2026 NFL Free Agents Next in Line After DaRon Bland, Nik Bonitto Extensions

Over the past week, several NFL teams have made significant moves to prepare for the future. It started with the Green Bay Packers' acquisition of Micah Parsons, but it didn't end there.

The Packers immediately made Parsons the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. The Dallas Cowboys extended cornerback DaRon Bland after moving Parsons, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers extended offensive tackle Luke Goedeke.

On Thursday, the Denver Broncos inked Nik Bonitto to a new four-year pact, while the Seattle Seahawks signed Abe Lucas to a three-year extension.

All of these deals have one thing in common: They will ensure good players don't hit the open market in 2026. We probably haven't seen the last of these early-season extensions, either.

Which impending 2026 free agents could be next to sign? Let's take a look.

Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

Mike Evans might not seem like a logical candidate for an early extension. He's a 32-year-old receiver playing for a Buccaneers team that just drafted wideout Emeka Egbuka in the first round.

However, Evans is also a franchise legend who continues to produce at a high level—he's coming off his 11th consecutive 1,000-yard season—and the Bucs have openly discussed a 2026 return.

"Of course we would like to have Mike back; I can't put words in his mouth, but he looks like he's having a hell of a lot of fun right now," general manager Jason Licht told 95.3 WDAE (h/t JoeBucsFan.com).

Keeping key contributors has been a big part of Licht's long-term plan in recent years. Tampa could wait to ensure Evans isn't regressing before committing to a new deal, but it wouldn't be a shock to see the Tampa GM quickly pivot from Luke Goedeke to Evans, either.

Jauan Jennings, WR, San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings is probably a more obvious candidate than Evans, and not just because he asked for a new deal or a trade this offseason. Jennings is also a 28-year-old coming off of a career year.

The 49ers reached a compromise with Jennings, adding $3 million to his 2025 salary in a reworked agreement, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. However, this may not be the last offer he gets from San Francisco in 2025.

"We're going to continue to work on a long-term deal, but now we have something that works for everyone in the short term," 49ers GM John Lynch told KNBR (h/t Noah Furtado of the San Francisco Chronicle).

With Deebo Samuel gone and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) still working his way back, Jennings is expected to be the 49ers' top receiver this season. If he fills that role as well as he did last season—or better—San Francisco may not even let him sniff 2026 free agency.

Malcolm Koonce, Edge, Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

Las Vegas Raiders pass-rusher Malcolm Koonce is another player who might not seem like the likeliest of extension candidates. He missed all of last season with a torn ACL and returned to Las Vegas on a one-year, $11 million contract.

However, Koonce is healthy and prepared to regain his role as Maxx Crosby's top complement.

"Having him back is going to be huge for us," Crosby said, per ESPN's Ryan McFadden.

Koonce had a breakout campaign in 2023, finishing with eight sacks and 23 quarterback pressures. If he has a similar impact early this season, the Raiders will have to consider extending him early.

The price of pass-rushers, even complementary ones, continues to rise. Koonce is a promising 27-year-old who, if healthy and productive in 2025, will command a sizeable salary on the open market.

Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens

AP Photo/Nick Wass

The Super Bowl window is open for the Baltimore Ravens, who are eager to lock up several members of their core.

ESPN's Dan Graziano reported in early August that Baltimore was hoping to extend safety Kyle Hamilton, center Tyler Linderbaum and tight end Isaiah Likely before the end of this season.

Hamilton, of course, inked a four-year, $100.4 million extension just after the August 26 roster cuts.

With Hamilton's deal done, Ravens GM Eric DeCosta may soon turn his attention to players like Likely.

Fellow tight end Mark Andrews is also an impending 2026 free agent, but the 25-year-old Likely may have more long-term value—he might also be more affordable, given Andrews' status as a three-time Pro Bowler.

Of course, DeCosta may have to get creative to do a deal early in the season, as the Ravens have just $3.7 million in cap space available.

Tyler Linderbaum, C, Baltimore Ravens

AP Photo/Nick Wass

It's actually a bit surprising Tyler Linderbaum didn't get a new deal at the same time as Hamilton or even before him. He's a two-time Pro Bowl center who is only set for 2026 free agency because of how the NFL's fifth-year options are structured.

To calculate a first-round pick's fifth-year price point, the NFL uses a tiered system. Because of his two Pro Bowls, Linderbaum falls into the top tier, which carries a price tag equal to the previous year's franchise tag value.

Since the NFL lumps in all offensive-line positions for tag purposes, his fifth-year option would have cost $23.4 million, making him the league's highest-paid center by more than $5 million.

Because of this, the Ravens declined Linderbaum's fifth-year option. This doesn't mean they're willing to let him test the market, though.

David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar

The Cleveland Browns used a third-round pick in April's draft on Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. However, this doesn't mean it views him as an immediate replacement for starter David Njoku.

According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, there's mutual interest in an extension between the Browns and Njoku.

"I think we'll see something happen there at some point," Cabot told 92.3 The Fan in July. "...it's something that both sides want to do."

Njoku has developed into an integral piece of Cleveland's offense, and he won't turn 30 until next offseason. The Browns could be eager to sign him to a third deal before he gets too deep into a new season with quarterback Joe Flacco.

Njoku had the best statistical season of his career while playing alongside Flacco in 2023.

Another career year would only drive up Njoku's price tag in 2026. Considering they're still paying off the Deshaun Watson disaster, any money the Browns can save by extending Njoku early would be valuable.

Quay Walker, LB, Green Bay Packers

AP Photo/Chris Szagola

The Packers have their new defensive centerpiece in Parsons. While his four-year, $186 million extension is certainly sizeable, it shouldn't prevent them from signing other young contributors. Green Bay still has $14.2 million in 2025 cap space remaining.

New deals for 2022 first-round picks Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt could be next on the extension list.

"I think that for both those guys, whatever mechanism we use, we'd like to keep those guys around for '26 and beyond," general manager Brian Gutekunst said before this year's draft, per Bill Huber of SI.com.

Walker's deal could come first, since the Packers declined his fifth-year option and exercised Wyatt's. The 25-year-old linebacker was sidelined following ankle surgery but came off the PUP list early in training camp.

A couple of strong early-season performances could be enough to prove Walker is at 100 percent and earn him an extension.

Riq Woolen, CB, Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

Riq Woolen didn't have a flawless season in 2024—he was benched for the opening drive in Week 16 for a violation of team rules. However, he had another strong campaign in coverage.

Woolen allowed an opposing passer rating of 76.9 last season and has allowed a passer rating below 80.0 every year since he was drafted. The 2022 fifth-round pick has also racked up 41 passes defended and 11 interceptions in his three seasons.

Rules violation aside, the 26-year-old has done nothing to suggest he shouldn't be a long-term piece of Seattle's defensive puzzle. Extending him now instead of letting him play out a contract year would make sense for the Seahawks.

The price of top-tier cornerbacks is steadily rising and inching near the cost of premium pass-rushers. Sauce Gardner just signed a new market-leading deal worth $30.1 million annually, and Bland's contract comes in at $22.5 million per year.

Woolen's price point may already fall between those two deals, and it's likely to keep increasing the longer the Seahawks wait.

*Cap and contract information via Spotrac