The rise in salary caps is the cause all NFL players celebrate. However, the additional spending capacity, estimated at least $20 million this year, should be a source of specific pleasure for the league’s elite.
The continued surge in cap space coincides with accelerated growth at the top of several premium positions, including quarterbacks, wide receivers and edge rushes. Once the NFL offseason arrives, there could be a few more stars in the key spot lined up to win a fair number of new contracts. And some of these market-powering transactions could come in the coming weeks as teams try to create shorter-term flexibility by backloading to lower their 2025 cap hit. Yes, but it may not happen until we get much closer to the start of the season.
Here are the top candidates to receive a big extension this offseason:
San Francisco has set up a table for massive payments to the previous unrelated Mr. to provide the necessary flexibility to carry around $50 million of unused cap space from the previous season. Masu. And despite a season of attempts by the 49ers missed the playoffs, Purdy’s passerby ratings dipped nearly 17 points into 96.1, owner Jed York said in early February that the team cancelled the expansion. He said he would “do everything.” Determining the exact structure and financial terminology is undoubtedly complicated, but due to the trajectory of pay caps making substantial annual leap, any deal is in the NFL’s neighbourhood of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Duck Prescott A million a year should place $60 Preda as the highest wage player. The timeline also proves important as both parties seem enthusiastic about the 49ers getting in through the established pattern of waiting for an extended talk by the star player. If the team can handle the issue immediately, San Francisco can get much needed clarity.
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QB Genosmith, Seattle Seahawks
A year after he first stoked speculation about his commitment to Smith on his arrival, coach Mike McDonald confirmed that the 12-year veteran was “our quarterback.” A rushed, led attack. However, with Smith earning a $44.5 million cap hit in the final year of his contract, Seattle has many incentives to make things smoother. Another 34-year-old mid-tier short-term contract extension was signed last year as Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield was signed last year, a three-year, $100 million contract. , I was able to serve both sides well.
Josh Allen is planning to rework his contract after his MVP campaign. This is because his average annual value has been extended by many other quarterback deals that have landed over the past three years. However, with four years remaining in his deal, it is not clear what the reformat will take. His backfield buddy Cook is also seen for a pay raise after two consecutive Pro Bowl seasons. But it shows that the three-year veteran is seeking $15 million a year. This may not be easy for 49ers star Christian McCaffrey to track only on the reach rate of running backs, almost tripling his upcoming base salary of $5.14 million.
WR Ja’marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow openly lobbyed his team to keep this offseason together. But the Cincinnati team, who was notoriously stinging for locking with cap money, is testing its approach and both are seeking large pay. Tee Higgins’ decision must come first, as he is widely seen as the best potential free agent if he hasn’t been extended or given a second consecutive franchise tag. Not there. Meanwhile, Chase didn’t receive the extension he sought last year, responding with a career-high career with 127 catches, 1,708 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. With a year-long deal remaining, he is currently lined up to crush former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson’s Mark as a top-paid receiver of $35 million a year. However, guaranteed money can be a point of sticking, as Bengal refuses to keep up with market trends when making money.
After skipping the voluntary part of the offseason program last year, Sutton reported on mandatory training after agreeing to the terms of the restructured contract featuring short-term pay bumps. did. Now, with just $14 million next season, they could be hoping for more people from Denver. That’s a relatively modest amount for a player who has powered his receiving corps on his own with 81 catches, 1,081 yards and eight touchdowns. The extension will scale back his $20.2 million cap hit in 2025 and ensure that Bonix’s top targets will remain while the Broncos try to build talent for the roster’s skill position.
Unlike many other stars on this list, Wilson appears to be ambiguous about staying with his current team, and despite noting in December that “an extension is a blessing,” “You can’t worry about everything,” he said. First-year coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Moogie may have a closer look at the star’s target, but may become capitalized early as his expansion window opens. , this offseason could be rewarded in a few ways. With Aaron Rodgers no longer part of the franchise’s plan, Wilson may want to start over after quarterbacks and receivers struggled to establish a consistent connection. Establishing him as one of the building blocks of the franchise’s short could be a good starting point for the new establishment. And the Jets might be wise to come out before the deal for players who have posted three 1,000-yard seasons despite the league’s worst quarterback play during that period.
Washington Commander WR Terry McClaulin
As a trusted team leader, two-time Pro Bowler and the top weapon for Jayden Daniels, McClaurin appears to be sure to get an expansion this offseason. McClaurin turns 30 in September, but he’s just as important as any person outside of the team’s quarter. Between the need to deal with the lack of funds guaranteed in the final year of his current deal, and the benefits to Washington to reduce his $25.5 million cap hit, there is ample motivation to reach an agreement. . Doing so soon will help commanders step ahead of the receiver market, where they believe they are growing exponentially.
