NFL Free Agency: When Does Each Team's Best Player Become a Free Agent?

As the NFL owners and the players continue their latest round of labor negotiation talks, there are a number of questions about what the landscape will look like regarding the new labor contract agreement with respect to free agency.

When will players be allowed to freely test the waters of free agency? Looking at every NFL team, we decided this would be a good time to explore what the contract status was of the best or most important player on every NFL team and to see who is going to be popping up on the free agent marketplace.

In some cases, it might be difficult to chose who exactly is the most important player on some NFL teams, but that is going to be the subject of a different debate down the road.

Arizona Cardinals: Larry Fitzgerald

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 2: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a touchdown against the San Francisco 49er during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on January 2, 2011 in San Francisco, California.(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Where on earth would the Arizona Cardinals be without Larry Fitzgerald? He is impossible to cover, and he catches everything in sight. The Cardinals are obviously going to be bringing in a new quarterback when the free agency market opens back up, but without Fitzgerald, the Cardinals would struggle to move the ball.

Fitzgerald will be a free agent in 2012. I can't imagine that the Cardinals won't try to sign him to a lengthy contract extension during this year. His contract looks like this:

3/11/2008: Signed a four-year, $40 million contract. The deal contains $30 million guaranteed, including a $15 million signing bonus and a $9 million option bonus and $3.1 million roster bonus in the second year. If Fitzgerald is franchise tagged in 2012, he must be paid $23 million that season. 2011: $7 million

Please note that the source I used for all of the contract information in this article comes from Rotoworld.com, so thanks to them.

Atlanta Falcons: Roddy White

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons smiles during warm ups against the Green Bay Packers during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty I

Roddy White continues to be the main target in the Atlanta Falcons passing attack. Despite being the go-to guy, White has now reached over 1,000 yards in reception yards for four straight seasons. You know that defenses will continue to monitor him with double teams, but now with the bold move to trade some of their future for rookie wide receiver Julio Jones, that will allow White to continue to flourish in the Falcons attack.

Current contract details: 8/8/2009: Signed a six-year, $48 million contract. The deal contains $18.6 million guaranteed, including a $6 million signing bonus and all of his 2009-2010 salaries. Another $4 million is available through incentives. 2011: $4 million (+ $5.3 million option bonus), 2012: $5.5 million, 2013: $5.6 million, 2014: $5 million, 2015: Free Agent

Baltimore Ravens: Ray Lewis

Larry French/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 10: Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens defends against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Players wore pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Ravens defeated th

Who is the most important player on the Baltimore Ravens today? Some may lobby for Ed Reed. Others may say it is Haloli Ngata. But for my money, the most important player on the Ravens is Ray Lewis.The amount of passion he plays the game with, the ferocious level of his hits and the way that he tries his best to get under the skin and intimidate the opposition, Lewis is the most important player on the team.

We only have a short window of time to still be able to appreciate what Ray Lewis does. In a story that ran in the Baltimore Sun, Lewis admitted that he doesn't seem to see himself playing past the age of 37. Since Lewis is already 36, that means the end is near.

Contract details are: 3/10/2009: Signed a three-year, $22 million contract. The deal contains $15.5 million guaranteed, including a $6.25 million signing bonus, a first-year roster bonus of $2.75 million and a $1.25 million option bonus in the second season. 2011: $4.5 million (plus $2 million option bonus), 2012: $4.95 million (Voidable Years), 2013: $5.4 million, 2014: $5.85 million, 2015: $6.3 million, 2016: Free Agent

Buffalo Bills: Ryan Fitzpatrick

Nick Laham/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 05: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Buffalo Bills stands at the line against the Minnesota Vikings at the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on December 5, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Nick Laha

When the Buffalo Bills drafted nine players in the 2011 NFL draft, and not one of them was a quarterback, it told you all you needed to know about how the Bills feel about Ryan Fitzpatrick as their starting quarterback. If you happened to watch any of the three games in 2010 that Fitzpatrick did not start (two games by Trent Edwards and one by Brian Brohm), that would be sufficient to tell you how important Ryan Fitzpatrick is to the Bills organization.

