Ranking the 6 Worst Decisions of the 2024 NFL Offseason
The 2024 NFL offseason has been filled with high-profile moves that have the potential to shape the upcoming season. However, not all decisions have been met with praise. Some teams have made questionable choices that could have a negative impact on their future success.
One such move was made by the Chicago Bears, who signed safety Kevin Byard to a two-year, $15 million contract. Byard, a two-time first-team All-Pro, struggled during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, posting subpar numbers in 2023. With Byard entering his age-31 season, there are concerns that his performance may continue to decline, making this signing a risky one for the Bears.
The Dallas Cowboys also raised eyebrows with their decision to not draft a running back despite the departure of Tony Pollard. Instead, they signed Ezekiel Elliott to a one-year deal after a lackluster season with the New England Patriots. Elliott’s recent performance has been underwhelming, and the Cowboys may regret not investing in a high-end prospect to lead their backfield in 2024.
The Carolina Panthers made a surprising move by trading star pass-rusher Brian Burns to the New York Giants for a meager return. Despite rejecting more lucrative offers in previous seasons, the Panthers decided to part ways with Burns, leaving them without their top edge defender and only Day 2 and 3 picks to show for it.
The Los Angeles Rams traded up in the 2024 draft to select defensive tackle Braden Fiske, a move that was criticized for being an overpay. Fiske, while a promising prospect, was considered a reach at the draft position, and the Rams may have missed out on better deals for a similar player.
Lastly, the Atlanta Falcons raised eyebrows by selecting Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall, despite his injury history and lower draft ranking. The Falcons also signed Kirk Cousins to a lucrative deal, creating uncertainty around the quarterback position and potentially setting up a difficult decision regarding Penix’s future with the team.
These questionable decisions have the potential to impact the teams’ salary cap, draft capital, and overall outlook for the upcoming season. As the 2024 campaign kicks off, all eyes will be on these teams to see how these moves play out on the field.
