The year 2023 promises its share of intrigue in the NFL. Between the potential retirement of a legend, the addition of a Quebecer via the draft and the possible end of the inspiring career of Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, the next few months will not lack action. Here are the 8 stories to watch this year.
Retirement for Tom Brady?
In the NFL since 2000, seven-time Super Bowl champion, three-time most valuable player and holder of a host of other honors, is Tom Brady coming to the end of the road as an NFL quarterback? His contract with the Buccaneers is coming to an end and a comfortable plan awaits him as an analyst at the FOX network with a 10-year contract for 375 million as soon as he hangs up his shoulder pads. He turns 46 in August and may decide to move on.
Doctor Duvernay-Tardif
The good doctor, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, has made Quebec proud since combining his NFL career with his medical studies. He joined the Chiefs in 2014 and here he is since November at the heart of a second stay with the Jets. Unlike last year, he has still not seen any ground and the agreement he signed this fall ends at the end of the season. It will be interesting to see if he will still be tempted to play or if he will trade the helmet for the stethoscope.
A Quebecer to watch
Those who still don't know Matthew Bergeron better update themselves. Blocker for Syracuse University, in the NCAA, the young man from Victoriaville will be part of a group of hopefuls invited to the prestigious Senior Bowl, in Alabama, on February 4. This is an important step towards the NFL draft at the end of April. Several analysts rank him in the top 100 of the best prospects, which could lead to him being selected in the first three rounds.
The Bills aim for a first Super Bowl
The chips are far from over, but the Bills currently remain the bookmakers' favorites to win the next Super Bowl on Feb. 12 in Arizona. The Chiefs, Eagles, Cowboys and 49ers are also in the running. Of the lot, the Bills are the only ones to have never won the championship game. They were defeated four straight years in the big game between 1990 and 1993 and have never returned since.
A year of quarterbacks
If the most recent draft was a poor vintage in terms of quarterbacks, it seems that the weak teams of the season that is ending will have a happier hand next spring. The Texans, who hold the first pick, could very well select Bryce Young (Alabama). CJ Stroud (Ohio State), Will Levis (Kentucky) and Anthony Richardson (Florida) are other candidates for the first round.
The sequel for Benjamin St-Juste
Quebec cornerback Benjamin St-Juste was starting to look downright impressive as a starter with the Commanders before suffering an ankle injury that caused him to miss action. The team does not hesitate to rely on him against the best opposing receivers. Next season, he should continue to improve and could even become a star player in the organization.
The sale of Commanders
Speaking of Commanders, the organization let it be known this fall that controversial owner Daniel Snyder would be willing to "explore business opportunities." In good French, he could finally decide to sell his franchise, valued at 5.6 billion by Forbes. Under his leadership, the organization withered away through numerous scandals.
Coaching positions available
There are already two head coaching positions available, since the Panthers showed the door to Matt Rhule in October, as well as the Broncos with Nathaniel Hackett this week. The Colts did the same with Frank Reich in November, but he was replaced on an interim basis by Jeff Saturday. Will he keep his job? As at each end of the season, the cleaver will hurt. Kliff Kingsbury, at the Cardinals, is also in danger. The big question: where will Sean Payton, the former Saints, end up?
