2023 NFL season

Free agency began on March 15.[1] Notable players to change teams included:

• Quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett (Cleveland to Washington), Derek Carr (Las Vegas to New Orleans), Andy Dalton (New Orleans to Carolina), Jimmy Garoppolo (San Francisco to Las Vegas), Taylor Heinicke (Washington to Atlanta), and Baker Mayfield (Los Angeles Rams to Tampa Bay)
• Running backs Dalvin Cook (Minnesota to New York Jets), Ezekiel Elliott (Dallas to New England), Melvin Gordon (Kansas City to Baltimore), Damien Harris (New England to Buffalo), David Montgomery (Chicago to Detroit), Latavius Murray (Denver to Buffalo), Miles Sanders (Philadelphia to Carolina), Devin Singletary (Buffalo to Houston), and Jamaal Williams (Detroit to New Orleans)
• Wide receivers Nelson Agholor (New England to Baltimore), Odell Beckham Jr. (Los Angeles Rams to Baltimore), D. J. Chark (Detroit to Carolina), DeAndre Hopkins (Arizona to Tennessee), Allen Lazard (Green Bay to New York Jets), Jakobi Meyers (New England to Las Vegas), JuJu Smith-Schuster (Kansas City to New England), Adam Thielen (Minnesota to Carolina), and Robert Woods (Tennessee to Houston)
• Tight ends Mike Gesicki (Miami to New England), Austin Hooper (Tennessee to Las Vegas), Hayden Hurst (Cincinnati to Carolina), Dalton Schultz (Dallas to Houston), and Robert Tonyan (Green Bay to Chicago)
• Offensive linemen Orlando Brown Jr. (Kansas City to Cincinnati), Nate Davis (Tennessee to Chicago), Mike McGlinchey (San Francisco to Denver), Connor McGovern (Dallas to Buffalo), Ben Powers (Baltimore to Denver), Donovan Smith (Tampa Bay to Kansas City), Jawaan Taylor (Jacksonville to Kansas City), and Andrew Wylie (Kansas City to Washington)
• Defensive linemen Zach Allen (Arizona to Denver), Calais Campbell (Baltimore to Atlanta), Marcus Davenport (New Orleans to Minnesota), Javon Hargrave (Philadelphia to San Francisco), Dre'Mont Jones (Denver to Seattle), Yannick Ngakoue (Indianapolis to Chicago), David Onyemata (New Orleans to Atlanta), and Dalvin Tomlinson (Minnesota to Cleveland)
• Linebackers Frank Clark (Kansas City to Denver), Tremaine Edmunds (Buffalo to Chicago), T. J. Edwards (Philadelphia to Chicago), Leonard Floyd (Los Angeles Rams to Buffalo), Eric Kendricks (Minnesota to Los Angeles Chargers), and Bobby Wagner (Los Angeles Rams to Seattle)
• Defensive backs Adrian Amos (Green Bay to New York Jets), Jessie Bates (Cincinnati to Atlanta), C. J. Gardner-Johnson (Philadelphia to Detroit), Byron Murphy (Arizona to Minnesota), Marcus Peters (Baltimore to Las Vegas), Patrick Peterson (Minnesota to Pittsburgh), Cameron Sutton (Pittsburgh to Detroit), Juan Thornhill (Kansas City to Cleveland), and Jimmie Ward (San Francisco to Houston)
• Kickers Matt Gay (Los Angeles Rams to Indianapolis) and Brandon McManus (Denver to Jacksonville)
• Punters Jake Bailey (New England to Miami) and Riley Dixon (Los Angeles Rams to Denver)

The following notable trades were made during the 2023 league year:

• March 15: The Los Angeles Rams traded CB Jalen Ramsey to Miami in exchange for TE Hunter Long and a 2023 third round selection.[2]
• March 15: Indianapolis traded CB Stephon Gilmore to Dallas in exchange for a 2023 fifth round selection.[3]
• March 15: Las Vegas traded TE Darren Waller to the New York Giants in exchange for a 2023 third round selection.[4]
• March 15: Carolina traded WR D. J. Moore, 2023 first and second round selections (Nos. 9 and 61), a 2024 first round selection, and a 2025 second round selection to Chicago in exchange for a 2023 first round selection (No. 1).[5]
• March 22: The New York Jets traded WR Elijah Moore and a 2023 third round selection to Cleveland in exchange for a 2023 second round selection.[6]
• April 19: The Los Angeles Rams traded WR Allen Robinson and a 2023 seventh round selection to Pittsburgh in exchange for a 2023 seventh round selection.[7]
• April 24: Green Bay traded QB Aaron Rodgers and 2023 first and fifth round selections to the New York Jets in exchange for 2023 first, second, and sixth round selections, and a conditional 2024 second round selection.[8]
• April 29: Detroit traded RB D'Andre Swift and a 2023 seventh round selection to Philadelphia in exchange for a 2023 seventh round selection and a 2025 fourth round selection.[9]
• May 16: Minnesota traded DE Za'Darius Smith along with 2025 sixth and seventh round selections to Cleveland in exchange for 2024 and 2025 fifth round selections.[10]
• August 25: San Francisco traded QB Trey Lance to Dallas in exchange for a 2024 fourth round selection.[11]
• August 27: Cleveland traded OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr. to New England in exchange for RB Pierre Strong Jr.[12]
• August 27: Pittsburgh traded G Kevin Dotson and 2024 fifth and 2025 sixth round selections to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for 2024 fourth and 2025 fifth round selections.[13]
• August 29: New Orleans traded K Wil Lutz to Denver in exchange for a 2024 seventh round selection.[14]
• August 29: New England traded K Nick Folk to Tennessee in exchange for a 2025 seventh round selection.[15]
• August 29: Miami traded CB Noah Igbinoghene to Dallas in exchange for CB Kelvin Joseph.[16]
• October 4: The Los Angeles Chargers traded CB J. C. Jackson and a 2025 seventh round selection to New England in exchange for a 2025 sixth round selection.[17]
• October 18: The New York Jets traded WR Mecole Hardman and a 2025 seventh round selection to Kansas City in exchange for a 2025 sixth round selection.[18]
• October 23: Tennessee traded S Kevin Byard to Philadelphia in exchange for S Terrell Edmunds and 2024 fifth and sixth round selections.[19]

Notable retirements

• QB Tom Brady – Fifteen-time Pro Bowler, six-time All-Pro (three first-team, three second-team), seven-time Super Bowl champion (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, LIII, and LV), five-time Super Bowl MVP (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XLIX, LI, and LV), three-time NFL MVP (2007, 2010, and 2017), two-time Offensive Player of the Year (2007 and 2010), and 2009 Comeback Player of the Year. Played for New England and Tampa Bay during his 23-year career.[20]
• WR A. J. Green – Seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time second-team All-Pro. Played for Cincinnati and Arizona during his 12-year career.[21]
• DT Gerald McCoy – Six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro (one first-team, two second-team). Played for Tampa Bay, Carolina, and Las Vegas during his 12-year career.[22]
• DE J. J. Watt – Five-time Pro Bowler, seven-time All-Pro (five first-team, two second-team), three-time Defensive Player of the Year (2012, 2014, and 2015), and 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year. Played for Houston and Arizona during his 12-year career.[23]

Other retirements

The 2023 NFL Draft was held outside Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 27–29.[61] Chicago, by virtue of having the worst record in 2022, was awarded the first overall selection. However, it was traded to Carolina, who selected quarterback Bryce Young out of Alabama.

Bobby Beathard

Beathard was the general manager of the Washington Redskins from 1978 to 1989 and the San Diego Chargers from 1990 to 2000, as well as serving as the Miami Dolphins' director of player personnel from 1972 to 1977, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018. He was a four-time Super Bowl champion (VII, VIII, XVII, and XXII). He died on January 30, age 86.[62]

Gil Brandt

Brandt was the vice president of player personnel for the Dallas Cowboys from 1960 to 1988, as well as serving in executive roles with the Los Angeles Rams 1955 to 1957 and the San Francisco 49ers from 1958 to 1959, helped create the NFL Scouting Combine, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019. He was a two-time Super Bowl champion (VI and XII). He died on August 31, age 91.[63]

Bob Brown

Brown played ten seasons in the NFL as an offensive tackle with the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, and Oakland Raiders, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and nine-time All-Pro (five first-team, four second-team). He died on June 16, age 81.[64]

Jim Brown

Brown played nine seasons in the NFL as a fullback with the Cleveland Browns, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971. He was a nine-time Pro Bowler, nine-time All-Pro (eight first-team, one second-team), three-time NFL MVP, and 1964 NFL Champion. He died on May 18, age 87.[65]

