Most Important Contract Decision for Every NFL Team Ahead of 2025 Season

Several NFL players have signed extensions over the past several weeks, which may impact negotiations between other veterans and their respective clubs. Everyone takes note of new deals in an ever-changing market.

Some teams will agree to terms with key players on new contracts before Week 1, while others push negotiations into the regular season.

As an update to pre-training camp contract priorities, let's take a look at the most important deal on the docket for each team ahead of the 2025 season.

The players highlighted below could get new deals before or during the upcoming campaign. Therefore, this list doesn't include players from the 2023 draft class who must wait until the 2026 offseason to be eligible for extensions.

AFC East

AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes

Bills RB James Cook

Buffalo Bills: RB James Cook

Cook wants a new deal worth $15 million per year, but general manager Brandon Beane isn't in a hurry to sign the two-time Pro Bowler to an extension. Beane told reporters that he doesn't see the team "getting something done anytime soon." Cook is entering a contract year, so the Bills could open up the checkbook for him in the coming months if he's on track for a third consecutive Pro Bowl campaign.

Miami Dolphins: EDGE Jaelan Phillips

The Dolphins don't have an immediate contract matter to discuss. However, they should keep a close eye on Phillips as he tries to bounce back from two injury-riddled seasons. He suited up for every game in his first two campaigns and led Miami in sacks with seven for the 2022 season.

Phillips has missed 22 outings over the last two terms and enters a contract year. Based on his 2025 production and availability, he could earn an extension late in the campaign or land on the open market looking for a prove-it deal next offseason.

New England Patriots: CB Marcus Jones

Under the Patriots' previous two regimes, Jones has contributed to all three phases of the game: offense, defense and special teams. In his rookie term, he made the AFC All-Pro roster as a special-teams player, leading the league in punt return yards with a punt return for a touchdown.

Jones also caught four passes for 78 yards and a touchdown that year. After missing 15 games in 2023, he finished second on the team in pass breakups (10) for the 2024 term. Jones isn't a household name, but he's an accomplished do-it-all player who's earned a pay raise.

New York Jets: OL Alijah Vera-Tucker

New Jets general manager Darren Mougey didn't waste time with extensions for two roster cornerstones. The club signed cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson to massive extensions. Following his best season, Vera-Tucker could be next in line for a new deal.

Vera-Tucker struggled with injuries between 2022 and 2023, but he's now healthy and possesses a valuable skill set that allows him to play four different positions along the offensive line. If head coach Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand want to build a tough, physical team similar to what they had in Detroit, the Jets must invest long-term in the trenches.

AFC North

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens: QB Lamar Jackson

In June, Jackson chose not to comment about his contract situation with the Ravens, but something is brewing on that front.

During the annual owner's meetings in the spring, head coach John Harbaugh told reporters the team has had internal conversations about an extension for Jackson, who's the 10th-highest-paid quarterback in terms of average annual salary. One can easily argue that the two-time league MVP, coming off his best passing season with career-high numbers, is underpaid. Baltimore will likely make him the league's highest-paid player this summer.

Cincinnati Bengals: EDGE Trey Hendrickson

Last Wednesday, Hendrickson reported to training camp, ending a short holdout and starting a hold-in amid a contract dispute. ESPN's Ben Baby spotted the All-Pro defensive end on the sideline as a spectator and guide for the younger linemen.

Hendrickson is unlikely to participate in team drills until he gets a new deal. That being said, his appearance at camp could be a gesture of good faith that the Bengals will sign him to an extension before Week 1 of the upcoming season.

Cleveland Browns: G Wyatt Teller

Between 2020 and 2023, Teller earned second-team All-Pro honors twice and became a three-time Pro Bowler. He didn't earn any accolades in the previous campaign, but the 30-year-old is still one of the league's top pass-blocking guards.

According to Pro Football Focus, Teller allowed two sacks while on the field for 610 pass-blocking snaps. Last December, he said, “I’m working for an extension so I can stay here in Cleveland." The Browns could give him a new deal before Week 1.

Pittsburgh Steelers: G Isaac Seumalo

Except for Seumalo, the Steelers have second- and third-year players along their starting offensive line. His experience is vital to this group, both in the short and long term.

This offseason, general manager Omar Khan has been aggressive with trades and acquisitions. He's also taken care of star edge-rusher T.J. Watt with a massive extension. Coming off his first Pro Bowl season, Seumalo has a strong case to make headlines with a new deal amid a busy offseason in Pittsburgh.

