Since the ratification of the 2020 CBA, NFL 1st Rd 5th-Year option values have been tied to Playing Time & Pro Bowl selections. We'll take a run down the entire first round, making note of the player's status in terms of 3-year playing time (see below), any (initial) Pro Bowl selections, & a projected cost for their 2026 option salary. All 5th-year options must be decided by May 2025. Per this latest CBA, the salary becomes fully guaranteed as soon as it's exercised.

TIER 1: A player is selected to two or more Pro Bowls. The 5th-Year Option price is the same as the franchise tag salary at their position from the previous year.

TIER 2: A player is selected to one Pro Bowl. The 5th-Year Option price is the same amount as the transition tag salary from the previous year.

TIER 3: A player takes 75% of the team’s offensive or defensive snaps in 2 of their first 3 seasons, OR 50% of the snaps played in each of the 3 seasons, OR a 75% average over all three seasons. The 5th-Year Option price is the 5-year average of the 3rd-20th highest paid players at their position.

TIER 4: A player does not meet any of the above criteria. The 5th-Year Option price is the 5-year average of the 3rd-25th highest paid players at their position.

RELATED:
2022 NFL Draft Tracker

The Kansas City Chiefs appear poised to place a $23.4M franchise tag on pending free agent guard Trey Smith. This figure usurps Landon Dickerson's current $21M APY as tops among guards, setting Smith up to sign a record-setting multi-year extension this offseason. The deadline to extend tagged players is July 15th (even if the player is traded in the meantime).

The Chiefs enter March with around $8M of Top 51 cap space, so they'll have work to do to fit in this tag figure alone.

The NFL has announced that the 2025 Salary Cap will be set at $279.2M, a 9.32% increase ($23.8M) over last year's number. 

Related Links:
2025 Team Salary Cap Tracker
NFL Cap History

While nothing can become officially-official until the 2025 league year begins on March 12th, trade rumors across the NFL have already begun to heat up. Spotrac has identified a potential trade target from each NFL team in the coming weeks and months.

RELATED:
2025 NFL SALARY CAPS

Arizona Cardinals

RT Jonah Williams

Williams battled multiple knee injuries in 2024 and likely still isn’t 100% heading toward the 2025 league year. With that said, he’s an experienced book-end tackle that could be seen as a strong “fill-in” per his 1 year, $12.8M remaining contract. Arizona has a continued need to bolster their offensive line with this upcoming draft.

Atlanta Falcons

TE Kyle Pitts

Probably not enough meat on the bone to really attract a suitor, but Pitts has started to right the ship at least a little bit the past two seasons. He’s fully guaranteed on a $10.8M 5th-year-option through 2025 before free agency awaits in 2026. If the Falcons are willing to retain a portion of that salary, there may be a chance to snag a conditional draft pick this spring.

Baltimore Ravens

CB Marlon Humphrey

One of the NFL’s best slot corners has 2 years, $37.2M remaining on his contract, but has already voiced a desire to solidify a new deal that includes guarantees. With big deals forthcoming for S Kyle Hamilton & (likely) OT Ronnie Stanley this offseason, to name a few, Humphrey’s request might be too rich for Baltimore to grant. The Ravens can free up $8.7M of cap space by trading Humphrey this spring.

Buffalo Bills

DE Greg Rousseau

The Bills have 6 legitimate extension candidates this offseason, most of which will enter 2025 on expiring contracts. Rousseau, a 2021 1st Rounder, has compiled 25 sacks in his first 60+ NFL games, so there’s certainly a case to be made to keep him around long-term. However, the going rate for even a slightly above average edge rusher now starts at around $25M per year (especially with Micah Parsons and co. largely expected to push towards $40M per year in the coming months). The Bills may simply be priced out here, and if they feel as though they can replace him via trade/draft this spring, moving off of Rousseau’s $13.3M fully guaranteed salary makes some sense here.

Carolina Panthers

CB Jaycee Horn

Horn’s young career has been decimated by injuries, but he put together his most complete season to date in 2024. It appears as though the Panthers are motivated to extend the former #8 overall pick from 2021, but if he’s seeking top of the market money ($25M per year), those discussions could quickly fall apart, making Horn one of the more interesting trade candidates this spring. The 25-year-old holds a fully guaranteed $12.4M 5th-year-option salary in 2025. Carolina may need to approach $20M per year to keep him around.

Chicago Bears

RB D'Andre Swift

There’s a world where new HC Ben Johnson comes in excited to reconnect with Swift from his time in Detroit. There’s also a world where new HC Ben Johnson knows that Swift’s limitations might not make for the best-case scenario for this 2025 Bears’ offense under his tutelage. It’s a phenomenal year to draft a running back, so teams may be reluctant to give up draft capital for an $8M Swift ($6.1M of which is already fully guaranteed), but it only takes one team.

Cincinnati Bengals

WR Tee Higgins

The Bengals haven’t officially offered a 2nd franchise tag to Higgins just yet, but when they do (valued at $26,179,200), he’ll immediately become their top trade candidate. The last time a WR was tagged & trade prior to signing his 2nd contract was Jarvis Landry back in 2018. The Browns gave Miami a 4th and 7th round pick, then extended Landry out 5 years, $75.5M. It’ll take quite a bit more to pull Higgins out of Cincinnati in 2025, and quite a bit more to get him under contract long-term as well (currently projecting toward a 4 year, $120M contract).

Cleveland Browns

DE Myles Garrett

They say they won’t, but the player and a plethora of offers probably pressure Cleveland into making this move when it’s all said and done. Not to mention, the draft compensation that can ultimately be secured here will go a long way in helping repair the damage that the Deshaun Watson trade/signing has and will continue to do to the franchise. Garrett has 2 year, $44.8M remaining on his current contract, but is working his way toward a renegotiation that should start at around $35M per year. A 4 year, $150M contract with 3 fully guaranteed seasons shouldn’t be out of the question for the 29-year-old (even if he stays).

Dallas Cowboys

CB Trevon Diggs

Diggs is entering Year 3 of a 6 year, $99M total value contract in Dallas and is still trying to recover fully from a 2023 ACL injury. He’s a largely productive/impactful player when available, and the Cowboys don’t currently have a viable replacement on the books - but this is a Dallas team that desperately needs to rebuild through the offensive and defensive trenches this offseason. A Diggs trade can provide both cap/cash relief (only $1.5M of cap saved), and additional draft compensation. An acquiring team would essentially be bringing in Diggs on a 1 year, $10M contract as none of his 2026-2028 compensation is guaranteed.

Denver Broncos

DE John Franklin-Myers

The 28-year-old posted 40 tackles and 7 sacks in arguably his most productive NFL season to date. But the Broncos have identified a few studs on their D-Line/Edge, and both Zach Allen & Nik Bonitto are going to need new compensation in the coming months. Denver is likely to move on from Franklin-Myers this March one way or another, but it seems reasonable that they may be able to secure a draft pick for a 1 year, $8M contract ($1M of which is guaranteed).

Detroit Lions

WR Jameson Williams

The Lions may be hesitant to move on from any key offensive pieces as they usher in life without Ben Johnson, but it also might be the perfect time to sell high on Williams (58 catches, 1,001 yards, 7 TDs in 15 games). Is there a higher ceiling for the almost 24-year-old? Sure. But it’s also a down year both via free agency and the draft at the WR positions. Williams’ rookie deal still contains a fully guaranteed $3M in 2025, with a decision on his 5th-year option due May 1st. An acquiring team will need to give up a small ransom to drive Williams out of Detroit at this stage, but it’s exactly what the Lions might be looking for as their roster gets more and more expensive elsewhere.

Green Bay Packers

CB Jaire Alexander

Teams will probably just force Green Bay to release their former 1st round pick, but there’s an outside chance that someone swoops in with a trade offer to keep him off of the open market. Alexander’s contract holds $37M remaining over the next 2 years, and with none of it guaranteed, an acquiring team can treat this as a 1 year, $17.5M deal until further notice. Injuries have been the big story here, but when healthy - Alexander is still a legitimate starting CB.

Houston Texans

OT Laremy Tunsil

It’s not ideal to give away a 5-time Pro Bowl left tackle when you’re entering Year 3 of a rookie QB contract, but there are enough smart people alluding to this possibility to outright ignore it. Tunsil is entering Year 3 of a 4 year, $93.5M contract in Houston, with 2 years, $42.7M remaining ($10M guaranteed). The 30-year-old will be seeking a new deal sooner rather than later, and the Texans may be looking to reset the clock (and the finances) at this position. Gaining trade value now before decline starts to set in makes some sense (as long as they have a backup plan for 2025 of course). The Texans can free up $13.85M of cap space with an early trade.

Indianapolis Colts

DL DeForest Buckner

The incredibly durable former 1st round pick missed a few weeks in 2024 due to an ankle injury, but also showed he is still producing at a very high level. It’s a VERY strong draft for defensive linemen, and the Colts are in a bit of a give-and-take window with much of their roster right now. Moving Buckner for additional draft assets (and $12.2M of cap space) might make some sense this spring. An acquiring team would be taking on 2 years, $46M, including $23M fully guaranteed in 2025, and another $10M of 2026 salary that locks in next month.

Jacksonville Jaguars

TE Evan Engram

Engram is entering the final season of a 3 year, $41.25M contract in Jacksonville, set to earn a non-guaranteed $15.75M for the upcoming season. It’s likely too rich for an acquiring team (and might be too much for Jacksonville to keep as well), but there have been flashes of major impact over the past 3 seasons. Dropping Engram into a more stable offense (with more consistent QB play) could prove extremely beneficial, even on a 1-year overpay.

Kansas City Chiefs

G Trey Smith

The Chiefs are poised to tag Smith at $23.4M in order to keep him off of the open market this March. The number represents the highest per year allocation ever given to a guard (Landon Dickerson, $21M APY), setting up Smith for a record-setting extension somewhere this offseason. KC could very well now dangle Smith on the trade market this March, hoping to secure more compensation than they would have received via a compensatory pick next spring. The deadline to extend a tagged player to a multi-year contract is July 15th. Smith is now likely staring down a 5 year, $110M contract foundation.

CB Jaylen Watson

Watson started 6 games at RCB for Kansas City before breaking his leg and ending his season. The Chiefs have a lot of mouths to feed each of this and next offseason, including Watson’s counterpart CB Trent McDuffie, who is largely expected to help reset the market at the position in the coming months. Watson’s salary escalated to over $3.2M in 2025 thanks to a Proven Performance Bonus, and the 26-year-old is slated for free agency after the upcoming season. This might be one of those tougher moves that contending teams have to make before they want to make it to squeeze a little draft value out of a situation.

Las Vegas Raiders

WR Jakobi Meyers

Has Meyers been good stats on bad team guy for the past couple of seasons, or is he a legitimately talented, often undervalued player that just needs a better offense around him to be truly exposed. The Raiders have a lot of directions they can go in over the next few months, but with 28-year-old Meyers on an expiring 1 year, $11M contract (non-guaranteed), flipping him for additional draft capital probably makes some sense.

Los Angeles Chargers

G Trey Pipkins

The Chargers moved Pipkins inside to guard A) because they had a hole there, and B) to accommodate newly drafted OT Joe Alt. The move inside didn’t go particularly well for Pipkins, who now enters 2025 on a non-guaranteed 1 year, $6.75M deal. There are more than a few teams looking for short-term options at tackle this March, and Pipkins could very well be in those conversations.

Los Angeles Rams

QB Matthew Stafford

Is this a real request, or a “we don’t really want to overpay you but we will if we have to” request? More than a few teams have already reached out to the Rams about the possibility of acquiring Stafford (at least that’s what Stafford’s agents are leading us to believe in order to continue to drive his extension price up). Here’s the reality: Stafford did the Rams a huge favor when he A) didn't immediately require an extension upon his trade there from Detroit. B) Signed for “only” $40M per year after leading them to a Super Bowl victory in his first season. Should the Rams be back-paying their QB1 to account for what he left on the table? No - but they should be handsomely rewarding their still top-rated, 37-year-old QB who is leading a young, inexpensive team into playoff content annually. There are plenty of ways to make a 2 year, $100M extension work in an NFL salary cap world. LA’s going to need to find a way to do that, or else someone will.

WR Cooper Kupp

The 31-year-old has been told to seek out a trade this winter, furthering the narrative that his time in LA is likely coming to an end. Kupp has 2 years, $39.85M remaining on his contract, including $5M fully guaranteed for the upcoming season. The Rams may need to eat a portion of the $7.5M bonus due on March 16th to facilitate a trade, but could also just outright release Kupp at the start of the league year, taking on $22.2M of dead cap, freeing up $7.5M of space.

G Jonah Jackson

The Rams have given Jackson permission to seek a trade this spring, despite signing him to a 3 year, $51M free agent contract last March. The deal contains 2 years, $26M remaining, including $9M that becomes fully guaranteed on March 14th. The Rams would take on $11.3M of dead cap per this move, freeing up $3.3M of space.

Miami Dolphins

WR Tyreek Hill

The Dolphins have already trimmed a few veterans from their roster as they work to become cap-compliant in March, but this offseason is about making an expensive football team more competitive in the AFC as well. Hill still has separation, speed, and a ton of ability - but for one reason or another, wasn’t given a lot of opportunities to put that on display in 2024 within this Miami offense. If a team or two is willing to overpay a bit on the trade market, the Dolphins seem open to having someone else take on the $28M+ owed to Hill in 2025 (even if a Pre 6/1 trade only frees up $401,250 of cap space).

