May has arrived, and the peaks of the NFL offseason are in the past now that the draft is in the books. But that doesn’t mean the action will stop.

This league works seven days a week and 52 weeks a year, leaving plenty in store for even the “quieter” months to come.

With that in mind, let’s look at some key dominoes that should or could fall between now and the start of the 2023 campaign.

Long-Term Contract for Saquon Barkley?

The New York Giants have already given quarterback Daniel Jones his deal. Now, the football world awaits word on franchise-tag recipient and standout running back Saquon Barkley.

Last month, Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano reported that the team didn’t “have much of an interest” in signing the 26-year-old to a long-term contract, while general manager Joe Schoen told Art Stapleton of The Record that nothing had changed since team and player talked at the owners meetings earlier in the offseason.

That doesn’t exactly bode well for negotiations between the Giants and a key player, which is concerning because Barkley hasn’t signed his tender. However, deadlines often bring about progress, and the two sides have until July 17 to work something out before Barkley would either be forced to play the season out on the tag or not play at all.

Nothing appears to be imminent here, but check back mid-summer.

Will Joe Burrow Become the Highest-Paid Player in NFL History?

Now that Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson have their blockbuster contracts, “historic deal watch” has turned squarely to Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.

It’s not as though the Bengals don’t have time after exercising Burrow’s fifth-year option for 2024, but he likely has an edge right now over fellow elite primo 2020 draft picks Justin Herbert (slightly inferior stats and less team success) and Tua Tagovailoa (potential health concerns).

Earlier this offseason, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor acknowledged that long-term contract talks with Burrow were underway. Ditto for Herbert in Los Angeles, per Chargers head coach Brandon Staley. Will either want to wait on the other to ensure they get the better deal? We’ll see, but again, Burrow should have an edge on paper.

Could he land a deal worth more than the five-year, $260 million contract Jackson signed with the Baltimore Ravens? You’d really think so. Although Jackson has an MVP on his resume, Burrow’s health and production the past two years (32 G, 69.3%, 9,086 pass YD, 69 TD, 26 INT, 104.2 rating) far outweighs Jackson’s (24 G, 63.4%, 5,124 pass YD, 33 TD, 20 INT, 88.9 rating, 1,531 rush YD, 5 rush TD).