It’s been a busy off-season in the NFL, and much of that movement has taken place in the AFC.
Aaron Rodgers’ arrival in the East has brought a fresh (New York) state of mind for the quarterback and a power shift in what might just be the strongest division in football this year. Of course, the AFC North will have something to say about that.
Last year, it was the AFC West that had everyone predicting league dominance, and in many ways they were right — the Kansas City Chiefs were crowned champions once again — but the rest of the division didn’t live up to the mile-high expectations. Even the South brings a little extra intrigue this year.
Sixteen teams, and only seven can advance to the post-season at the end of it. The conference presents what is an impossible playoff picture to predict, but brings an incredibly fun path to get there.
Before the action gets underway Thursday night, here’s a look at all 16 AFC teams and what could be in story for each this season.
AFC North
CINCINNATI BENGALS
2022 record: 12-4, lost to Chiefs in AFC Championship rematch
Notable roster additions: OT Orlando Brown Jr., S Nick Scott
Notable roster subtractions: S Jessie Bates, S Vonn Bell, S Tre Flowers, CB Eli Apple, RB Samaje Perine, TE Hayden Hurst
Storyline we’re watching: Burrow’s next deal.
Joe Burrow’s strained calf sidelined him for pretty much all of training camp and distracted us from talking about his wallet. The fourth-year QB is extension-eligible and has two years left on his current contract, yet despite watching his peers lock in on big-money deals Burrow has yet to do so. Will he sign on the dotted line this season, or bet on himself to make good on Super Bowl-sized expectations first?
BALTIMORE RAVENS
2022 record: 10-7, lost to Bengals in AFC wild-card round
Notable roster additions: WR Odell Beckham, WR Nelson Agholor, first-round WR Zay Flowers, DE Jadeveon Clowney, offensive co-ordinator Todd Monken
Notable roster subtractions: CB Marcus Peters, DT Calais Campbell, DE Justin Houston, DE Jason Pierre-Paul, OT Ju’Wuan James, WR Demarcus Robinson
Storyline we’re watching: The Jackson-Monken connection.
Star quarterback Lamar Jackson has a new contract, a new offensive co-ordinator, and more weapons than he’s ever had. One of the most intriguing offences in football has the potential to be one of the best.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
2022 record: 9-8, missed playoffs
Notable roster additions: G Isaac Seumalo, WR Allen Robinson, CB Patrick Peterson, first-round T Broderick Jones, second-round NT Keeanu Benton, second-round CB Joey Porter Jr.
Notable roster subtractions: LB Devin Bush, LB Myles Jack, CB Cameron Sutton, CB Ahkello Witherspoon, S Terrell Edmunds
Storyline we’re watching: Pickett looks poised for a breakout.
After getting plenty of pre-season reps ahead of his second year in the pros, quarterback Cody Pickett looks like he’s in mid-season form already. The team’s fate will always be in the capable hands of its elite defence, but the offence is more intriguing than most. The Pickett-George Pickens pairing could be as fun to watch as it is to say.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
2022 record: 7-10, missed playoffs
Notable roster additions: WR Elijah Moore, WR Marquise Goodwin, S Juan Thornhill, fifth-round backup QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Notable roster subtractions: QB Jacoby Brissett, RB Kareem Hunt, DE Jadeveon Clowney, S John Johnson III
Storyline we’re watching: Which Watson shows up?
Deshaun Watson enters his first full season in which he’s eligible to play with the Browns and brings with him a lot of baggage and plenty of question marks. The team around him is built to win now, but if Watson comes out as flat as he did following his lengthy suspension last fall, he’ll hold them back in a big way.
AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS
2022 record: 13-3, lost to Bengals in divisional round
Notable roster additions: DE Leonard Floyd, RB Damien Harris, WR Trent Sherfield, G Connor McGovern, S Taylor Rapp, first-round TE Dalton Kincaid
Notable roster subtractions: Backup QB Case Keenum, RB Devin Singletary, WR Isaiah McKenzie, G Roger Saffold, LB Tremaine Edmunds
Storyline we’re watching: Healthy defence looks to make good on last year’s promise.
