Late Summer Extension Candidates

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertSeptember 05, 2023
© USA TODAY Sports

A look at a contract extension candidate (or two) from almost every NFL team heading into the 2023 regular season, including projected valuations for each.
Related: Recent Market Valuations

Arizona Cardinals

WR Marquise Brown

1 year, $13.413M remaining (2024 UFA)
The 26-year-old has had up and down seasons with both Baltimore & Arizona to begin his career, but he’s remained a heavily targeted option no matter the situation. Christian Kirk (JAX, $18M) remains his best comparable, putting him in line for a 3 year, $54M extension currently.

Also: Budda Baker (S, 27, 1 year, $14.3M)

 

Atlanta Falcons

CB A.J. Terrell

2 years, $14.9M remaining (2025 UFA)

The #16 overall selection back in 2020 has long been the lone standout in Atlanta’s secondary, but should see a much easier path to success in 2023 with the likes of Jessie Bates now behind him. He’s not extension-eligible for the first time, with a $20M per year extension very much in sight.

Also: Kyle Pitts (TE, 22, Extension-Eligible after 2023)

 

Baltimore Ravens

RB JK Dobbins

1 year, $1.4M remaining (2024 UFA)

The former 2nd rounder has only seen action in 23 games to start his career, but there have been plenty of flashes that he can be every bit the versatile weapon he was drafted to be. If a projected $11.5M franchise tag in 2024 is too rich for Baltimore to live with, look for a multi-year extension offer that provides cap/cash relief over the next few seasons. It’s hard to imagine that contract approaching $5M per year right now however.

Also: Patrick Queen (LB, 24, 1 year, $2.2M)

 

Buffalo Bills

WR Gabriel Davis

1 year, $2.7M remaining (2024 UFA)

The 24-year-old battled injury and inconsistent play in 2022, dropping his potential extension stock quite a bit this past offseason. With that said, he also posted career highs in receptions, yards, & touchdowns in 2022, so it’s plausible to assume that a more consistent campaign for 2023 will put him right back in contract discussion. Allen Lazard’s 4 year, $44M deal in NY aligns best with Davis’ current resume.

Also: Dion Dawkins (LT, 29, 2 years, $20M)

 

Carolina Panthers

EDGE Brian Burns

1 year, $16M remaining (2024 UFA)

Burns and the Panthers have been in negotiations for quite some time, but it’s been publicly stated that the sides remain far apart heading toward Week 1. The 25-year-old posted career highs across the board in 2022, including 12.5 sacks in 16 games. Maxx Crosby’s 4 year, $94M deal with the Raiders currently stands as the best comparable here.

Also: Derrick Brown (DT, 25, 2 years, $15.4M)

 

Chicago Bears

WR Darnell Mooney

1 year, $2.9M (2024 UFA)

The 25-year-old is only 1 season removed from an 81 catch, 1,055 yard season in Chicago, so the idea of keeping him around for a few more seasons is certainly within reach. A cap-adjusted version of Jakobi Meyers’ 3 year, $33M deal in Las Vegas is a reasonable starting point if Mooney can remain healthy in 2023.

Also: Justin Fields (QB, 24, Extension-Eligible after 2023)

 

Cincinnati Bengals

QB Joe Burrow

2 years, $35M remaining (2025 UFA)

The next blockbuster QB is likely just days away, though we’ve been saying that for months now. The current top of the market sits at: $52.5M per year (Herbert), $135M guaranteed at signing (Jackson), $218M practically guaranteed (Herbert), $133M 3-Year cash flow (Herbert). Burrow is of course in the conversation to surpass all of these metrics.

Also: Tee Higgins (WR, 24, 1 year, $3M)

 

Cleveland Browns

WR Amari Cooper

2 years, $40M remaining (2025 UFA)

The early guarantee portion of Cooper’s $100M contract have long since expired, and while a healthy $40M still remains, it’s plausible to assume that any sort of repeat performance to 2022 (76 catches, 1,109 yards, 9 TD) will warrant a rip-it-up-and-start-over conversation. Stefon Diggs’ $22.5M per year makes sense for now.

 

Dallas Cowboys

QB Dak Prescott

2 years, $65M remaining (2025 UFA)

The Cowboys have converted salary to signing bonus each of the first 3 seasons of Dak’s contract, increasing his 2024 cap figure to $59.5M. They’ll lower that number with a contract extension this time around, with Russell Wilson’s $48.5M per year mark his current best comparable.

