The NFL’s legal tampering period begins Monday, at which point prospective free agents can begin negotiating contracts with interested teams. Two days later, the new league year begins and deals can officially be signed.
The approach of free agency makes now a good time for bettors to start looking into futures for teams they’re optimistic about. This may be the last time to catch Super Bowl odds as long as they are now, especially for teams with money to spend in free agency. The more their rosters improve, the more their odds shorten; the New York Jets went from a 7-10 team in 2022 to having top-seven Super Bowl odds after adding Aaron Rodgers last offseason. Below are five potential contenders who can improve their odds during this year’s free agency.
Super Bowl odds from BetMGM and salary cap figures from Over the Cap.
Detroit Lions (+1200)
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Lions fans won’t soon forget blowing a 24-7 lead to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship, but a strong offseason could bring a little relief and that’s certainly a possibility with $46 million in cap space. Detroit already has top-five odds, but adding a top-flight cornerback and pass rusher could push them even closer to the favored Niners.
Cincinnati Bengals (+1400)
Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports
The Bengals already have top-four odds in the AFC as of the time this is being written, but of those teams, they’re the only ones with real cap space to play with this offseason. With Joe Burrow set to return next season and $48 million to make moves, Cincinnati may very well be one of the league’s top Super Bowl contenders after free agency, regardless of conference.
Philadelphia Eagles (+1600)
AP Photo/Matt Slocum
Philadelphia’s flat finish to the 2023 season was only disappointing because of how talented the roster was, and it’ll remain talented even with a few key players expected to depart this offseason — most notably the retirement of Jason Kelce. The Eagles aren’t far from returning to contention, though, and more than $40 million in cap space will help them get there.
Houston Texans (+2500)
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Houston might be in the best position of any team entering free agency this year, with a stud quarterback on a rookie deal, the bones of a playoff roster in place and $70 million in cap space. They’ve already been attached to names like Saquon Barkley in free agency, so a big splash seems very possible.
Los Angeles Rams (+3000)
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Rams were a team many people, including myself, thought could upset the Detroit Lions last postseason, and they very nearly did. That offense should remain explosive in 2024, and LA has $40 million in cap space to address holes on the offensive and defensive line and improve the team’s +3000 title odds.