The Bills took a big hit on the injury front last season, and while Von Miller isn’t quite ready to make his return the team does have its star-studded secondary back in action. Buffalo was the overwhelming favourite to win it all last year, but things are much quieter this season on the predictions front. (They probably prefer it that way.)
MIAMI DOLPHINS
2022 record: 9-8, lost to Bills in wild-card round
Notable roster additions: WR Braxton Berrios, TE Tyler Kroft, LB David Long Jr., CB Jalen Ramsey (injured), G Isaiah Wynn, backup QB Mike White
Notable roster subtractions: TE Mike Gesicki, WR Trent Sherfield, LB Melvin Ingram III, backup QB Teddy Bridgewater
Storyline we’re watching: Tua’s health.
After a scary series of head injuries last year, Tua Tagovailoa’s health will headline this season in Miami. He’s put on plenty of muscle and trained in judo to protect himself and learn how to fall more safely (without hitting his head) but keeping him upright is not his burden alone — the Dolphins’ offensive line must do its part, which isn’t easy when you share a division with the Jets, Bills, and Patriots.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
2022 record: 8-9, missed playoffs
Notable roster additions: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, TE Mike Gesicki, T Riley Reiff (IR), T Calvin Anderson, first-round CB Christian Gonzalez
Notable roster subtractions: RB Damien Harris, WR Jakobi Meyers, WR Nelson Agholor, TE Jonnu Smith, G Isaiah Wynn, S Devin McCourty, OT Marcus Cannon
Storyline we’re watching: Turns out, maybe you do need an offensive co-ordinator.
New England’s defence is never really in doubt, but the same cannot be said for the post-Brady offence. Last year, the unit looked lost — and left the rest of us confused about who was really running that show with no OC on staff. The addition of Bill O’Brien in the role brings a renewed focus on that side of the ball. Is Mac Jones up to the task? His future as a Patriot likely depends on it.
NEW YORK JETS
2022 record: 7-10, missed playoffs
Notable roster additions: QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Allen Lazard, WR Mecole Hardman, WR Randall Cobb, RB Dalvin Cook, DT Al Woods, first-round DE Will McDonald IV
Notable roster subtractions: QB Mike White, WR Elijah Moore, WR Braxton Berrios, RB James Robinson, S Lamarcus Joyner, LB Kwon Alexander
Storyline we’re watching: Rodgers’ New York state of mind.
The New York City stage (okay, yes, it’s New Jersey, but whatever) has a new leading man in Aaron Rodgers, who looks refreshed and revitalized in his new surroundings. But is the chorus line (ahem, that offensive line) ready for opening night? On a team with one of the best defences in the game (and maybe ever?!) and a legend under centre, that front unit could stand out — and not in a good way.
AFC South
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
2022 record: 9-8, lost to Chiefs in divisional round
Notable roster additions: WR Calvin Ridley, K Brandon McManus, first-round OT Anton Harrison
Notable roster subtractions: WR Marvin Jones, OT Jawaan Taylor, CB Shaq Griffin, DE Arden Key
Storyline we’re watching: Lawrence eying another giant step forward.
After shaking off the damage done in 2021 under Urban Meyer, Trevor Lawrence and Co. really clicked down the stretch last season. Can the third-year pro take another giant step forward?
TENNESSEE TITANS
2022 record: 7-10, missed playoffs
Notable roster additions: T Andre Dillard, LB Arden Key, LB Azeez Al-Shaair, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting, first-round G Peter Skoronski, second-round third-string QB Will Levis,
Notable roster subtractions: WR Robert Woods, TE Austin Hooper, OT Taylor Lewan, G Nate Davis, DE Bud Dupree
Storyline we’re watching: Is there QB drama brewing?
Ryan Tannehill will start the season, but will he finish it? The team took a big step back last year, and Jacksonville took full advantage. A slow start out of the gates could mean Tennessee has a decision to make: Lean on the veteran to win now, or turn things over to the next QB in line?
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
2022 record: 4-12, missed playoffs
Notable roster additions: First-round QB Anthony Richardson, WR Isaiah McKenzie, DE Samson Ebukam, K Matt Gay, backup QB Gardner Minshew
Notable roster subtractions: QB Matt Ryan, CB Stephon Gilmore, DE Yannick Ngakoue, WR Parris Campbell
Storyline we’re watching: The Anthony Richardson era is about to begin … but who is he throwing the ball to?
