With no more football games to think about for seven months, fans will have to take comfort in knowing that one of the next major NFL events is free agency beginning on March 10.
It's a time to be excited and nervous, which is all that a sports fan can ask for.
Teams will spend the next four weeks diligently going over their salary-cap space and roster needs to determine how much money to invest and which players to invest it in. This year's class is loaded with playmakers at every position, which is where the risk comes in.
There is always an incentive to add an impact player who can transform a roster, but that's going to come at a cost. That may make fans happy now, yet it's possible a better investment would be a second-tier free agent who will be a solid contributor and take up less cap space.
Whatever the future for free agents holds, here is all the information you need to know about the madness. There are also some early rumors floating around that make early predictions easy to come by.
Ndamukong Suh, Defensive Tackle
Arguably the top free agent in this year's class, Ndamukong Suh can immediately turn a bad defensive line into a potent group that attacks the quarterback with aplomb.
It's unclear exactly what kind of market Suh will have because he can legitimately ask for a record-breaking contract, but Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports reported before the postseason that there will be no shortage of suitors:
The sources told Yahoo Sports there could be as many as 10 teams interested in making titanic pitches to Suh. That number includes Suh’s current team, the Lions, which still has the option of restructuring some contracts and retaining the four-time All-Pro via the franchise tag. At a price of $26.7 million for 2015, the weight of that one-year contract would be potentially crippling to the franchise, but the three sources said Detroit is keeping the option on the table.
Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press appeared on Bleacher Report's Team Stream Now to provide this update on Suh's status in Detroit:
One team with reported interest in Suh that makes perfect sense is Cleveland. Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com wrote in a December mailbag about what the Browns might be thinking:
I have heard the Browns are considering Suh as a prime free agent target. They are once again among the league leaders in projected salary cap room and may be willing to make him the highest-paid defensive lineman in NFL history. That’s the type of contract it will take to attract Suh.
ESPN.com's Adam Schefter also listed four teams with cap space and the need for a player like Suh to upgrade their defense:
Many around the league do not expect the Lions to use their franchise tag on Suh because it would cost them $26.87 million -- just too steep a price. Assuming Suh is not tagged, he will be free to leave, and he probably would be the most desirable unrestricted free agent on the market. Those who know Suh believe that playing in New York, Dallas or Chicago always has appealed to him...
The Browns' defensive line has been a mess, despite spending money to upgrade that spot in recent years on the likes of Paul Kruger. They've ignored the middle of the field, which led to the defense allowing a league-worst 141.6 rushing yards per game.
Suh would also upgrade a pass rush that finished 27th in the league with 31 sacks. He's had at least eight sacks in three of his five NFL seasons.
The Browns will need to start generating positive headlines instead of stories about suspensions and a quarterback whom no one seems to like.
While Suh wouldn't solve all of Cleveland's problems, he would be a huge asset to this franchise in a crowded AFC North.
Prediction: Suh signs with Cleveland.
DeMarco Murray, Running Back
Of all the players eligible for free agency this offseason, no one will be as fascinating to follow as DeMarco Murray. He's coming off one of the greatest seasons by any running back in Cowboys history, which is an impressive feat with names like Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett on the list.
There seem to be two problems with Murray that teams will focus on.
The first is that 2014 was the first time he didn't miss at least two games with an injury. He's averaged 4.8 yards per carry in his career, so there's no denying the impact he can have when on the field.
The other problem is running backs just aren't valued that highly in the NFL anymore. The Cowboys face that dilemma if they have to decide between Murray and star wideout Dez Bryant.
According to what owner/general manager Jerry Jones said on his radio show (h/t Charean Williams of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram) in late December, it seems as though he's already made his decision:
Jones expanded on that in January, with this quote via Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News:
Murray will turn 27 on February 12, so he's young enough to avoid that wall running backs tend to hit at a certain point. It's just a matter of trying to figure out which team needs a running back and will pay him what he's looking for.
Matt Williamson of ESPN.com brought up one interesting option:
No team in the league needs a running back more than the Colts. Trent Richardson hasn't worked out at all, and the rest of the stable does not feature top options. A consistent running game would be the ingredient to complete Indianapolis' already impressive offense led by Andrew Luck. Now, Luck's contract will need to be addressed before long -- which will break the bank, no doubt -- but the Colts still have quite a bit of cap space to go shopping this offseason.
It's clear the Colts will be aggressive with running backs, as evidenced by the first-round pick they gave up for Trent Richardson in 2013.
Luck is asked to do more than any quarterback in the league because the Colts have a mediocre offensive line and no running game to speak of. It wouldn't be wrong to say the young quarterback is also their best running back.
Murray would give the Colts an added dimension on offense which has sorely been lacking in playoff losses to teams like Baltimore and New England in the Luck era.
Prediction: Murray signs with Indianapolis.
Team To Watch For: Atlanta Falcons
Our final examination will not focus on a player, but an entire franchise.
The most intriguing team to watch this offseason looks like the Atlanta Falcons, who have patiently waited until after the Super Bowl to hire Seattle defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as their next head coach, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
There are teams with more cap space than the Falcons, but with $23.5 million to play with and a defense in need of immediate repair, things could get interesting.
Former agent Joel Corry wrote an article for CBSSports.com about how the wind could blow in Atlanta once free agency starts:
Byron Maxwell could be option to pair with Desmond Trufant at cornerback since it's unlikely that Seattle can make a competitive offer to keep Maxwell with Kam Chancellor, Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas among the highest-paid players at their respective positions.
Corry's article also makes a connection between new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's past that may impact Atlanta's future:
Brian Orakpo, recovering from the third torn pectoral muscle of his career, posted 10 sacks during 2013 in Shanahan's final season as the Redskins' OC before receiving the team's franchise tag. He's been a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL but shouldn't have a problem making a transition to the 4-3 scheme Quinn prefers after being a defensive end in college.
Even though the Falcons were a mess on defense in 2014, ranking 27th in scoring defense, last in total defense and pass defense, they don't have to make drastic improvements to compete for a playoff spot next year.
The NFC South is a complete mess. The Buccaneers had the league's worst record last year and have no idea what's going on at the quarterback spot. New Orleans has to make drastic cuts with the league's worst cap situation, projected at $23.2 million over the limit.
Carolina looks like the only threat to finish over .500 next season as things stand now.
The Falcons can join that group with a couple of minor tweaks on defense, which would take pressure off the offense. Matt Ryan is still a solid quarterback you can win with, while Julio Jones remains one of the best receivers in the league.
There are plenty of foundational pieces for the new Atlanta regime to work with. It's just a question of putting everything together.
Unless otherwise noted, salary-cap information courtesy of Over the Cap.