Every Team's Most Important Contract Extension Ahead of 2024 NFL Season
While most of the focus during the summer is on position battles and first-year rookies set to take the stage, general managers and team decision-makers are busy behind the scenes taking care of financial matters.
Beyond the draft picks, free agency signings, and trades, one critical aspect of team building often goes unnoticed: contract extensions. Deals that are vital for securing the services of core contributors, ensuring continuity, and managing salary cap space.
In this piece, we'll delve into the most important contract extension for each roster, highlighting the players who are crucial to their team's success and why extending their contracts is essential for the upcoming season and beyond.
Arizona Cardinals: S Budda Baker
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It was just a year ago Cardinals safety Budda Baker requested a new contract or a trade that would make him the league's highest-paid safety.
Discussions around an extension remained quiet during the 2023 campaign and the 28-year-old now enters the summer without job security past this fall.
One of the veteran centerpieces within a rebuilding roster, Baker's presence has remained synonymous with Arizona's success on defense in prior years.
A two-time All-Pro, re-upping with Baker would showcase a commitment to homegrown talent (drafted in 2017) while solidifying an improving secondary.
While a trade remains possible, knocking out an extension should remain at the top of Arizona's priorities. With $35.5 million in cap space remaining this offseason, they have the money to spend.
Atlanta Falcons: CB A.J. Terrell
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While there have been questions towards GM Terry Fontenot's approach in the draft, the Falcons have annually done a nice job in extending their own come free agency.
After picking up Chris Lindstrom's fifth-year option in 2022, they extended their former first-rounder last spring. For A.J. Terrell, he finds himself in a similar situation.
Atlanta exercised Terrell's fifth-year option last April, leaving a pathway for a potential extension in the immediate foreground.
Terrell has blossomed into one of the games premier perimeter corners. He started in each in Atlanta's 17 games last fall tallying 8 passes defended, and 16 in the last two seasons combined.
As time wears on, the price on premier corners will only increase. The league's top paid cornerbacks in Jaire Alexander, Denzel Ward and Jalen Ramsey all make more than $20 million annually.
While Terrell has yet to make a Pro Bowl in any of his first four seasons, getting ahead of the ever growing corner market would be sensible for Fontenot.
Baltimore Ravens: TE Mark Andrews
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Although the ascension of Isaiah Likely has been a positive, Mark Andrews will remain Baltimore's top flex weapon as long as he's in town.
Length of extension and monetary details become more and more of a question as players age, but locking in Andrews past his 30-year old season should remain a priority for GM Eric DeCosta.
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Buffalo Bills: OT Spencer Brown
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With $10.1 million available in cap space, Buffalo has the flexibility to extend Spencer Brown if they seem fit.
A mainstay at right tackle in his first three seasons, Brown has provided immense value to the roster after being drafted in the third round.
While 2023 showcased a few chinks in the armor in Brown's game, keeping camaraderie along a front five can remain synonymous with the overall success of an offensive line.
An extension averaging near $7 million annually could be in the ballpark of where Brown could land.
Carolina Panthers: S Xavier Woods
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While things haven't been great in Carolina over the last few years, the play of safety Xavier Woods absolutely deserves recognition.
Although the beginning of Woods' career saw him bounce around a few rosters before ultimately landing in Carolina, he's proven himself to be a crucial asset to the team's defense, making a strong case for an extension.
Since joining the Panthers, Woods has consistently demonstrated his versatility and reliability as a safety. His ability to ID defensive concepts, combined with a dynamic downhill trigger and coverage capabilities has significantly bolstered the Panthers' secondary.
The Panthers' pockets are currently tight from a cap perspective, but GM Dan Morgan is slated to have upwards of $16.4 million in capital to use next offseason. Prioritizing Woods, whose deal won't break the bank, would be a nice addition to a rebuilding Panthers roster.
Chicago Bears: WR Keenan Allen
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GM Ryan Poles did an excellent job in adding offensive talent this offseason.
From drafting QB Caleb Williams and WR Rome Odunze in the top ten, to adding Keenan Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers, Poles deserves a tip of the cap.
