Every year the NFL offers a multitude of great stories, surprises, embarrassing moments… What will be the big stories of the 2023 NFL season?
For 2023, DNA of Sports invites you to examine more particularly 9 plots.
Aaron Rodgers with the Jets
After 18 seasons of good and loyal service, Aaron Rodgers has decided to leave the Packers to continue (and probably end) his career with the New York Jets. A choice that left a bitter taste for several Green-Bay fans and which was reminiscent of that of Brett Favre in the past…
But will the quadruple MVP do better than his illustrious predecessor in NY? In 2008, Favre started very strong (8 wins – 3 losses) before a shoulder pain spoiled the end of the season and the Jets finished on the doorstep of the playoffs with a record of 9 wins for 7 losses.
Jets fans are waiting for Rodgers to finally return to the playoffs. The franchise has not experienced the final stages since 2010, a record in all US leagues!
What is Eric Bieniemy worth?
The eternal offensive coordinator of the Chiefs interviewed every year to become a coach but was never chosen… Paradoxically not helped by the extraordinary talent of Patrick Mahomes and the influence of Andy Reid on the attack for some shunned for racial reasons for others, Bieniemy will pass his greatest test in 2023.
The first echoes are mixed for Éric Bieniemy.
The offensive coordinator is the head of the Commanders. His mission will therefore be to model the young Sam Howell and finally make Washington’s attack exciting. The offensive success or failure of the Commanders in 2023 could therefore well be right for the rest of his career.
The Kellen Moore – Justin Herbert duo
Will the city of the stars shine again? That’s what the Chargers are hoping for with the arrival of Kellen Moore.
The former Cowboys offensive coordinator was one of the most high-profile coordinators the past two seasons. Promised to a head coach position, Moore finally chose to settle in Los Angeles, still in charge of the attack.
Given the work done with Dak Prescott and the superior potential of Justin Herbert, the Chargers offense promises to be one of the attractions of the season!
Who to stop Micah Parsons?
Only 2 seasons in the NFL and already 2 nominations in the first team All-Pro… Where will Micah Parsons stop?
After a superb rookie season in 2021, the defender confirmed his full potential in 2022. In 2023, he will even have a new role in the Dallas defense with a more assertive edge rusher positioning and therefore even more freedom to seek out the opposing quarterback.
Already 2nd in the vote for defender of the year in 2022, Parsons is already the big favorite to take the trophy in 2023.
Sean Payton returns (and that of the real Russell Wilson?)
He is back ! After a season off, the legendary coach of the New Orleans Saints decided to return to the NFL and take charge of the Denver Broncos.
A return that will be scrutinized from all sides. Firstly because there is always this little question around coaches who have had their destiny linked to that of a Hall Of Famer quarterback (who did who?). Then, because Payton needs to bring the Broncos back to life.
Indeed, Denver is coming off a catastrophic 2022 season offensively with 16.9 points scored per game (32nd). A shipwreck embodied by Russell Wilson and his 16 touchdowns for 11 interceptions thrown in 2023.
The Californian “offensive genius” will therefore have to prove that his reputation and his level are intact!
Vic Fangio as an X factor?
With the 24th defense in points conceded and the 27th in number of yards authorized to pass, the Dolphins could not count on their defense in 2022. A situation impossible to reproduce in 2023 with an attack which it seems ready to play the final stages.
This is why Miami chose to recruit Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator. The veteran coach is one of the most respected defensive minds in the league, having succeeded on numerous occasions in ranking his defenses at the top of the basket in the various defensive statistical categories.
His taking over in Miami will be one of the most interesting things of the season. How will he use Jalen Ramsey? How will the Dolphins go from one of the most blitzing defenses to the patterns of Fangio, who is not known to be so aggressive?
Many questions whose results could well move the Dolphins into another “dimension”.
Brock Purdy = Cinderella?
He was one of the unexpected heroes of the 2022 season. Quarterback number 3 of the 49ers, selected in the last position of the Draft, the rookie Brock Purdy finished the season as a holder after the injury of Jimmy Garoppolo and the failure by Trey Lance. Without really knowing what the 49ers could expect, Purdy surprised everyone by leading his team to the NFC final with a nice record of 16 touchdowns for 4 interceptions (playoffs included).
Unfortunately for him and the beautiful story, Brock Purdy is injured during the NFC final, seeing his team’s chances of victory go (with his elbow).
But Kyle Shanahan and his staff liked what they saw enough to make Purdy the starting quarterback in 2023. A decision that may seem logical but is nonetheless risky. Purdy only played 12 games and had a bit of luck with his throws at times.
Will the young quarterback pick up his story where he left off? Were his 12 matches just an enchanted interlude?
The Legion of Boom is back?
It seems like a long time ago when all NFL teams feared having to face Seattle’s defense and its Legion of Boom.
However, 2023 could well be the start of Seattle’s defensive revival. Already glimpsed in 2022 with Tariq Woolen’s huge rookie season, the Seahawks have decided to continue in 2023 by drafting cornerback Devon Witherspoon in the 1st round. The return from injury of Jamal Adams and the arrival of the needy Julian Love could end up making this defensive backfield one of the surprises of 2023.
And who other than Bobby Wagner, back in Seattle after a year of Californian escapades, to coordinate this return?
The 2023 NFL season, finally that of a double?
While each NFL decade had seen at least one franchise score a double, the 2010s and early 2020s saw a new champion each season. We have to go back to the 2004 and 2005 seasons to find the last double, achieved by the Patriots of the legendary Tom Brady.
If the diversity of the winners shows an “open” and “competitive” league, one cannot help thinking that it is also the ability of certain franchises to retain their title that brings glory and creates myths.
Who better than Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs to succeed in this mission? With 3 finals played over the last 4 seasons, Andy Reid’s men seem to be the best equipped for a long time to reproduce this feat.