Te Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
It was McBride who actually enjoyed the Cardinals’ full star turn in a season when many were hoping that Marvin Harrison Jr. would seize the desert spotlight. The third-year pass catcher ranked second in the receiving yard (1,146) position, with his 111 catch almost double that of Harrison’s closest teammate (62). The 25-year-old, who is currently set to earn just $5.22 million in the final year of the agreement, will help drive the tight end market forward.
Te George Kittle, 49ers
In the Bay Area, many changes are ongoing, with wide receiver Devo Samuel among established veterans along the way. However, Kittle appears to be on solid ground a year after posting 78 catches and 1,106 receiving yards. Perhaps you can do so without overexpanding yourself.
OT Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers
Like many of his peers, Slater attacked with him as Jim Harbaugh’s arrival and the first round pick in 2021 showed the dominant form and won his second Pro Bowl nod. It was revitalized by the implementation of coordinator Greg Roman. His timing is perfect. The fifth-year option worth $1904 million is everything left in his rookie contract. As All-Pro Tristan WIRF set new highs for offensive tackles with a $140.63 million extension for five years in its final offseason, Slater and Bolts put the new highs in pricey reference points for every talk have.
De Trey Hendrixon, Bengals
A year after his trade requests were not led anywhere, Hendrickson has stepped up the pressure on the Bengals, telling the “Pat McCuffy Show” during Super Bowl Week. . ” As Sack King (17½), the ruler of the NFL, he is invaluable to the defence that is lacking for playmakers elsewhere. But paying the best dollars for the 30-year-old pass rush can be tough. Therefore, it could bring positive benefits to him in the trade market.
de Greg Rousseau, Bills
With Buffalo’s only legitimate threat coming off the edge, Rousseau might have an argument that he goes ahead of Cook in the pecking order for an extension. However, slotting a 6-foot-6, 266-pound edge rush can be difficult. Meanwhile, cornerback Christian Benford and linebacker Terrell Bernard were also able to join the radar for a new contract.
Next to Purdy’s contract may be the most anticipated of the offseason. Because Parsons appears to be ready to push the title of the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player for $34 million a year. But this could be another Jerry Jones negotiation. The Cowboys disagreed with Cedee Lamb until late August last year, and Prescott’s record agreement landed just hours before the 2024 season opener. Parsons recently told the Cowboys’ official website in a contract talk that “there is no progress yet,” but he insisted that he “definitely has a plan.”
OLB TJ Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
Any plan, the steady Steelers have to shake up their roster after yet another early postseason outcast appears to have no moving watts. Team president Art Rooney II put aside the concept of trading the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year ahead of the final year of his contract, and instead Watt said “the person we want to have in the locker room we move forward.” That’s what I said. After being held without a bag in the final four games of the season, Watt vowed to make changes to his game in the offseason. However, after seven Pro Bowlers turned 30 in October and recorded a lowest bag total (11½) in their full campaign since the 2017 rookie year, the Steelers are fully confident in their Watt trajectory. It looks like there is. .
CB Derek Stingley Jr., Houston Texans
The third pick in the 2022 NFL Draft enjoys a steady rise that last season has officially arrived in the league’s elite defensive players. He earned five interceptions and two more in the playoffs, with 18 passes defending towards All-Pro honours. The Texans were able to exercise their fifth year option and leave the team with another two years left in his deal, but the near future extension is completely reasonable. Whenever he gets his next contract, expect it to challenge Denver Broncos’ Pat Surtein II for a top paycheck at cornerback (4 years, $96 million).
S Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens
Ripping seems easy for both Hamilton and the Ravens. The decision to return that midseason decision to a more traditional deep safety role for both the Ravens helped spark a massive turnaround. However, the two-time Pro Bowler told the Baltimore Sun this week that his offseason focus was on training rather than negotiations, and it appears that the two-time Pro Bowlers are in no hurry. Baltimore also sits at the top of Antoine Winfield Jr.’s safety market for $21 million a year, so you may not feel like you’re trying to lock anything in any time. However, there are few questions about Hamilton jumping into the top spot at one point.
S Kerby Joseph, Detroit Lions
Despite leading the NFL with nine intercepts, Joseph was snubled for the Pro Bowl, but he was an all-pro choice. However, there is no doubt about his perception within the Detroit front office. “He fits our culture,” general manager Brad Holmes said of Joseph at a season-ending press conference. “It’s hard to find someone from Ballhawk who works on the way he does it. I think that makes him unique.