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NFL free agency is underway with so many of the best players available seeking out new contracts and landing spots. There are going to be countless surprises this offseason and while some free agents might re-sign with their original teams, some of the best players in NFL free agency will be taking their talents elsewhere.
While no one could class this free-agent class a historic one, it offers a lot of depth at positions like running back, cornerback, defensive tackle and linebacker. There are also some marquee names on the offensive side, along with complementary pieces who are flying under the radar but will thrive with new teams in 2023.
While everyone loves bold NFL free agency predictions, sometimes there are signing you want to see happen. From a team taking a big swing with a record-breaking contract to specific player and scheme fits that could pay off in the fall, there’s a long this of hypothetical moves that we want to become reality.
Let’s dive into the five moves we want to see happen in 2023 NFL free agency.
Indianapolis Colts go all-in for Lamar Jackson
The Indianapolis Colts didn’t trade up for the first pick, so it’s extremely unlikely they land Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud. Realistically, general manager Chris Ballard might now have to trade up to No. 3 overall just to get the third-best quarterback prospect (Anthony Richardson) in the NFL Draft. Instead, we’d like to see Indianapolis go in another direction.
A path to clearing the necessary cap space to sign Jackson is clear. Cutting Matt Ryan ($17.205 million savings), Kenny Moore ($8.166 million cap savings), Ryan Kelly ($10.125 million post-June 1 release) and Nick Foles ($2.1 million savings) put Indianapolis at $49.5 million in cap space, per OTC.com. That figure would also come before restructuring deals, creating even more room.
After that, the Colts can take advantage of the fact that every other NFL team is hesitant to pursue Lamar Jackson. If owner Jim Irsay is truly desperate to get a franchise quarterback who the can base can be excited about, this is the time to break precedent. Offer Jackson a three-year contract worth $150 million and make it all fully guaranteed. In the event of the Baltimore Ravens matching the offer, Indianapolis keeps its picks and cap space.
If the Ravens decline to match, the Colts now have one of the NF’s best quarterbacks who just turned 26 and will pair perfectly with Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce in Shane Steichen’s offense.
Chicago Bears make a big splash with Orlando Brown Jr.
Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles received plenty of criticism for doing nothing to help quarterback Justin Fields in 2022. A year later, Chicago just added Pro Bowl wide receiver D.J. Moore and it is still loaded with cap space it can use to build around Fields.
While fifth-round pick Braxton Jones played surprisingly well at left tackle for a rookie, he entered the 2022 NFL Draft viewed as a versatile offensive lineman. Entering his age-24 season, Jones could flip to the other side and instantly fill a void from last season at right tackle.