Who's Next to Make Headlines in NFL Extensions?
Brock Purdy got a megadeal but he's not the only NFL player who could get one in the coming months.
As many NFL fans known, the quarterback who was Mr. Irrelevant in the 2022 NFL Draft has become quite relevant when it comes to a new contract.
Brock Purdy, who the Niners selected with the 262nd pick in 2022 and eventually claimed the starting job, signed a five-year, $265M contract with $100M fully guaranteed at signing and a reported $181M in total guarantees. Though Purdy didn't re-set the market, he now ranks in the top 10 for APY salary among quarterbacks and in the top 10 for total guarantees.
Purdy ranked among the most significant players when it came to those who were entering the final year of their contracts or were 2022 first-round picks who got their fifth-year options picked up and are eligible for an extension.
He was certainly the most significant among quarterbacks. Unless you see an extension for a top veteran QB who has several years left on his deal, it won't be until next year that you see a QB enter the conversation for a big extension (namely CJ Stroud, who will be eligible for an extension in 2026).
However, there are going to be some other players who will be in the conversation for big extensions, with a few potentially in line to re-set the market.
Let's look at the positions at which you will probably see the most action when it comes to players who are eligible for extensions.
Edge rusher
This is the big one. From 2022 first-round picks who had their fifth-year options exercised, to longtime veterans who are seeking a final payday before their careers end.
Let's start with Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys. He had his fifth-year option picked up last year but there's been little progress reported when it comes to a new contract. The Cowboys probably should have gotten a deal done last year, given that Parsons will now be in a field of other pass rushers looking for new deals.
Then we come to Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions, who is easily the best edge rusher from the 2022 draft class. Hutchinson's presence was missed when his 2024 season was cut short because of injuries. However, Hutchinson is going to be in line for a contract that will likely re-set the market.
And then there's perhaps the best of the veterans who would be seeking a third contract: T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He's in the final year of a five-year, $112M extension he signed back in 2021 and will no doubt look for a contract that keeps him at or near the top of the market for edge rushers.
Watt isn't the only such veteran edge rusher. Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals has made it no secret he wants an extension and has expressed his displeasure about how negotiations have gone. Hendrickson got four years at $60M in 2021, then got a one-year extension in 2023 for an additional $21M. He's not likely to re-set the market but it's hard to argue he shouldn't be in line for a raise.
Switching back to younger players, Travon Walker had his best season as a pro with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season. He's probably not going to re-set the market with a new contract but, like Hendrickson, he'll be compensated well. Meanwhile, the New York Giants picked up the fifth-year option for Kayvon Thibodeaux and he could be in line for a deal similar to Walker. The same could hold true for George Karlaftis of the Kansas City Chiefs.
There are a couple other edge rushers who might get significant deals, though it's hard to see any of them hitting the top of the market. But Parsons and Hutchinson should easily push for the $40M APY mark and Watt could do the same, while Hendrickson has a case to hit the $35M APY mark that Danielle Hunter hit in his extension.
Offensive tackle
Tristan Wirfs has the highest APY salary of any offensive tackle at $28.125M and there are a couple of players who could approach or exceed that mark in a new extension.
We'll start with Rashawn Slater of the Los Angeles Chargers, a 2021 first-round pick who had his fifth-year option picked up. Slater has been a quality player since the Chargers drafted him and this offseason would be a good time to get a deal done.
That's particularly true when you notice that there are two offensive tackles in the 2022 draft who could become among the highest-paid tackles in the NFL. Ikem Ekwonu of the Carolina Panthers and Charles Cross of the Seattle Seahawks both had their fifth-year options picked up. They have both played at a high level and both could hit the top of the market in new deals.
Wide receiver
While it's not likely you'll see any receivers hit the marks set by Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase, there are a few receivers who could enter the conversation for significant raises.
Let's start with Garrett Wilson of the New York Jets, who has been quite productive despite issues with the offense since he was drafted in 2022. He had his fifth-year option picked up but it wouldn't surprise if the Jets start thinking about an extension, one that could thrust him into the top tier.
The likes of Drake London of the Atlanta Falcons, Chris Olave of the New Orleans Saints and Jameson Williams of the Detroit Lions probably won't enter the top tier of the receiver market, but they could approach the money that Calvin Ridley got last year. It's possible they hit the money that Jaylen Waddle and Tee Higgins got because they are younger players.
There are also some veterans who will be seeking a third contract. Terry McLaurin of the Washington Commanders might try to push closer to the top tier, while Courtland Sutton of the Denver Broncos will likely seek a raise well beyond what he received in the four-year, $60M deal he signed in 2021.
Cornerback
The field of cornerbacks who could be up for significant money isn't as large, but there might be a couple who will look to reach the upper tier of cornerback salaries.
That could be the case for Trent McDuffie of the Kansas City Chiefs. McDuffie isn't an elite player but he's an effective one. He could push to surpass what Jaire Alexander got in his deal a couple of years ago.
Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner of the New York Jets is an interesting case. He had his fifth-year option picked up but, after a strong rookie season, he hasn't hit the same level of play. Still, he might be another player who looks to surpass Alexander.
Other positions
Among interior defenders, Zach Allen of the Denver Broncos will likely look to move into the upper tier of salaries at his position.
At tight end, Kyle Pitts of the Atlanta Falcons hasn't exactly been a standout but he might benefit from being the best among the younger players at the position, whereas other veteran tight ends are much older.
And at safety, Kyle Hamilton of the Baltimore Ravens could very well re-set the market for his position, given how well he has played. The Ravens have another contract to figure out, as they declined the fifth-year option for center Tyler Lindebaum, but he has played at a level that warrants a new deal, one that puts him among the highest-paid centers in the NFL.
As you can see, there are some positions at which there's going to be more activity than others. But while the Purdy extension made headlines, there are likely more to come in the months ahead.