Allen, while 31 years old, can still get it done on the outside. While he'll be the elder statesmen of the Bears' receiving core this fall, extending him would present the Bears with years of a trio that could be the best in football.
Considering an extension also remains on the horizon for D.J. Moore (UFA following next year), utilizing the $21.6 million in current cap to lock up Allen would be wise of Poles.
Cincinnati Bengals: WR Tee Higgins
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While contract negotiations remained at a standstill this spring, Tee Higgins will be back in Cincinnati this fall on a one-year deal.
By signing his franchise tag tender, Higgins will make roughly $21.8 million in 2024. Not a bad day at the office, but a long-term extension has remained in the back of Higgins' mind for some time.
Across his four seasons in Cincinnati, Higgins has caught 257 passes for 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns. He's been excellent in the playoffs as well, including a two-touchdown performance in the Super Bowl against the Los Angeles Rams.
"I'm excited to move forward with Tee," said Bengals HC Zac Taylor.
"He's done a great job handling his situation, and we are happy to get him back in the fold so we can start working toward a great 2024 season. The locker room will be excited to have him back around."
For the immediate future, Higgins looks to be in the Bengals' plans. But finalizing an extension to keep him in town beyond this fall will remain a storyline as the season arrives.
Cleveland Browns: WR Amari Cooper
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Absent from mandatory minicamp, Amari Cooper has made his intentions clear to Browns GM Andrew Berry.
A 2024 season in which will be the final year of Cooper's five-year, $100 million contract that he signed with the Dallas Cowboys, being compensated for his on-field remains atop Cooper's priority list. As it should for Berry.
However, a recent report, per Brad Stainbrook of The OBR, mentioned the Browns have yet to offer Cooper a lucrative extension beyond one season.
As the wideout market continues to evolve as superstars put pen to paper, locking up Cooper for the long haul will also provide Berry with much needed cap flexibility down the road.
Dallas Cowboys: EDGE Micah Parsons
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The case can be made here for QB Dak Prescott and WR Ceedee Lamb, but neither of the aforementioned offensive stars are considered the top player at their position in the NFL.
A dominant force off the edge, Micah Parsons has arguably evolved into the most feared defensive player in the game today.
An electric blend of speed and explosiveness, it would be wise of Dallas GM Jerry Jones to present Parsons with a blank check whenever the two-time All Pro seems fit.
Prescott and Lamb enter 2024 on the last year of their current deal compared to Parsons (UFA following next year), but locking one of the more unique impact defenders in the game may sit atop Jones' to-do list.
Jones recently stated he'd like to see "more leaves fall" regarding contract negotiations for all three players, and time will ultimately tell if Dallas is able to pay all three handsomely.
Denver Broncos: OT Garett Bolles
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Denver has options when it comes to left tackle Garett Bolles.
On one hand, speculation remains whether Denver should anti up and pay Bolles the money he desires. On the other, Bolles enters 2024 with a ton of leverage considering his level of play and current competition at the position.
All in all, Bolles will most likely demand money north of $15 million a year, the going rate for a fringe top 10 tackle in football.
Considering the non-existent presence of players added by Denver brass to either challenge or eventually take over for Bolles, the 2017 first rounder looks in line to earn an extension. It's just a matter of when.
While cap stricken currently, Denver is slated to have upwards of $35.8 million in cap to work with next year (13th most).
Detroit Lions: OT Taylor Decker
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Lions GM Brad Holmes wasn't shy in opening the organizational wallet this offseason.
For Detroit, qualifying for its first NFC title game in decades last fall has painted the picture for what is to come behind a young core of stars.
The Lions extended OT Penei Sewell, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and QB Jared Goff this offseason, leaving 30-year old Taylor Decker as the potential next man in line to bolster his pockets.
A mainstay at left tackle in Detroit for nearly a decade, talks have begun between Decker's camp and Lions brass towards an extension.
"I think my agent and the Lions are on the same page, so it's very much an amicable conversation so far," Decker said.
Decker had a down year in 2023 (eight sacks allowed) compared to just six in the prior two years combined, but his veteran presence along the front five remains invaluable to a budding Lions roster.