As things stand now, Fitzpatrick is playing out the final year of his contract in 2011. It would not be a surprise to see the Bills attempt to sign Fitzpatrick to a longer contract extension either before the season starts or in the early stages of 2011. If he turns in another solid year, he would be somebody that a number of teams would be willing to bring into the fold.

Contract details: 2011: $3.195 million, 2012: Free Agent

Carolina Panthers: Steve Smith

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - DECEMBER 05: Wide receiver Steve Smith #89 of the Carolina Panthers looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on December 5, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks won, 31-14. (Photo by Otto Greule

Who is the most important player on the Carolina Panthers? Steve Smith, DeAngelo Williams or somebody else? Way too early to include Cam Newton in that question, but with the status of Smith and Williams both up in the air for 2011, is there really one player that stands out as most important?

For now, Steve Smith is still a member of the Carolina Panthers, so until I see him wearing a different uniform, he is going to be the guy that I nominate. So far, Smith has topped the 1,000 yard barrier in reception yardage five different times, but has failed to reach that level in the past two seasons.

Smith is still under contract, and who else will Cam Newton have to throw the ball to if Smith leaves town? Here is his contract details: 5/8/2007: Signed a six-year, $43.85 million contract. The deal included a $9.3 million signing bonus, a $6 million roster bonus in the second year and a $2 million roster bonus in the third. 2011: $7 million, 2012: $7.75 million, 2013: Free Agent

Chicago Bears: Julius Peppers

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers is hit by Julius Peppers #90 of the Chicago Bears in the helmet as Peppers was called for a personal foul in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field

Julius Peppers was brought in to the Chicago Bears in 2010 to resurrect some semblance of a pass rush. Peppers rewarded the Bears by turning in eight sacks in 2010 and forcing three fumbles, which is an illustration of how important he is to the team.

As a result, the Bears were able to apply more pressure to the quarterback, and they wound up going to the NFC Championship Game. If you see the bear hug and subsequent lick that Peppers put on Aaron Rogers, you can be sure that he is not wild about the prospect of facing him twice every year.

Peppers contract details: 3/5/2010: Signed a six-year, $84 million contract. The deal contains $42 million guaranteed, including a $6.5 million signing bonus and a first-year roster bonus of $12.5 million. Another $7.5 million is available through incentives based on sacks, Pro Bowl berths and Defensive Player of the Year awards. Peppers can earn annual $100,000 workout bonuses in years one through five. 2011: $900,000 (+ $10.5 million "signing" bonus), 2012: $8.9 million, 2013: $12.9 million, 2014: $13.9 million, 2015: $16.5 million, 2016: Free Agent

Cincinnati Bengals: Jonathan Joseph

David Maxwell/Getty Images

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 10: Jonathan Joseph #22 of the Cincinnati Bengals almost intercepts a pass intended for Alvis Whitted #87 of the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter on December 10, 2006 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Beng

With Terrell Owens gone, Carson Palmer looking like he will be headed to retirement and Chad OchoCinco doing everything he can by running his mouth to force a trade, who is left that we can claim is the most important player on the Cincinnati Bengals?

Why not cornerback Jonathan Joseph? What is his level of importance to the Bengals?

Joseph played out the final year of his contract in 2010, so he is now a free agent. The Bengals, however, placed a first-round and a third-round level tender offer on Joseph, which means that any team signing Joseph would have to give up two draft picks.

The Bengals will attempt to sign Joseph to a longer-term deal, and if the prior NFL teams are allowed to have a short window of time to work out a deal with their own free agents before the rest of the league gets involved, then you would think he would come back to Cincinnati.