Also: Micah Parsons (LB, 24, Extension-Eligible after 2023)

 

Denver Broncos

LB Josey Jewell

1 year, $5M remaining (2024 UFA)

He’s only played 15 games in the past two seasons, and the organization drafted a potential replacement in Drew Sanders in this April’s 3rd round, but a strong turn around in 2023 can certainly put an extension back on the table. Eric Kendrick’s 2 year, $13.25M in LA might be a ceiling to shoot for here.

Also: Patrick Surtain II (CB, 23, Extension-Eligible after 2023)

 

Detroit Lions

QB Jared Goff

2 years, $52.5M remaining (2025 UFA)

Goff nearly hit career highs across the board last season for the Lions, posting a resume that resembled his first few years with the Rams. If he does it again, Detroit might not have a choice but to extend him out to his third professional contract, with $40M per year very much in play.

Also: Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR, 24, Extension-Eligible after 2023)

 

Green Bay Packers

LB Rashan Gary

1 year, $10.8M remaining (2024 UFA)

Yes, the 26-year-old is recovering from a torn ACL, and yes, he’ll begin the season on a “pitch-count”, but Gary’s improved every season since 2019, and was on pace to obliterate his career highs before the injury last season. Once he’s back to full health, Gary’s future in Green Bay will become a focal point for the organization, with a franchise tag a likely next step. He’s on pace for a cap-adjusted version of Bradley Chubb’s $110M extension in Miami.

Also: Jon Runyan (G, 26, 1 year, $2.7M)

 

Houston Texans

K Ka'imi Fairbairn

1 year, $3.65M remaining (2024 UFA)

The Texans are (once again) operating with a lot of rookie contracts, and 1-year veteran deals this season, but Fairbairn is set to finish out his 4 year extension in 2023. The 29-year old made over 93% of his field goals, and 100% of his point-after-tries in 2022, giving Houston ample reason to keep him around longer. Justin Tucker’s $6M per year is still the number to beat.

 

Indianapolis Colts

RB Jonathan Taylor

1 year, $4.304M remaining (2024 UFA)

If this were 2018, Taylor would be a shoe-in for a next-man-up extension, but it’s not - nor should we be evaluating current running backs against the likes of McCaffrey, or Kamara’s current contracts - as they’re being extinguished by every team in football. Based on the past 4 years of running back financial data, Taylor is now a $10.7M player in our system, not much away from the projected $11.5M franchise tag for running backs next season.

Also: Michael Pittman Jr. (WR, 26, 1 year, $2.9M)

 

Jacksonville Jaguars

LB Josh Allen

1 year, $10.8M remaining (2024 UFA)

Despite back to back solid seasons, very little has been said publicly about the Jaguars potentially extending their 2019 #7 overall pick. Allen seems content to play out his $10.8M option season, with a franchise tag or free agency looming thereafter. He projects to a 4 year, $88M contract in our system right now.

Also: Trevor Lawrence (QB, 24, Extension-Eligible after 2023)

 

Kansas City Chiefs

DT Chris Jones

1 year, $20M remaining (2024 UFA)

Jones isn’t backing down from his year-long request for a fresh contract, and it’ll soon cost him game checks ($1,083,333 per week missed). The 29-year-old should be the next $30M defenseman, with $75M-$90M of practical guarantees included in his next deal. This is certainly a situation that all 32 teams are monitoring closely.

Also: L'Jarius Sneed (CB, 26, 1 year, $2.7M)

 

Las Vegas Raiders

None

 

Los Angeles Chargers

CB Michael Davis

1 year, $7.4M remaining (2024 UFA)

If it ain’t broke. Davis has quietly become one of the more reliable defensive players in the AFC. He stands to finish out a 3 year, $25M contract this upcoming season, and projects to that exact same deal again going forward.

Also: Austin Ekeler (RB, 28, 1 year, $6.25M)

 

Los Angeles Rams

WR Van Jefferson

1 year, $1.3M remaining (2024 UFA)

After a very promising 2021, Jefferson’s production declined in 2022 (along with every Rams player). But a late summer injury to Cooper Kupp should hand Jefferson legitimate WR1 target shares. With a rookie contract set to expire after 2023, the timing could be very much in his favor. For now, Jefferson is a $7M player in our system (3 years, $21M).

 

Miami Dolphins

C Connor Williams

1 year, $7M remaining (2024 UFA)

Williams moved from guard to center prior to the 2022 season, and he’s set to be the Week 1 starter there again in 2023, the final year of his current contract. He projects to a $13.5M per year contract in our system.

Also: Robert Hunt (G, 27, 1 year, $2.9M)

 

Minnesota Vikings

WR Justin Jefferson

2 years, $22M remaining (2025 UFA)

Jefferson and the Vikings have been working all summer to come to terms on a rookie extension, but with Week 1 around the corner, it appears unlikely that will happen this offseason. There are no loopholes here. He’s put together one of the best starts to a career in NFL history, making $30M per year not only a floor, but an insult at this point.

