Every NFL season presents its own set of unique challenges and opportunities for players, and none have perhaps experienced the highs and lows of professional football more than Calvin Ridley, Stefon Diggs, and Nick Chubb. Their stories, marked by comeback attempts, injuries, trades, and contract renegotiations, offer compelling narratives for fans and analysts alike.
Calvin Ridley: A Story of Resilience
Calvin Ridley's career has been a rollercoaster. After stepping away from football in 2021 to focus on his mental health, Ridley faced another setback with a suspension in the 2022 season under the NFL's gambling policy. Redemption came in 2023 when Ridley returned to the field with the Jacksonville Jaguars, posting impressive stats—76 catches for 1,016 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. This performance earned him a lucrative four-year, $92 million contract with the Tennessee Titans, where he'll be averaging $23 million annually.
Stefon Diggs: A Dynamic yet Tumultuous Season
Stefon Diggs experienced a mixed 2023 season with the Buffalo Bills, capturing 49 passes for 620 yards and five touchdowns in just the first six games. However, his production waned, as he failed to have a single 100-yard game over the final 11 games. In the playoffs, Diggs managed to secure 10 receptions for 73 yards across two games but failed to find the end zone.
March brought significant changes for Diggs as he was traded to the Houston Texans along with a 2024 fourth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick. In return, the Buffalo Bills received a 2025 second-round pick. The trade also involved a reworking of Diggs' contract, boosting his salary from $19.005 million to $22.52 million for the 2024 season.
Nick Chubb: Overcoming Adversity
Nick Chubb started the 2023 season with promise but saw his campaign cut short by a severe left knee injury, tearing his ACL, MCL, and meniscus just two games in. This was not Chubb's first significant injury; he previously tore his LCL, MCL, and PCL in 2015 while playing at the University of Georgia.
Despite the injury setbacks, Chubb's 2022 season was his career-high, where he rushed for 1,525 yards. Recognizing his value, the Cleveland Browns retained Chubb on a revised contract, ensuring him a fully guaranteed $2.05 million and the potential to earn up to $12.225 million.
Other Notable Players and Transactions
Tee Higgins also navigated through injuries in 2023, appearing in just 12 games and managing 42 receptions for 656 yards and five touchdowns. Despite these challenges, the Bengals designated Higgins as a franchise player for $21.816 million, a move followed by Higgins’ request for a trade. Cincinnati appears to be preparing for a significant contract extension for star receiver Ja'Marr Chase.
On the offensive line, Ronnie Stanley's journey has been marred by injuries. Since signing a five-year, $98.75 million extension in 2020, he has participated in only 26 of 61 possible games. In an effort to remain aligned with team goals, Stanley agreed to a pay cut for 2024, reducing his compensation from $15 million to $7.5 million. His new deal includes incentives that could increase his earnings to a maximum of $17.5 million based on playtime and performance honors.
Kyle Pitts captivated audiences with an outstanding rookie season, racking up 1,026 receiving yards and earning a Pro Bowl selection. However, injuries have hampered his production over the past two seasons. The Atlanta Falcons have shown faith in Pitts' potential by picking up his fifth-year option in 2025, worth $10.878 million. New Falcons coach Raheem Morris expressed excitement about how Pitts will be utilized moving forward.
Wide receiver Marquise Brown is looking to bounce back after a career-low performance in 2023, where he recorded 574 receiving yards on 51 catches over 14 games. Brown signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, with potential earnings reaching $11 million through incentives. Unfortunately, a dislocated left shoulder is expected to keep him out of the regular-season opener against the Ravens.
Running Backs and Offensive Line Movements
Najee Harris has consistently surpassed the 1,000-rushing yard mark in each of his three NFL seasons. However, the Pittsburgh Steelers decided not to exercise a fully guaranteed $6.79 million fifth-year option for Harris in 2025. On the other hand, the New England Patriots extended Rhamondre Stevenson with a four-year, $36 million deal, featuring over $17 million guaranteed.
Jawaan Taylor's career has also seen fluctuations. Taylor led the NFL in penalties and penalty yards in 2023 but managed to secure a four-year, $80 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, including $60 million in guarantees. His future includes $20 million in fully guaranteed salary scheduled for 2025.
As for the Detroit Lions, Jameson Williams, their 12th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, recorded 24 receptions for 354 yards with two touchdowns in 12 games last season. However, Josh Reynolds has moved on, leaving for Denver. Williams has a fully guaranteed option year salary exceeding $15 million, highlighting the organization’s commitment to his development.
The Tennessee Titans have assembled a formidable receiving corps for quarterback Ryan Tannehill, including Treylon Burks, DeAndre Hopkins, and the recently added Tyler Boyd. Burks has been steady but unspectacular, with 49 receptions, 665 yards, and a single touchdown in 21 games since being drafted. Hopkins joined on a two-year deal, and the addition of Boyd on a one-year contract completes a trio that could make significant waves in the upcoming season.