AFC South

AP Photo/Gary McCullough

Jaguars EDGE Travon Walker

Houston Texans: DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson

The Texans acquired Gardner-Johnson from the Philadelphia Eagles in March, so they don't have to rush into extension talks with him. However, the ball-hawking defensive back has only two years left on his deal with only $2 million in guaranteed money.

Still in his prime at 27, Gardner-Johnson will likely push for a new deal within the next year. One can argue that he's underpaid for a defender with 13 interceptions in his last 31 outings.

Indianapolis Colts: EDGE Kwity Paye

Paye is at least a tier below the top young pass-rushers across the league. He's yet to record a double-digit sack season. On the other hand, the fourth-year defensive end has been a solid three-down defender with at least eight sacks in back-to-back campaigns and 10 tackles for loss in two terms.

Over the last two years, the Colts have used a first- or second-round pick on an edge-rusher, which will keep the defensive line stocked with high-upside talent. Though if Laiatu Latu and rookie JT Tuimoloau have an underwhelming 2025 campaign, Paye's solid production may be enough for him to get a new deal in Indianapolis.

Jacksonville Jaguars: EDGE Travon Walker

The Kansas City Chiefs signed George Karlaftis to an early extension, rewarding him with a new four-year, $88 million deal ahead of his fourth season. The Jaguars selected Walker with the first pick in the 2022 draft, the same year Kansas City took Karlaftis with the 30th pick.

Though Walker has fewer career pressures (80) than Karlaftis (93), he logged double-digit sacks in 2023 and 2024. In March, new Jaguars head coach Liam Coen stated that the team is having "open conversations" with Walker about a potential extension. The top pick from the 2022 draft could see a pay raise before Week 1 of the upcoming term.

Tennessee Titans: S Amani Hooker

The Titans have a new general manager, Mike Borgonzi, who may want to see some of the upcoming season play out before he opens the checkbook for a roster he inherited in January.

Nonetheless, defensive play-caller Dennard Wilson saw Hooker make plays all over the field for a unit that gave up the second-fewest yards last season. The versatile safety logged career highs in interceptions (five), pass breakups (nine) and tackles for loss (four), while allowing a 63.9 passer rating in coverage. Entering the final year of his second contract, he's due for another extension.

AFC West

AP Photo/Ed Zurga, File

Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie

Denver Broncos: EDGE Nik Bonitto

The Broncos should sign Bonitto to an extension before the Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars sign Aidan Hutchinson and Travon Walker to extensions, respectively. If the Lions and Jaguars sign their edge-rushers first, it could raise the floor for negotiations in the Broncos' talks with Bonitto's agent. 

The Kansas City Chiefs signed George Karlaftis to a four-year, $88 million extension, which made him the 11th-highest-paid edge-rusher in terms of average annual salary. Bonitto could be eyeing a deal worth $23 million annually, though that could change if Hutchinson and Walker get more than $23 million per year on new deals.

Kansas City Chiefs: CB Trent McDuffie

The Chiefs signed one of their two 2022 first-rounders, striking a deal with edge-rusher George Karlaftis before training camp. So, it wouldn't be a surprise if they worked out an extension with McDuffie, who was their top pick from that year.

McDuffie has been effective on the boundary and in the slot, earning first- and second-team All-Pro honors over the last two terms. Despite his struggles with penalties (11) last season, he allowed an 82.9 passer rating in coverage. Kansas City exercised the fifth-year option in his contract and an extension could be next on its agenda.

Las Vegas Raiders: WR Jakobi Meyers

So far this offseason, the Raiders have signed five key players to extensions, including quarterback Geno Smith, whom they acquired from the Seattle Seahawks. With $37.8 million in cap space and a projected $99.2 million for 2026, Las Vegas has room to give Meyers a new deal.

Meyers is in the last year of his contract, following a season in which he recorded career highs in catches (87) and receiving yards (1,027). According to ESPN's Ryan McFadden, the seventh-year wideout is "open" to a long-term pact with the Raiders. Las Vegas has the financial means to keep him on the books beyond 2025.

Los Angeles Chargers: OL Zion Johnson

The Chargers signed two-time Pro Bowler Rashawn Slater to a contract that made him the league's highest-paid offensive lineman. They've taken a more conservative approach with Johnson, who isn't nearly as accomplished as Slater but enters the final year of his first-round rookie deal.

Johnson has experienced his ups and downs. Yet, while on Chargers Weekly (via SI.com's Chris Roling), general manager Joe Hortiz mentioned that the team will have discussions about keeping him around. In a move to center, Johnson could play his way into a future with the Chargers. That said, he must improve on his debut performance at a new position.

