Fred Jackson and 4 Players Who Have Earned Monster Contracts

Six weeks into the NFL season, teams are beginning to find out their identity. Players are starting to know their roles.

Others are just playing out of their minds. These players are not just seeing the end zone, they are seeing dollar signs.

Whether they are in their contract year or a large part of their team's success, these five athletes have gotten their front offices thinking about them long-term. These players, on the other hand, want the owners to show them the money.

Here are five players who have hit pay dirt this season.

Fred Jackson

Current Contract: Signed for four years, $7.5 million through 2012

The Buffalo Bills are finally back to their winning ways. Jackson has been the poster boy for their renaissance.

Jackson has been a mainstay in Buffalo's attack for a few years now, but has blossomed under Chan Gailey and Buddy Nix's innovative offensive game plans. Sports Illustrated NFL columnist Peter King said this of Jackson in his Monday column:

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Fred Jackson is, by far, the most under-appreciated running back in football. It wouldn't surprise me if he becomes a star for the Bills the way Thurman Thomas was.

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It is no coincidence that Jackson happens to be in a contract year. The 30-year-old running back recently said he was annoyed he hadn’t gotten an extension, according to Pro Football Talk. Now his play speaks for itself, and Buffalo has to pay up.

Buffalo's offensive line has improved their play, but when Jackson hits the second level there has been nobody better this season. He has no need for jukes because he's been hitting the hole like a cannonball. His 80-yard run against the Giants was the longest run by a Buffalo Bill since 1990, a beautiful combination of vision and burst.

For Stat Geeks

Jackson is averaging over 100 yards per game, only him and Oakland's Darren McFadden can claim that distinction. He’s also leading the NFL in yards per carry and top five in almost every other major category. Not to mention a five-touchdown streak heading into next week.

Wes Welker

Current Contract: $2.15 million in 2011, free agent in 2012

Say what you want about New England's mighty mite, but he is not just a product of playing with Tom Brady or the Patriot system.

On third down, there is nobody better. When the zone breaks down, he finds a seam in the defense. He has become the one of the NFL's security blankets, much like Hines Ward or Marvin Harrison.

That's why extending Welker makes so much sense. Very few guys could come into New England and match his production. Just ask Chad Ochocinco.

With Patriots coach Bill Belichick's thirst for young talent, it is uncertain whether or not Welker gets extended. After a Super Bowl MVP in 2004,  Belichick had the cojones to let Deion Branch go.
It seems that almost anyone in New England is expendable.

I would argue Welker is one of the chosen few that should hit pay dirt.

For Stat Geeks

Welker is averaging a league high in average yards per game. He only needs 80 yards and two touchdowns to pass both season totals from last year.

Matt Forte

Current Contract: $600,000, free agent in 2012

The Bears’ featured back has been their workhorse since they drafted him in 2007. In his fourth year out of Tulane, Forte has yet to miss a game in his career. Chicago’s ironman has gained over 1,000 yards from scrimmage every year and is certainly on pace in his 2011 campaign.

While there was talk of Chicago giving Forte an extension when the season started, news has quieted since then. According to the Chicago Tribune, when Forte was asked about his contract situation, he replied:

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"For me to be out here working as hard as I do and not have a contract extension, you kind of get that feeling of being unappreciated.”

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With an erratic Jay Cutler calling signals, the Bears offense has been running through Forte thus far and he has proven his worth.

Few backs can match Forte’s combination of vision, durability and receiving ability and he is only 25. If the Bears decide to not extend Forte, he will be giving their defense fits for seasons to come.

For Stat Geeks

Forte’s yards per carry ranks third amongst running backs that average more than 15 carries a game. He ranks in the top 10 in yards, yards per game and runs of 20-plus yards.

Drew Brees

Current Contract: $7.4 million in 2011, free agent in 2012

Brees may be the most obvious guy on this list. Is any quarterback more important to his team’s success? After watching the Colts' demise this season, everybody knows how far a team can fall without their elite quarterback.

Despite his three interceptions last weekend, the New Orleans signal-caller is still in the top five in the major passing categories, second in completion percentage, and his team sits with a 4-2 record.

In his career as a Saint he’s won a Super Bowl and led his team to a 53-33 record (.616 winning percentage). His age may scare off New Orleans management from a long-term deal, but they cannot deny his command of this offense.

Considering Brees’ production and other quarterbacks getting a payday after years of playing on an elite level, it only makes sense that he retires a New Orleans Saint.

Hey, even Eli Manning got $80 million.

For Stat Geeks

Brees has thrown at least 24 touchdown for six straight years, finishing in at least the top six every year amongst quarterbacks. Also, he holds the record for percentage completion rate in a single season, which he set in 2009.

Mike Wallace

Current Contract: $480,000, restricted free agent in 2012

Wallace is making his case for the most dangerous deep threat in football. He has become Ben Roethlisberger’s favorite target and one of the notable game-breakers at his position. This season, he leads the NFL in 40-plus-yard catches and 100-yard games are basically cemented in his DNA.

With Hines Ward nearing the end of his illustrious career, and Wallace entering the prime of his, it makes perfect sense for Pittsburgh to sign him long-term. Even though Pittsburgh is historically a running team, having Wallace to burn secondaries down the field should keep defenses honest for years.

For Stat Geeks

Dating back to Week 9 in 2011, Wallace has had 100 yards receiving or a touchdown in 11 out of 15 games.