Cleveland Browns: Joe Thomas

Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 28: Defensive players Clifton Smith #28, David Bowens #96, T.J. Ward #43 and Joe Thomas #73 of the Cleveland Browns celebrate after their game against the Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Clevelan

No, that is not Superman in this picture. It is the Cleveland Browns stud left tackle Joe Thomas. Thomas is widely viewed as one of the best left tackles in the NFL. He has now gone to four straight Pro Bowls, and his compensation level will be reflected when he becomes a free agent in 2012.

For what it is worth, if he is named to the Pro Bowl team on the first ballot in 2011, it will kick in a $4 million incentive clause in his contract.  Thomas is due to make $8 million in 2011 and then will be a free agent in 2012.

Dallas Cowboys: DeMarcus Ware

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Shaun Hill #14 of the Detroit Lions scrambles with the ball under pressure by Demarcus Ware #94 of the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys beat the Lions 35-19.

DeMarcus Ware is the most important member of the Dallas Cowboys team. Miles Austin is probably the most popular, and Tony Romo is important as well, but Ware has the best credentials to back up the claim. Ware has totaled more sacks during the past five years than anyone else in the NFL.

He was named to the 2000 NFL All-Decade team. He was the NFC Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. Five straight Pro Bowl selections from 2006-2010. Three times elected All-Pro, 2007-2009. You can try to build a case for Romo or Austin, but they would fall short of what Ware has done so far.

10/26/2009: Signed a seven-year, $79 million contract. The deal contains $40 million guaranteed, including a $20 million signing bonus and all of Ware's 2009-2011 base salaries. 2011: $6.7 million, 2012: $4.5 million (+ $500,000 workout bonus), 2013: $5.5 million (+ $500,000 workout bonus), 2014: $12.25 million, 2015: $13.75 million, 2016: Free Agent

Denver Broncos: Champ Bailey

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 12: Cornerback Champ Bailey #24 of the Denver Broncos stands on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeate

New Denver Broncos Head Coach John Fox must be glad that Champ Bailey is still playing for the Broncos. At least that is one position that Fox doesn't have to worry about, considering what a rough year the Broncos team had on defense in 2010.

While two interceptions isn't that much, it was good enough to tie for the team lead in 2010. He defended 13 passes, which was good for second on the team. Bailey is now 32 years old, so one has to wonder how much longer can he keep up with the younger, faster and stronger wide receivers, before a move over to the safety position in required.

Here is Bailey's contract details:  2/22/2011: Signed a four-year, $43 million contract. The deal contains $15 million guaranteed, including a $5 million first-year bonus, all of Bailey's first-year salary and $4 million of his second-year salary. Another $7 million is guaranteed for injury only. 2011: $6 million, 2012: $7.5 million (plus $7 million roster bonus due in March), 2013-2014: $9 million, 2015: Free Agent

Detroit Lions: Calvin Johnson

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 14: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions catches a pass between Donte Whitner #20 and Leodis McKelvin #28 of the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills won 14-12. (P

In his four years with the Detroit Lions, Calvin Johnson has topped the 1,000 yard barrier in receiving yards twice and fell 16 yards shy of accomplishing the feat for a third time. With all of the poor quarterback play and annual injuries to Matthew Stafford, it is a wonder that Johnson has been able to put up such strong numbers.

Johnson gets double-teamed regularly, but still finds a way to get his hands on the ball. He is an important ingredient for the Lions, if they are able to use their momentum from 2010 and attempt to make a playoff run. Johnson had seven touchdowns of at least 20 yards or longer in 2010 season.

Here is Johnson's contract details: 8/3/2007: Signed a six-year, $55.5 million contract. The deal contains $27.178 million guaranteed, including an initial roster bonus of $2.502 million and his base salaries in years four and five. Another $8.5 million is available through incentives. 2011: $8.875 million, 2012: $14 million, 2013: Free Agent

Green Bay Packers: Clay Matthews

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates with teammates Frank Zombo #58 and Daryn Colledge #73 in the final minute of the Packers 31-25 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium

Between Charles Woodson, Aaron Rogers and Clay Matthews, who would you single out as the most important player on the Super Bowl team? I realize that a case can be made for all three, but that is not what I was assigned to do. So, we are going to go ahead and name Clay Matthews as the most important player on the Green Bay Packers. Why?