Minnesota Vikings

NB Josh Metellus

If the plan is to bring back Byron Murphy this spring, there’s a significant chance that the Vikings look to get off of the $3.775M remaining on Metellus’ contract. The 27-year-old could easily slot into a starting spot elsewhere, and with a weak free agency class in the secondary this March, could draw trade interest from needy teams. Minnesota can free up $5.5M of cap by moving on.

New England Patriots

DT Davon Godchaux

The 30-year-old has been granted permission to seek out a trade this March, just 8 months after locking in a 3 year, $26.3M contract in New England. The deal contains 2 years, $13.5M remaining, including $5M fully guaranteed for the upcoming season.

QB Joe Milton III

Yep, we’re going there. It’s a weird QB year from a lot of angles, but there are still plenty of teams who at least want to “consider” changing things up in 2025. Milton’s sample size is about as large as yours or mine, but there’s plenty of proof of concept from his college days at Michigan/Tennessee to understand what kind of ceiling we could be dealing with here. The 6th round pick last year holds a 3 year, $3.2M non-guaranteed contract through 2027.

New Orleans Saints

None.

Every contract even worth a small consideration for trade is currently carrying more dead cap than actual cap in 2025. And the Saints are currently -$50M in terms of Top 51 cap space heading toward March. If a trade is to happen, it’ll come after June 1st when most of the dust has settled with the slight SLIGHT exception of QB Derek Carr. The Saints can free up $11M of space by trading card in the coming weeks. But with a total of $40M practically guaranteed for the upcoming season, and plenty of other QB options set to become available, it’s a highly unlikely outcome.

New York Giants

LB Micah McFadden

McFadden quietly had a career year opposite Bobby Okereke in the middle of the Giants’ defense. He’s entering a contract year in 2025, set to earn $3.2M thanks to a Proven Performance Bonus. With Okereke accounting for $9M cash this coming season, NY may simply want to give a more inexpensive player a chance to develop into the role going forward.

New York Jets

RB Breece Hall

The Jets have a nice setup at the running back position with Hall, Braelon Allen, & Isaiah Davis - the latter two of which are under contract through 2027 on rookie deals. Hall is entering a contract year, and has salary escalated north of $3.2M thanks to a proven performance bonus. If he’s not in the Jets’ long-term plans, trying to find trade value this offseason makes sense.

Philadelphia Eagles

WR Jahan Dotson

Probably wishful-thinking here but the Eagles would probably love to have a portion of the 3rd & 2 7th round picks that they set to Washington to secure Dotson back. Was he the most ineffective WR3 in football last season? No, but the Eagles are certain to decline his 5th year option for 2026 this May, putting him on a 1 year, $2.75M fully guaranteed contract. It’s possible that Philly can find a team to swap a late round pick for a flier at that price.

Pittsburgh Steelers

WR George Pickens

The Steelers don’t have anything close to a viable replacement for Pickens in their system (yet), but it still feels as though a divorce could be imminent. Despite some internal struggles, Pickens has been largely productive (as per usual with Steelers WRs drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round). It stands to reason that Pittsburgh can shop the nearly 24-year-old this March, and use the compensation they receive to draft his replacement in April.

San Francisco 49ers

DE Leonard Floyd

If you’re wondering why this didn’t say Deebo Samuel, we’re just following the money here. The 49ers would LOSE $15.12M of cap space by trading Deebo before June 1st. He’s a release candidate until he’s not this March.

Floyd posted 9 sacks in 2024 and has averaged 10 sacks per year over the last 5 seasons. He’s also bounced around quite a bit, and is largely expected to play elsewhere in 2025 as well. With a non-guaranteed $7.95M remaining on this contract (plus incentives) it stands to reason that a cap-loaded team could find use for a player that has reached the QB so consistently throughout his career.

Seattle Seahawks

S Rayshawn Jenkins

The Seahawks have given the 31-year-old permission to seek a trade this offseason. He holds 1 year, $5.4M non-guaranteed remaining on his contract, and compiled 52 tackles, 2 sacks in 13 games last season.

WR D.K. Metcalf

With Tyler Lockett certain to fall off of this roster in 2025 (at least under his current contract) it might seem reckless to consider the Seahawks moving on from Metcalf as well. But the 27-year-old is entering a contract year in 2025, set to earn $18M (non-guaranteed). He’s in the market for a $30M+ per year extension, and if Seattle is looking to reset the clock here, and give a larger role to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, there’s likely a hefty trade package to be had by shipping Metcalf out this March.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

RB Rachaad White

A 3rd round pick back in 2022, White was on track to be the primary back for this franchise after a stellar 2023 (1,500 yards from scrimmage, 9 TDs). The 5-tool player is entering a contract year in 2025, set to earn $3.2M thanks to a proven performance bonus. With Bucky Irving clearly in the driver’s seat going forward (and less expensive), there’s a team or two willing to listen on upgrading their RB-room with a versatile weapon such as White.

Tennessee Titans

OLB Harold Landry

The 2nd rounder out of Boston College is entering Year 4 of a 5 year, $87.5M total value contract in Tennessee and has reportedly been given the opportunity to seek a trade this March. The contract carries 2 years, $35M remaining, none of which is guaranteed, and Landry is coming off of a 9 sack, 71 tackle season for the Titans. There’s a multi-draft pick offer or two out there - especially if Landry doesn’t immediately require an updated contract.

Washington Commanders

DL Jonathan Allen

A #17 overall pick back in 2017, Allen is the longest-tenured member of this Commanders franchise not-named Tress Way, but that could be coming to an end in the next few weeks. The 30-year-old is entering a contract year in 2025, set to earn $16.3M against a $22.3M cap hit, and Washington has given his team permission to seek out a trade this March. With just $6M of dead cap on the books, Washington can free up (even more) significant cap space for league year.

The Buffalo Bills made the first big splash of the 2025 offseason, locking in WR Khalil Shakir to a 4 year, $60.2M contract extension. The deal comes with a reported $32M guaranteed, including $18M cash in the first season. Shakir, a 5th round pick out of Boise State, was scheduled to earn $3.2M for the upcoming season before the new deal. At $15.05M per year, Shakir is now the 23rd highest average paid WR in football, while the $32M guaranteed at signing currently ranks 20th.

Elsewhere, OT Jason Peters has decided to hang up the cleats after 19 illustrious seasons in the NFL. An undrafted TE out of Arkansas, Peters spent time with the Bills, Eagles, Bears, Cowboys, & Seahawks. He walks away from the game having earned just over $120M, 8th most among offensive linemen all-time.

The Chicago Bears got an early jump on their 2025 offseason in releasing TE Gerald Everett & DE DeMarcus Lawrence. The moves freed up $10.75M of cap space, giving the Bears over $75M to work with as we approach the new league year.

Elsewhere, the Cincinnati Bengals announced the release of DT Sheldon Rankins, a move that opened up over $9.6M of cap room, while the Carolina Panthers freed up $4.35M by moving on from CB Dane Jackson.

The Chargers made their first big offseason move, locking in CB Elijah Molden to a 3 year, $18.75M extension this week. The deal comes with a reported $13.5M guaranteed, and keeps the former 3rd Round Pick under contract through the 2027 season.

As the NFL offseason approaches the new league year (March 12th) teams will begin the process of converting salaries, processing extensions, and of course - outright releasing players as they push for cap compliancy. Spotrac has identified a potential cap casualty from each NFL team in the coming weeks and months.

RELATED:
NFL CAP HIT RANKINGS

Arizona Cardinals

S Jalen Thompson

The 26-year-old is just 1 season removed from a 4 INT campaign, but had a more up-and-down 2024 season in Arizona. His $13.7M cap hit is a team-high among defensemen, and nearly $5.7M of that can be freed up before a $2M March 16th roster bonus is due/

Atlanta Falcons

QB Kirk Cousins

Well that escalated quickly. Cousins is fully guaranteed $27.5M in 2025, and the Falcons are highly unlikely to find a trade partner before another $10M locks in on March 16th. Atlanta likely designates the 36-year-old a Post 6/1 release prior to that bonus trigger, keeping his $40M cap hit on the books into June, then taking on dead hits of $40M 2025, $25M in 2026.

Baltimore Ravens

K Justin Tucker

Things were heading in this direction even prior to the (growing) list of allegations that have been reported against him. Tucker has 3 years, $13.5M remaining on his contract, but none of it is guaranteed, and there are no early bonuses to contend with either. Unfortunately, a few sizable salary conversions in recent offseasons means the contract holds $7.5M of dead cap against a $7M cap hit in 2025. An outright release this March actually comes with a cap loss of $445,000 (a Post 6/1 designation can free up $4.2M in June).

Buffalo Bills

OLB Von Miller

The nearly 36-year-old took an $8.6M pay cut to remain with the Bills in 2024, earning just over $12.4M when it was all said and done. Due a non-guaranteed $17.5M for the upcoming season, a similar arrangement may be in the works, but the Bills could surely use the $8.4M to be freed up by moving off of this contract completely. 

Carolina Panthers

RB Miles Sanders

Sanders was relegated to a backup role almost immediately after signing his 4 year, $25 million free agent contract back in 2023. The 27-year-old earned $13.2M over the past 2 years in Carolina, but will almost certainly be moved on from before a $1M roster bonus is due on March 14th. The Panthers will take on $2.95M of dead cap, freeing up $5.2M.

Chicago Bears

TE Gerald Everett

The 30-year-old enters Year 2 of a 2 year, $12M contract in Chicago, set to earn $5.5M for the upcoming season. Everett saw action in just 240 snaps last season, putting his $6.5M cap hit on notice in the coming weeks. The Bears can free up $5.5M of space by moving on.

Cincinnati Bengals

DE Sam Hubbard

Hubbard enters the final year of a 5 year, $42M contract with the Bengals, set to earn a non-guaranteed $9.6M in 2025. The 29-year-old posted a respectable 25 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception line in 2024, but saw action in just 46% of the team’s snaps. Cincinnati can free up $9.5M of space by moving on.

Cleveland Browns

G Joel Bitonio

The 33-year-old struggled in 2024, and has publicly mentioned the possibility of retirement this offseason. He enters the final year of a 5 year, $69M contract in Cleveland, set to earn a non-guaranteed $15M for the upcoming season. With $31M of dead cap on the books currently, the Browns would need to process a release or retirement as a Post June 1st move, freeing up $4.25M of space after 6/1. A decision will need to be made by March 14th, when a $3M roster bonus is due.

Dallas Cowboys

S Donovan Wilson

Wilson is a do-it-all safety when it comes to stuffing up a run game or even getting to the QB, but his coverage numbers tied with the fact that Dallas has two young players ready to compete for his job already rostered likely moves Wilson to the bubble this March. The nearly 28-year-old is set to earn $7M in 2025, but the Cowboys can free up $5.85M of cap by moving on.

Denver Broncos

S P.J. Locke

Locke posted a career-high 73 tackles in 2024, taking over 900 snaps for the Broncos D. He enters the final season of a 2 year, $7M contract in Denver, set to earn $4M in 2025. The Broncos can free up over $4.1M by moving on this spring.

Detroit Lions

LB Alex Anzalone

The Lions have a few higher-priced defensive players that may be on the bubble heading toward March, but we’ll focus on Anzalone here. The 30-year-old missed 6 weeks with an arm injury in 2024, allowing 2023 1st rounder Jack Campell to slide ahead of him on the depth chart. If Detroit feels like this move could prove permanent, they’ll look to capture the $4.8M of space they can free up here.

Green Bay Packers

CB Jaire Alexander

The 28-year-old is entering Year 4 of a 5 year, $97M contract in Green Bay, set to earn a non-guaranteed $17.5M for the upcoming season. When healthy, he’s still a top-flight cornerback in the league, but the availability has been few and far between of late. The Packers can open up $6.4M of space by moving on (release or trade) this March.

Houston Texans

DE Denico Autry

The 34-year-old enters the final season of a 2 year, $20M contract in Houston, set to earn $9M in 2025. He posted 3 sacks in a depth role (314 snaps) for the Texans last season, and is likely too expensive to carry into the new league year. Houston can free up $6M of space by moving on.

Indianapolis Colts

DT Raekwon Davis

The 27-year-old enters the final season of a 2 year, $14M contract in Indy, set to earn $6.5M in 2025. He posted extremely limited production in just 349 snaps last season, putting his $8.9M cap hit on notice. The Colts can free up $6.5M of space by moving on.

Jacksonville Jaguars

WR Christian Kirk

After a sparkling 2023 campaign, Kirk has battled injuries each of the last two seasons in Jacksonville, putting his $16.5M salary on notice. The Jags can free up $10.5M of space by moving on.

Kansas City Chiefs

CB Joshua Williams

A 4th-round pick back in 2022, Williams remains a depth CB for the Chiefs heading toward the final season of his rookie contract. Despite the backup role, Williams garnered enough snaps to trigger a Proven Performance Bonus for 2025, escalating his salary to a non-guaranteed $3.2M for the upcoming season. KC can free up this amount by moving on.

Las Vegas Raiders

QB Gardner Minshew

$3.16M of Minshew’s 2025 salary is already fully guaranteed, so this isn’t a slam-dunk scenario by any means. But the Raiders are almost certain to spend significant free agent and/or draft capital on the QB position this offseason, rendering the Minshew-project somewhat useless going forward. Las Vegas can free up $3M of cap with an early release this March.

