We need to choose an identity and build toward it. If we're going to be a pass-first team that relies on chunk plays, we need to add lineman who can pass block and another receiver who can get open underneath. If we're going to play a ball-control style offense and rely on our defense, we need more difference-makers on defense.
Right now, I don't know what the heck we are. It's like we're a finesse high-tempo offense trapped inside a power rushing scheme, with a play-caller and QB that want to attack aggressively downfield and a HC that wants to shorten the game while trusting his defense. Those approaches are kind of antithetical to each other. This wouldn't be so bad if we were in any other division, but unfortunately, we're trapped in a division with two great defenses with elite pass rushers.
That makes the solution to progressing a difficult one. We're getting older in several key spots. We don't have a lot of cap maneuverability with all of our pending free agents. And we have very little draft capital left.
The ideal solution would be fully committing to Russ and the passing game, which is a tough ask in this division, especially as Russ continues to slow down with age. The other approaches require luck. We'd either have to find some diamonds in the rough on defense, find a truly elite RB, or hope things break our way during the season. Otherwise, this might be our ceiling: Good enough to get to the playoffs and make a run when everything breaks our way. But not good enough to overcome injuries or slow starts in the playoffs.
Knowing PC and JS, we'll probably bring back many of our core free agents and try to run it back again. Honestly, this is not a bad approach, but it's also unlikely to make us any more or less competitive than this season's team.