You start with 23.5 sacks in his first two years in the league. Two defensive touchdowns scored. Was named to the Pro Bowl in both of his NFL seasons. First Team All-Pro in 2010 and NFC Defensive Player of the Year in 2010. That is why he is the most important player on the Green Bay Packers.

Contract details: 7/29/2009: Signed a five-year, $9.925 million contract. The deal contains $7.105 million guaranteed, including an $800,000 signing bonus, a first-year $750,000 "reporting" bonus and a second-year option bonus of $3.72 million. Another $3.35 million is available through incentives, including a "likely to be earned" onetime escalator clause of $1.525 million. 2011: $660,000, 2012: $800,000, 2013: $1,492,500, 2014: Free Agent

Houton Texans: Andre Johnson

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 13: Wide receiver Andre Johnson #80 of the Houston Texans comes scores as he get's his foot down in the endzone in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Reliant Stadium on December 13, 2010 in Houston, Texas. Baltimore

Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson has now completed eight years in the NFL. During that time period, he has caught 50 touchdown passes and has recorded five seasons of topping 1,000 yards in receptions. In fact, he is averaging over 1,100 yards in receptions per year over his eight year career.

Johnson has been named to the Pro Bowl five times. He has been selected First-Team All Pro three straight times, 2008-2010. He has two seasons of generating at least 1,500 yards in receptions. 

Contract details: 8/5/2010: Signed a seven-year, $62.7 million contract. The deal contains $48 million guaranteed, including a $2.8 million signing bonus. Another $10 million is available through incentives based on performance. Johnson is eligible for annual workout bonuses of $1 million throughout the contract's life. 2011: $6 million, 2012: $6.5 million, 2013: $6.2 million, 2014: $6.5 million, 2015: $10.5 million, 2016: $11 million, 2017: Free Agent

Indianapolis Colts: Peyton Manning

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 09: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass during the NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on December 9, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Colts won 30-28. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

How many years does Peyton Manning have left? Being at the very top or near the top of all NFL quarterbacks for the past 13 years, Manning has stood the test of time to prove that he is the most important player on the Indianapolis Colts.

Eleven seasons of over 4,000 yards passing, and the other two years topped 3,700 yards in passing. Career mark of 399 career touchdown passes to 198 interceptions. Was named to the NFL 2000 All-Decade team. Was named by the AP as NFL MVP four different times. Was named as the AFC Player of the Year six different times.

As of now, Peyton Manning is a free agent. The Colts will do everything within their power to make sure that they sign him to a new contract and that he retires as a member of the Colts franchise.

Contract details: 2011: Free Agent (Franchise Tagged - Exclusive)

Jacksonville Jaguars: Maurice Jones-Drew

Scott Boehm/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 19: Maurice Jones-Drew #32 of the Jacksonville Jaguars dives against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts defeated the Jaguars 34-24. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty I

Maurice Jones-Drew continues to be the spark-plug for the Jacksonville Jaguars team. The running back has now completed five years in the NFL, yet it appears that he is improving with age. Two straight years of going over 1,300 rushing yards shows that Jones-Drew is not slowing down at all; he is just getting better.

Contract details: 4/15/2009: Signed a five-year, $30.95 million contract. The deal contains $17.5 million guaranteed, including a $9 million signing bonus and Jones-Drew's base salaries in years one and two. Another $1.8 million is available through incentives. 2011: $4.05 million, 2012: $4.45 million, 2013: $4.95 million, 2014: Free Agent

Kansas City Chiefs: Jamaal Charles

As long as his personal production numbers continue to go up, so does the overall importance of Jamaal Charles to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Charles has seen his rushing totals in three years grow from 357 yards, to 1,120 and then to 1,467 in 2010. Not only that, but his reception yardage has followed a similar trend; 272 yards, to 297 to 468 yards in receptions in 2010.