The Colts’ lack of weapons could be an issue here. If only the team had a young star running back to ease the pressure as he takes his first snaps … The team’s arbitrary trade deadline has come and gone and Jonathan Taylor is still a Colt, but a lingering ankle injury and ongoing contract dispute only ups the uncertainty of this situation.
HOUSTON TEXANS
2022 record: 3-13, missed playoffs
Notable roster additions: Fist-round QB C.J. Stroud, first-round DE Will Anderson Jr., S Jimmie Ward, backup QB Case Keenum, RB Devin Singletary, WR Robert Woods, TE Dalton Schultz, G Shaq Mason, DT Sheldon Rankins, LB Denzel Perryman, head coach DeMeco Ryans
Notable roster subtractions: WR Brandin Cooks, WR Chris Moore, DE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
Storyline we’re watching: Stroud takes his first NFL snaps.
After a major teardown, the Texans look to begin the long climb back to relevance with new leadership in coach DeMeco Ryans, a new franchise quarterback in C.J. Stroud, and a new defensive star in Will Anderson. This year will tell us a lot about the direction of this club and whether it can instill a strong culture to build around.
AFC West
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
2022 record: 14-3, defeated Eagles in Super Bowl LVII for second championship in Andy Reid-Patrick Mahomes era
Notable roster additions: RT Jawaan Taylor, OT Donovan Smith, backup QB Blaine Gabbert, first-round DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, second-round WR Rashee Rice
Notable roster subtractions: OT Orlando Brown Jr., OT Andrew Wylie, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR Mecole Hardman, DE Carlos Dunlap, DE Frank Clark, S Juan Thornhill, backup QB Chad Henne
Storyline we’re watching: Keeping up with Jones’ contract holdout.
Chris Jones’ holdout continues, and we’re about to find out just how big an impact his absence can make. The star defensive end is apparently prepared to wait until Week 8 to make his return; where will that leave the defending champs?
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
2022 record: 10-7, lost to Jaguars in wild-card round
Notable roster additions: LB Eric Kendricks, first-round WR Quentin Johnston
Notable roster subtractions: LB Kyle Van Noy, OT Storm Norton, DT Christian Covington, S Nasir Adderley, LB Drue Tranquill, CB Bryce Callahan
Storyline we’re watching: Kellen Moore’s playbook makeover.
New offensive co-ordinator Kellen Moore, who lands in L.A. after starting his career in Dallas, is about to unleash the Justin Herbert long ball on the league. Defences, you’ve been warned.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
2022 record: 6-11, missed playoffs
Notable roster additions: QB Jimmy Garoppolo, WR Jakobi Meyers, TE Austin Hooper, G Greg Van Roten, LB Robert Spillane, S Marcus Epps, CB Marcus Peters
Notable roster subtractions: QB Derek Carr, TE Darren Waller, DE Clelin Ferrell, DT Andrew Billings, LB Denzel Perryman, CB Rock Ya-Sin, S Duron Harmon, backup QB Jarrett Stidham
Storyline we’re watching: Where, exactly, is McDaniels going?
I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling déjà vu. Josh McDaniels’ second stint as an NFL head coach is starting to look a lot like his first go-round with the Broncos. He turned to a familiar face in former Patriot Jimmy Garoppolo after cutting ties with Derek Carr in the off-season, and while Josh Jacobs is back in black and silver and under contract for another year, it’s hard to see the big picture here.
DENVER BRONCOS
2022 record: 5-12, barely survived the nightmare
Notable roster additions: Head coach Sean Payton, OT Mike McGlinchey, G Ben Powers, DE Frank Clark, second-round WR Marvin Mims Jr., backup QB Jarrett Stidham
Notable roster subtractions: RB Chase Edmunds, RB Latavius Murray, OT Billy Turner, CB Ronald Darby
Storyline we’re watching: Payton to the rescue?
After the mess that was Denver’s 2022 season, the team doubled down on its quarterback and lured Sean Payton out of his short retirement, betting on him to revive Russell Wilson. Can he do it? (And what happens if he can’t?)