Projecting the Next Blockbuster NFL Contracts That Will Reset the Market

A frenzy of financial transactions will herald in the NFL's new league year later this week. Some of these moves might even reset the market at certain positions, with contract values potentially reaching new highs and setting the table for other stars negotiating similar deals of their own.

There's already been a shakeup at the cornerback position with Trent McDuffie agreeing to a massive extension on Sunday.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the star defensive back reportedly inked four-year, $124 million extension with the Los Angeles Rams. The news broke mere days after the corner was traded by Kansas City Chiefs and makes him the league's highest paid player at his position.

McDuffie may not be the only player to reset a market this offseason. Several of the league's brightest young stars just became eligible for their first extensions and others are hitting free agency for the first time.

While the 2026 free-agent class isn't too deep—especially with top-end talent like George Pickens being taken off the market early—at least one member is trending towards signing a new contract that will shatter the previous pay record for their position.

With that in mind, let's highlight some players poised to reset the market when they inevitably sign an extension or new contract.

Running Back: Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions

There aren't many running backs in the modern NFL who teams would be willing to give a blockbuster contract to, but Jahmyr Gibbs is one of them.

The Detroit Lions star has been an absolute difference-maker during his three NFL seasons, helping turn the long-downtrodden organization into an offensive force with his elite athleticism, breakaway speed and dynamic playmaking skills.

Although there were concerns going into the 2023 draft surrounding Gibbs' size and ability to withstand the rigors of a professional schedule, the Lions were rewarded for their faith in the Alabama product who they tapped at No. 12 overall that year. The back has since gone on to rack up over 5,000 yards and score 49 touchdowns from scrimmage in just 49 games.

With three Pro Bowl seasons under his belt and many more potentially on the horizon, Detroit shouldn't hesitate to make a big commitment to its backfield superstar.

It wouldn't be outlandish to see Gibbs surpass Saquon Barkley as the NFL's highest paid running back. Barkley jumped Chrisitan McCaffrey and became the league's first $20 million back when he agreed to a two-year, $41.2 million extension last offseason, but the stars are aligning for Gibbs to blow past that record-setting mark.

Given Gibbs' rare combination of youth—he won't turn 25 until late this month—consistent production, critical role in his team's offense and upside, it's quite possible he'll hit $22 million or more on his upcoming extension.

Contract Prediction: Three Years, $63.5 Million

Wide Receiver: Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams

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The Los Angeles Rams have made a series of moves to both reload and keep its core together. While the team's trade for Trent McDuffie drew most of the headlines, the Rams also retained key pieces like Kam Curl and Tyler Higbee before they could hit the open market.

Puka Nacua might be the next player to benefit from the team's spending spree.

While Nacua had a down 2024 season by his lofty standards due to injury, the star wideout took his game to new heights this past year. He led the league with 129 receptions on 166 targets while putting up a career-best 1,715 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Nacua earned his first All-Pro honors in addition to making a second Pro Bowl, setting him up to cash in when he inevitably inks an extension.

Unlike fellow 2023 draftee Jaxson Smith-Njigba, who is trending towards an unfathomably rich payday of his own from the Seattle Seahawks, the Rams won't have the ability to exercise a fifth-year option. Because Nacua entered the league as an unheralded fifth-round pick before exploding as a rookie, L.A. will be more pressed than its NFC West rival to get a deal done with its star wideout this offseason.

There's no question that the Rams want to keep Nacua around for the long haul, but it does remain to be seen if Nacua will become just the second $40 million receiver in league history.

Ja'Marr Chase shattered the previous record when he signed a four-year, $161 million extension last year, but Nacua has strongly stated his case to join that exclusive club. The 24-year-old is outperforming Chase and every other active receiver in the league right now, averaging an eye-popping 95.3 receiving yards per game for his career.