Charles does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon. Here are his contract details:  12/11/2010: Signed a six-year, $27.97 million contract. The deal contains $10 million guaranteed, including an $8 million first-year roster bonus and $2 million of his second-year salary. Another $5 million is available through incentives. 2011: $3.35 million, 2012: $3.25 million, 2013: $1.75 million, 2014: $2.25 million, 2015: $4.75 million, 2016: Free Agent

Miami Dolphins: Jake Long

In terms of skilled players, the Miami Dolphins appear to be a mess. Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown are free agents. Chad Henne doesn't seem to have the ability to succeed as a top-notch NFL quarterback. Brandon Marshall has to worry that his wife is going to try to stab him again or call the police every time that they have a fight.

I am going to forget all of the nonsense from the above paragraph and focus on Jake Long instead. Long provides the Dolphins with a stable presence at left tackle.

According to a story that ran in Pro Football Focus, Long graded out as the NFL's best pass protector at left tackle in 2010. That he is performing at such a high level is gratifying for the Dolphins, who made him the number one overall draft pick in the 2008 NFL draft.

Contract details: 4/22/2008: Signed a five-year, $57.75 million contract. The deal includes $30 million guaranteed. Year six voided based on rookie-year playing time (Long started all 16 games). 2011-2012: $11.2 million, 2013: Free Agent

Minnesota Vikings: Adrian Peterson

With Brett Favre out and Christian Ponder in, the most important player on the Minnesota Vikings is Adrian Peterson. His presence at running back keeps opposing defenses honest and will buy time for whoever winds up taking snaps from center this year.

Peterson has been very consistent so far in the NFL, as he has topped the 1,000 yard mark all four years in the league. His low mark was 1,298, and his highest rushing total was 1,760. Peterson is averaging over 1,440 yards per year. Not only that, but his fumbling problems have improved, going from nine to six to one over the last three years.

This will be an important year for Peterson, as he is slated to become a free agent after the 2011 season is over. Whether or not the Vikings can retain him, or he decides to test the free agency market in 2012, Peterson should be seeing a rather large contract coming his way in the near future.

His contract details: 2011: $10.72 million, 2012: Free Agent.

New England Patriots: Tom Brady

Tom Brady continues to roll along. Brady collected his second AP Most Valuable Player award in 2010. The year prior, he was the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Brady was a member of the 2000 NFL All-Decade team.

He has been elected to six Pro Bowls and twice was First-team All-Pro. Three Super Bowl rings to his credit, and the accolades just continue to pour in.

His contract details are: 9/9/2010: Signed a five-year, $78.5 million contract. The deal contains $48.5 million guaranteed, including a $16 million signing bonus. 2011: $5.75 million (plus $4 million roster bonus), 2012: $5.75 million (plus $6 million roster bonus), 2013-2014: $9.75 million (plus $5 million roster bonuses), 2015: Free Agent.

New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees

Drew Brees continues to impress people that follow his career. From three different seasons of 3,000-plus yards in passing, four different seasons of 4,000-plus yards in passing and one season of 5,000-plus yards in passing, Brees has demonstrated how valuable a quarterback he is.

On the current New Orleans roster, I can't think of any one player that is more important to the organization than Brees is. Talk about a consistent player, Brees has thrown for 34, 34 and 33 touchdowns in the last three years. The only troubling number from 2010 was that his interception total doubled from 11 to 22.

As far as contract status goes, here is his last deal: 2011: $7,393,500, 2012: Free Agent. So, in light of all the work that Brees and his fellow NFL peers have done to attempt to put a new deal together, it will be interesting to see if he attempts to test the free agency market after his deal is up in 2011, or if he will allow New Orleans to retain his services and wind up retiring with the Saints.