Dick Butkus

Butkus played nine seasons in the NFL as a linebacker with the Chicago Bears, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979. He was an eight-time Pro Bowler, eight-time All-Pro (five first-team, three second-team), and two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He died on October 5, age 80.[66]

Bud Grant

Grant was the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 1967 to 1983 and the 1985 season. He won an NFL championship with the Vikings in 1969 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994. He died on March 11, age 95.[67]

Art McNally

McNally was the director of officiating for the NFL from 1968 to 1991. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022, becoming the first official to receive the honor. He died on January 1, age 97.[68]

Dave Wilcox

Wilcox played 11 seasons in the NFL as a linebacker with the San Francisco 49ers, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro (two first-team, two second-team). He died on April 19, age 80.[69]

• Norma Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs co-owner (minority) since 2006, widow of Chiefs and American Football League founder Lamar Hunt and mother of Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt. Won two Super Bowls (LIV and LVII) as co-owner. She died on June 4, age 85.[70]

As part of new media agreements that were signed by the networks in 2021, the league's flexible scheduling system expands this season to include Monday Night Football games, and increase the amount of cross-flexing (switching) of Sunday afternoon games between CBS and Fox.[89][90][91] In May 2023, league owners then passed flex scheduling rules for Thursday Night Football as well, only as a trial basis for this season, and they would only carry over to 2024 if no TNF games are flexed in 2023.[92]

Monday Night Football games can be flexed between weeks 12 and 17 in 2023, provided that the league announces their rescheduling no later than 12 days before the contests. The flex scheduling restriction for early season Sunday Night Football remains the same as in previous years, in that no more than two games may be flexed during the first two months of the season (between weeks 5 and 13 in 2023), with a 12-day advance notice. The deadline for flexing late season Sunday night games (between weeks 14 and 17 in 2023) has been extended this season, and the league can now give up to a six-day notice for these contests like in week 18.[93][94] For Thursday Night Football, only two games may be flexed between weeks 13 and 17, teams cannot play two away TNF games during season, the same team cannot be flexed into TNF both times, and the league must give a 28-day notice.[92]

CBS and Fox will still be able to protect games from being moved to another network. When the initial season schedule is created, the two networks can select a limited amount of games involving a specific number of teams from their respective conference. Otherwise every game can be initially scheduled on any network regardless of conference.[90][95] After the season is underway, the two networks will be allowed to protect one game each week from getting flexed to another network.[91]

Week 6: The Detroit–Tampa Bay game, originally scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET, was flexed to 4:25 p.m. ET, still on Fox.[96]

Week 15: Five games have been set aside to potentially be moved into an NFL Network tripleheader on Saturday, December 16: Atlanta–Carolina, Chicago–Cleveland, Denver–Detroit, Minnesota–Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh–Indianapolis. Of these games, three will be selected to play on that Saturday at 1:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. ET, while the remaining two will be scheduled as Thursday, Sunday or Monday games.[97]

Week 18: All Week 18 games were initially listed with a kickoff time of "TBD".[98] Two games with playoff implications are planned to be moved to a Saturday, January 6, doubleheader at either 4:30 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. ET on both ESPN and ABC. Another game with playoff implications will be selected as the final NBC Sunday Night Football game at 8:20 p.m. ET. All remaining games will then be scheduled on Sunday afternoon at either 1:00 or 4:25 p.m. ET on either CBS or Fox.[99]

The following were named the top performers during the 2023 season:

Josh Harris led a group that bought the Washington Commanders from Daniel Snyder for $6.05 billion.

After mounting pressure from other league owners to sell the franchise, Daniel Snyder hired BofA Securities to explore possible transactions in November 2022.[128][129][130] In May 2023, he reached an agreement to sell the Commanders to an investment group led by Josh Harris, owner of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL's New Jersey Devils, for $6.05 billion.[131] The group has 20 limited partners worth a combined $100 billion, including Mitchell Rales and Magic Johnson.[132][133] The sale was the highest price ever paid for a sports team and was unanimously approved by the NFL on July 20, 2023.[134][135]

On April 21, the NFL suspended three players indefinitely (Detroit wide receiver Quintez Cephus and safety C. J. Moore, and Washington defensive end Shaka Toney), and two players for six games (Detroit wide receivers Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill) for violations of the league's gambling policy. Detroit later released Cephus and Moore.[136]

