The NFL season lastly will get underway Thursday with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs internet hosting the Baltimore Ravens.
So many questions should be answered: Will the Chiefs win a 3rd consecutive Tremendous Bowl? Will the Eagles rebound after a disastrous end final season? Will the Bears be a shock playoff group?
Every week, Yardbarker will spotlight a very powerful individuals main into the week’s video games.
This is who we’re keeping track of in Week 1.
Dak Prescott | Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Prescott — who’s getting into the ultimate 12 months of a four-year, $160M deal — could not signal an extension. On Tuesday’s episode of The Athletic’s “Scoop Metropolis” podcast, Dianna Russini mentioned Prescott needs a long-term dedication, however the Cowboys do not wish to give him one.
Maybe it will inspire Prescott, who completed second in MVP voting behind Ravens QB Lamar Jackson final season.
Monitor whether or not he sizzles or fizzles in opposition to the Browns on Sunday. Cleveland options an elite protection that ranked first within the league in passing yards allowed (164.7) final season.
Tom Brady | Fox Sports activities analyst
The long run Corridor of Famer needs to be nicely ready for his new gig. The previous QB recently revealed he saved binders with football-related notes all through his 23-year profession and is finding out them earlier than he calls his first sport between the Browns and Cowboys.
Per The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, the NFL has dominated Brady cannot take part in group manufacturing conferences as he awaits approval to develop into a part-owner of the Raiders. The restriction may hamper him. Most analysts use these conferences to supply perception all through a telecast.
Aaron Rodgers | New York Jets quarterback
After struggling a torn Achilles tendon in Week 1 final season, Rodgers returns in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers on “Monday Night time Soccer.”
In August, Rodgers indicated he feels wholesome, however the 40-year-old should show he is not declining. Throughout his closing season with the Packers in 2022, he posted a below-average QBR (41.3 in 17 games) and threw 12 interceptions, the second most in his profession.
Ja’Marr Chase | Cincinnati Bengals huge receiver
Per Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Chase returned to follow Wednesday after not collaborating Monday. He held out of coaching camp as he is looking for a contract extension.
Dallas WR CeeDee Lamb (4 years, $136M) and San Francisco WR Brandon Aiyuk (4 years, $120M) lately signed profitable offers. An extension for Chase, who has two years remaining on his rookie contract, may land in an analogous ballpark. Spotrac estimates his market worth is a three-year deal price $31M annually.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor did not make clear whether or not Chase will play Sunday in opposition to the Patriots, per Professional Soccer Speak’s Myles Simmons. If he does, anticipate him to showcase why he is a three-time Professional Bowler. In 17 video games final season, he had seven TD catches and logged profession highs in receptions (100) and receiving yards (1,216).
Jim Harbaugh | Los Angeles Chargers head coach
The Chargers, who posted a 5-12 report in 2023, are banking on Harbaugh sparking a turnaround. Final season, he helped his alma mater, Michigan, snap a 26-year nationwide title drought.
Harbaugh faces a troublesome job, although. Per Professional Soccer Focus’ Jim Wyman and Dalton Wasserman, Los Angeles’ roster ranks No. 25 in the NFL. The HC clearly wants a quick begin Sunday in opposition to the Raiders, who crushed the Chargers 63-21 of their final matchup.
Caleb Williams | Chicago Bears quarterback
The Athletic’s Mike Jones thinks Williams will vie for Offensive Rookie of the Yr and enter the MVP dialogue.
“Search for Williams to ignite a Bears group that boasts top-flight veterans and younger prospects at key positions,” Jones wrote. “Chicago resides in a extremely aggressive NFC North, so a division crown could also be too daunting in Yr 1. However Williams will show to be the true deal.”
Nevertheless, Williams could falter Sunday in opposition to the Titans. Per CBS Sports activities’ Jordan Dajani, the final 15 QBs chosen No. 1 total are 0-14-1 of their debuts.
John Lynch | San Francisco 49ers normal supervisor
Lynch and the 49ers have clearly entered win-now mode. Together with Aiyuk, the 49ers gave left sort out Trent Williams (three years, $82.66M) and working again Christian McCaffrey (two years, $38M) huge extensions this offseason.
These signings could devour future cap area. OverTheCap.com estimates Tremendous Bowl-or-bust San Francisco shall be $38.13M over the cap in 2025. As of Wednesday, FanDuel lists the Niners as a 4.5-point favorite of their Monday night time matchup in opposition to the Jets.