Los Angeles Chargers

OLB Joey Bosa

Bosa renegotiated his contract to remain in the fold last season, signing a 2 year, $40.3M deal that included no guaranteed money for 2025. He started only 9 games last year, posting 5 sacks and causing 2 forced fumbles for his efforts. When healthy, he’s still a heck of a player, but the 29-year-old hasn’t played out a full season since 2021. The Chargers can free up $25.3M of cap by moving on before a $12.36M roster bonus is due on March 12th.

Los Angeles Rams

WR Cooper Kupp

The 31-year-old has been told to seek out a trade this winter, furthering the narrative that his time in LA is likely coming to an end. Kupp has 2 years, $39.85M remaining on his contract, including $5M fully guaranteed for the upcoming season. The Rams may need to eat a portion of the $7.5M bonus due on March 16th to facilitate a trade, but could also just outright release Kupp at the start of the league year, taking on $22.2M of dead cap, freeing up $7.5M of space.

Miami Dolphins

WR Tyreek Hill

The Dolphins have already trimmed a few veterans from their roster as they work to become cap-compliant in March, but this offseason is about making an expensive football team more competitive in the AFC as well. Hill still has separation, speed, and a ton of ability - but for one reason or another, wasn’t given a lot of opportunities to put that on display in 2024 within this Miami offense. If a team or two is willing to overpay a bit on the trade market, the Dolphins seem open to having someone else take on the $28M+ owed to Hill in 2025 (even if a Pre 6/1 trade only frees up $401,250 of cap space).

Minnesota Vikings

G Ed Ingram

A 2nd Round pick out of LSU back in 2022, Ingram fell out of the starting lineup in 2024 despite starting 32 games in his first 2 NFL seasons. His 2025 salary escalated over $3.2M thanks to a Proven Performance Bonus, putting him squarely on the bubble this March. Minnesota can free up that $3.214M by moving on.

New England Patriots

WR Kendrick Bourne

Bourne’s 2024 got off to a slow start as he recovered from an ACL injury, and he never really found his footing in Drake Maye’s offense. That’s not to say that a full offseason can’t change that, but plenty of changes are coming to the offensive weapons this winter, so a bit of a “clean sweep” could make total sense.The Patriots can free up $5.1M of cap by on from the remaining 2 years, $13M left on Bourne’s deal.

New Orleans Saints

QB Derek Carr

As usual, the Saints have a lot of work to do (and potentially a lot of players to subtract) just to get cap-compliant for 2025. But they may take a big swing by moving on from their QB1 before the remaining $30M of his 2025 compensation becomes fully guaranteed on March 14th. New Orleans would still owe Carr a $10M payment on his way out, and the contract carries $50.1M of total dead cap on it this offseason, but signs still point to his release in the coming weeks. If the Saints designate Carr a Post June 1st release, they’ll split that dead cap into $21.5M this year, $28.6M next year once June hits, though they’d still be carrying a $51.4M cap hit for 3+ months.

New York Giants

TE Daniel Bellinger

Bellinger’s targets and subsequent production have fallen off of a cliff in each of the past two seasons in NY, putting his future there very much in doubt. The former 4th Round pick still secured a Proven Performance escalator, taking his 2025 salary north of $3.2M, but the Giants can free all of it up by moving on this March.

New York Jets

WR Davante Adams

The Jets will likely do all the due diligence they can to see if they can squeeze a draft pick or two from a team looking to acquire Adams this winter, though there won’t be a team in football that wants anything to do with the 2 years, $72.5M remaining on this current contract. The Jets only hold $8.3M of dead cap on the deal, so they stand to free up nearly $30M if/when they move on via trade or release.

Philadelphia Eagles

S Darius Slay

The 34-year-old is under contract at 1 year, $16M for the upcoming season, but it’s largely expected that the two sides will part ways, at least for the purpose of getting out of this current contract. Philly likely designates Slay a Post June 1st release this March, a move that will send him to free agency immediately, while also freeing up around $4.3M of cap for the Eagles when the calendar flips to June.

Pittsburgh Steelers

DL Larry Ogunjobi

The 30-year-old posted a pretty typical 40+ tackle, 2 sack campaign for the Steelers in 2024, and his cap figure actually DROPS $2.7M for the upcoming season, but the writing still may be on the wall in the coming weeks. PIttsburgh can free up $7 of cap by moving on before a $3M roster bonus is due on March 14th.

San Francisco 49ers

WR Deebo Samuel

The 29-year-old has been given the green light to seek out a trade partner this winter, as he and the 49ers head toward divorce. The problem with a Pre June 1st trade is the $31M+ of dead cap attached to the contract this offseason. It represents a $15.2M loss for San Francisco in 2025. It’s largely expected that Niners will instead designate Samuel a Post June 1st release this March, keeping his $15.8M cap figure on the books into June, then taking on dead hits of $10.6M in 2025, $20.4M in 2026.

Seattle Seahawks

WR Tyler Lockett

The 32-year-old was a 3rd round pick of the Seahawks back in 2015, but his time in Seattle appears to be coming to an end. While the 1 year, $17M remaining on his contract is somewhat feasible, the $30.9M cap figure certainly is not. The Seahawks are expected to release Lockett before a $5.3M roster bonus is paid out on March 16th, freeing up the entire $17M.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

S Jordan Whitehead

After a great 2023 campaign, Whitehead battled both a pec injury, and an unfortunate car accident through 2024, putting his immediate figure with the organization in a bit of question. The 2025 portion of his 2 year, $9M contract was always going to be a bit of an “option”, and Tampa Bay can free up $4.5M of cap by moving on this March.

Tennessee Titans

OT Nicholas Petit-Frere

The 3rd Round pick out of Ohio State back in 2022 hasn’t been able to find his sea legs as a starter in the NFL, putting his $3.21M salary for 2025 very much in question. The Titans will spend plenty of capital & assets bulking up their offensive line for their next QB1, so moving on here makes sense.

Washington Commanders

DL Jonathan Allen

A #17 overall pick back in 2017, Allen is the longest-tenured member of this Commanders franchise not-named Tress Way, but that could be coming to an end in the next few weeks. The 30-year-old is entering a contract year in 2025, set to earn $16.3M against a $22.3M cap hit. With just $6M of dead cap on the books, Washington can free up (even more) significant cap space for league year.

Spotrac has identified one player from each of the 32 teams we consider a contract extension candidate in the coming weeks & months plus a few honorable mentions for each where applicable.

RELATED:
Spotrac’s Market Values

Arizona Cardinals

TE Trey McBride

The 2nd Rounder out of Colorado State enters the final year of his rookie deal in Arizona, having seen his 2025 salary escalate up to $5.2M per a Proven Performance Bonus. The knock on him (famously) is a lack of touchdowns, but this is a player with 192 catches for 1,971 yards over the past 33 games. He projected toward a 4 year, $72M extension in our system that would make him the highest average paid TE in NFL history.

Atlanta Falcons

RT Kaleb McGary

The nearly 30-year-old has been a reliable, consistent, productive player for the Falcons through 6 seasons, and he enters a contract year in 2025 (1 year, $14.5M remaining). McGary currently projects toward a 3 year, $52M extension in our system.

Also: Drake London (WR, $23.8M APY)

Baltimore Ravens

S Kyle Hamilton

A veritable no-brainer. Hamilton has been as-advertised since entering the league as the #14 overall pick back in 2022. He’s extension-eligible for the first time this winter, projecting toward a 3 year, $60M deal in our system (to add-on to the 2 remaining years of his rookie contract).

Also: Derrick Henry (RB, $13.5M APY), Marlon Humphrey (CB, $20M APY)

Buffalo Bills

RB James Cook

The Bills have around 8 players eligible & worthy of a contract extension this winter, but Cook might become the most sensible priority. 1) His salary escalated north of $5M due to a Proven Performance Bonus 2) Paying above-average Running Backs as early as possible seems to be the best path forward based on age/shelf live 3) RB Ray Davis remains at near minimum over the next two seasons (the duration of any sensible guarantee at signing for Cook). He’s a 4 year, $41M player in our system.

Also: Josh Allen (QB, $62.5M APY), Greg Rousseau (DE, $25M APY), Terrel Bernard (LB, $6.8M APY), Connor McGovern (C, $7.7M APY), Khalil Shakir (WR, $19.5M APY), Christian Benford (CB, $23M APY)

Carolina Panthers

OT Taylor Moton

One of the league’s true Ironmen, Moton missed a game for the first time in his 8-year-career during the 2024 season. Regardless, he’s been one of the most reliable, consistent offensive tackles in the game, and he enters a contract year in 2025 set to earn $17.5M. The 30-year-old carries a 3 year, $51M valuation in our system.

Also: Jaycee Horn (CB, $4.5M APY), Jadeveon Clowney (OLB, $11.5M APY)

Chicago Bears

S Kyler Gordon

A 2nd Round pick out of Washington, Gordon has found a role as the nickelback, a position that has increased its market value over the past few offseasons. His 2025 salary was escalated over $2M this winter due to a Proven Performance Bonus, setting up a potential extension this offseason. The 25-year-old projects toward a 3 year, $33M contract in our system. 

Cincinnati Bengals

WR Ja'Marr Chase

Chase is under contract through 2025 on a fully guaranteed $21.8M 5th-year option. He shouldn’t last long there, as the time for him to lock in a likely historic extension is now. The still 24-year-old projects toward a 4 year, $134M extension, but a number closer to $150M in total value likely makes more sense at this point.

Also: Trey Hendrickson (DE, $30M APY), Cam Taylor-Britt (CB, $15M APY)

Cleveland Browns

G Wyatt Teller

Teller missed a few weeks with a knee injury, but has been a pillar of reliability for Cleveland since joining from Buffalo back in 2019. He enters a contract year in 2025, set to earn $14.8M against a $14.1M cap hit. Now 31, Teller projects toward a 3 year, $24M extension in our system.

Dallas Cowboys

DE Micah Parsons

Here we go again. Another offseason where the whole world knows that the Dallas Cowboys need to sign a player to an historic extension (except maybe this time around those trade rumors aren’t so crazy). The 25-year-old enters 2025 with a fully guaranteed $24M 5th-year option on the books. Mathematically, he’s a $33.7M per year player in our system, which means it shouldn’t take more than a couple of elbow twists to nudge this contract past Nick Bosa’s current $34M high bar. The real question is, can Parsons approach $40M per year with these negotiations?

Also: DaRon Bland (CB, $23.7M APY), Tyler Smith (G, $19.1M APY), Brandon Aubrey (K)

Denver Broncos

OLB Nik Bonitto

The 2nd Rounder out of Oklahoma has taken major steps forward in each of his first three NFL seasons, culminating with a 48 tackle, 14 sack, 2 forced fumble, 1 INT campaign in 2024. His 2025 salary escalated nearly $4M thanks to a Proven Performance Bonus, but Bonitto has his eyes set on much bigger numbers this offseason, currently projecting toward a 4 year, $102M extension in our system.

Also: Courtland Sutton (WR, $23M APY), Zach Allen (DE, $22M APY), John Franklin-Myers (DE, $8.5M APY)

Detroit Lions

S Kerby Joseph

The 3rd Rounder out of Illinois has been an absolute ball-hawk over his first 3 NFL seasons, compiling 237 tackles and an astounding 17 interceptions. The Lions fed a lot of mouths last season, and there are at least 3 legitimate candidates again this time around. But Joseph, enters 2025 on a 1 year, $3.3M deal, now projects toward a 4 year, $93M extension.

Also: Aidan Hutchinson (DE, $31M APY), Jameson Williams (WR, $20M APY)

Green Bay Packers

RT Zach Tom

The 4th rounder out of Wake Forest has been the every week starter for the past two seasons now and has more than held his own. He enters a contract year in 2025, set to earn $3.2M, but now projects toward a 4 year, $86M extension in our system.

Also: Romeo Doubs (WR, $12M APY), Rasheed Walker (LT, $18M APY)

Houston Texans

CB Derek Stingley Jr.

The #3 overall pick out of LSU has now become as-advertised through 3 NFL seasons and is now extension-eligible for the first time. He’s set to earn $5.4M guaranteed in 2025, with a 5th-year-option certain to be exercised for 2026, but there’s a clear path to Stingley Jr. securing the highest average per year contract for a cornerback in NFL history this offseason. He’s a 4 year, $104M player in our system.

Also: Danielle Hunter (DE, $20M APY), Jalen Pitre (NB, $11M APY)

Indianapolis Colts

LT Bernhard Raimann

A 3rd Rounder out of Central Michigan, Raimann has quickly built himself into one of the more reliable left tackles in all of football. He enters a contract year in 2025, set to earn $3.3M thanks to a Proven Performance Bonus. The 27-year-old is a 3 year, $61M player in our system.

Also: Nick Cross (S, $11.3M APY), Kwity Paye (DE, $15M APY)

Jacksonville Jaguars

ILB Devin Lloyd

Lloyd has now put together back-to-back strong seasons in Jacksonville, putting him in a nice position this offseason as he becomes extension-eligible for the first time. The #27 overall pick  in 2022 is guaranteed $2.5M in 2025, and there’s a 5th-year option available in 2026, but he’s a 3 year, $28M player in our system.