New York Giants: Eli Manning

Who is the most important player on the New York Giants team? You could look at Ahmad Bradshaw rushing over 1,000 yards or Hakeem Nicks catching over 1,000 yards in receptions. What about Eli Manning passing for over 4,000 yards and throwing 31 touchdowns? How about on defense, where you have Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora sharing the sacks lead with 11.5 each. How about Terrell Thomas, who led the team in both tackles and interceptions?

After considering all of the above options, I ultimately went with Eli Manning, because when Manning is doing great, the Giants are going places. The opposite is also unfortunately true.

Regarding his contract status, Manning is under the Giants control for some time to come. 8/13/2009: Signed a seven-year, $106.9 million contract. The deal contains $35 million guaranteed, including a $13 million signing bonus, a second-year option bonus of $12.5 million and all but $1 million of Manning's 2009-2011 base salaries. Another $500,000 is available in 2010-2015 via annual workout bonuses. 2011: $8.5 million, 2012: $10.75 million, 2013: $13 million, 2014: $15.15 million, 2015: $17 million, 2016: Free Agent

New York Jets: Darrelle Revis

Now we move in to the secondary section of the NFL, as we get to talk about some secondary players that are, in my opinion, the most important player on their respective team.

First up is Darrelle Revis, the shut down corner for the New York Jets. To know that you have one side of the field controlled like Revis can do, it does wonders for the confidence level and dialing up different aggressive schemes for head coach Rex Ryan.

Revis is vital to the New York Jets success. If he were to leave the team due to injury or any other reason for an extended time, there would no doubt be a difference in how teams approached the Jets. At least the Jets have Revis under their control for a long time to come.

Contract details:  9/6/2010: Signed a four-year, $46 million contract. The deal contains $32.5 million guaranteed, including all of Revis' first two base salaries and an $18 million first-year option bonus. 2011: $6 million (plus $1 million roster bonus), 2012: $4.5 million (plus $3 million roster bonus), 2013: $3 million (plus $3 million roster bonus), 2014-2016: (Voidable Years) $3 million, 2017: Free Agent

Oakland Raiders: Nnamdi Asomugha

During the 2010 NFL season, the most important Oakland Raiders player to my way of thinking is Nnamdi Asomugha. Even though he is on the verge of becoming a free agent, that doesn't change my opinion. If there is any possible way for Al Davis to bring Asomugha back to Raiders Nation, I am sure he will do whatever is in his power to make that happen.

Asomugha simply plays at a level that is head and shoulders above the rest of his teammates. Should he wind up leaving the Raiders, they will no doubt have a major setback in their secondary coverages this year.

Due to a contract clause, Asomugha became a free agent for 2011. The Raiders can attempt to put in a contract offer, but now that he is an unrestricted free agent, teams will be opening up the cash reserves to land him.

Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Vick

Donovan McNabb is gone. Kevin Kolb will probably be gone sometime in July, presumably in a trade to the Arizona Cardinals. That leaves Michael Vick as the undisputed leader of the Philadelphia Eagles team.

Vick has worked harder in the past few years than at any other time in his NFL career. He is learning how to become an NFL quarterback, and it shows in his play. Assuming that Kolb is traded away, and that Vick would go down for any extended period of time, I think the Eagles season would probably be over right then and there.

Contract details: 3/2/2011: Signed a one-year, $15.975 million contract. The deal is fully guaranteed. So, if Vick plays like he did in 2010, you would imagine the Eagles would try to ink him to a long-term deal. If not, they will have traded away all of the significant backups and have no quarterback ready to take over.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Troy Polamalu

Troy Polamalu continues to make a number of key plays each season that rescues the Pittsburgh Steelers in one game after another. Despite all of the heroics from James Harrison, Ben Roethlisberger and Hines Ward, it is the play of Polamalu that is the most important piece to the Pittsburgh Steelers fortunes. 

Polamalu continues to play at a high level. In 2010, he was named as the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He was a member of the NFL 2000 All-Decade Team. He has been named First-Team All-Pro three different times and has six Pro Bowl selections to his credit.