NFC East

AP Foto/Jessica Tobias

Cowboys EDGE Micah Parsons

Dallas Cowboys: EDGE Micah Parsons

At some point, Parsons will be the league's highest-paid non-quarterback. However, he may not get that massive deal with the Cowboys. Parsons requested a trade and, in his statement, wrote he "no longer" wants to be in Dallas.

Typically, a player's trade request is a nudge to the team to ramp up negotiations, but Parsons made a strong stance in his post on X. The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported that the Cowboys have refused to communicate with Parsons' agent in negotiations, "creating a tense standoff amid increasing friction."

Russini also reported that the Cowboys have "no intention to trade" Parsons, so their only pathway to resolve this situation would be to give him a new deal.

New York Giants: CB Cor'Dale Flott

Flott has garnered some buzz for his standout performances in the spring. John Schmeelk of the Giants' official website thinks the fourth-year pro flashed more than any other cornerback through mandatory minicamp.

In the spring, The Athletic's Dan Duggan noticed that Flott split first-team reps with 2023 first-rounder Deonte Banks, and that trend continued at training camp.

In 2023, Flott lined up primarily in the slot and then shifted to the outside last season. If he beats out Banks for the starting boundary position, he could earn a hefty pay raise with a strong showing through the first half of the season.

Philadelphia Eagles: S Reed Blankenship

In a detailed explanation, general manager Howie Roseman cited the team's salary cap situation as a reason for trading C.J. Gardner-Johnson, despite the versatile defensive back doing a "great job" in two years with the Eagles. Philadelphia also has a young safety in Blankenship, who's younger than Gardner-Johnson, on the rise and headed into the final year of his contract.

Like Gardner-Johnson, Blankenship finds the ball in coverage, recording seven interceptions over the last two seasons. The Eagles may be able to sign him to a less costly extension than they would have given a more experienced defensive back in Gardner-Johnson.

Washington Commanders: WR Terry McLaurin

McLaurin skipped mandatory minicamp and reported to training camp a few days after the Commanders' veterans. Upon his arrival, the team placed him on the physical unable to perform list with an ankle injury. Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz reported that McLaurin has requested a trade.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, who appeared on The Pat McAfee Show, Washington isn't close to an agreement on an extension with McLaurin. The NFL insider also stated that the two-time Pro Bowl receiver will command at least $33 million annually.

The Athletic's Nicki Jhabvala reported that the Commanders are not interested in trading McLaurin. Washington will likely find a way to meet the contract demands of its top offensive skill player.

NFC North

AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Lions EDGE Aidan Hutchinson

Chicago Bears: S Jaquan Brisker

Brisker, who missed 12 games because of a concussion last season, has played at a high level for most of his three years in the league. If he stays healthy through 2025, the Bears will likely offer him a new deal to maintain a budding group of defensive backs. Because of his absence for most of the previous season, Chicago may wait to see if he's back in top form before it signs him to an extension.

Detroit Lions: EDGE Aidan Hutchinson

Early last season, Hutchinson fractured his fibula and tibia and missed 12 games. In May, the Pro Bowl edge-rusher told reporters that he's fully cleared to participate in football activities.

After Hutchinson received the good news, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the pass-rusher's clean bill of health would "kickstart" negotiations on a contract extension. After an injury-shortened term, he's unlikely to reset the defensive end market, but the Lions will likely make him one of the highest-paid players at his position.

Green Bay Packers: LB Quay Walker

Green Bay declined the fifth-year option in Walker's contract. During an appearance on CheeseheadTV with Aaron Nagler and Corey Behnke (h/t Packers Wire's Zach Kruse), general manager Brian Gutekunst said that the outside linebacker pay scale factors into the cost of Walker's option year, which didn't financially make sense for the team.

Yet Gutekunst said he's "bullish" on Walker, which is a positive sign that the Packers will soon sign the fourth-year linebacker to a new deal.

Minnesota Vikings: OT Brian O'Neill

The Vikings signed O'Neill to an extension before his 2021 Pro Bowl year. Since then, he's only missed four games as a fixture along the club's offensive line. In 2024, O'Neill made the NFC Pro Bowl roster. He allowed just two sacks while on the field for 664 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus. Without any guaranteed money left on the final two years of his deal, O'Neill is due for an extension.

NFC South

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

Falcons WR Drake London

Atlanta Falcons: WR Drake London

London should be happy about New York Jets wideout Garrett Wilson's new four-year, $130 million deal. They came into the league as 2022 first-rounders, and their receiving numbers are in the same ballpark.

