Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Yardbarker
25 NFL players who are playing for their next contract in 2024
By Seth Trachtman,
12 hours ago
The final year of a contract can provide extra motivation for NFL players looking toward their next payday. These 25 players enter that situation in 2024, playing for their next contract.
Keenan Allen, WR, Bears (1 of 25)
Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA Today Sports Images
Allen is playing the last year of his contract with a new team as he adds a veteran presence to the Bears after 11 seasons with the Chargers. He remains productive into his early 30s and could be in for a big payday if the production continues this season.
Nick Bolton, LB, Chiefs (2 of 25)
Mark Konezny / USA Today Sports Images
Bolton has been a leader on the Chiefs defense since the team took him in the second round in 2021. He enters the fourth and final season of his rookie deal with a big payday ahead if he can rebound from an injury-plagued 2023 season.
Hollywood Brown, WR, Chiefs (3 of 25)
Denny Medley / USA Today Sports Images
Brown came over to the Chiefs on a one-year deal after struggling in Arizona last season. It's a clear landing spot to revitalize his free agent value entering the open market again next season, potentially becoming Patrick Mahomes' No. 1 wideout.
Nick Chubb, RB, Browns (4 of 25)
Philip G. Pavely / USA Today Sports Images
Chubb suffered a catastrophic knee injury last season, but has hopes of returning at full strength this season. His age and history of knee injuries makes him a risk as a free agent signing, but Chubb could prove the doubters wrong once again this year.
James Conner, RB, Cardinals (5 of 25)
Joe Rondone / USA Today Sports Images
Conner has played seven seasons in the NFL, yet last year was his first with 1,000 rushing yards. He hopes to build on that momentum as he enters free agency, but the Cardinals drafted a backup plan in Trey Benson if they decide not to retain Conner.
Stefon Diggs, WR, Texans (6 of 25)
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images
Diggs tallied his sixth consecutive 1,000-yard season last year but has a new home in Houston this year. It's not clear if he will be his team's No. 1 receiver with great options like Nico Collins and Tank Dell alongside him. Diggs turns 31 this season, but he can still he's worthy of another big contract.
Justin Fields, QB, Steelers (7 of 25)
Barry Reeger / USA Today Sports Images
Fields' time in Chicago didn't go as hoped, and the former first-round pick was traded to Pittsburgh in the offseason. He's battling Russell Wilson for the starting job and has a chance to earn big money if he's successful on his new team.
Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers (8 of 25)
Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA Today Sports Images
Tampa Bay gave Mike Evans his new contract last offseason, and it remains to be seen if they have enough money to pay Godwin as well. He enters the final year of his deal after three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
Dre Greenlaw, LB, 49ers (9 of 25)
Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA Today Sports Images
Greenlaw has been a key defensive contributor for the 49ers over the last two seasons, accumulating 120-plus tackles in back-to-back seasons. He has a hill to climb after tearing his Achilles in the Super Bowl in February, but could still earn a big contract in the offseason.
Najee Harris, RB, Steelers (10 of 25)
Mark Konezny / USA Today Sports Images
The Steelers declined Harris' fifth-year option, putting the former first-round pick's future with the team in doubt. He's been productive, with three straight 1,000-yard seasons, but the presence of Jaylen Warren clouds his status with the team.
Jevon Holland, S, Dolphins (11 of 25)
Gregory Fisher / USA Today Sports Images
Holland has been a standout for the Dolphins defense since he was selected in the second round in 2021. He's hoping to rebound after missing time last season, and could be set for a big contract if he has a strong walk year.
Talanoa Hufanga, S, 49ers (12 of 25)
Morgan Tencza / USA Today Sports Images
Hufanga has been an excellent fifth-round draft find for the 49ers, earning All-Pro status in 2022. He missed much of last season due to injury, and enters the final year of his rookie contract. The safety could earn a massive contract if he's able to rebound.
