Super Bowl Players Eyeing a Payday

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertFebruary 11, 2024
© USA TODAY Sports

With Super Bowl 58 upon us, Spotrac dives into 10 players set to take the field who are eyeing up sizable paydays in the coming weeks and months.

Chris Jones

DEFENSIVE TACKLE, KC, 29

Jones was looking for $30M per year this time last offseason. An unsuccessful holdout & a great 2023 campaign and a $33M+ franchise tag value keeps that hope alive this time around. One of the best interior DLs of this generation should have no trouble securing his asking price on the open market, but we’ll predict a slightly less figure to return to KC (again).

Projected Contract: 3 years, $85M ($75M guaranteed)

Fred Warner

LINEBACKER, SF, 28

Arguably the best off-ball linebacker in all of football, Warner enters a contract year in 2024, set to earn $19.5M against a sizable $24.4M cap figure. Extending the leader of their defense to lower that hit seems a no brainer for the upcoming offseason - but it won’t be cheap.

Projected Contract: 4 years, $80M ($45M guaranteed)

Brandon Aiyuk

WIDE RECEIVER, SF, 25

Heading toward a fully guaranteed $14.1M 5th-year-option season, 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk remains the 4th option in this Niners offense, but he’s excelled over the past two seasons. Can San Francisco justify another $20M+ weapon on this team, or is a surprise trade forthcoming this March?

Projected Contract: 3 years, $69M ($44M guaranteed)

L'Jarius Sneed

CORNERBACK, KC, 27

Sneed is a strong outside coverage cornerback with the aggressiveness and mindset of a do-it-all safety. This type of resume has generally led to bigger paydays on the open market of late. Sneed is a $16M+ per year player in our system, but Xavien Howard’s $18M per year deal in Miami is a likely target here.

Projected Contract: 4 years, $65M ($35M guaranteed)

Creed Humphrey

CENTER, KC, 25

PFF’s #4 rated center for 2023, Humphrey has filled up every ounce of his rookie contract and then some to date. He became extension eligible for the first time this winter, and should be in the conversation for the largest center contract in NFL history.

Projected Contract: 4 years, $60M ($45M guaranteed)

Charvarius Ward

CORNERBACK, SF, 28

Ward finished up 2023 as PFF’s #6 rated cornerback, notably due to his ability to shut down receivers in coverage. He’s entering a contract year in 2024, set to earn $13M against an $18M cap figure. The Niners can lower that salary cap hit with a multi-year extension this spring.

Projected Contract: 3 years, $45M ($30M guaranteed)

Harrison Butker

KICKER, KC, 29

Butker has entering a contract year in 2024, set to finish out a 6 year, $21M contract in Kansas City. He finished out 2023 as one of the most effective kickers in the game, putting him in line for an extension at or around the $6M per year mark.

Projected Contract: 4 years, $22M ($12M guaranteed)

Drue Tranquill

LINEBACKER, KC, 28

Signed to a 1 year, $3M “showcase” deal by KC this past March, Tranquill proved he’s worthy of a multi-year guarantee this time around. The former 4th round pick by the Chargers could see upwards of $7M per year this March.

Projected Contract: 2 years, $14M

Chase Young

DEFENSIVE END, SF, 24

Young was a surprise move at this past deadline, joining a loaded Niners defense with a chance to reestablish his good name before his first trip to the open market. He’s likely headed for a “showcase” contract we’ve seen so many talented edge rushers take in past offseasons.

Projected Contract: 1 year, $13M + incentives

Javon Kinlaw

DEFENSIVE TACKLE, SF, 26

Kinlaw hasn’t lived up to his #14 overall ceiling, but a strong finish to his rookie contract (3.5 sacks, 25 tackles) sets him up for a potential showcase contract this March.

Projected Contract: 1 year, $5.3M


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