Also: Ezra Cleveland (G, $14.5M APY), Montaric Brown (CB, $4M APY)

Kansas City Chiefs

CB Trent McDuffie

The #21 overall pick from 2022 has been about as consistent, productive, and rock-solid as could have been asked through his first three seasons, setting up a major pay day in the coming months. The Chiefs have a lot of mouths to feed (or replace) this winter, and McDuffie still has a fully guaranteed $2.6M salary plus a 5th-year option ahead of him, but waiting will only make things more expensive. He’s a 3 year, $66M player in our system.

Also: Joe Thuney (G, $20.5M APY), George Karlaftis (DE, $22M APY)

Las Vegas Raiders

LT Kolton Miller

The Raiders haven’t gotten a lot of things right this past decade, but Miller has been one of them. The 29-year-old remains one of the better left tackles in all of football, and enters a contract year in 2025. He’s a 4 year, $79M player in our system.

Also: Jakobi Meyers (WR, $15M APY), Maxx Crosby (DE, $33M APY)

Los Angeles Chargers

LT Rashawn Slater

Outside of an injury-filled 2022, Slater’s NFL start has been near flawless, setting up for a mammoth pay day in the coming months. He enters 2025 on a fully guaranteed $19M 5th-year option salary, projecting toward a 5 year, $128M extension in our system. 

Los Angeles Rams

QB Matthew Stafford

The 37-year-old has expressed his intent on playing in 2025 - but not exactly at his current $27M pricepoint. With no viable backup plan on the roster (though free agency could change that), a 2 year, $70M renegotiation could make sense here.

Also: Quentin Lake (NB, $10.5M APY), Kyren Williams (RB, $10M APY)

Miami Dolphins

P Jake Bailey

Yep, this is where we’re at. The Dolphins have extended or re-extended so many players over the past two seasons that we’re simply out of options. There’s a case to be made for TE Jonnu Smith, who had a phenomenal turnaround year in Miami, but the safer bet from an age/need standpoint remains Bailey. The 27-year-old is set to earn a very friendly $1.9M in 2025, but should be considered for an extension at around $3.5M per year.

Minnesota Vikings

OLB Andrew Van Ginkel

Well, that worked. The Vikings brought over Van Ginkel from Miami on a 2 year, $20M deal that paid out $9M in 2024. Tacking on an extension not only autocorrects his cashflow, but will also work to lower his current $12.4M cap hit in 2025. A 3 year, $45M extension makes sense here.

Also: Josh Oliver (TE, $7M APY)

New England Patriots

C/G Cole Strange

A tumultuous start to his career may have been rectified by a late 2024 move to center, where the Patriots were prepared to have a hole heading into the 2025 offseason. The 26-year-old enters 2025 with $2.3M fully guaranteed, and a decision on an estimated $17M option for 2026 looming. With a new staff in place, the safer bet may be to extend Strange into something a bit more team-controllable. He’s around a $4.5M per year player in our system currently.

New Orleans Saints

LB Demario Davis

Now 36, Davis remains one of the most reliable, productive off-ball linebacker in football. He enters 2025 with 1 year, $8.25M remaining on his contract against a $12.4M cap hit. With so much change imminent around this Saints roster, tacking on a year for a player who wants to be there, and can still make a significant impact (while also delaying the dead cap that will hit once his contract voids) makes a lot of sense. A combined 2 years, $15M through 2026 should work fine.

Also: Chris Olave (WR $17.8M APY), Blake Grupe (K)

New York Giants

WR Wan'dale Robinson

Robinson had a mini-breakout year in 2024, posting 93 catches, for 700 yards and 3 scores. The 2nd Rounder may have played himself into a worthy WR3 conversation for this group going forward, and he enters a contract year in 2025. A 2 year, $13M extension keeps him tied nicely to Malik Nabers’ rookie deal.

New York Jets

G Alijah Vera-Tucker

The Jets have a few weapon-pieces to consider here, but with the entire regime turning over, locking in a building-block from the trenches seems a much more worthy decision. Injuries have been the major Achilles heel in Vera-Tucker’s career, but the Jets exercised a now fully guaranteed $15.3M option for 2025, setting up a potential extension this offseason. The math calls him an $11M per year player, but it’ll take a bigger punch than that from the Jets to keep him off of the open market next March.

Also: Garrett Wilson (WR, $23.5M APY), John Simpson (G, $14M APY)

Philadelphia Eagles

C Cam Jurgens

The 2nd Round center out of Nebraska assumed the full-time gig in 2024 and fared admirably. He now enters a contract year, with a salary that escalated north of $5.2M thanks to a Proven Performance Bonus. He’s a 3 year, $25M extension in our system right now.

Pittsburgh Steelers

OLB T.J. Watt

One of the league’s most dominant players had another largely impactful season, collecting 12 sacks, 61 tackles, and 6 forced fumbles in 2024. He enters a contract year, set to earn just over $21M in 2025. He’s a 4 year, $130M player in our system, but there’s a case here to see that total value rise as high as $150M.

Also: George Pickens (WR, $23.5M APY), Deshon Elliott (S, $7M APY), Isaac Seumalo (G, $7M APY)

San Francisco 49ers

QB Brock Purdy

Will they? Won’t they? Should they? It’s never easy to project how a team that had such a run of bad luck/injuries in 2024 will rebound from an aggressiveness standpoint just a few months later, but all signs point to Purdy and the Niners locking in a multi-year guarantee this winter. Mathematically, Brock Purdy is a near $60M per year player in our system. A little supply/demand logic drops this down to a 4 year, $180M projection.

Also: George Kittle (TE, $16.3M APY), Jauan Jennings (WR, $10M APY), 

Seattle Seahawks

QB Geno Smith

There’s a world where the Seahawks move on from Smith completely this winter, but signs appear to be pointing to another extension for the 34-year-old, who carries a $44.5M cap hit against $31M cash for the upcoming season. Smith projects toward a 2 year, $86M extension in our system.

Also: Charles Cross (LT, $16.5M APY), D.K. Metcalf (WR, $25.5M APY)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

RT Luke Goedeke

The Bucs need to get younger (and a little cheaper) in a lot of areas, but throwing a few more dollars at a strong offensive line can only make the sum of the parts better. Goedeke has put together back-to-back strong campaigns, and is now a serious candidate for extension on the back-end of his rookie deal. He projects toward a 4 year, $66M extension in our system.

Also: Baker Mayfield (QB, $59.5M APY), Cade Otton (TE, $12.5M APY)

Tennessee Titans

S Amani Hooker

The 26-year-old enters the final season of a 4 year, $33.5M contract in Tennessee, set to earn $8.64M in 2025. He posted a career-year in 2024, compiling 5 INTs, 2 Forced Fumbles, and 70 tackles in 14 games. Mathematically, Hooker projects toward a 3 year, $52M deal in our system, but the Titans will need to swing a little bigger to keep him from the open market next March.

Also: Arden Key (ED, $13.5M APY)

Washington Commanders

WR Terry McLaurin

The 29-year-old has waited 5+ seasons for the organization to find a core, and that time is now here. McLaurin enters a contract year in 2025, set to earn $19.65M for the upcoming season. A 3 year, $83M extension should keep him in the fold for at least 2 more seasons.

2024 #NFL Playoff Pay (per player)

Philadelphia Eagles: $357,000
Kansas City Chiefs: $277,000
Wasington Commanders: $186,000
Buffalo Bills: $186,000
Los Angeles Rams: $109,000
Baltimore Ravens: $109,000
Houston Texans: $109,000
Detroit Lions: $104,000
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $54,500
Minnesota Vikings: $49,500
Green Bay Packers: $49,500
Los Angeles Chargers: $49,500
Pittsburgh Steelers: $49,500
Denver Broncos: $49,500

As the NFL calendar flips to the offseason, teams are now settling in for the quick push to March 12, the official start of the 2025 league year and free agency.

Spotrac has identified one player from each of the 32 teams set to become an unrestricted free agent next month, including projected market values and a few honorable mentions for each.

RELATED:
2025 NFL Free Agents
Spotrac’s Market Values

Arizona Cardinals

OLB Baron Browning

Acquired at the deadline from Denver, Browning has proven to be a productive edge rusher - when he remains healthy (12 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 INT through his rookie contract). The 25-year-old is a 2 year, $11M player in our system heading toward March.

Also: Kyzir White (LB), Dennis Gardeck (OLB), Will Hernandez (G)

Atlanta Falcons

C Drew Dalman

Dalman likely hits the open market as the best available center, a spot that’s proven fruitful for notable players in recent offseasons. The 4th round pick out of Stanford calculates near $7M per year in our system, but demand likely brings this contract near $10M per year when it’s all said and done.

Also: Justin Simmons (S), Matt Judon (DE), Mike Hughes (CB)

Baltimore Ravens

OT Ronnie Stanley

Injuries over the past 4 seasons forced Baltimore to re-negotiate Stanley down to a 1 year, $7.5M “prove-it” deal in 2024. He proved it, returning to the top of the offensive tackle list, and should find himself a multi-year guarantee again this offseason. He’s a 2 year, $42M player in our system.

Also: Patrick Mekari (G), Brandon Stephens (CB)

Buffalo Bills

WR Amari Cooper

A deadline acquisition from Cleveland, Cooper battled injuries during his short tenure with Buffalo. While WR is certainly a position of need for the Bills this spring, bringing back Cooper at his currently valued 2 years, $28M+ may prove too costly.

Also: Rasul Douglas (CB), Damar Hamlin (S), Mack Hollins (WR)

Carolina Panthers

CB Michael Jackson

Acquired from Seattle before the 2024 season, Jackson played almost every snap for the Panthers, compiling 76 tackles, 2 interceptions, and strong coverage percentage grades as an outside CB. He’ll be a value option for a team not looking to swing too big this spring, projecting toward a 3 year, $24M contract in our system.

Also: Tommy Tremble (TE), Jordan Fuller (S)

Chicago Bears

G Teven Jenkins

A 2nd Round pick out of Oklahoma State, Jenkins has now posted 3 straight strong seasons on the Bears’ O-Line, and should hit the open market as one of the top interior options available. He projects toward a 3 year, $31M contract in our system (but demand should push this closer to $15M per year).

Also: Keenan Allen (WR), Coleman Shelton (C/G)

Cincinnati Bengals

WR Tee Higgins

Another franchise tag? A tag/trade? An extension to stay? Walking free into the open market? Everything appears to be on the table still with this (and a few other) Bengals’ conundrums, but the fact of the matter remains this: Higgins is set to be the best available offensive weapon, by a lot. The math says he’s a $27M per year player, but demand probably lifts this over the $30M mark. Related: Next Contract: Tee Higgins

Also: Mike Hilton (CB), B.J. Hill (DT), Mike Gesicki (TE)

Cleveland Browns

QB Jameis Winston

Winston proved he can still energize an offense when needed - just not for too long. The good and bad has always seemed to even out for the 31-year-old over the course of his career, putting him on track to secure another backup contract this offseason. He’s a 1 year, $6M valuation in our system.

Also: Jedrick Wills (OT), Nick Chubb (RB), Elijah Moore (WR)

Dallas Cowboys

DT Osa Odighizuwa

Not exactly a house-hold name nationally (yet), but this likely ends up being the contract that turns heads in the coming weeks. The 3rd Round pick out of UCLA could be considered the best interior defensive linemen on the open market, with a 3 year, $63M projection in our system.

Also: DeMarcus Lawrence (DE), Zack Martin (G), Chauncey Golston (DE)

Denver Broncos

DT D.J. Jones

The 30-year-old just completed a 3 year, $30M contract in Denver, and is still a valuable commodity on the D-Line. He’s in line for another deal right around the $10M per year mark again.

Also: Javonte Williams (RB), Cody Barton (LB)

Detroit Lions

CB Carlton Davis

Acquired from Tampa Bay before the start of the 2024 season, Davis proved his value, factoring into a much improved Lions defense. He’s valued right around the $14.5M salary he earned this past season, projecting toward a 3 year, $42M contract this March.

Also: Kevin Zeitler (G), Levi Onwuzurike (DT)

Green Bay Packers

C Josh Myers

Myers has started nearly every game for the Packers over the past three seasons, setting himself up for a nice payday in his first trip to the open market. The 2nd round pick out of Ohio State projects toward a 3 year, $22M deal in our system.

Also: Isaiah McDuffie (OLB)

Houston Texans

WR Stefon Diggs

A week 8 ACL tear put Diggs’ season, and potentially his future, in peril. Assuming he can work his way back to full health, an Odell Beckham Jr. type deal in the 1 year, $13.5M range (heavily incentive-laden) should get the job done.

Also: Derek Barnett (DE), Jeff Okudah (CB)

Indianapolis Colts

ED Dayo Odeyingbo

The former 2nd Round pick out of Vanderbilt has steadily increased his production, consistency, and in turn - snap count. There’s a very real world where the 25-year-old scores a legitimate starting edge rusher pay day in the coming weeks, projecting toward a 4 year, $64M contract in our system.

Also: Will Fries (G), Ryan Kelly (C), Julian Blackmon (S), E.J. Speed (LB)

Jacksonville Jaguars

S Andre Cisco

After very productive seasons in 2022 & 2023, Cisco (and much of the Jacksonville defense) had a bit of a bumpy ride in 2024 that included him being pulled from the starting lineup at times. It’s certainly plausible that a change of scenery gets him back on track, but a 1 year, $10M “showcase” deal could be in the works first.