Creed Humphrey, OC, Chiefs (13 of 25)
Tommy Gilligan / USA Today Sports Images
Humphrey has been a game-changer for the Chief's offensive line, making back-to-back Pro Bowls. The former second-round pick is in the final year of his rookie contract and has a chance to become the highest-paid center in football after this season.
Diontae Johnson, WR, Panthers (14 of 25)
Jim Dedmon / USA Today Sports Images
Johnson was shipped out of Pittsburgh not long after signing a contract extension. He struggled last season in 13 games but looks to revive his career in Carolina. A rebound season should allow him to earn another big deal.
Aaron Jones, RB, Vikings (15 of 25)
Mike De Sisti / USA Today Sports Images
Cut by the Packers after seven seasons, Jones signed a one-year deal with the rival Vikings in the offseason. He struggled with injuries last season and will be 30 this year, but it's not too late for the dynamic Jones to earn another big payday with a strong season.
Ernest Jones, LB, Rams (16 of 25)
Vincent Carchietta / USA Today Sports Images
Jones has improved each season since he was drafted by the Rams in 2021. He had 145 tackles and 4.5 sacks last year, and could become extremely wealthy if he's able to repeat that production in his walk year.
Khalil Mack, EDGE, Chargers (17 of 25)
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images
Mack enters the final year of a massive contract with the Chargers. He's made eight Pro Bowls in his career and had a bounceback season in 2023 with 17 sacks. Even in his 30s, Mack could earn a huge deal next offseason.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Browns (18 of 25)
Scott Galvin / USA Today Sports Images
Owusu-Koramoah made his first Pro Bowl last season after recording 101 tackles and 3.5 sacks for the Browns. Repeating that production in the final year of his rookie contract could allow him to earn a huge contract.
Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys (19 of 25)
Jason Parkhurst / USA Today Sports Images
Prescott and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones seem to be in a staring match as he looks toward his next big contract. He led the NFL with 36 touchdown passes last season, and continues to play at a high level even if Dallas hasn't found much postseason success with him under center. If the Cowboys are unwilling to give him another huge contract, it's likely another team would be happy to add Prescott.
Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers (20 of 25)
D. Ross Cameron / USA Today Sports Images
The 49ers are benefiting from Purdy's surprising breakout and rookie deal as a seventh-round pick. While San Francisco isn't under pressure to extend Purdy in his third season, they could save money in the long run by extending the quarterback sooner rather than later.
Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Chargers (21 of 25)
Jonathan Hui / USA Today Sports Images
Samuel has been a consistently solid performer over his first three NFL seasons. Los Angeles has been in mini rebuild mode as they fix their cap situation, so it remains to be seen if they will be able to keep Samuel after his walk year in 2024.
Josh Sweat, DE, Eagles (22 of 25)
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images
Sweat enters the final season of a massive three-year extension, and continues to be a key part of the team's pass rush. Philadelphia has moved on from multiple pass rushers in recent seasons, but Sweat has plenty of time in his prime as he enters his age-27 season.
Charvarius Ward, CB, 49ers (23 of 25)
Michael Chow / USA Today Sports Images
Ward signed a three-year deal in free agency with the 49ers in 2022, and has been everything the team hoped for when they signed him. However, the check is coming due for his next contract after making the Pro Bowl last season, and Ward is unlikely to give San Francisco a discount.
Jaylen Warren, RB, Steelers (24 of 25)
Mark Konezny / USA Today Sports Images
A former undrafted free agent, Warren has become a key part of Pittsburgh's offense alongside Najee Harris. He's averaged an outstanding 5.1 yards per carry over the last two seasons, and should see plenty of free agent interest if he has another strong year in 2024.
Russell Wilson, QB, Steelers (25 of 25)
Barry Reeger / USA Today Sports Images
Wilson is trying to revive his career again after struggling in two seasons with the Broncos. He's currently battling Justin Fields for the starting job after signing a one-year deal in Pittsburgh, but could earn a huge raise if he shows he has something left this season.
Comments / 0