Tom Brady Talking Extension: Who'll Be Top NFL Free Agents Next Year?

The big news in all of New England heading to Patriots training camp is the current state of talks over Tom Brady's contract extension.  The Patriots All-Pro quarterback enters the final year of a deal that will pay him just $3.5 million this season.

Yet, Brady just doesn't want to talk extension, he wants to talk new contract and who can blame him? Brady's situation is just one of many examples of what will be highly sought after free agent class following the upcoming NFL season.

However, the dark cloud hanging over all of these free agents is the possibility that there will be no 2011 NFL season due to distance in a settlement over a new collective bargaining agreement.

The uncertainty over the 2011 season leaves owners very reluctant to dole out big money extensions at the moment. If they do not though, they could be looking at a market flush with these free agents.

Tom Brady

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 10: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2010 AFC wild-card playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 10, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Ravens won 33-14. (Photo by J

Peyton Manning

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts passes against the New Orleans Saints during Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Brady could be near the top of the class, but not THE top because of Peyton Manning (depending on who you ask).  Brady could also be waiting for his deal until Manning's is squared away.

However, Manning's situation is far different. Colts owner Jim Irsay has made it plainly clear that Manning will not reach free agency and is willing to go over nine digits and possibly give Manning the richest contract in league history.

Donovan McNabb

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ASHBURN, VA - APRIL 15: Washington Redskins Donovan McNabb works out at the Washington Redskins training facility on April 15, 2010 in Ashburn, Virginia (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

The Washington Redskins traded for Donovan McNabb prior to the draft and new head coach Mike Shanahan voiced his belief that McNabb has many years left in him. That statement combined with the fact that the Redskins avoided a quarterback in the draft likely means the Redskins have every intention of resigning McNabb. 

But the uncertainty over the 2011 season is likely preventing even the loose-spending Daniel Snyder from ponying up an extension. 

DeAngelo Williams

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 20: DeAngelo Williams #34 of the Carolina Panthers against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of America Stadium on December 20, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The market running backs is becoming less and less of a priority with each passing season, but that doesn't mean teams won't go for value on the market when they see it. Williams will be the best running back on the market after the season.

The Panthers running back has rushed for over 2,600 yards over the last two seasons and made his first Pro Bowl in 2009.  Williams will be 28 years old when he hits the market which should be enough for a team to jump on him at least through his 30th birthday.

Steven Jackson

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ST. LOUIS - DECEMBER 20: Steven Jackson #39 of the St. Louis Rams looks on during the game against the Houston Texans at Edward Jones Dome on December 20, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Santonio Holmes

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 27: Santonio Holmes #10 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs after a fourth quarter catch against the Baltimore Ravens on December 27, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh won the game 23-20. (Photo by Gregory Sham

Randy Moss

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 10: Randy Moss #81 of the New England Patriots looks on against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2010 AFC wild-card playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 10, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Ravens won 33-14. (Photo by Elsa/

It seems like yesterday when the Patriots inked Randy Moss to a three-year extension.  Well, that extension runs out after the 2010 season and it is very difficult to see the Patriots resigning Moss again. Moss will be 34 after next season and has expressed that retirement is not in his future. Additionally, Moss has already knocked the Patriots for failing to pay their veterans and sees himself as another one of those casualties.

Moss will likely follow the long list of Patriots veterans to find themselves on the open market this time next season.

Sidney Rice

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MINNEAPOLIS - JANUARY 17: Wide receiver Sidney Rice #18 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on January 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minn

Sidney Rice became Brett Favre's favorite receiver and reaped all the benefits. Rice caught 83 passes for 1,312 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season with Favre, and received the resulting Pro Bowl appearance.

Rice is probably hoping Favre comes back in 2010 to help boost his numbers as he heads into free agency. Nevertheless, we've all seen what Rice and do when he has a very capable quarterback throwing to him. That should net big bucks for Rice if/when he hits the market.

Tony Ugoh

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HOUSTON - NOVEMBER 29: Guard Tony Ugoh #67 of the Indianapolis Colts warms up for the game against the Houston Texans on November 29, 2009 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. The Colts won 35-27. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The Colts move to lock up Peyton Manning is going to come with an attachment-and a big one.  Ugoh is Manning's personal body guard on the left end of the offensive line and has been responsible for keeping the All-Pro quarterback upright.

Ugoh will be 27 years old at this time next season and is viewed as the guy to hold down the always important left tackle spot and keep Manning on his feet.

Champ Bailey

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 6: Champ Bailey #24 of the Denver Broncos looks on during warm-up prior to their NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 6, 2009 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Broncos defeated the Chiefs 44-13.

Antonio Cromartie

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SAN DIEGO - JANUARY 17: Cornerback Antonio Cromartie #31 of the San Diego Chargers stands on the field during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New York Jets at Qualcomm Stadium on January 17, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Mi

Troy Smith

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BALTIMORE - DECEMBER 20: Troy Smith #10 of the Baltimore Ravens looks for a receiver during the game against the Chicago Bears at M&T Bank Stadium on December 20, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bears 31-7. (Photo by Larry French/Get

Miles Austin

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NEW ORLEANS - DECEMBER 19: Miles Austin #19 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome on December 19, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Brett Favre

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 24: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up against the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Championship Game at the Louisiana Superdome on January 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints won 31-28 in overtime. (Photo

Steve Smith

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 27: Steve Smith #12 of the New York Giants runs against the Carolina Panthers at Giants Stadium on December 27, 2009 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Nick Mangold

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 20: Nick Mangold #74 of the New York Jets waits to snap against the New England Patriots at Giants Stadium on September 20, 2009 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Michael Vick

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 06: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on December 6, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)