Also: Brandon Scherff (G), Mac Jones (QB)

Kansas City Chiefs

G Trey Smith

It was a rough (Super Bowl) finish admittedly, but the 6th Round pick out of Tennessee has already done more than enough to stake claim as one of the top pending free agents in the league. There’s a legitimate path to Smith securing a contract at or near Landon Dickerson’s current $21M per year mark.

Also: Justin Reid (S), Nick Bolton (LB), DeAndre Hopkins (WR), Charles Omenihu (DE)

Las Vegas Raiders

ED Malcolm Koonce

Koonce had a legitimate breakout season in 2023 (8 sacks, 3 forced fumbles) but suffered a season-ending knee injury before the start of 2024, making his first trip to the open market a little murky. Will teams squeeze him down to a “showcase” deal, ensuring that 2023 wasn’t a fluke? He’s a 2 year, $40M player in our system.

Also: Trevon Moehrig (S), Robert Spillane (OLB)

Los Angeles Chargers

ED Khalil Mack

The 33-year-old is still doing things at a high level, filling up the statlines on a weekly basis this past season in LA on a renegotiated 1 year, $192.M contract. Despite the age, Mack projects toward a 3 year, $70M contract in our system, and as we tend to say often around this time of the year - it only takes one team.

Also: Asante Samuel Jr. (CB), Poona Ford (DE), JK Dobbins (RB), Teair Tart (DT)

Los Angeles Rams

OT Alaric Jackson

A UDFA out of Iowa, Jackson finished off 2024 on a $4.9M restricted tender, setting up what should prove to be a nice pay raise in his first trip to the open market. The 26-year-old projected toward a 3 year, $48M contract in our system.

Also: TuTu Atwell (WR), Demarcus Robinson (WR), Joseph Noteboom (OT)

Miami Dolphins

S Jevon Holland

Holland’s production dipped a bit in 2024 - a weird year across the board in Miami - but he’s done more than enough through his first four seasons to establish himself as the top safety set to hit the open market.The 25-year-old carries a 4 year, $60M base projection in our system.

Also: Calais Campbell (DE), Tyrel Dodson (LB), Liam Eichenberg (G)

Minnesota Vikings

QB Sam Darnold

Darnold’s 2024 is a rollercoaster ride we haven’t experienced at the QB position, with seemingly zero expectation to start, maximum output nearing the finish line, then a drop off of a cliff to end the season. Where does that leave the 27-year-old going forward? A tag to keep him in Minnesota is likely too expensive ($40M+), and with limited options of his age and ability set to become available this March, it’s fair to assume that at least one team will be ready to open their wallet for the former #3 overall pick. Darnold carries a 4 year, $160M projection in our system.

Also: Byron Murphy (CB), Camryn Bynum (S), Cam Robinson (OT), Aaron Jones (RB)

New England Patriots

CB Jonathan Jones

The coverage numbers have dipped, and Jones even found himself in & out of the starting lineup at times in 2024, but the 31-year-old is still a viable role option for a secondary in need. He’s a 2 year, $5M projection in our system heading toward March.

Also: Austin Hooper (TE), Jacoby Brissett (QB)

New Orleans Saints

ED Chase Young

Young backed up an 8-sack campaign for San Francisco back in 2023 with a 6-sack performance in New Orleans, playing on a 1 year, $13M contract. It stands to reason that he’s done enough to warrant a multi-year guarantee this time around, projecting toward a 4 year, $70M deal in our system.

Also: Paulson Adebo (CB), Juwan Johnson (TE)

New York Giants

WR Darius Slayton

Slayton’s time in NY has been tumultuous to say the least. A change of scenery with a proven QB1 could quickly change the direction of his career (though drops have been a big part of his portfolio). A weak WR market this March could elevate Slayton’s contract terms when it’s all said and done, leading toward a 3 year, $47M projection in our system.

Also: Azeez Ojulari (OLB), Drew Lock (QB)

New York Jets

CB D.J. Reed

One of the more consistent players at the position over the past 6 seasons, Reed should be rewarded with a nice pay raise this March, having completed a 3 year, $33M contract in NY. The 28-year-old heads toward free agency with a 4 year, $58M projection in our system.

Also: Haason Reddick (OLB), Tyler Conklin (TE), Tyron Smith (OT)

Philadelphia Eagles

ED Josh Sweat

Sweat signed a renegotiated 1 year, $10M to “stick around” with Philly this past March, rewarding them with another highly productive season, and a big finish in Super Bowl 59. The 27-year-old will hit March as one of the most coveted free agents on the market, carrying a 3 year, $57M projection in our system.

Also: Milton Williams (DT), Mekhi Becton (OL), Zack Baun (OLB)

Pittsburgh Steelers

OT Dan Moore Jr.

Moore has improved every year on a Pittsburgh O-Line that has badly needed more consistent production. With so many teams (including major contenders) looking to upgrade at the left tackle position this March, don’t be surprised if Moore locks in a big pay day, potentially even to stay with the Steelers. The 26-year-old enters the open market on a 3 year, $38M projection.

Also: Russell Wilson (QB), Justin Fields (QB), James Daniels (G), Najee Harris (RB)

San Francisco 49ers

CB Charvarius Ward

Ward, and the rest of the 49ers, had a big step back year in 2024, but he’s a year removed from one of the more productive seasons at the position, and should hit the open market with plenty of offers. The 29-year-old is a 3 year, $46M player in our system.

Also: Talanoa Hufanga (S), Dre Greenlaw (LB), Aaron Banks (G)

Seattle Seahawks

LB Ernest Jones

Jones bounced from the Rams to the Titans before landing in Seattle at the trade deadline. The two sides showed immediate interest in a long-term relationship, but it now appears as though the 25-year-old will hit the open market this March. The 3rd Rounder out of South Carolina should be one of the more coveted off-ball linebackers in free agency, projecting toward a 4 year, $52M contract in our system.

Also: Jarran Reed (DT), Johnathan Hankins (DT)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

WR Chris Godwin

Godwin was on pace for another Godwin-like campaign in 2024 before an ankle injury derailed his season. Teams will have some pause when assessing the 28-year-old coming back from his second major injury, but a weak WR market will help sustain his ability to cash in. The former 3rd round pick carries a 3 year, $66M valuation in our system.

Also: Lavonte David (LB)

Tennessee Titans

DT Sebastian Joseph

The 29-year-old started 12 games for the Titans in 2024, compiling 3 sacks & 44 tackles in that span. Joseph should be inline for a contract similar to the 1 year, $4M deal he just completed in Tennessee, projecting toward a 2 year, $9M deal in our system.

Also: Nick Westbrook (WR), Tyler Boyd (WR)

Washington Commanders

LB Bobby Wagner

Now 34-years-old, Wagner is showing almost no sign of decline, filling up the stat board on a weekly basis (especially as it pertains to shutting down opposing run-games). A reunion with this fun, talented Commanders group makes a lot of sense, and a 1 year, $7M (incentive-laden) contract does too.

Also: Dante Fowler Jr. (DE), Jeremy Chinn (S), Zach Ertz (TE)

As the offseason officially arrives, here are a few important upcoming dates to keep in mind, including the franchise/transition tag window, negotiation period, and official 2025 league year start.

• 2/18: Tag Window Opens
• 2/24-3/3: NFL Combine
• 3/4: Tag Window Closes
• 3/10-3/12: Negotiation Period
• 3/12: League Year Begins*
  
  *All teams must be Top 51 salary cap compliant by 4PM ET. Spotrac is currently projecting a $275M league salary cap in all NFL views.

League MVP

Josh Allen | QB | Buffalo Bills

Despite not being named first-team All-Pro, Allen secured his first MVP award in 2024, securing a $1.5M incentive along the way. It’s the first Bills’ player to win the award since RB Thurman Thomas did so back in 1991.

Contractually, Allen holds 4 years, $129.5M remaining, including just $14.5M for the upcoming 2025 season, none of which is guaranteed. He’s in line for some type of renegotiation this winter, be it a sweeten-the-pot maneuver that pulls cash from the back of the deal into 2025, or a straight up extension that pulls Allen into our current $60M+ per year stratosphere.

Offensive Player of the Year

Saquon Barkley | RB | Philadelphia Eagles

Barkley became the 9th player to reach 2,000 yards rushing in a season, finishing just 100 yards behind Eric Dickerson’s single-season record (2,105). He’s been every bit of the home run hitter the Eagles thought they were getting when they signed him away from the Giants on a 3 year, $37.75M contract.

The nearly 28-year-old now has 2 years, $26M remaining thanks to $1M worth of escalators that were hit in his historic 2024 campaign (another $250,000 can be added with a Super Bowl win). $11M of his 2025 salary plus $1.5M of his 2026 compensation is fully guaranteed.

Defensive Player of the Year

Patrick Surtain II | CB | Denver Broncos

The Broncos did a lot of subtracting before the 2024 season, but locking in Surtain to a market resetting 4 year, $96M extension has already proved to be one of their better additives of the offseason. The 24-year-old secured 4 interceptions, a forced fumble, and 45 tackles in 2024.

Surtain now holds 5 years, $100M remaining on his sophomore contract, including $42M guaranteed for practical purposes. His contract sets a new bar for the next wave of cornerback contracts (Stingley Jr., McDuffie, Benford, Gardner).

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Jayden Daniels | QB | Washington Commanders

It was a dream season for the Commanders, who changed nearly every facet of their franchise over the course of the past 24 months - and were rewarded with a lightning-in-a-bottle player at the most important position in sports. Daniels just completed the greatest rookie QB season in the history of the game, finishing 2024 with a Passer Rating over 100, 3500+ Passing Yards, nearly 900 Rushing Yards, and a 5th place ranking in PFFs final grading.

HIs #2 overall rookie contract now holds 3 years, $12.6M fully guaranteed remaining, plus a 5th year option for 2028 (that has already been escalated per his Pro Bowl selection this season). Daniels won’t become extension eligible until after the 2026 season, so it’s a big 2-year window for Washington to cash in on the value system.

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Jared Verse | ED | Los Angeles Rams

The Rams hadn’t made a first round pick since the 2016 draft, but boy did they hit a home run with Verse. The 24-year-old out of Florida State secured 5 sacks, 66 tackles, and 2 forced fumbles in his debut campaign, while almost immediately establishing himself as a player offenses need to “gameplay” around.

His #19 overall rookie contract now holds 3 years, $6.5M fully guaranteed remaining, plus a 5th year option for 2028 (that has already been escalated per his Pro Bowl selection this season). Verse won’t become extension eligible until after the 2026 season.

Comeback Player of the Year

Joe Burrow | QB | Cincinnati Bengals

Burrow’s season began with serious concern about his long-term injury risk, and finished with a legitimate question as to if he should be in the running for League MVP. Such has been the ebbs and flows of his first 5 seasons in Cincinnati.

The 28-year-old holds 5 years, $198.7M remaining on his contract through 2029, $88.8M of which is guaranteed for practical purposes. It’s a big, busy, potentially very expensive offseason for his Bengals’ front office.

Tee Higgins, a 2nd round draft pick out of Clemson back in 2020 could finally find himself on the open market this March. The barely 26-year-old was franchise tagged by the Bengals in 2024, earning $21,816,000 in his 5th NFL season. Spotrac dives into the future contract status for Higgins as the 2025 league year approaches.

The Second Franchise Tag

While the Bengals have big fish to fry this offseason (a record-setting Ja’Marr Chase extension, keeping Trey Hendrickson happy, completely rebuilding the defense, etc…) tagging Higgins for the second straight season isn’t THAT financially crazy.

Franchise tagging a player for the second time comes at a 120% increase of their first tag, or in Higgins’ case, $26,179,200.

The Bengals enter 2025 with $234M of cap allocated for 55/90 contracts, giving them around $49M of Top 51 cap space. A base salary conversion on QB Joe Burrow’s contract can free up another $19.2M, while an extension for WR Ja'Marr Chase will almost certainly lower his current $21.8M cap figure as well. Those two moves alone should be enough to account for a second Higgins tag to begin the league year.

With this said, Higgins and his camp won’t be pleased with the restrictive move, and it’s highly unlikely that the tag is signed at any point in time. The Bengals could look to shop Higgins, seeking a deal that would bring back a bigger return than the single compensatory draft pick that would come from simply letting him walk in free agency this March. This route can be risky, as Higgins will need to sign the franchise tag in order to process the trade, meaning he’ll get to pick/choose his next destination. It also requires teams to have ample cap space to be able to take on the $26.2M tag number.

Still, with a weak free agent market for WRs, and a potentially underwhelming draft class for the position as well, the tag & trade scenario could prove fruitful for the Bengals, and a “best of both worlds” endgame for both sides. The last WR to be tag/traded was Davante Adams from Green Bay to Las Vegas back in 2022. The Packers received a 1st & 2nd round pick in the 2022 draft per the move, and 30-year-old Adams secured a 5 year, $140 million contract extension.

If Higgins is tagged, he would have until July 15, 2025 to come to terms on a multi-year extension (with whatever team he happens to be on).

Calculated Market Value

The math hasn’t been kind to Higgins as he approaches his first monster payday. A combination of time missed, drops, and a 4 catch, 65 yards per game average over the past 2 seasons keeps the overall price point somewhat tempered.

At the time of this piece, the calculated value of a Tee Higgins contract according to our system clocks in at 4 years, $102M. Fortunately for Higgins, there are plenty of other factors in play that will certainly amplify these figures.