Green Bay Packers: QB Jordan Love
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The heir apparent to Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, quarterback Jordan Love used his 2023 campaign to assert himself as one of the NFL's elite.
Based on Love's success and the going rate for young superstars under center, the Packers should be willing to make Love one of the highest paid players in the sport. At minimum, Love should tease the $50 million-per-year bucket by approximating the midpoint of the league's top ten highest paid signal-callers.
Depending on how a new deal is constructed, an early extension may also provide increased cap flexibility next year. While the Packers have $28.4 million in current cap space, they'll also be looking at potential extensions for Kenny Clark, along with young impact players in AJ Dillon and Josh Myers.
Houston Texans: WR Stefon Diggs
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While the move to add Stefon Diggs was flashy in an of itself, the Houston Texans have given themselves a ton of leverage this fall if things go south with the star pass-catcher.
Diggs, one of the NFL's elite pass-catchers, enters Houston in search of a fresh start. While his success in Buffalo was well documented, his tenure in the back half of 2023 left a bad taste in the mouth of all involved.
Now apart of a youth-infused core in Houston, Diggs is slated to compete on a one-year deal in hopes 2024 sways Texans brass to pay him sooner rather than later.
A four-time Pro Bowler and 2020 All-Pro with the Bills, Diggs signed a four-year, $104 million contract extension with Buffalo back in April 2022. By making the move to Houston, the Bills will carry a dead money charge of roughly $31 million.
Apart of the deal, Houston also wiped the final three years of Diggs' extension.
While it makes 2024 a prove it year, the Texans awarded Diggs with a raise by paying him the $3.5 million guaranteed next season and moved it into this year, assuring Diggs of his $22.5 million in guaranteed money this fall.
Quickly evolving into a core contributor will likely earn Diggs the long-term deal he's in search of. On the other hand, a failure to work back to the level he's capable of could see him on the move once again next spring. All the Texans have to do it sit back and wait.
Indianapolis Colts: IOL Ryan Kelly
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After extending Michael Pittman Jr, Ryan Kelly remains the Indianapolis Colts' next prime extension candidate.
For Kelly, a mainstay along the Colts' line over the last eight seasons, his presence at the pivot remains of the utmost importance towards the ceiling of Indianapolis' offense. And moreso, extending Kelly will provide a correlating effect towards the longevity of quarterback Anthony Richardson.
A Colts front five that remains one of the more underrated groups in football, paying Kelly to remains it's hinge point would be good business from GM Chris Ballard. The Colts currently have $25.9 million in cap space to pull from, plenty of cash to extend Kelly.
Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Christian Kirk
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Jacksonville GM Trent Baalke has proven he's not shy in paying his own.
From re-upping with Roy Robertson-Harris and Foye Oluokun to making Trevor Lawrence the highest paid player in the league (AAV), wideout Christian Kirk could, and should be next in line for a pay day.
At the time of Kirk's signing in 2022, he hadn't posted a 1,000-yard season and had tallied more than 900 yards just once during his first four NFL seasons. Since his arrival, Kirk has totaled 2,026 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns to lead the Jaguars' recieving core.
Kirk quickly lived up to his initial contract coming over from Arizona, posting career highs in both catches and receiving yards in his first year as a Jaguar.
While the team drafted Brian Thomas Jr in the draft to provide more juice on the outside, Kirk remains Jacksonville's top perimeter weapon.
Kansas City Chiefs: IOL Creed Humphrey
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The Kansas City Chiefs have a long list of extension candidates. At the top of the list, however, should sit Creed Humphrey.
The anchor along one of the NFL's top offensive lines, his impact since being drafted in 2021 has been twofold with the success of the Chiefs' offensive ceiling.
Sure, having Patrick Mahomes as the leader of an offense helps, but the ability of Humphrey (a unique athlete as a left-handed center) to quickly evolve into one of the league's elite has remained of the utmost importance for GM Brett Veach.
Orchestrating a deal north of $14 million a year over four seasons is likely the ballpark where Kansas City could land with Humphrey.
Las Vegas Raiders: EDGE Malcolm Koonce
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A breakout performer in 2023, Malcolm Koonce burst onto the scene for Las Vegas.