Contract Prediction: Four Years, $163 Million

Center: Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore Ravens

Tyler Linderbaum is one of the crown jewels of the 2026 free-agent class. After establishing himself as one of the league's premier centers with three consecutive Pro Bowl seasons leading up to his first foray into free agency, Linderbaum is poised to cash in.

The Baltimore Ravens have already made it clear they want the player who they drafted No. 25 overall four years ago back in the fold for 2026 and beyond. General manager Eric DeCosta revealed that the team "made [Linderbaum] a market-setting deal proposal offer" with hopes of retaining its lynchpin in the offensive trenches.

No one should fault Linderbaum for waiting to see what other offers materialize. Regardless of which club he ends up playing for, it's almost certainly going to be on a contract that easily eclipses the $18 million per year Creed Humphrey is currently making as the league's top-paid center.

As the No. 2 overall talent and top offensive player on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's big board, Linderbaum should not only edge out Humphrey, but may even blow past the $20 million mark and potentially even land in the $23 million range once the dust settles.

Although Spotrac pegged Linderbaum's market value at a more modest $17.7 million per year and there's been reports of medical concerns surrounding a center who has suited up for all but two games during his decorated career, a blockbuster contract should ultimately still be in the cards.

Contract Prediction: Four Years, $90 Million

Edge: Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans

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The edge rusher market has been one of the hottest in football, coming in just behind quarterbacks in terms of blockbuster deals being given out to the biggest stars.

Last year alone saw Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt, Aidan Hutchinson and Micah Parsons all agree to extensions worth $40 million or more annually, while Danielle Hunter recently joined that club when the Houston Texans tacked an extra year onto his contract last week.

Although the Texans just locked up one of the best veteran edge defenders through the 2027 season, the club shouldn't be done splurging on the position just yet. Getting a long-term agreement in place with Will Anderson Jr. should now be atop the franchise's to-do list.

Anderson became eligible for an extension this offseason following three incredible years of service in Houston. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 draft opened his career by winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award and added another feather to his cap by earning his first All-Pro nod in 2025.

The two-time Pro Bowler has already amassed a whopping 30 sacks in his first 46 NFL games and hasn't shown any signs of slowing down. He tallied 3.5 sacks and three forced fumbles during Houston's two-game playoff run and brought his career playoff sack tally to eight in six games, accomplishing this all before the age of 25.

While the Texans will have Anderson under contract through the 2027 campaign once they make the easy decision to exercise his fifth-year option, they shouldn't hesitate to put a record-setting extension on the table.

Even if Houston makes Anderson the first $50 million per year defender, that contract would look like a bargain by the time it reaches its conclusion in the early 2030's if the blossoming superstar continues his current trajectory.

Contract Prediction: Four Years, $195 Million

Cornerback: Christian Gonzalez, New England Patriots

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The cornerback market is set to see a flurry of action this offseason. Trent McDuffie became the king of the position shortly after his trade to the Los Angeles Rams, but he may not remain on the throne for long.

There are two corners from the 2023 draft class who could challenge the $31 million per year McDuffie recently agreed to. Devon Witherspoon, who just helped the Seattle Seahawks capture a Super Bowl title, and Christian Gonzalez—the player who did the most to keep his New England Patriots from being blown out in that same Super Bowl—both became eligible for new contracts this offseason.

Both players were top-10 picks and have more than lived up to expectations during their brief NFL tenures, but Gonzalez has been slightly more impactful when he's been on the field.

Although he's missed 16 games—including 13 as a rookie—since he was taken No. 17 overall three years ago, Gonzalez has already notched a second-team All-Pro nod and Pro Bowl honors. He's extremely sticky in coverage, allowing just 1,038 yards and four touchdowns on a stingy 54.7 percent completion rate over the 84 targets he's faced in the last two seasons.

While Witherspoon will certainly be paid handsomely after earning Pro Bowl honors in each of his three seasons in addition to a ring, Gonzalez is trending towards the biggest payday as New England looks to lock down one of the most critical pieces from its surprise run through the AFC in 2025.

Contract Prediction: Four Years, $125 Million