An Extension to Stay

It’s not inconceivable that the Bengals simply agree to pay both Ja’Marr Chase & Tee Higgins this Spring, however this scenario should be considered highly unlikely for now. Chase has the resume to completely reset this position’s financial market, currently set at $35M per year, $110M guaranteed thanks to Justin Jefferson. So where would Higgins fit in under this?

Two teams have recently locked in their top two wide receivers to big-time contracts: Tyreek Hill & Jaylen Waddle in Miami, A.J. Brown & DeVonta Smith in Philadelphia.

While Brown maxed out, Smith secured 9.8% of the cap last year on his $25M per year extension. If we adjust that to a projected $275M league salary cap in 2025, that would mean a deal right around $27M per year for Higgins, or a 4 year, $108M extension. 

Smith also secured 68% of his new money as guaranteed. For Higgins, this would mean $74M, a big number for a “number 2”, but the precedent that one of the best teams in football has now set. Waddle, by the way, secured $76M practically guaranteed on his 3 year, $85M extension in Miami. In other words, a figure around $75M isn’t out of bounds for Tee Higgins going forward.

Is $108M over the next 4 years, $75M practically guaranteed enough to keep Higgins from hitting the open market this March?

A Free Agent Contract

If Higgins is allowed to hit the open market untethered, the sky is seemingly the limit. However: the largest free agent wide receiver contract ever handed out came last year, Calvin Ridley’s 4 year, $92M contract that included $50M guaranteed. Yes, times have changed, the cap has changed, and players of Higgins’ age and ability rarely get to free agency, but there isn’t a precedent for players to “max-out” on the open market like we see in other sports.

With that said, things are lining up nicely for multiple teams (many with quarterbacks on rookie contracts) to step in and generate a bidding war for Higgins’ services. We’ll factor this momentum into our bottom line.

The most likely foundation point for Higgins in a free market is Brandon Aiyuk’s 4 year, $120 million extension with the 49ers. The deal includes $76M guaranteed for practical purposes, $45M fully guaranteed at signing. In direct comparison over the past two seasons (2023-24 for Higgins, 2022-23 for Aiyuk), the numbers are fairly close, with Aiyuk slightly ahead in almost all of these standard receiving categories, holding a sizable lead over him in touchdowns.
At $30M per year, Aiyuk secured 11.7% of the 2024 salary cap on an average basis. If we assume a $275M salary cap in 2025, this represents a $32.1M APY for a WR with similar comparables.

So here’s the million-dollar question: Does the combination of Tee Higgins’ resume PLUS the idea of a free agent bidding war, warrant a cap-adjusted increase of the Brandon Aiyuk contract? Yes. If teams such as New England, Washington, Denver, Atlanta, etc…will all collectively be making offers, it stands to reason that (at least) one will go above and beyond mathematical logic to get their guy.

Using Spotrac’s Free Agent Contract Builder tool, here’s our latest full breakdown projection for Tee Higgins this coming March:


It’s a 4 year, $124 million contract that includes $59.25M fully guaranteed at signing (3rd among WRs). The $31M per year APY would rank him 4th, while a $74.25M practical guarantee over the next 3 seasons would be 9th most.

The deal has a whopping $91M cash built into the first three seasons, 4th most among WRs and WELL ahead of Brandon Aiyuk ($76M). A double-bonus structure ($28.8M signing bonus, $28M 2026 option bonus) plus the use of void years keep the cap hits at bay early on, with conversion possibilities built into 2027 as needed.

It’s a 3 year, $91M contract for practical purposes, a huge upgrade for a player that has never mathematically approached a $30M valuation in our system. But supply, demand, and rookie QB contracts are real, and in cases like this, they can be spectacular too.

Super Bowl 59 will feature two familiar foes, as the Kansas City Chiefs & Philadelphia Eagles will meet in New Orleans. The matchup highlights two Top 10 cash spending teams from 2024, with the Eagles ranking 3rd, and the Chiefs 9th this past season. When combining the average salaries of their 53-man rosters, the Eagles stand atop the league, with over $350M allocated. KC drops down to 19th in this regard, thanks to a defense loaded with rookie contracts (for a minute).

Notable Notes

• 4 Kansas City Chiefs players carried the highest average salary at their position in 2024: TE Travis Kelce ($17.1M), C Creed Humphrey ($18M), DT Chris Jones ($31.75M), K Harrison Butker ($6.4M)
• Only 1 Eagles player carried a Top APY in 2024: G Landon Dickerson ($21M)
• Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, & Dallas Goedert combined for $71.6M cash this season. Every single RB, WR, & TE for the Chiefs earned just over $57M combined.
• Both starting QBs have a contract escalator based on the outcome of the Super Bowl
• Both of these teams are Top 3 spenders toward Special Teams, while the Eagles are the most expensive offense in football
• 6 Eagles were named All-Pro in 2024, but only 1 (pending free agent Zack Baun) will be in need of a contract.
• 4 Chiefs were named All-Pro in 2024. Two of them (Joe Thuney, Trent McDuffie) are headed toward contract extensions.

Offense/Defense Cash Ranks

Positional Spending Breakdowns
Kansas City Chiefs
Philadelphia Eagles

Quarterback Futures

Patrick Mahomes has 7 years $315.7M remaining on his massive contract in KC, but, thanks to a recent modification/salary advance, only the next three years ($160M) are really worth considering. The 29-year-old carries a massive $66.2M cap hit in 2025, but a full cap conversion on his salary/roster bonus can lower that down to $28M as needed. Mahomes can add $1.25M to his 2025 salary with a Super Bowl win.

Jalen Hurts has 4 years, $195M remaining on his sophomore extension, but a Super Bowl win will escalate all of his remaining salaries by $500,000. A 6-bonus structure on his contract keeps salary cap hits tempered, including a team-friendly $21.7M for 2025.

The Running Back Comparison

Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, & Samaje Perine have combined to be integral pieces to the KC puzzle this year at just a $3.5M price tag. The last time the Chiefs paid a RB more than $5M cash was in 2020, Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s signing bonus season. Before that? Jamaal Charles in 2016. This value isn’t an accident - it’s a plan. Pacheco is on the books at just $1.1M in 2025, the final season of his rookie contract.

After years of paying this position extremely close to the vest (2015 DeMarco Murray was the last $5M+ running back), Philly made one of the bigger offseason splashes in adding Saquon Barkley to the mix. A Super Bowl victory will mean a $15M payout for Barkley in 2024, 3rd most among running backs last season. The almost 28-year-old is fully guaranteed through 2025 at $11M.

The Wide Receiver Comparison

Xavier Worthy’s $7.6M was the biggest payout the Chiefs made to a WR in 2024, which aligned with his WR-team-high 98 targets. KC handed out a little over $26M to its 9 wideouts this past season, despite many of them missing significant time (Skyy Moore, Rashee Rice, Marquise Brown). Rice remains in his rookie deal through 2026, Worthy won’t be extension eligible until after the 2026 season, while Brown & DeAndre Hopkins are headed for free agency this March.

Philly paid out over $47M to its 6 wideouts this past season, including $42.6M to A.J. Brown & DeVonta Smith alone. 5 of these receivers are under contract in 2025, with Brown guaranteed $62.75M and Smith guaranteed $48.5M through 2027.

2024 Positional Cash Rankings

Where the Chiefs/Eagles ranked in terms of cash spending at each respective position group this past season

Notable Extension Candidates

Chiefs
G Trey Smith
The 6th round pick out of Tennessee has seen his stock explode in recent months. He’ll be considered one of the top available free agents this March if allowed to get there, with a 4 year, $80M projection attached to him in our system.

OL Joe Thuney
The starting left guard for the better of 4 seasons in KC has been filling in admirably at left tackle a bit down the stretch as well. He’s as valuable an offensive lineman as the league currently has, and despite being 32-years-old, should be considered an extension candidate this winter (especially as it will lower his current $27M cap figure). A 2 year, $40M tack-on could be in the cards here.

CB Trent McDuffie
The #21 overall pick back in 2022 is now extension-eligible for the first time, joining a growing list of young defensive backs that should easily reset this market. McDuffie enters 2025 with a 3 year, $66M valuation attached to him.

Eagles
EDGE Josh Sweat
The 27-year-old signed a 1 year, $10M renegotiated contract to remain in Philly, responding with 8 sacks and 41 tackles. He may have priced himself out of the Eagles constraints this time around, projecting toward a 3 year, $45M contract in our system.

LB Zack Baun
The 28-year-old signed a 1 year, $1.6M contract to join Philly last March, and is now a 1st-Team All-Pro linebacker. He’s a near $10M per year player in our system this time around.

C Cam Jurgens
No longer just “Jason Kelce’s replacement”, Jurgens shined in his first season as Jalen Hurts’ center (including a Pro Bowl nod). He’s entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2025, projecting toward a 3 year, $25 million extension in our system.

Notable Free Agents

Chiefs
Trey Smith is largely considered the most prominent free agent on the open market and could be in line to test Landon Dickerson's $21M per year figure. 

• G Trey Smith
• WR DeAndre Hopkins
• S Justin Reid
• LB Nick Bolton
• WR Marquise Brown
• VIEW ALL

Eagles
Zack Baun turned a 1 year, $3.5M contract into 1st-Team All-Pro. Josh Sweat should be seeking a multi-year guarantee this time around as well after a 1 year, $10M deal in Philly.

• LB Zack Baun
• DE Josh Sweat
• G Mekhi Becton
• VIEW ALL

Before the chaos of the NFL offseason kicks into gear, we’ll dive into five players who appear poised to lock in a contract extension in the coming weeks and months, providing outcome predictions for each.

QB Brock Purdy (SF, 25)

Remaining Contract: 1 year, $5M

Purdy’s 2025 salary will escalate from $1M up to around $5M thanks to a Proven Performance Bonus (figure to be determined once the 2025 league salary cap is set). It’s a small consolation prize for a player who has been providing his team with as much financial value as possible for the better part of 3 seasons.

Has Purdy done enough to demand a near top of the market contract? Does his value outside of the 49ers create leverage? Will the Niners play hardball here? Common sense says the two sides move quickly on this deal, coming in at a healthy, but not crushing, bottom line number.

Let’s keep this simple and cap adjust the Daniel Jones contract from 2023:

Prediction: 4 years, $194M, $100M guaranteed

ED Micah Parsons (DAL, 25)

Remaining Contract: 1 year, $24M

Parsons produced 12 sacks, 43 tackles, and 2 forced fumbles in just 13 games for the Cowboys last season and will enter a contract year in 2025 (fully guaranteed $24M 5th-year option salary). He’s been one of the games most productive edge defenders since stepping onto the field back in 2021, and should be of Dallas’ top priority signings this offseason.

The top numbers for edge defenders currently stand at: $34M APY, $122.5M GTD, though it should be noted (since the Cowboys tend to wait until the last minute with these things) that T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett, Max Crosby, and Zach Allen are all contract extension candidates this offseason as well, which should continue to push this market even further.

Prediction: 4 years, $150M ($115M guaranteed)

WR Ja’Marr Chase (CIN, 24)

Remaining Contract: 1 year, $21.8M

127 catches, 1,708 yards, 17 touchdowns. There are certainly worse ways to launch yourself into a contract negotiation offseason, and Justin Jefferson’s $35M APY, $110M guaranteed could very much be in danger here. While drops remain a bit of a concern (9 in 2024), the former #5 overall pick has done more than enough to warrant a market resetting contract this spring.

Prediction: 4 years, $145M ($100M guaranteed)

CB Derek Stingley Jr. (HOU, 23)

Remaining Contract: 1 year, $5.4M + 2026 option

The #3 overall pick in 2022 now has 11 interceptions in 37 games and enters the offseason as PFF’s 4th highest rated cornerback. Houston will (of course) exercise his 5th year option before the May 2nd deadline, then should have its sights on locking in Stingley to a deal in the same ballpark as Patrick Surtain’s extension in Denver (4 years, $96M, $77.5M guaranteed).

Prediction: 4 years, $105M ($83M guaranteed)

S Kyle Hamilton (BLT, 23)

Remaining Contract: 1 year, $2.9M + 2026 option

Hamilton’s versatility fills up the box score on a weekly basis (107 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and a pick in 2024), and the #2 rated safety in football according to PFF is now extension-eligible for the first time at just 23 years old.

The safety market got a nice bump last offseason with Antoine Winfield Jr.’s extension in Tampa Bay. Hamilton should all but destroy his numbers ($21M APY, 53.5% guaranteed). Assuming the Ravens exercise Hamilton’s 5th-year option (estimated $18.3M) before extending him, he’ll be carrying around $21M with him into the negotiation.

Prediction: 3 years, $75M ($58M guaranteed)

A look at player contracts from each of the 14 NFL playoff teams that we’re watching for one reason or another over the course of the next few weeks/months.

RELATED: 2025 NFL Free Agents

Baltimore Ravens

C Tyler Linderbaum
Entering Year 4 of his rookie contract. Baltimore is a lock to exercise his 5th-year option for 2026, but an extension is very much on the table this offseason. He’s a 3 year, $50M player in our system.

LT Ronnie Stanley
The 30-year-old had the healthiest season of his career in 2024 on a renegotiated 1-year contract, setting up a tough decision for the Ravens’ front office this March. He holds a 2 year, $42M valuation in our system heading toward 2025.

S Kyle Hamilton
This one seems pretty simple, as Hamilton has quickly become the best safety in all of football. Mathematically speaking, he projects to become the highest paid safety in NFL history. A 3 year, $61M extension is the starting point.

