The NFL season finally will get underway Thursday with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Baltimore Ravens.
So many questions must be answered: Will the Chiefs win a third consecutive Super Bowl? Will the Eagles rebound after a disastrous finish last season? Will the Bears be a surprise playoff team?
Each week, Yardbarker will highlight the 10 most important people leading into the week’s games.
Here’s who we’re keeping an eye on in Week 1.
1. Dak Prescott | Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Prescott — who’s entering the final year of a four-year, $160M deal — may not sign an extension. On Tuesday’s episode of The Athletic’s “Scoop City” podcast, Dianna Russini said Prescott wants a long-term commitment, but the Cowboys don’t want to give him one.
Perhaps this will motivate Prescott, who finished second in MVP voting behind Ravens QB Lamar Jackson last season.
Monitor whether he sizzles or fizzles against the Browns on Sunday. Cleveland features an elite defense that ranked first in the league in passing yards allowed (164.7) last season.
2. Tom Brady | Fox Sports analyst
The future Hall of Famer should be well prepared for his new gig. The former QB recently revealed he kept binders with football-related notes throughout his 23-year career and is studying them before he calls his first game between the Browns and Cowboys.
Per The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, the NFL has ruled Brady can’t participate in team production meetings as he awaits approval to become a part-owner of the Raiders. The restriction could hamper him. Most analysts use these meetings to provide insight throughout a telecast.
3. Aaron Rodgers | New York Jets quarterback
After suffering a torn Achilles tendon in Week 1 last season, Rodgers returns against the San Francisco 49ers on “Monday Night Football.”
In August, Rodgers indicated he feels healthy, but the 40-year-old must prove he’s not declining. During his final season with the Packers in 2022, he posted a below-average QBR (41.3 in 17 games) and threw 12 interceptions, the second most in his career.
4. Ja’Marr Chase | Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Per Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Chase returned to practice Wednesday after not participating Monday. He held out of training camp as he’s seeking a contract extension.
Dallas WR CeeDee Lamb (four years, $136M) and San Francisco WR Brandon Aiyuk (four years, $120M) recently signed lucrative deals. An extension for Chase, who has two years remaining on his rookie contract, could land in a similar ballpark. Spotrac estimates his market value is a three-year deal worth $31M annually.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor didn’t clarify whether Chase will play Sunday against the Patriots, per Pro Football Talk’s Myles Simmons. If he does, expect him to showcase why he’s a three-time Pro Bowler. In 17 games last season, he had seven TD catches and logged career highs in receptions (100) and receiving yards (1,216).
5. Jim Harbaugh | Los Angeles Chargers head coach
The Chargers, who posted a 5-12 record in 2023, are banking on Harbaugh sparking a turnaround. Last season, he helped his alma mater, Michigan, snap a 26-year national title drought.
Harbaugh faces a difficult task, though. Per Pro Football Focus’ Jim Wyman and Dalton Wasserman, Los Angeles’ roster ranks No. 25 in the NFL. The HC clearly needs a fast start Sunday against the Raiders, who crushed the Chargers 63-21 in their last matchup.
6. Caleb Williams | Chicago Bears quarterback
The Athletic’s Mike Jones thinks Williams will vie for Offensive Rookie of the Year and enter the MVP discussion.
“Look for Williams to ignite a Bears team that boasts top-flight veterans and young prospects at key positions,” Jones wrote. “Chicago resides in a highly competitive NFC North, so a division crown may be too daunting in Year 1. But Williams will prove to be the real deal.”
However, Williams may falter Sunday against the Titans. Per CBS Sports’ Jordan Dajani, the last 15 QBs selected No. 1 overall are 0-14-1 in their debuts.
7. Nick Sirianni | Philadelphia Eagles head coach
Sirianni’s seat should be getting warmer. According to CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr, the Eagles joined the 1986 New York Jets as the only teams to start 10-1 and lose six of their last seven games (counting playoffs).
This offseason, Sirianni overhauled his coaching staff, bringing in new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. If these moves flop, doubts about his job security may continue to grow. A loss to the Packers on Friday in Sao Paulo, Brazil, would be a bad place to start.
8. Travis Kelce | Kansas City Chiefs tight end
On Tuesday, Kelce told NFL Media’s Rich Eisen retirement “hasn’t crossed [his] mind” even though he turns 35 on Oct. 5.
Keep track of whether Kelce shows any signs of slowing down on Thursday against the Ravens. Per Stathead, no tight end in NFL history has had 1,000 receiving yards at 35 or older.
9. Derrick Henry | Baltimore Ravens running back
Is Henry the missing piece for the Ravens?
Last season, Baltimore lost to K.C. 17-10 in the AFC Championship Game. On Sunday, Henry suggested the Ravens may have won the game had he played for them last season.
Henry should make a difference on Thursday. In 16 games with Tennesee last season, he rushed for 1,167 yards and 12 TDs on 280 carries.
10. John Lynch | San Francisco 49ers general manager
Lynch and the 49ers have clearly entered win-now mode. Along with Aiyuk, the 49ers gave left tackle Trent Williams (three years, $82.66M) and running back Christian McCaffrey (two years, $38M) massive extensions this offseason.
These signings may devour future cap space. OverTheCap.com estimates Super Bowl-or-bust San Francisco will be $38.13M over the cap in 2025. As of Wednesday, FanDuel lists the Niners as a 4.5-point favorite in their Monday night matchup against the Jets.