On June 29, the NFL suspended three additional players indefinitely (Indianapolis cornerback Isaiah Rodgers and linebacker Rashod Berry, and free agent defensive lineman Demetrius Taylor) for betting on league games in 2022. The league also suspended Tennessee offensive lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere for six games for violating the league's gambling policy by betting on non-NFL sports while at team facilities.[137] On July 24, Denver defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike was suspended indefinitely for violating the policy.[138]

On September 29, the NFL revised the gambling policy. Betting on NFL games will incur a minimum ban of one year, providing inside information will incur an indefinite ban with a one year minimum, and match fixing or attempted match fixing will result in a lifetime ban. The penalties for betting on other sports at NFL facilities were reduced to a two-game ban for first-time offenders, a six-game ban for second-time offenders, and a minimum one year ban for further infractions. This resulted in Williams and Petit-Frere being immediately reinstated.[139]

All players suspended indefinitely are allowed to apply for reinstatement after the 2023 season.

Several NFL teams switched to using Nike’s new Vapor F.U.S.E uniform template, this after Seattle had a brief trial run during the 2020 season.[161][162]

• Arizona introduced a new uniform design for 2023.[163] The new designs feature simplified uniform striping. The previous color scheme was retained with silver added as an accent color.[164] A large "Arizona" word mark was added above the numbers on the home uniform. The home uniform's numbers are accented with a silver outline and forgoes a sleeve pattern included on the alternate and away jerseys. The away uniform is white with red numbers with black trim, and red and silver stripes along the pants and sleeves. The alternate uniform is black with red numbers outlined in silver. Arizona's primary helmet was modified to feature silver facemasks, silver reflective flakes on the shell, and a larger logo.[165][166]
• Carolina adjusted the team's shade of blue. The team will retain its preexisting uniform design otherwise, with an adjustment to the jersey's shoulder stripes.[167][168]
• Indianapolis implemented a new alternate uniform dubbed "Indiana Nights." The design features a heather fabric pattern displayed on blue jerseys and blue pants with white numbers outlined in black. A new black helmet accompanies the uniform.[169][170]
• Minnesota introduced a new throwback uniform similar to the design worn during the 1960s and 1970s. The helmet will be modified to include a gray facemask in place of the team's standard black facemask, and will feature an altered logo to more closely resemble the era's design. They will be worn for one game.[171][172][173]
• The New York Jets will debut a throwback uniform dubbed "Legacy White" inspired by a former design worn by the team from 1978–1989.[174] The uniform will be featured in two home games.[175]
• Philadelphia reinstated its Kelly green throwback uniforms for the 2023 season.[176] This iteration is modeled after the set worn from 1985 to 1995 and will be worn for two games.[177] The Eagles last featured Kelly green uniforms during the 2010 season.[178][179]
• Seattle will reintroduce its 1990s era uniforms as a part of the "NFL's classic uniform program" during the 2023 season.[180] They will be worn for one game.[181] The throwback combination replaces Seattle's grey alternate due to NFL rules limiting teams to a maximum of four uniforms.[182]
• Tampa Bay reinstated the orange throwback "creamsicle" uniforms worn from 1976–1996. The team intended to wear the design during the 2022 season but delayed its reintroduction until 2023, citing supply chain issues.[183][184] The team will wear this design for one game and for the first time since the 2012 season.[185]
• Tennessee will wear a Houston Oilers-era uniform based on their design from 1981 to 1998 for two home games. This design replaces Tennessee's light blue uniform as the team's alternate.[186][187][188][189][190] The Titans last wore Oilers uniforms in 2009.[191][192]

• Cleveland introduced a white helmet with an orange and brown center stripe. The helmet will be worn with the team's 1946 throwback uniforms, which were previously introduced in 2021.[193] It will be worn for three games.[194][195]
• Denver will wear a white alternate helmet adorned with decals based on the team logo introduced in 1968. The helmet's decals and stripes are similar to the ones used with Denver's 2016 "Color Rush" combination. The helmet will be paired with those uniforms.[196][197][198]
• Detroit introduced an alternate helmet. The helmet's shell is Honolulu blue and features decals based on the team logo used from 1961 to 1969.[199][200][201][202] The helmet will be paired with Detroit's all-grey alternate uniform.
• Indianapolis revealed a new helmet worn with the aforementioned "Indiana Nights" alternate uniform. The helmet's shell is black and includes the team logo outlined in white.[169][203]
• Minnesota will pair the throwback uniform listed above with a helmet featuring a deeper purple hue reminiscent of the era in which the uniform was inspired.[173]
• Philadelphia will pair the throwback uniform listed above with the helmet of that era: a Kelly green shell with silver eagle wing decals outlined in white and a gray facemask. This will replace the black helmet used with the team's black alternate uniform the previous season.
• Seattle will pair the throwback uniform listed above with the classic silver helmet featuring the original team logo.
• Tampa Bay will pair the throwback uniform listed above with the classic white helmet featuring the franchise's original mascot, Bucco Bruce.[184]
• Tennessee will pair the throwback uniform listed above with the classic white helmet featuring the famed Houston Oilers oil derrick logo.

