14 NFL Players in the Final Year of Their Contracts Due for a New Deal

When professional athletes are in the final year of their contracts, they know they have one last chance to make an impression. The players want to stay with the team they are with in hopes that they can stay long term and earn more money.

In doing so, performing well in the final season will make a general manager consider keeping them. Constant play at a high level gives players and their agent reasons to want to ask for more money while seeking a new deal.

We found 14 NFL players who are in the final year of their deals and have a shot at getting a new contract for the 2015 season.

All contract information courtesy of Spotrac

QB Brian Hoyer, Cleveland Browns

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

The Cleveland Browns could not have asked for a better performance from sixth-year quarterback Brian Hoyer. Even without Pro Bowl wide receiver Josh Gordon, Hoyer has been reliable under center with seven touchdown passes and one interception as he’s led Cleveland to a 3-2 record.

Despite drafting Johnny Manziel in the first round this year, the Browns named Hoyer the starter and he has taken advantage of the opportunity. With Manziel still on the team, it is unsure if Hoyer returns to Cleveland or if the team wants to go with Manziel as the starting quarterback next year.

Whether it is with the Browns or another team, Hoyer has a chance at earning a solid new deal following the 2014 season.

RB DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys

USA TODAY Sports

DeMarco Murray is currently in the final year of his four-year rookie deal, worth $2.97 million. He rose last year when he had his first 1,000-yard rushing season.

Leading the league with 785 yards on the ground with little support from backup running backs, Murray went from a rising star to one of the best players in the league while helping Dallas get off to a dominant 5-1 start.

Murray’s contract expires after this season and he has a case to receive a megadeal. Given his impact with the Cowboys, the team will likely do what it takes to keep him and lock him up long term.

WR Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Perez/Associated Press

The Philadelphia Eagles took a risk by re-signing Jeremy Maclin to a one-year deal. He missed the entire 2013 season with a torn ACL as the team parted ways with DeSean Jackson in the offseason.

Now Philadelphia’s primary receiver, Maclin leads the team in receptions, yards and touchdowns as he’s flourished under Chip Kelly’s offense. He is poised for his first 1,000-yard receiving season and possibly his first Pro Bowl.

For the second consecutive offseason, general manager Howie Roseman has Maclin in the final year of a deal and has a decision he must make with him.

WR Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

The Denver Broncos have a pair of pass-catchers who could test the free-agent market this offseason as John Elway has a big challenge ahead of him in trying to bring back both. 

The first Broncos player on this list is Demaryius Thomas.

Since Peyton Manning’s arrival, Thomas has recorded at least 90 catches, double-digit touchdowns and 1,400-yard receiving seasons in back-to-back years. He tied for third in the league among all non-kickers in scoring in 2013 with 14 touchdowns. He is on pace to have similar numbers this year as one of Manning’s top targets.

Elway has to decide if Thomas, who has an annual average salary of $2.83 million, deserves a big deal. If Elway feels Manning is the reason for Thomas’ surge, the two sides might not be able to agree during negotiations, leaving Thomas to possibly test the market.

Thomas will be a restricted free agent, allowing the Broncos to place the franchise tag on him.

WR Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys

Matt Strasen/Associated Press

Dez Bryant is reaching the end of his five-year rookie deal worth $11.81 million with the Dallas Cowboys. In addition to having the best running back in the NFL, the Cowboys still have success in the passing game.

Since coming out of Oklahoma State in 2010, Bryant’s total receptions and touchdown catches have gone up each season. Healthwise, Bryant has not missed a game since September 2011.

If Jerry Jones can bring back Murray and Bryant and lock them up to long-term deals, Dallas will have a three-dimensional offense for a long time.

WR Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

After spending his rookie year being an elusive returner, Randall Cobb evolved into a complete wide receiver. A leg injury in 2013 limited him to play in only six games. He has now returned to his 2012 form when he caught 80 passes for 954 yards and eight touchdowns.

Cobb leads the Packers in receiving touchdowns with seven touchdowns while working alongside Jordy Nelson, the league leader in receiving yards.

After showing off his versatility through four seasons in Green Bay, many teams will be interested in Cobb if the Packers decide not to retain him.

TE Julius Thomas, Denver Broncos

Joe Mahoney/Associated Press

After recording just one catch as a rookie and missing the 2012 season, Julius Thomas quickly became one of the best tight ends in the league when he hauled in 12 touchdowns with Manning as his quarterback.

Thomas leads the league with nine touchdown grabs so far, scoring in every game Denver has played this year.

