With the 2022-23 NFL season opener kicking off this week, an analysis is in order for the biggest storylines of the season. These storylines revolve around teams, players, coaches, etc. The following analysis lists each storyline and illustrates why each may be vital this season.

5. Which second-year quarterback will take the leap?

Ten quarterbacks were drafted in the 2021 NFL Draft, with five selected in the first round. Out of the 10, only one quarterback, Mac Jones of the New England Patriots, led his team to the playoffs. Some of the teams that drafted a quarterback in last year’s draft have started building their rosters around them. For example, during the 2022 Free Agency period, the Jacksonville Jaguars reset the wide receiver market after signing Christian Kirk to a four-year, $72 million contract with $37 million guaranteed. The New York Jets addressed the wide receiver and running back positions by drafting Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall no. 10 and 36 in this year’s draft. As for which decisions will end up helping their second-year quarterbacks, only time will tell.

4. How will superstars fare with new teams?

The 2022 NFL offseason was one of the most chaotic in recent memory with a myriad of trades involving superstars. Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, Russell Wilson, and AJ Brown were among the superstars traded. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown was traded as well. It will be interesting to see how each player plays with his respective new team as Adams moves from having Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback to former Fresno State teammate Derek Carr and Hill moves from Patrick Mahomes as his quarterback to Tua Tagovailoa.

3. Which coaches are on the hot seat?

As is the case every season, some coaches are tied to the hot seat. Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury, Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carrol and Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera are coaches that may be on the hot seat. Of these coaches, McCarthy’s situation is the most notable as Cowboys general manager Jerry Jones prioritized retaining defensive coordinator Dan Quinn because of Quinn’s head coaching experience, and the team has been continuously linked to former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, who served as the team’s assistant head coach, quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator from 2003 to 2005.

2. Will Joe Brrrr break the curse?

After leading the Cincinnati Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1989, expectations are sky-high for Joe Burrow as he enters his third season in the NFL. However, after losing to the Los Angeles Rams, Burrow became the 34th starting quarterback to lose in his Super Bowl debut. Of the previous 33 quarterbacks, only six were able to return to the big game with the most recent being Jim Kelly.

1. Deshaun Watson’s suspension

After over two dozen massage therapists accused Watson of sexual misconduct, the NFL and NFL Player’s Association reached a settlement on an 11-game suspension and $5 million fine. Watson’s first game back will be against his former team—the Houston Texans. Watson’s contract with the Cleveland Browns, a five year, $230 million, is not only the most guaranteed contract in NFL history, but it also includes a base salary of $1.035 million.