Contract details: 2011: $6.4 million, 2012: Free Agent. So, the 2011 season will be Polamalu's final year under the current contract, making him a free agent in 2012. You can only imagine how many teams will be lining up to secure his services. The Steelers will undoubtedly try to sign him to a longer deal, but until that happens, anything is possible.

San Diego Chargers: Philip Rivers

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has been leading the Chargers offense for the last five years. In his first two years, he passed for over 3,000 yards in both seasons. Then, his game jumped up a level, as he threw for over 4,000 yards for the last three seasons. In fact, 2010 was his career best with 4,710 yards. Rivers QB Passer Rating has topped 100.00 each of the last three years.

If that isn't enough, he is producing touchdowns at a very high rate as well. In the last three years, Rivers has thrown 34, 28 and 30 touchdown passes. He led the Chargers to the number one overall ranked offense in 2010.

Rivers contract details: 8/24/2009: Signed a seven-year, $98.25 million contract. The deal contains $38.15 million guaranteed, including a $19.55 million signing bonus, Rivers' 2009-2010 base salaries, and a second-year option bonus of $6 million. $6 million of Rivers' 2011 salary is guaranteed for injury, but not skill or performance. 2011: $8.4 million, 2012: $10.2 million, 2013: $12 million, 2014: $13.8 million, 2015: $15.75 million, 2016: Free Agent.

San Francisco 49'ers: Patrick Willis

With four years of experience in the books, San Francisco 49'ers linebacker Patrick Willis continues to make a name for himself. He has recorded at least 100 solo tackles in every campaign. His sack totals jumped up to six in 2010, his career best. He has returned two interceptions for touchdowns in his young career.

The NFL is well aware of Willis and his skills, as he has been named to the Pro Bowl all four years. Three times in his early career, he was named to the First-Team All-Pro team. He was the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2007. In short, Willis has proven to be a vital player to the 49'ers, and they rely on him to provide a high level of play.

Contract details: 5/4/2010: Signed a seven-year, $53.51 million contract. The deal contains $29 million guaranteed, including a $15.5 million signing bonus. Willis is scheduled to receive annual $1.25 million workout bonuses in years three through seven. 2011: $2.046 million (plus $4.8 million "supersede" signing bonus), 2012: $1.904 million, 2013: $2.402 million, 2014: $5.285 million, 2015: $7.065 million, 2016: $7.935 million, 2017: $4 million, 2018: Free Agent

Seattle Seahawks: Earl Thomas

As Matt Hasselbeck is a free agent, and we don't know if he will be part of the 2011 Seahawks team, we turn instead to somebody we know will be, and that is safety Earl Thomas.

Thomas was third on the Seahawks defense with 64 solo tackles and led the team with five interceptions. He picked off Philip Rivers twice in a Seahawks win over the San Diego Chargers.

Rivers demonstrated as a rookie that he is a valuable player and will be a mainstay in the Seahawks defensive plans for years to come.

Contract details: 8/1/2010: Signed a five-year, $21.1 million contract. The deal includes $12.32 million guaranteed. 2011: $625,000, 2012: $1 million, 2013: $1.375 million, 2014: $1.75 million, 2015: Free Agent

St.Louis Rams: Steven Jackson

Steven Jackson is coming in to his eighth year in the NFL. The veteran running back has ran off a streak of six straight 1,000 rushing yards plus seasons. He has played in exactly 100 games, and is still averaging 4.2 yards per carry. The only negative comment is that 2010 was the first year that he failed to average at least 4.0 yards per carry, as his final total was 3.8 yards for the year.

Jackson is important because his running ability keeps defenses honest. If he is going to be out for any extended period of time, then defenses can pick back their ears and go after Sam Bradford. With Bradford's injury history at Oklahoma, that is not something the Rams would want to witness.

We may never see another year from Jackson like the one he compiled in 2006 when he exploded for 13 rushing touchdowns and 90 pass receptions. That was a special year, but as long as he is the featured running back, he will still generate plenty of touches and production for the Rams.