Buffalo Bills

CB Christian Benford
Benford joins a growing list of cornerbacks around the league (Stingley Jr., Gardner, Humphrey, McDuffie) who could push this market into the $25M+ per year category. He’s been one of the best shutdown corners in the game over the past 2 seasons, and he enters a contract year in 2025. He’s a 4 year, $92M player in our system right now.

DE Greg Rousseau
After a slow start to his rookie campaign, Rousseau has now posted 3 straight productive, consistent seasons in Buffalo, including career-best numbers this past season. He holds a fully guaranteed $13.3M 5th-year option salary in 2025, projecting toward a 4 year, $100M extension in our system.

RB James Cook
Cook will be entering a contract year in 2025, set to earn a projected $5M based on a Proven Performance Bonus. He just posted one of the best overall rushing seasons in Bills’ history, proving his worth and then some to this Buffalo offense. He’s a $9M player in our system as of today, projecting toward a 4 year, $36M contract.

Denver Broncos

DE Zach Allen
Allen heads into a contract year after posting the most productive season of his career in 2024. With a $19.8M cap figure, Denver will be motivated to extend the 27-year-old both for football and business purposes this winter. He holds a 3 year, $66M projection in our system.

OLB Nik Bonitto
The 2nd rounder out of Oklahoma has improved each season, culminating with an outstanding 2024 campaign (14 sacks, 48 tackles, 2 forced fumbles and an interception). He enters the final year of his rookie contract, where a Proven Performance Bonus should escalate his salary near $5M. The 25-year-old holds a 4 year, $94M projection in our system.

WR Courtland Sutton
Sutton was offered an incentive package before the 2024 season to “sweeten the pot” a bit. He responded with near-career numbers across the board and showed a clear fit with new QB Bo Nix. He enters a contract year in 2025, carrying a 3 year, $69M valuation in our system.

Detroit Lions

CB Carlton Davis
The pending free agent has helped stabilize a once deficient Lions’ D, and should hit the open market as one of the top available free agents. He’s in line for a 3 year, $42M contract based on our valuation.

DL Aidan Hutchinson
Recovery from a broken leg notwithstanding, every part of Hutchinson’s NFL start has been both productive, and exponentially improving annually. He’s extension-eligible for the first time now, holding a $30.5M valuation in our system. Nick Bosa’s $34M per year should very much be in sight here.

Green Bay Packers

CB Jaire Alexander
Alexander has missed significant time in each of the past 2 seasons, putting his 2 years, $37M remaining very much in question. A late season knee injury/IR stint probably means the Packers move on next March.

WR Romeo Doubs
The Packers passing game hasn’t been much to write home about of late, but Doubs has consistently been QB Jordan Love’s go to target down the stretch (especially with Christian Watson suffering another tough injury). The 24-year-old is entering a contract year in 2025, and could very well garner a multi-year extension to remain in the fold thereafter. As a fringe WR2/WR1, Doubs currently projects toward a 4 year, $86M extension in our system.

LB Quay Walker
Walker has been “solid” as an off-ball linebacker in Green Bay for the better part of three seasons, but he hasn’t lived up to the #22 overall status the Packers were hoping for back in 2022. Despite a starting role, look for Walker’s name to be floated in offseason trades this winter. The 24-year-old is guaranteed $2.6M next season, with a decision looming on his 2026 5th-year option.

Houston Texans

CB Derek Stingley Jr.
Back-to-back massive seasons for the #3 overall pick from 2022 has Stingley Jr. primed to reset the CB market this offseason. He’s owed $5.4M in 2025, with a certain to be exercised 5th-year option for 2026, so let’s tack on 3 years, $75M to all of that and call it a day.

G Kenyon Green
Green’s role in Houston appears to be on thin ice, as veteran stopgaps have taken away precious snaps from him in each of the past two seasons. He enters Year 4 of his rookie contract in 2025, with a decision to be made on a 5th year option looming as well. The #15 overall pick back in 2022 could be on the trade block this winter.

Kansas City Chiefs

G Trey Smith
The 6th round pick out of Tennessee has seen his stock explode in recent months. He’ll be considered one of the top available free agents this March if allowed to get there, with a 4 year, $80M projection attached to him in our system.

OL Joe Thuney
The starting left guard for the better of 4 seasons in KC has been filling in admirably at left tackle a bit down the stretch as well. He’s as valuable an offensive lineman as the league currently has, and despite being 32-years-old, should be considered an extension candidate this winter (especially as it will lower his current $27M cap figure). A 2 year, $40M tack-on could be in the cards here.

CB Trent McDuffie
The #21 overall pick back in 2022 is now extension-eligible for the first time, joining a growing list of young defensive backs that should easily reset this market. McDuffie enters 2025 with a 3 year, $66M valuation attached to him.

Los Angeles Chargers

RB JK Dobbins
The oft-injured 26-year-old did miss a few weeks with a knee knock, but for the most part proved to be a legitimate weapon for the new-look Chargers offense. Has he done enough to warrant a multi-year deal this time around? He’s a $7.3M/year player in our system on the surface.

LT Rashawn Slater
Slater battled injuries early on in his rookie deal, but the former #13 overall pick now seems a lock to be Justin Herbert’s blindside protection for the foreseeable future. He enters 2025 on a fully guaranteed $19M 5th-year option salary, carrying a $25.5M per year valuation in our system.

EDGE Khalil Mack
While he didn’t come near the 17-sack, 6 forced fumble performance he posted in 2023, Mack still proved to be one of the best edge defenders in all of football this past season. The almost 34-year-old is a pending free agent, but an incentive-laden deal to remain in LA seems plausible. 1 year, $7.5M with a chance to get to $10M might get it done.

Los Angeles Rams

WR Demarcus Robinson
The 30-year-old played a much more significant role than anticipated, filling in for frequent injuries to Cooper Kupp & Puka Nacua throughout the season. A pending free agent, Robinson could be in the market for the 1 year, $4M contract he just finished out.

WR Cooper Kupp
Kupp has 2 years, $39M remaining on his contract, but the 31-year-old has struggled to remain healthy each of the past 3 seasons. With that said, Kupp is still both highly productive & valuable to this Rams’ offense when available, and a $5M roster bonus for 2025 is already fully guaranteed. But this (along with QB Matthew Stafford) is still a situation to watch this offseason.

Minnesota Vikings

QB Sam Darnold
Regardless of where you land on the “should they keep him or not” debate, nobody can deny the magical season Darnold just posted. Signed as a mere stopgap to hold the Minnesota fort down in 2024, there’s a legitimate path to $40M+ this winter (either via a tag, extension, or free agent contract).

OT Cam Robinson
Brought over from Jacksonville at the deadline to step in for the injured Christian Darrisaw, Robinson will be considered one of top available free agent OL on the market this March. He’s a 3 year, $42M player in our system.

RB Aaron Jones
Jones posted a career-high 1,546 yards from scrimmage with 7 total touchdowns on a 1 year, $7M contract in Minnesota. Despite eclipsing the 30-years-old mark last month, Jones appears worthy of another go around in 2025. He’s a 1 year, $6M player in our system

Philadelphia Eagles

EDGE Josh Sweat
The 27-year-old signed a 1 year, $10M renegotiated contract to remain in Philly, responding with 8 sacks and 41 tackles. He may have priced himself out of the Eagles constraints this time around, projecting toward a 3 year, $45M contract in our system.

LB Zack Baun
The 28-year-old signed a 1 year, $1.6M contract to join Philly last March, and is now a 1st-Team All-Pro linebacker. He’s a near $10M per year player in our system this time around.

C Cam Jurgens
No longer just “Jason Kelce’s replacement”, Jurgens shined in his first season as Jalen Hurts’ center (including a Pro Bowl nod). He’s entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2025, projecting toward a 3 year, $25 million extension in our system.

Pittsburgh Steelers

OLB T.J. Watt
Just another 12 sacks, 40 tackle, 6 forced fumble, Pro Bowl/All-Pro season from the 30-year-old future Hall of Famer. Watt is entering a contract year in 2025, set to earn $21M. He projects toward a 4 year, $121M extension in our system, but there’s a legitimate discussion to be had about $40M per year here (especially if the Steelers decide to rip the band-aid off and go young/cheap elsewhere on this roster).

WR George Pickens
It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for Pickens and the Steelers, leading toward a potential crossroads this offseason. The 23-year-old (yes, really) is entering a contract year in 2025, with three options on the table: Hold and let this contract play out. Trade Pickens for draft assets. Extend the fringe WR1 (currently valued at 4 years, $94M in our system).

QB Justin Fields / QB Russell Wilson
The Steelers enter the offseason with no quarterbacks under contract, so obviously something has to give in the coming weeks. Adding a QB in the upcoming draft seems like a lock (even if it’s a mid-round flier), but it also stands to reason that one of Wilson or Fields will be back in the fold for 2025. Wilson handedly took this job over when he became healthy enough to do so, but really struggled to maintain a high level of productivity down the stretch. In either case here, a 1 year, $10M incentive-laden contract makes sense. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

WR Chris Godwin
A devastating ankle injury put an end to Godwin’s 2024 campaign, but with slim-pickings set to be available in the WR free agent market, it shouldn’t damage his ability to cash in too much. 3rd-round pick Jalen McMillan appears poised to step into the WR2 role for TB going forward, putting Godwin in a position to change teams for the first time in his career. He’s a 3 year, $66M player in our system.

LB Lavonte David
The 34-year-old just refuses to slow down, turning a 1 year, $8.5M contract into 122 tackles, 6 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and an interception this past season. Run it back at the same price for one more season?

Washington Commanders

WR Terry McLaurin
With Jayden Daniels now firmly entrenched as the leader of this offseason for the foreseeable future, McLaurin is finally able to maximize his talents (and find the end zone regularly). The 29-year-old enters a contract year in 2025, set to earn $19.65M. A 3 year, $84M extension to keep him in the fold makes sense.

EDGE Dante Fowler Jr.
Fowler signed his third straight “show-me” deal in March of 2024, a 1 year, $3.25M contract with the Commanders. He added $1.6M to that based on both playing time, and his 11 sack performance on the field. Has he earned a muti-year deal this time around? Spotrac has him on a 3 year, $16M deal this offseason.

RB Brian Robinson
The Commanders are a better offense when Robinson is healthy and on the field. The 25-year-old enters a contract year in 2025, but could be in line for a 3 year, $27M extension to remain in the fold as this young team grows up quickly.

Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams enters Year 2 of his rookie contract, with cap hits of $8.9M, $10.7M, & $12.5M through 2027. He won’t become extension-eligible until after the 2026 season, and the Bears hold a 5th-year option on him in 2028 if needed.

QB2 Tyson Bagent is scheduled for restricted free agency this winter. Tendering him at the first right of refusal should cost around $3M in 2025.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence enters Year 2 of his 7 year, $306.3M total value contract in Jacksonville, set to earn $37.5M in 2025. His cap hits remain extremely team-friendly thanks to the use of a signing bonus & four option bonuses over the course of the contract (Lawrence stands to account for $17M of cap in 2025). There are early vesting guarantees through 2028 on this deal, making this at least a 4 year, $163M contract for practical purposes.

Backups Mac Jones & C.J. Beathard are both pending unrestricted free agents.

Las Vegas Raiders

$3.16M of Gardner Minshew’s 2025 salary is already fully guaranteed, but that only represents 25% of the $12.5M he’s set to be owed next season. He’s a keep, trade, and release candidate this offseason as he recovers from a collarbone injury.

Aidan O’Connell enter Year 3 of his rookie contract, set to earn $1M in 2025, and $1.1M in 2026 (barring a Proven Performance Bonus). The Raiders are certain to add another QB to the mix this offseason, but O’Connell’s near minimum, non-guaranteed contract should allow for him to compete in 2025.

The Raiders hold the #6 pick in the upcoming draft.

New England Patriots

Drake Maye enters Year 2 of his rookie contract, with cap hits of $8.3M, $9.9M, & $11.6M through 2027. He won’t become extension-eligible until after the 2026 season, and New England holds a 5th-year option in 2028 as needed.

Jacoby Brissett is a pending unrestricted free agent this March.

New Orleans Saints

Derek Carr has a fully guaranteed $10M roster bonus in 2025 to go along with a $30M base salary that becomes guaranteed March 14th. He’s already on the record stating he won’t be taking a pay cut this winter, so for now it appears imminent that he’ll remain with the Saints through 2025. He holds $50.1M of dead cap against a $51.4M salary cap figure for the upcoming season.

Spencer Rattler enters Year 2 of his rookie contract, with non-guaranteed minimum salaries on the books through 2027.

The Saints hold the #9 pick in the upcoming draft.

New York Jets

Aaron Rodgers’ $35M option bonus isn’t due until the start of the 2025 regular season, but it’s largely expected that a decision on his future in NY will come at the beginning of the league year (March 12th). The Jets would take on $49M of dead cap to release/trade the 41-year-old.

$2.5M of Tyrod Taylor’s $6M 2025 salary is fully guaranteed already, and his deal carries plenty of incentives to bump that up based on playing time and production. It stands to reason that Taylor could be in the Jets’ plans next season regardless of who else is brought in at the position.

The Jets hold the #7 pick in the upcoming draft.

Honorable Mention: Dallas Cowboys

With current HC Mike McCarthy’s contract set to expire in the coming days, it’s plausible that the Cowboys could find themselves in this mix sooner rather than later.

