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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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CINCINNATI, OHIO – JUNE 15: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass during an offseason workout at Paycor Stadium on June 15, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO – JUNE 15: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass during an offseason workout at Paycor Stadium on June 15, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

4. Cincinnati Bengals (AFC North)

The team has won two consecutive division titles for the first time in the franchise’s history. The team owns a 22-11 regular-season record the past two seasons, as well as a 5-2 postseason mark. Resilient quarterback Joe Burrow has had a lot to do with that. However, the Bengals’ defense has made strides in recent years aided by a talented front.

The biggest change comes on the offensive line as Cincinnati signed left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. away from the Chiefs. There are also new faces in the secondary as safeties Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell left for Atlanta and Carolina, respectively. The competition in the AFC North is expected to be stiff again. Keep in mind that three of the team’s four regular-season losses in 2022 came within the division.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (AFC South)

Thanks in part to the hot hand of quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars overcame a midseason five-game losing streak and a 4-8 start a year ago. Doug Pederson’s squad won its final five games and Jacksonville captured the AFC South for the first time since 2017. Now the franchise is looking to repeat as division champions, something the Jaguars haven’t done since the 1998 and ’99 seasons under head coach Tom Coughlin.

The team saved its best work for the NFL draft as the offseason featured a lot of free-agent signings to aid the offensive and defensive lines. Jawaan Taylor left for the Kansas City Chiefs and the club used a first-round pick on University of Oklahoma tackle Anton Harris. Doug Pederson’s club is not necessarily lacking talent. It just needs a little more seasoning.

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