Also: Kirk Cousins (QB, 35, 1 year, $30M)

 

New England Patriots

LB Josh Uche

1 year, $1.3M remaining (2024 UFA)

The 2020 2nd rounder had a miserable first two seasons in New England, but broke out with a bang in 2022 (11.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles in 14 games). Staying healthy might be the biggest concern here, though the Patriots almost certainly want to make sure he can recreate last year’s success one more season before offering anything substantial. Arden Key’s recent 3 year, $21M deal in Tennessee is a strong comparable right now.

Also: Kyle Dugger (S, 27, 1 year, $2.7M)

 

New Orleans Saints

None.

 

New York Giants

DE Leonard Williams

1 year, $18M remaining (2024 UFA)

Williams has been filling up the stat board in NY for the better part of the last three seasons, but was back-burnered for an extension with other mouths to feed (Jones, Waller, Thomas, Lawrence). Now approaching 30 years old, Chandler Jones’ 3 year, $51M contract appears the best comp going forward.

Also: Graham Gano (K, 36, 1 year, $3.75M)

 

New York Jets

LB Bryce Huff

1 year, $4.3M remaining (2024 UFA)

Despite being buried in the depth chart (especially for the upcoming season), Huff has managed to make the most of his limited opportunities. He’s as much a trade candidate as he is an extension one entering the season, but he’ll be one of the more coveted players on the open market if he’s allowed to get there next March.

 

Philadelphia Eagles

DE Josh Sweat

2 years, $26M remaining (2025 UFA)

Sweat has compiled 93 tackles, 18.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and a pick in the past two seasons, and is fully entrenched in a starting DE role for this loaded Eagles roster. While he’s under contract through 2024, an $18.7M cap figure next season likely warrants some attention. Will Philly be able to keep him long term at or around his current $21.5M valuation?

Also: DeVonta Smith (WR, 24, Extension-Eligible after 2023)

 

Pittsburgh Steelers

CB Levi Wallace

1 year, $4M remaining

Wallace has been as advertised both as a member of the Bills for 4 seasons, and in his first year with Pittsburgh. His role could increase in 2023, making his expiring contract more of a priority for this Steelers organization (especially if they put together a few more wins than anticipated). Cam Sutton’s 3 year, $33M could become a nice comp for Wallace as a starting outside CB.

 

San Francisco 49ers

DE Nick Bosa

1 year, $17.8M remaining (2024 UFA)

Bosa’s resume isn’t free of red flags, but 34 sacks, 103 tackles, and 6 forced fumbles in any 2-year span should trump almost all “buts” in the negotiation room. Most believe the pending extension won’t just surpass the top average salary in non-QB history ($31.6M) - it’ll obliterate it.

Also: Brandon Aiyuk (WR, 25, 2 years, $16.4M)

 

Seattle Seahawks

G Damien Lewis

1 year, $2.9M remaining (2024 UFA)

The projected Week 1 starting left guard in Seattle is entering a contract year in 2023, set to earn nearly $3M thanks to a proven performance escalator. If he holds down the starting gig, a 3 year, $21M contract could keep things together going forward.

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

LT Tristan Wirfs

2 years, $21M remaining (2025 UFA)

Wirfs will slide over from right to left tackle in 2023, as the Buccaneers find themselves stuck in between a rebuild and a high-priced roster season. The numbers have been tremendous, and if he continues to produce on the left side of the line, he should have zero struggle eclipsing $25M per year sooner rather than later.

Also: Mike Evans (WR, 30, 1 year, $14.5M)

 

Tennessee Titans

QB Ryan Tannehill

1 year, $27M remaining (2024 UFA)

The Titans had chances to tear this thing down and sell off parts for draft picks this March - but they didn’t. They did however draft a QB with a fairly high pick for the second season in a row, but early reports don’t yet scream “future of the franchise”. If the Titans remain in contention for the division this season, it will be hard to see them allowing Tannehill to walk away into free agency with no viable replacement ready to step in. A 2 year, $70M extension is probably the going rate for this type of holdover maneuver.

 

Washington Commanders

DE Montez Sweat

1 year, $11.5M remaining (2024 UFA)

When healthy, Sweat has consistently been a 9 sack, 45 tackle player for the Commanders, placing him on a $16M+ valuation this offseason. Washington has already fed plenty of mouths on the defensive side of the ball, and are still holding out hope that Chase Young gives them reason to consider another one next March. It seems more and more likely that Sweat becomes a very good name to hit the open market.

Also: Chase Young (DE, 24, 1 year, $10.9M)


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