Contract details: 8/21/2008: Signed a six-year, $44.805 million contract. The deal contains $20.5 million guaranteed, including an $11.395 million signing bonus. Another $4.495 million is available through incentives. He must average 1,200 yards rushing and 400 yards receiving over the first four years to void the final two seasons on his contract. 2011: $7.2 million, 2012-2013: $7 million (Voidable Years), 2014: Free Agent.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josh Freeman

Josh Freeman got his feet wet in the NFL as a rookie in 2009 by playing in 10 games. Freeman took a quantum leap in his level of play from that rookie season to what he produced in 2010. His passing yards went from 1,855 to 3,451. He went from 10 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in his rookie season to 25 touchdowns and only six interceptions in 2010. His QB Passer Rating jumped from 59.8 to 95.9.

Not by coincidence, the Bucs record went from 3-13 in 2009 to 10-6 in 2010. As you look at the success level, it is no wonder that the Bucs team is viewing Freeman as their most important player. If he can take another jump in 2011, the Bucs are assured to be a playoff team again.

According to Tampa Bay Online.com, they are running a story that Freeman is leading a three day minicamp in June. In addition, the Bucs' franchise QB revealed that he now has multiple playbooks and is writing up practice scrips, a job usually performed by coaches. This is quite a testament to Freeman, who only has two years in the league but is obviously a leader.

Contract details: 7/30/2009: Signed a five-year, $26 million contract. The deal includes $10.245 million guaranteed. Another $10 million is available through incentives. During the 2010 offseason, the Bucs exercised an option in Freeman's contract that formally extended it through 2013. 2011: $940,000, 2012: $6.585 million, 2013: $8.43 million, 2014: Free Agent

Tennessee Titans: Chris Johnson

Running for over 2,000 rushing yards in 2009, Chris Johnson felt that he was worth a lot more money than his original contract called for him to make. When the 2010 season rolled around, Johnson was expecting to repeat or improve on his prior season, but that is not how things turned out.

Johnson saw his production drop across the board. He went from 2,006 yards to 1,364 yards in 2010. His average per rush dropped from 5.6 yards to 4.3. His touchdowns dropped from 14 to 11. Even though he only caught six fewer passes, (50 down to 44), his average yards per catch was cut in half from 10.1 to 5.6.

Does this mean that Johnson should be giving money back to the Titans? Guess that wasn't part of his deal. But, it does show how quickly fortunes can turn in the NFL. Johnson is still the most important player on the team, but maybe he will be a little more humble in 2011 and be hungry again to produce.

Contract details: 7/26/2008: Signed a five-year, $12 million contract. The deal contains $7 million guaranteed, including $1.125 million in first-year bonuses, a $3.86 million roster bonus in the second year and a $1.25 million "signing" bonus in the third. Another $235,000 is available through "likely to be earned" incentives based on a 4.5 yards-per-carry average and 700 yearly rushing yards. 2011: $800,000, 2012: $2.21 million, 2013: Free Agent

Washington Redskins: London Fletcher

London Fletcher once again led the Washington Redskins in tackles, from solo tackles to assists. He was tied for second place on the team with 2.5 sacks. Fletcher defended 11 passes and even came up with an interception.

For 11 straight years, Fletcher has turned in at least 116 tackles per year, reaching a high of 157 tackles with the Buffalo Bills in 2005. According to a story in the Sacramento Bee, it was Fletcher that led the Redskins to have organized workouts in April and May.

Fletcher was named to the Pro Bowl team each of the last two years while a member of the Redskins. During the decade of 2000-2009, Fletcher led the entire NFL in tackles with 1,244. He continues to be the heart and soul of the Redskins defense, and that is why he is their most important player.

Contract details: 2011: $4.9 million, 2012: Free Agent. In addition to his $4.9 million base salary, Fletcher is due a $100,000 workout bonus in the 2011 offseason.