But like Demaryius Thomas, Elway has to decide if Julius Thomas is worth the money, or if Manning can succeed with another tight end in Denver.

Regardless of where Julius Thomas ends up, his asking price will be high.

DE Jerry Hughes, Buffalo Bills

USA TODAY Sports

Jerry Hughes had a quiet three-year career in Indianapolis before going to Buffalo. When he joined the Bills in 2013, he turned into one of the better defensive ends in the league playing for head coach Doug Marrone and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. With Jim Schwartz now the defensive coordinator, Hughes continues to do well.

Hughes is part of a dominant defensive line as he, defensive end Mario Williams and defensive tackle Marcell Dareus have combined for 13.5 sacks. Hughes has four sacks, tying for third most among defensive ends in the NFL.

If he reaches double-digit sacks for the second year in a row, Hughes will draw plenty of interest from teams and the Bills may need to spend a lot of money if they want to keep him.

DT Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

Ndamukong Suh earned himself a spot in the record books this past week when he passed Shaun Rogers’ franchise record for sacks by a defensive tackle, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

With 30.5 sacks under his belt as he is nearing the midway point of his fifth season, Suh has earned three Pro Bowl invitations, three first-team All Pro honors and one second-team All Pro selection.

As one of the most feared and dangerous defensive tackles, Suh’s five-year, $64.5 million deal is reaching its close. He could be one of the most expensive players in 2015.

OLB Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs

Tim Umphrey/Associated Press

Since the midway point of his rookie season in 2011, Justin Houston was tabbed as one of the most prevailing pass-rushers in the game. Even while sharing the spotlight with Tamba Hali, who blitzes from the other side, Houston manages to deliver and lift the Chiefs while giving opposing quarterbacks trouble.

Despite missing five games last year, Houston still had a career high in sacks in a season with 11. This year, he’s already collected six in five games.

General manager John Dorsey has already noticed his impact and Houston could get his wish for a new deal soon.

CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora reported that the Chiefs hope to lock up Houston and give him a new contract during the 2014 season.

CB Chris Harris, Denver Broncos

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

There is no doubt that Elway has his hands full this upcoming offseason and has a lot of decisions to make before non-retained free agents can negotiate with other teams. Chris Harris is another starter for Denver who could be turned loose or brought back this offseason.

Although Denver is best known for its powerhouse offense, the defense has had a hand in helping the team win as well, especially Harris.

Harris, who is an underrated cornerback, has played well against other receivers. While coming up with three interceptions in each of the previous two years, he’s been a solid lockdown corner, limiting receivers in their chances of making plays.

With Aqib Talib signed and Bradley Roby drafted this past offseason, Harris’ time in Denver could be coming to an end. Even so, plenty of defenses could use him to help improve their secondary.

SS Antrel Rolle, New York Giants

Al Bello/Getty Images

After spending the first five years of his career in Arizona, Antrel Rolle signed a five-year contract worth $37.1 million. In terms of his numbers, Rolle had his best season last year when he had career highs in tackles (98), sacks (two) and interceptions (six) and has missed only one game since the start of the 2006 season.

So far through six games, Rolle is responsible for three of the team’s 10 interceptions and could conclude the 2014 season with similar numbers to last year.

Although Rolle turns 32 in December, general managers won’t shy away from reaching out and giving him a short multiyear deal as he is showing he can still play as one of the best safeties in the league.

K Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens

Jason Miller/Getty Images

As he continues his third year in the league, Justin Tucker has been reliable for the Baltimore Ravens. He’s attempted 90 field goals in his career, connecting 90 percent of the time. He finished his second year in the league tying first for most field goals made with 38 and has missed only three field goals each of his first two seasons.

Even though Tucker has missed three field goals already this season, all three of his misses came from 50-plus yards away. In fact, he's tied for third for most field goals made this year with 13.

Finding consistent kickers are hard to come by, and Tucker is as close as they come to being consistent. Expect the Ravens to keep him in Baltimore for a few more years.

K Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots

Elsa/Getty Images

After tying for first in field goals made last year, Stephen Gostkowski picked up right where he left off. He leads the league in makes this year as he’s split the uprights 16 times.

Gostkowski made his first 13 tries in the first five games of the season. His first miss came this past week against the Buffalo Bills.

Gostkowski turns 31 before the start of the 2015 season, but kickers last longer in the NFL. It would be a surprise if New England did not bring back Gostkowski.

Follow @Farzin21