Paget's Pick-Six: The dog days are over

A look around the NFL with Brian Paget

Less than two weeks away from the start of the 2023 NFL season, here’s a look at six of the biggest storylines around the league.

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1 – Tabs on Taylor

With Josh Jacobs now back in Las Vegas, Jonathan Taylor is the lone running back domino left to fall. But the 2021 runner-up for AP Offensive Player of the Year does not appear to be headed for an unceremonious, one-year reconciliation akin to Jacobs and Saquon Barkley.

The overall state of affairs between Taylor and the Colts is nothing out of the ordinary: The former second-round pick is uninterested in playing out the final year of his rookie deal without an extension in place; meanwhile, Indianapolis feels no rush to pay its star running back. Yet controversial comments from Jim Irsay and dubious injury claims from Taylor have muddied this dilemma and perhaps left the relationship strained beyond repair. 

Ultimately, a trade makes the most sense for both parties at this stage, especially with the Colts looking to avoid potential distractions ahead of Anthony Richardson’s NFL debut. But even if Indianapolis eventually lowers its asking price, would Taylor be willing to relent on his demands and play out his rookie contract elsewhere without a predetermined extension? That’s the real unanswered question. 

Paget’s Pick: Taylor winds up in Miami.

2 – Questionable Quarterbacks

Has there been a more disappointing batch of quarterbacks in recent memory than the 2021 draft class?

This highly-touted group — headlined by Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields and Mac Jones, all of whom were selected within the top-15 picks — has certainly fallen short of expectations thus far. In fact, outside of Lawrence — who is well on his way to stardom — it’s been rather ugly.

As these signal-callers head into year three, Wilson and Lance are entrenched as developmental backups, while Fields and Jones are playing for their futures and looking to make significant strides with some help from improved supporting casts. 

It hasn’t been pretty for the three quarterbacks selected across the second and third rounds either. Kyle Trask was beaten out by Baker Mayfield for the Buccaneers’ starting job, and Kellen Mond and Davis Mills are both at risk of being cut in the coming days.

For a class that featured a record-setting eight quarterbacks selected in the first three rounds, it’s hard to classify these results as anything short of a massive letdown. If Fields and Jones rise to the occasion in 2023, though, the narrative could change.

3 – Wounded Wideouts

Some big-name wide receivers were hit by the injury bug this past week, as Terry McLaurin, Jerry Jeudy and Jaxon Smith-Njigba all look to be at risk of missing the early portion of the 2023 season.

While Geno Smith and the Seahawks should easily weather the storm with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett still in the fold, Sam Howell and Russel Wilson — both of whom enter the year already under the microscope — will be put to the test early on if they are without their top targets.

The Commanders should be OK, as they’ll likely just lean heavily on Jahan Dotson through the early going. The Broncos, on the other hand, are in a bit of a precarious spot with just Courtland Sutton and 2023 second-round pick Marvin Mims left to shoulder the load in the absence of Jeudy and Tim Patrick.

Now that training camp is in the books, I wonder if Sean Payton checks in with Julio Jones or Jarvis Landry regarding their potential interest in a move to Denver.

4 – Cart Caution

On Saturday, the Dolphins and Jaguars opted to suspend their preseason game after rookie wide receiver Daewood Davis was carted off the field on a stretcher. This marked the second time in seven days that a game was suspended following a scary injury.

First and foremost, props to the two teams for prioritizing safety and coming to a commendable resolution. There is certainly no need to keep playing an exhibition game after a heart-wrenching scene like that.

This does elicit questions, though, as to how these situations will be handled come the regular season. The Damar Hamlin incident appears to have shifted the approach when it comes to the aftermath of any sort of on-field tragedies. And rightfully so.

5 – Transparent Tanking

When is the last time a team has tanked as openly as the 2023 Arizona Cardinals?

Sure, Kyler Murray is expected to return at some point this year, but the fact that the Cardinals’ quarterback room currently consists of Colt McCoy, Joshua Dobbs and Clayton Tune is, well, borderline ridiculous.

At least make it look like you’re trying!

New general manager Monti Ossenfort kicked off what should be a full-on fire sale last week by moving Josh Jones and Isaiah Simmons, and it’s only a matter of time until this roster is thinned further.

James Conner and Marquise Brown already look like trade deadline fodder, and if the tanking goes as planned… perhaps Murray becomes the crown jewel of the 2024 offseason.

It’s been quite the turn of events in Arizona after the Cardinals started 7-0 with Murray and Kliff Kingsbury leading the way just two seasons ago.

6 – Potent Preseason

No team has upped its stock over the last few weeks more than the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are more than capable of making some noise in 2023 if Kenny Pickett continues to play the way he has.

After a perfect preseason — scoring five touchdowns on five drives — the Steelers’ starting offense suddenly looks like a dangerous unit led by a quarterback primed for a second-year breakout.

It’s not just Pickett, though, who should be better in 2023. The wealth of young talent around him — Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Diontae Johnson, George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth — looks to have taken strides as well.

With Mike Tomlin at the helm and T.J. Watt back healthy, there’s no reason to bet against the Steelers’ defense. So if the offensive improvement proves to be no fluke, Pittsburgh should be right back in the hunt for the AFC North title.