The running mate to Maxx Crosby, Koonce totaled career highs in pressures (52), sacks (8), and QB hits (10). After what was a quiet first two years for Koonce since entering the league back in 2021, his rapid development has provided large expectations in 2024 under defensive-minded HC Antonio Pierce.
While Las Vegas has other extension candidates that may remain higher on the priority list, if Koonce should be in line for a healthy pay day if he's able to replicate his success from 2023.
Los Angeles Chargers: OT Rashawn Slater
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After drafting Joe Alt in the top ten of the NFL Draft, re-upping with Rashawn Slater would showcase one of the NFL's premier young tackle tandems for years to come.
A Pro Bowler as a rookie back in 2021, Slater has been nothing short of sensational since entering the league. Although the Chargers as a whole have failed to meet expectations over the last few campaigns, Slater's presence at left tackle has kept quarterback Justin Herbert's blindside consistently clean.
The team has, expectedly, picked up Slater's fifth-year option (that keeps him under contract through 2025) but putting pen to paper in the near future would also allow Los Angeles to get creative with other outstanding extensions (Khalil Mack & Joey Bosa).
Los Angeles Rams: S Kam Curl
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Entering his first season in Los Angeles, expectations remain lofty for Kam Curl.
A longtime fixture within the Washington Commanders' secondary, Curl has evolved into one of the top safeties in football you haven't heard about. His initial this spring didn't break the bank, but if he plays up to expectation in 2024 Curl could be in line for a hefty payday.
Curl remains under contract through the 2025 season – so GM Les Snead could be patient in negotiations – but Curl's ability as a multi-level defender could force Snead to lock him up for the long haul in rapid fashion.
Miami Dolphins: QB Tua Tagovailoa
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The Miami Dolphins figure to sign quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to an extension at some point this offseason. But until he puts pen to paper, speculation will continue to swirl about Miami's future at the position.
Tagovailoa's overall health was a major concern heading into last fall, but his ability to remain available and productive helped him enjoy his most productive NFL season yet. He threw a career-high 29 touchdowns and led the league with 4,624 passing yards.
Contract negotiation is an arduous process that can hang over the head of athletes. Tagovailoa's recent comments suggests he's anxious to get a deal done so he can fully focus on football.
Minnesota Vikings: OT Christian Darrisaw
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Though unfortunate, injuries have hampered Christian Darrisaw's ceiling early in his career. When available, however, he's proven he belongs among the top tackles in all of football.
Now, an extension likely looms.
Darrisaw's likely average per year will land near $28 million. But, with Penei Sewell's recent deal and the expected extension to come with Tristan Wirfs (Tampa Bay), Minnesota would present themselves with leverage monetarily if they are able to get a deal done sooner rather than later.
Waiting for the market to reset itself following Wirfs' expected deal could cost Minnesota more than expected. However, the team could also be playing the long game in hopes they can get a full season out of Darrisaw before opening the vault. A tricky way to approach paying a roster cornerstone, but Darrisaw's early longevity concerns could throw a wrench into the speed of negotiations.
Paying Darrisaw seems all but a formality at this juncture, especially considering the allocation of capital to select quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the top ten in April.
New England Patriots: EDGE Matthew Judon
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The desire to keep Matthew Judon in town has been one of New England's worst kept secrets.
The team leader in all major pass rushing categories since his arrival in 2021, Judon's presence has been invaluable to a Patriots roster that has declined in the past few seasons.
"Look, there's no question that we want a guy like [Matthew] Judon," Mayo said.
"And look, going back to keeping our own, Judon was a guy in Baltimore. He just happened to be a great guy and a great fit, a culture add for us. We wanna keep him but that's more of a question for Eliot (Wolf). But those conversations have started. We know that he's still a premier rusher in this league, but as we continue to go forward, we want him to be a piece of the puzzle."
At 31 years old, Judon enters 2024 in the final year of his contract. While age could impact his potential deal in both length and financial terms, Judon has remained persistent in expressing his desire to stay in New England.
"I think with the contract stuff, if it happens it happens," Judon told WEEI's Mike Kadlick.
