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Ranking the 2023 offseason for the NFL’s 2022 first-place teams

By Russell S. Baxter

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JUNE 15: Head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to the press during Chiefs Mini Camp on June 15, 2023 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JUNE 15: Head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to the press during Chiefs Mini Camp on June 15, 2023 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – JUNE 13: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works out during a mandatory Minicamp at AdventHealth Training Center on June 13, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – JUNE 13: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works out during a mandatory Minicamp at AdventHealth Training Center on June 13, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Ranking every 2022 NFL division champion before 2023 season

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFC South)

Here is something to ponder. Has this offseason for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers been worse than their erratic 2022 showing? Just two years after winning Super Bowl LV and one season after tying for the best record in the NFL (13-4), the club won the NFC South with an 8-9 record and was then humbled by the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs.

That proved to be the last game for legendary quarterback Tom Brady. His retirement was also followed by the release of standout players such as left tackle Donovan Smith (now with the Chiefs), running back Leonard Fournette, and tight end Cameron Brate. Offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich was fired and replaced by Dave Canales. Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask are vying for the starting quarterback job.

7. Minnesota Vikings (NFC North)

The team is coming off a solid but flawed season under first-time NFL head coach Kevin O’Donnell. The Vikings finished 13-4 and won the NFC North for the first time since 2017. However, the club gave up more points (427) than it scored (424). The Purple Gang was one-and-out come playoff time, losing at home to the New York Giants.

This year, the team did bring in new defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who replaces veteran coach Ed Donatell. The Vikings dealt pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith to the Cleveland Browns, watched defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson via free agency, and parted ways with Adam Thielen and, more recently, running back Dalvin Cook. The club did use a first-round pick on wideout Jordan Addison.

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