Wilson has been more consistent than London, racking up at least 1,042 receiving yards in all three of his seasons, though the Falcons wideout had a breakout 2024 campaign, recording career highs in catches (100), receiving yards (1,271) and touchdowns (nine). London will be the go-to target in the Falcons' passing attack and could build on his most productive year. Atlanta should sign him to an extension sooner rather than later.

Carolina Panthers: OT Taylor Moton

Carolina must consider extensions for both starting tackles, Ikem Ekwonu and Moton, though the latter should be a higher priority because of his proven track record over the last eight years. Moton hasn't made an All-Pro or Pro Bowl roster, but the 30-year-old has consistently been one of the league's best pass-blocking tackles.

According to Pro Football Focus, Moton allowed one sack while on the field for 538 pass-blocking snaps. For comparison, PFF tabbed Ekwonu with seven sacks allowed while on the field for 593 pass-blocking snaps. The Panthers don't have a timeline for Ekwonu's extension, but they should have one for Moton coming up soon.

New Orleans Saints: WR Chris Olave

Recently, the New York Jets may have created some urgency for the Saints to sign their lead receiver to an extension during the upcoming campaign.

Like Jets wideout Garrett Wilson, Olave racked up at least 1,042 receiving yards in 2022 and 2023, but he missed nine games because of injuries last season. Olave wasn't on pace for another 1,000-yard campaign, but he saw a spike in his catch rate (72.7 percent) despite the team's unsettled quarterback situation. Unquestionably New Orleans' go-to target in the aerial attack, he will soon be one of the highest-paid receivers if he stays healthy this year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Zyon McCollum

The Buccaneers should strongly consider the stability of their cornerback room. Jamel Dean has missed nine games and underperformed since he signed a four-year, $52 million extension in 2023. Tampa Bay selected cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish in the second and third rounds, respectively, of this year's draft.

With Dean's struggles and a couple of unproven commodities at cornerback, McCollum's presence and production are more valuable to Tampa Bay's secondary, particularly on the boundary. Last season, McCollum tied for the third-most pass breakups (17). The Buccaneers can lock him into a deal now to avoid an increase in his asking price if he continues to develop in a premier role.

NFC West

AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

49ers WR Jauan Jennings

Arizona Cardinals: S Jalen Thompson

In December of last year, Arizona signed safety Budda Baker to a three-year, $54 million extension. So, Thompson's contract situation may be on the back burner for now. Teams rarely pay two safeties at a premium rate. Baker and Thompson are fifth and tied for 13th, respectively, among players at the position in average annual salary.

However, Thompson is entering a contract term, and he's two years younger than Baker. Thompson had struggles in coverage last year, logging just three pass breakups without an interception while allowing a 120 passer rating. The Cardinals' urgency to extend Thompson's contract may hinge on his ability to force turnovers, as he demonstrated with a career-high four interceptions in 2023.

Los Angeles Rams: RB Kyren Williams

The Rams' negotiations with Williams have been in motion for months. In June, head coach Sean McVay told reporters that the team "made progress" in extension talks with Williams' camp. The Pro Bowl running back has practiced at training camp and said he doesn't have a timeline for his new deal. 

Williams' contract situation doesn't appear to be a dispute that will cause a raucous in Los Angeles. He'll likely become one of the top-five highest-paid running backs within the next month.

San Francisco 49ers: WR Jauan Jennings

Before the 49ers took the field for training camp, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Jennings wants a new deal or a trade. The sixth-year wideout is coming off his most productive year, hauling in 77 passes for 975 yards and six touchdowns. He's making a push for an extension at an opportune time, especially with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk recovering from a torn ACL and MCL.

However, Jennings has a nagging calf injury that sidelined him for mandatory minicamp and flared up at the beginning of training camp. His demand for a new contract and current injury complicate a dispute that could linger into the regular season.

Seattle Seahawks: CB Riq Woolen

As a 2022 fifth-rounder out of UTSA, Woolen made a strong case for Defensive Rookie of the Year over New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner, who won the award. In that year, Woolen tied three other players with a league-leading six interceptions and recorded a stingier passer rating allowed (48.7) and completion rate (51.5 percent) than Gardner.

Woolen hasn't made a Pro Bowl roster since his rookie year, but he's still performing at a high level, registering 25 pass breakups and five interceptions while playing for two different coaching regimes over the previous two years. He's yet to allow a passer rating over 80 in a season. Woolen should be a prime candidate for an in-season contract extension.

Player contract details are provided by Over the Cap unless otherwise noted.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.