfully so after their march to the NFC Championship Game. But the Packers are flying under the radar and appear poised to make a surge in 2024 thanks to the growth of Jordan Love, addition of running back Josh Jacobs and veteran safety Xavier McKinney, and impact rookies like offensive tackle Jordan Morgan and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper.
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Overrated
Baltimore Ravens
After falling short in the AFC Championship Game, the Ravens crave a Super Bowl run more than ever. They still have MVP Lamar Jackson leading the way, and the addition of workhorse back Derrick Henry should help ease pressure on the quarterback. But is it realistic to expect the Ravens to just pick up where they left off considering the loss of defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, several other top assistants, multiple linebackers and most of their secondary? Baltimore also lost three starters on the offensive line. A rigorous opening stretch plus potential growing pains could put the Ravens in an early hole.
Indianapolis Colts
Yes, they exceeded expectations last season and also managed to re-sign 10 of 13 core players with expiring contracts. And, yes, the Colts expect to make significant strides in Year 2 under Shane Steichen. But Anthony Richardson is essentially still a rookie, having played only four games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury that required surgery. Not only does the quarterback have rust to knock off, but he also still has quite a bit of learning to do.
Los Angeles Chargers
Jim Harbaugh should be good for Justin Herbert and the Chargers in the long run; he was regarded as the top coach on the market this past winter. But an overnight turnaround might be far-fetched, particularly since Harbaugh hasn’t coached in the NFL in 10 years. Also, while the Chargers made an effort to bolster their defense, Herbert will be missing a number of go-to offensive players after the departures of Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Austin Ekeler.
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San Francisco 49ers
Kyle Shanahan always gives them a chance, and Brock Purdy again has a talented supporting cast, although Brandon Aiyuk faces an uncertain future. Questions loom over the defense, however, with first-year coordinator Nick Sorensen directing a unit that lost Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw to free agency and must deal with the extended absence of Dre Greenlaw, who is recovering from Achilles surgery. The 49ers hope to put another heartbreaking Super Bowl defeat in the past and make another run at a ring, but doing so could prove more challenging than many expect.
(Top illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; photos of Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson and Jordan Love: Dylan Buell, Perry Knotts and Ron Jenkins / Getty Images)