"If we can get a new contract worked out to where I try to end my career in Boston, that'd be great."
New Orleans Saints: RB Alvin Kamara
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New Orleans Saints star running back Alvin Kamara has two years remaining on his contract, but an extension seems imminent with no guaranteed money in 2025.
Kamara, one of the NFL's most versatile offensive weapons, has made his intentions clear this offseason. The standout ball-carrier was absent from OTAs and the final day of minicamp as frustrations towards finalizing extension heighten.
After appearing in full capacity for the first two days of mandatory minicamp, Kamara was absent in the final session for New Orleans, leaving many to speculate on whether his absence was contract related.
"I've got access to all [the film]," Kamara said.
"It's not like I'm just not in the building and nothing is happening. I talk to these dudes and some of my teammates. I talk to some of the coaches. I don't know, I think it's like a weird little narrative going on, I don't know."
Solidifying Kamara's future will remain the storyline for the Saints this summer, a team that currently sits $88 million over the cap in 2025.
New York Giants: WR Darius Slayton
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The New York Giants' leader in receiving over the last handful of campaigns, Darius Slayton has remained optimistic towards finalizing an extension.
"Right now, my agent [Michael Perrett] and [GM] Joe [Schoen], they're in negotiations. They're talking," Slayton recently said.
"Hopefully we'll come to a resolution here soon."
While the team added WR Malik Nabers via the draft, Nabers' presence hasn't swayed the importance for Schoen to get a deal done with Slayton. And with tight end Darren Waller now retired, the importance of the veteran in Slayton to align opposite of Nabers in the seasons to come has remained atop the priority list for the Giants' GM.
"We already paid a roster bonus [to Slayton]," Schoen said.
"He had one that kicked in the fifth day of the league year, and you look at the P5 [base salary], where that is and you want to look at the production from last year to this year and you take all of those things into account. Us drafting Malik Nabers doesn't affect where we are on that."
After returning to the Giants last year despite offers elsewhere, Slayton's intentions remain abundantly clear on where he'd like his future to remain.
"I'd like to be here, of course," Slayton said.
"I've enjoyed my time as a Giant and I'd like to remain a Giant. Hopefully that will be the result of this."
New York Jets: CB DJ Reed
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While the New York Jets deal with a potential holdout of Haason Reddick this offseason, attention should turn to extending corner DJ Reed.
A mainstay on the backend for the Jets since coming over from Seattle in 2022, Reed's play opposite of superstar Sauce Gardner showcased one of the premier young corner tandems in the NFL.
"I signed a three-year deal [in 2022], so I expect to play three years here and go into free agency," Reed said during Jets' mandatory minicamp.
"I do love New York. I love playing here. I love the coaches, love the organization. Woody [Johnson] took care of me last time. I love my teammates."
The Jets currently don't have a ton of wiggle room with the cap ($6.2 million in available money ranks 30th in the NFL), but are slated to have upwards of $60M to work with in 2025.
2024 remains a crucial campaign for both the immediate and long term future for the Jets, and locking up Reed for the long haul would be good process by GM Joe Douglas.
Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE Josh Sweat
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It's been a roller coaster of an offseason for Josh Sweat in Philadelphia.
While interest remained rampant for teams in search of his services at the start of free agency, Sweat ultimately agreed to restructure his deal with the Eagles, landing him back in Philadelphia for the 2024 campaign.
Although the end of the 2023 campaign (one sack in his final nine starts) failed to match Sweat's production early last fall (six sacks in the first seven weeks), Sweat remains a core piece in what is an overwhelmingly talented Eagles defensive front.
While GM Howie Roseman has made outside additions by adding Reddick via trade this spring, selecting Nolan Smith on Day 1 in 2023 and taking a swing on toolsy edge rusher Jalyx Hunt (third round) in this years draft, Sweat's ability to live up to expectations should see earn him a nice pay day to remain an Eagle.
Pittsburgh Steelers: EDGE TJ Watt
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This is about as easy a decision as they come when teams sit down to finalize organizational transactions.