Dak Prescott is entering Year 2 of a 5 year, $274M contract, set to earn $47.75M in 2025. He holds a league-high $89.9M cap hit for the upcoming season that can (will) be lowered down to $52.7M after a salary conversion. The deal carries early vesting guarantees through 2027, making this a 3 year, $132.75M contract for practical purposes.

Cooper Rush & Trey Lance are both pending unrestricted free agents.

As the calendar flips to 2025, Spotrac dives into 10 looming scenarios that could come to fruition in the coming weeks and months, including potential trades, extensions, releases, & retirements.

The New York Jets and QB Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers is due a non-guaranteed $37.5M in 2025, including a $35M option bonus that doesn’t need to be exercised until the beginning of the regular season. While his $23.5M cap figure next season isn’t overly restraining, it seems wildly unlikely that a Jets/Rodgers relationship will continue.

The contract carries $49M of dead cap due to previously paid out bonuses. The Jets will have the choice to take that all on in 2025, designate him a Post June 1st release (splitting the cap into $14M for 2025/$35M for 2026), or simply waiting until after June 1st to process a release (or a potential Rodgers retirement).

Prediction: The Jets outright release Aaron Rodgers in early March, taking on all $49M of dead cap in 2025 as they look to fully reset their roster & financials. Rodgers takes the spring to assess his options, ultimately opting for retirement after 20 seasons.

The Buffalo Bills and QB Josh Allen

Allen’s contract was adjusted this past March to bring money forward, giving the 28-year-old a $60M base payout in 2024. There’s another $5M available based on playoffs & and MVP win. The maneuver leaves just $14.5M of base cash available in 2025 now, making it very likely that another adjustment will be necessary.

Allen has 4 years, $129.5M remaining on his contract through 2028, a $32.3M APY. With top QB contracts now nearly doubling this mark, it stands to reason that the Bills could opt to start fresh with a brand new deal for the 28-year-old.

Prediction: The Bills and Josh Allen agree to a 5 year, $290 million renegotiated contract through the 2029 season that includes $232M guaranteed for practical purposes. 

The Cleveland Browns and DE Myles Garrett

The last place Browns possess 8 contracts with a total value of $50M or more, putting the pressure on this front office to either get back to winning immediately - or start selling pieces to reduce the financial blow (and help mitigate a rebuild).

Garrett’s contract holds 2 years, $44.7M remaining on it, and the league’s top edge rushers will soon be approaching $40M per year (especially after Micah Parsons and T.J. Watt lock in new deals this offseason). Cleveland will be pressured into considering a Garrett extension this Spring as well, but it might not be in the best interest for their current window.

Prediction: The Browns trade Myles Garrett to the Arizona Cardinals for a 1st, 3rd, & 5th round draft pick. Arizona signs Garrett to a 4 year, $140 million renegotiated contract through 2028 that includes $91M guaranteed.

The Green Bay Packers and Jaire Alexander

The Packers have pushed a lot of right buttons over the course of the past decade or so, but the 4 year, $84 million extension for Alexander might go down as a bit of a miss (at least according to their standards). After an outstanding 2022 campaign, the 27-year-old has missed significant time in each of the past two seasons, putting his future in Green Bay in serious doubt.

Alexander’s contract contains 2 years, $37M remaining, but none of it is guaranteed, and there are no early offseason bonuses to contend with.

Prediction: The Packers release Jaire Alexander this March, taking on a $19.1M dead cap hit, freeing up $6.7M of space. Alexander signs a 1 year, $10M contract with the New England Patriots for the 2025 season.

The Minnesota Vikings and their Quarterbacks

Minnesota will be a must-follow franchise for the next few months as they navigate one of the best problems in all of sports: too many quarterbacks at their disposal.

Sam Darnold’s 2024 was a revelation, setting up the Vikings to put #10 overall pick J.J. McCarthy in a holding pattern until further notice. Darnold is a pending free agent, so the decision to keep him will prove expensive. But losing him could prove even more costly.

Prediction: The Vikings apply a $39M+ franchise tag on Sam Darnold, then trade J.J. McCarthy to the Las Vegas Raiders days before the NFL Draft. Darnold and the Vikings agree on a 4 year, $196M extension before the July 15 deadline that includes $110M guaranteed.

The Cincinnati Bengals and Tee Higgins

Life is just better in Cincinnati when Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins are all on the field together. Higgins, the top pending free agent according to our rankings, hasn’t negotiated with the Bengals in months, setting up a likely exit this March.

With Chase likely to reset the WR market (currently $35M APY, $110M guaranteed), the idea of paying both he and Higgins this spring seems nearly impossible for a Bengals franchise that has been selective with their finances. But that doesn’t mean they have no path forward…

Prediction: The Bengals slap a 2nd franchise tag on Tee Higgins, which comes in at $26.18M for the 2025 season, setting up a holdout battle with the 25-year-old. Higgins signs the tag before the start of the season, and the band gets back together one last time.

The New York Jets and RB Breece Hall

From A-Z, the Jets organization appears to be at a crossroads, setting up an opportunity for rostered players nearing next contract negotiations to be poached.

Running back appears to be one of the deeper positions on this Jets roster, setting them up to float Hall in trade discussions this March as they look to bulk up on draft picks for the pending rebuild. Hall’s deal contains 2 years, $3.4M remaining, none of which is guaranteed.

Prediction: The Jets trade RB Breece Hall to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 3rd & 6th round pick.

The Las Vegas Raiders and Maxx Crosby

Crosby will enter 2025 with 2 years, $42.8M remaining on his contract, but none of it guaranteed and no early offseason bonuses built in. He was an often vocalized name at the trade deadline, despite both he and the team publicly claiming they remain committed. But the team has continued to downslide and the roster appears to be very much in flux.

Crosby should be seeking a new deal this spring, but does it make sense for he and the Raiders to lock in to something significant right now? It’ll take an aggressive offseason to begin to truly right this ship - but that’s exactly what we’re anticipating here.

Prediction: The Raiders and Maxx Crosby agree to a 3 year, $100 million extension through 2029, including $66M fully guaranteed.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Russell Wilson

Don’t leave Russ for dead just yet. The Steelers dodged more than a few bullets this season to remain relevant both in the AFC North and into the postseason. Wilson isn’t statistically close to what he once was, nor is he capable of single-handedly leading an offense into contention, but he’s a clear fit with this Steelers setup for the short-term.

The 36-year-old pending free agent is likely seeking one final contract this offseason.

Prediction: The Steelers and Russell Wilson agree to a 3 year, $100M contract extension through 2027, including $45M fully guaranteed.

The San Francisco 49ers and Brock Purdy

This is becoming one of the tougher reads of the looming offseason, as a wonderful story and dynamically exciting team came to a crashing halt in 2024. Purdy battled his own injuries this season, but even when healthy, didn’t appear capable of elevating a weakened offense to higher places. Was 2024 just an overall mess to be ignored, or is it proof of a much lower future ceiling (confirming his original draft position)?

It was perfectly plausible to evaluate Purdy’s looming extension along the lines of Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence, or even Joe Burrow based on his ability to both navigate and manage one of the top teams in all of football for multiple seasons.

It now seems perfectly plausible to evaluate Purdy a tier below that threshold, especially with the growing sense that the 49ers aren’t going to be negotiating against another other NFL team for Purdy’s services going forward (a mistake the Giants made with Daniel Jones 2+ years ago).

As a Pro Bowler in 2023, Purdy’s 2025 salary will escalate from $1.1M to an estimated $5.2M based on the Proven Performance Bonus available to non-first-rounders. Will the Niners ask Purdy to play out his rookie contract before making any significant decisions? Or will Purdy feel he’s capable of holding out to ensure he garners the long-term guarantee he deserves (a tactic more than a few 49ers have taken in recent offseasons).

Prediction: The 49ers offer Brock Purdy a well-below-market 3 year, $105M extension, including $50M guaranteed. Purdy declines the offer, holds out most of the summer, then returns to play on his $5M salary for 2025, setting up free agency or a potential franchise tag in 2026.

The latest addition to Spotrac's NFL team views focuses on player incentives, including real-time tracking for many performance thresholds. We've detailed a few of the more notable 2024 scenarios heading into Week 18.

RELATED: 2024 NFL INCENTIVES TRACKER

Arizona Cardinals

QB Kyler Murray is 50 rushing yards plus 1 rushing touchdown away from a $750,000 salary escalator. The 27-year-old has 4 years, $158M remaining on his contract.

EDGE Zaven Collins is 1 sack away from a $300,000 incentive. The 25-year-old enters Week 18 with 4 sacks, and $3.25M of his 2025 salary is fully guaranteed.

All Cardinals Incentives

Baltimore Ravens

RB Derrick Henry has already maxed out his rush yards and touchdown incentives, scoring him an extra $2M in 2024. The 30-year-old can add another $500,000 to his pockets with a Ravens Super Bowl win. Henry carries a non-guaranteed $7M salary in 2025.

OLB Kyle Van Noy has already locked in $500,000 worth of sack/playing time bonuses. He can add another $250,000 with a half sack this weekend. The 33-year-old holds a non-guaranteed $3.75M in 2025.

RB Justice Hill is 8 catches away from a $250,000 bonus. $1M of the 27-year-old’s 2025 salary is already fully guaranteed.

All Ravens Incentives

Buffalo Bills

QB Josh Allen can secure a $1.5M bonus if he’s named NFL MVP. The 28-year-old can add another $3.5M if the Bills win the AFC Championship Game ($1M) and Super Bowl ($2.5M). Allen has 4 years, $129.5M remaining on his contract, but only $14.5M is currently allocated to 2025.

OLB Von Miller has already secured $2.5M with 5 sacks. He can add another $1.5M with 1 more this weekend. The 35-year-old has 3 years, $67.5M remaining on his contract, though non of it is guaranteed.

CB Taron Johnson is 1 interception away from a $250,000 bonus. The 28-year-old is fully guaranteed through 2025 at $10.1M.

TE Dawson Knox has already locked in $750,000 worth of bonus/2025 salary escalators. He’s 8 catches, 89 yards away from another $200,000 bump. $4.5M of the 28-year-old’s 2025 compensation is fully guaranteed.

DL DaQuon Jones is a half sack away from a $250,000 bonus. $2.25M of the 33-year-old’s 2025 salary is fully guaranteed.

All Bills Incentives

Carolina Panthers

With just over 60% of the snaps taken, DE A’Shawn Robinson is inline for a $1M pay bump. The 29-year-old has 2 years, $15.1M remaining on his contract.

All Panthers Incentives

Chicago Bears

OL Coleman Shelton has easily maxed out $500,000 in playing time bonuses. The 29-year-old is a pending UFA.

Cincinnati Bengals

TE Mike Gesicki has already locked in a $375,000 of bonuses for receptions & receiving yards. He can add another $125,000 with 3 receiving yards this weekend. The 29-year-old is a pending UFA.

All Bengals Incentives

Dallas Cowboys

DE Carl Lawson has already secured $125,000 for 5 sacks. 2 more in Week 18 would double that. The 29-year-old is a pending UFA.

DT Linval Joseph is 1 sack away from a $100,000 bonus. The 36-year-old is a pending UFA.

QB Cooper Rush has already secured a $250,000 playing time bonus this season. He can double that by taking every Week 18 snap.

All Cowboys Incentives

Denver Broncos

WR Courtland Sutton is 82 receiving yards away from maxing out a $2M bonus. The 29-year-old has already locked in $1.5M, and he holds a non-guaranteed $14M salary in 2025.

LB Cody Barton has already secured $1.25M based on playing time this year. He can add another $250,000 with 1 interception this weekend. The 28-year-old is a pending UFA.

All Broncos Incentives

Detroit Lions

QB Jared Goff can add $1M to his 2028 salary if he’s named NFL MVP. The 30-year-old has 4 years, $160M remaining on his contract.

DE Za’Darius Smith needs 2 sacks in Week 18 to secure a $250,000 bonus. The 32-year-old holds a non-guaranteed $11M in 2025.

All Lions Incentives

Green Bay Packers

CB Keisean Nixon is 1 interception away from a $50,000 bonus. The 27-year-old has 2 years, $9.6M remaining on his contract.

All Packers Incentives

Houston Texans

RB Joe Mixon is 107 rushing yards away from a $250,000 bonus. The 28-year-old has 2 years, $16M remaining on his contract, and $4M of his 2025 salary is fully guaranteed.

DT Tim Settle has eclipsed 50% snaps, securing him a $500,000 incentive for 2024. The 27-year-old holds a non-guaranteed $2.5M in 2025.

All Texans Incentives

Indianapolis Colts

DE Tyquan Lewis needs 1.5 sacks this weekend to secure a $100,000 bonus. He’s also on pace to add a $500,000 playing time bump. The 29-year-old holds a non-guaranteed $4.79M in 2025.

All Colts Incentives

Kansas City Chiefs

QB Patrick Mahomes can add $1.25M with a Super Bowl Win. The 29-year-old has 7 years, $315.7M remaining on his contract.

WR DeAndre Hopkins needs 9 catches for a $250,000 bonus. He also needs 140 receiving yards for another $250,000 bonus. With 5 touchdowns, he’s already secured a $250,000 incentive, but can add another $250,000 if he finds the end zone one more time.

WR Justin Watson has secured $400,000 based on playing time, and another $200,000 for 20+ receptions.

All Chiefs Incentives

Las Vegas Raiders