There are just over two months to go before the start of the 2023 NFL preseason. Which team in each division has enjoyed the best offseason this year?
The tweaking of NFL rosters began many months ago and even before the start of the new fiscal year in mid-March. Free agency has been going on for two-plus months and teams are basically four weeks removed from the NFL draft.
You can find grades for just about anything in terms of how teams have done this offseason. So, which one of the four teams in each of the eight divisions stood out in terms of bolstering their team over the last few months?
Biggest winners from every NFL division in the 2023 offseason
AFC East
New York Jets
Joe Douglas was finally able to pull the trigger on obtaining veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers from the Packers. The four-time NFL MVP will also be reunited with some familiar faces via offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as well as wide receivers Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard and versatile offensive lineman Billy Turner.
Former Chiefs’ wideout Mecole Hardman is also in the fold and along with 2022 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson, the Jets’ passing attack appears loaded with playmakers.
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers
The franchise had a definitive game plan going into the offseason. At least on paper, the Steelers have apparently filled a lot of deeds. The offensive line figures to be better with rookie tackle Roderick Jones and veteran right guard Isaac Seumalo.
On defense, the club gutted its inside linebacking corps and will free-agent additions such as Elandon Roberts, Cole Holcomb, and hybrid defender Keanu Neal. Obtaining veteran wide receiver Allen Robinson for next-to-nothing in a trade with the Rams was also a major coup.
AFC South
Houston Texans
You could argue that general manager Nick Caserio and new head coach DeMeco Ryans teamed up to orchestrate the best offseason in the league. Some wheeling and dealing on the first night of the draft netted quarterback C.J. Stroud (Ohio State) and defensive end Will Anderson (Alabama).
The Texans were extremely active during free agency and the list of additions includes running back Devin Singletary, wide receiver Robert Woods, tight end Dalton Schultz and linebackers Cory Littleton and Denzel Perryman.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs
That defending Super Bowl champion lost its share of free agents but plugged enough holes with some veterans. Defensive end Frank Clark was cut loose by the team, but the club not only added defensive end Charles Omenihu (49ers) but used a first-round pick on Kansas State pass-rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah. The latter totaled 19.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles during his final two seasons with the Wildcats.
Eric Bieniemy is now the offensive coordinator of the Commanders, but Andy Reid brought back Matt Nagy.
NFC East
New York Giants
Brian Daboll’s team is looking to be more competitive in the NFC East. The additions of interior defensive linemen Rakeem Nunez-Roches (Buccaneers) and A’Shawn Robinson (Rams) and linebacker Bobby Okereke (Colts) should help the NFL’s 27th-ranked run defense from a year ago.
Quarterback Daniel Jones has a brand new contract and also a new target in tight end Darren Waller via a trade with the Raiders.
NFC North
Detroit Lions
The higher expectations are understandable considering the Lions team won eight of their final 10 games this past season and owned a 5-1 record within the division.
General manager Brad Holmes upgraded a leaky secondary with cornerbacks Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley, signed safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson away from the Eagles, and used a second-round pick on Alabama’s Brian Branch.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
It’s a franchise that was extremely busy this offseason. The Falcons are looking for their first winning campaign and playoff appearance since 2017. The team swung a deal with the Patriots for tight end Jonnu Smith, who knows Arthur Smith’s offense from the duo’s day with the Titans.
Defensive lineman Calais Campbell was an excellent addition. Rookie Bijan Robinson could be a workhorse in the Atlanta backfield.
NFC West
Seattle Seahawks
Pete Carroll’s club surprised many in 2022 by returning to the playoffs following a last-place showing the previous season. The team enjoyed a strong draft a year ago and back in April, selected 10 more players, including defensive back Devon Witherspoon (Illinois) and wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State) in the first round.
Veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner is back with the club after spending 2022 with the Rams.