One of the premier pass rushers in the game, TJ Watt's career has been nothing short of Canton-worthy whenever he decides to hang up his cleats for good.
The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, six-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro has been electric in his seven seasons as a Steeler.
In his 2021 extension, the team made Watt what was then the highest paid defensive player in the NFL. Soon to be 30 years old, the team will have to open up the vault once again to keep one of the premier sack artists the game has seen in the last decade.
San Francisco 49ers: WR Brandon Aiyuk
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Extending Quarterback Brock Purdy will be the priority for the San Francisco 49ers after they wrap up the 2024 campaign, but Brandon Aiyuk remains the immediate focus as the Niners approach training camp.
Aiyuk has been clamoring for a new contract over the past few months and he made his frustration clear by skipping mandatory minicamp earlier this month.
The Niners could wait out Aiyuk and hope he's willing to play this season without a long-term deal. They also could also meet his contractual demands and sign him to an extension to get him back in uniform as soon as possible.
The other option is to trade him. If the two sides cannot agree to terms, the Niners could receive young talent and/or draft picks by shipping Aiyuk elsewhere.
First-round rookie wideout Ricky Pearsall give the Niners insurance for whatever happens with Aiyuk. But as long as Aiyuk remains without a new deal, it'll remain the top storyline for the reigning NFC champs.
Seattle Seahawks: EDGE Boye Mafe
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Contract extensions include a bit of projection. Age, consistency, past production, current cap space, each are factors teams discuss when finalizing terms of a deal.
For projection purposes, Seattle Seahawks pass rusher Boye Mafe looks to be on a path to stardom in the immediate future.
A second-round selection in 2022, Mafe burst onto the scene last fall totaling 58 pressures and nine sacks, blowing his rookie numbers out of the water.
There's also a new voice leading the charge for Seattle in defensive-minded HC Mike Macdonald. The orchestrator of a ferocious Baltimore Ravens defense, Mafe's skill set coupled with Macdonald's aggressive playcalling within the trenches should allow the young pass rusher to reach new heights in 2024.
For Seattle's sake, getting ahead of the curve before Mafe's production explodes – further raising his asking price – remains key.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OT Tristan Wirfs
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs has quickly evolved into one of the NFL's elite at his position. And it's likely only a matter of time before he resets the market at his position.
While many players often hold out from offseason workouts amidst contract negotiations, Wirfs was in attendance at Buccaneers minicamp earlier this month as he awaits a new deal. The star left tackle didn't work out with his teammates or participate in any drills, but his presence at the facility showcased his commitment to the team.
Wirfs, a 2021 first-team All-Pro and a three-time Pro Bowl selection only four seasons into his career, he and the Bucs should be motivated to agree to terms sooner than later.
Tennessee Titans: CB Roger McCreary
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If you like physical and aggressive brand of football, turn on the tape of Roger McCreary.
A primary nickel defender for the Titans now two years into his career, McCreary used 2023 to anoint himself as one of the leagues top young slot corners.
The projection for McCreary shoud remain highly intriguing if you're GM Ran Carthon. With L'Jarius Sneed now in town, pressure on McCreary to play inside-out won't remain a priority. Nickel is where McCreary is best, and Carthon should approach McCreary's contract the same way he did with Sneed.
The Titans have two years left of control on McCreary's deal and have plenty of cap room to strike a deal in the near future.
Washington Commanders: IOL Sam Cosmi
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Both WR Terry McLaurin and DL Jon Allen have expiring contracts following 2025, but the importance to lock up Sam Cosmi in the short-term should remain of importance to newly hired GM Adam Peters.
While the Commanders' line was one of the least successful units as a whole last fall, the play of Cosmi showcased a high level interior mover, and a piece for the long-term.
Initially drafted out of Texas to play tackle (and where he played his first two seasons), Cosmi's move to the inside in 2023 was seamless for the Commanders. Cosmi allowed just one sack in his first season on the inside, tops among all guards with at least 632 snaps in pass pro (31 qualified IOL).
Should Cosmi continue his level his play, it wouldn't shock to see his AAV hover around $20 million considering his age (25). Washington has more than enough money ($37 million in current cap space) to get a deal done.
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