• Starting in Week 6, Chicago will feature a patch that commemorates Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, who died on October 5.[204]
• Cleveland will feature a patch that commemorates Hall of Famer Jim Brown, who died on May 18.
• Detroit will feature a patch that commemorates their 90th season in the city.[205]
• Indianapolis will wear a patch that commemorates the team's 40th season in the city during their home opener.[206][207]
• Kansas City will wear a patch honoring team founder Lamar Hunt's late wife Norma Knobel Hunt who died on June 4. The patch displays her "NKH" initials and will be worn for the entirety of the season.[208]
• Minnesota will accompany their throwback uniform with a patch honoring their late former head coach Bud Grant, who died earlier in the year. The patch features Grant's signature and will be worn for one game. The patch's design will be featured as a decal on the team's helmet throughout the rest of the season.[209][210]

For residential customers in the United States, this is the first season that the NFL Sunday Ticket out-of-market sports package will exclusively be on YouTube TV, as well as on YouTube's Primetime Channels service as a standalone subscription option.[239] DirecTV declined to renew its exclusive rights to NFL Sunday Ticket, which it held since the package's debut in 1994.[240][241] YouTube TV will also stream NFL RedZone instead of producing a separate version like DirectTV did.[242]

On March 28, 2023, the NFL announced that the commercial rights to Sunday Ticket would be held by EverPass Media, a new company funded by RedBird Capital and the NFL's venture capital arm 32 Equity. EverPass distribute NFL Sunday Ticket to bars, restaurants, and other commercial venues via existing cable and satellite providers under non-exclusive agreements.[243] EverPass reached its first agreement with DirecTV on May 25, 2023.[244]

This is the second season of the NFL's current radio contract with Westwood One, including rights to all primetime, marquee, and playoff games, along with audio coverage of other events such as the NFL Draft and NFL Honors.[245]

Compass Media, ESPN Radio, and Sports USA will continue to broadcast select Sunday afternoon games nationally on radio.

On February 7, 2023, the NFL announced a new deal with DAZN to become the worldwide rightsholder of its NFL Game Pass streaming service outside of the U.S. and China. DAZN had already held the rights to Game Pass and Sunday Ticket in Canada.[246]

In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports will continue to broadcast two selected non-national games live every Sunday, one early and one late window game respectively. The Sky Sports Mix channel will continue to air a live simulcast of NFL Network’s NFL RedZone whip-around show. Sky Sports will also continue to broadcast every Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football (including doubleheaders) and Thursday Night Football game live.

Greg Gumbel retired from working NFL games on CBS after the 2022 season.[247] CBS replaced Gumbel on its roster of announcing teams with Chris Lewis, who was assigned to the number 7 broadcasting team with Jason McCourty and Ross Tucker. Other changes include Andrew Catalon replacing Gumbel on the number 4 team, joined by Matt Ryan and Tiki Barber, Spero Dedes reuniting with Adam Archuleta on the number 5 team, and Tom McCarthy moving to the number 6 team with James Lofton and Jay Feely. Recently retired defensive end J. J. Watt joined The NFL Today studio team for select appearances.[248]

ESPN replaced Steve Levy with Chris Fowler on the number 2 team with Dan Orlovsky, Louis Riddick and Laura Rutledge during Monday Night Football doubleheaders and ESPN+ exclusive international games.[249] Scott Van Pelt replaced Suzy Kolber as host of Monday Night Countdown.[250]

All times Eastern.

• DH = doubleheader; Single = singleheader; SNF = Sunday Night Football; MNF = Monday Night Football; TNF = Thursday Night Football.
• Singleheader game times may vary between 1:00 or 4:05 p.m. ET, thus the time listed on those games is based on the game viewed in the highest percentage of markets.
• TV networks include those Spanish network broadcasts through Telemundo, Universo, ESPN Deportes, Fox Deportes, and SAP.