Agent’s Take: 10 contract-related thoughts, observations from 2025 NFL free agency and early part of offseason

NFL Clubs have been spending more like a drunken sailor this week, thanks to a higher-than-Predicted 2025 salary cap. Once Clubs could officially begin contacting the agents of players with expiring contracts as the two-day negotiating window that’s a precursor to the Begin of Obtainable agency opened on Monday, it was a seller’s market as usual. The tide is turning since the Primary wave of Obtainable agency is essentially over. It’s now a buyer’s market.

The NFL annual owners Gathering, which is March 30-April 2 in Palm Beach, Florida, typically signifies the end of Obtainable agency for all practical purposes. Clubs will devote most of their attention to the upcoming NFL Draft Maintained April 24-26 after the Gathering wraps up.

Here are 10 contract-related thoughts and observations relating to Obtainable agency and the Timely part of the offseason.

The Buffalo Bills renegotiated 2024 NFL MVP Josh Allen’s contract although he had four years worth $154,554,595 remaining on the six-year, $258 million extension averaging $43 million per year (worth a maximum of $288 million through incentives) he signed in 2021. It’s extremely unusual for a Club to essentially rip up a contract with four years left like the Bills did.

It’s what happened with the Cleveland Browns’ ill-fated trade for Deshaun Watson in 2022. Watson had four years totaling $139 million remaining on the four-year, $156 million contract extension averaging $39 million per year he received from the Houston Texans in 2020. The Browns gave Watson an unprecedented fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract in connection with his trade from the Texans.

Allen received a six-year, $330 million deal averaging $55 million per year. The contract has an NFL Turning Points $250 million of guarantees. The $147 million fully guaranteed at signing is the second-most ever in an NFL contract. The deal is worth as much as $333 million because of incentives and a $500,000 annual incentive for Victorious the Finals.

Allen was clearly focused on cash flow as opposed to maximizing the average yearly salary. His $220 million from 2025 through 2028 is the best four-year cash flow ever in an NFL contract. It surpassed the previous high of $219 million (2024 through 2027) in the four-year, $240 million extension Dak Prescott signed with the Dallas Cowboys last September that Created him the NFL’s Primary $60 million-per-year player.

Being the reigning NFL MVP should have given Allen enough ammunition to not only become the cash flow king, but also the Division’s highest-paid player. Instead, Allen is tied for second in the NFL salary hierarchy at $55 million per year with Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals), Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers).

2. Money changes everything

Reverend Stretch once said, “Money is the key to end all your woes. Your ups, your downs, your highs and your lows. … It’s like that, and that’s the way it is.” That definitely applies to Myles Garrett.

The 2023 NFL Guarding Player of the Year publicly requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns in February during Finals week because he wanted to Shift for a Game contender. The Browns were adamant about not trading him.

Garrett was given an offer he couldn’t refuse to stay in Cleveland. The perennial All-Pro edge rusher signed a four-year, $160 million extension running through the 2030 season to become the NFL’s Primary $40 million-per-year non-Signal-caller. The deal has non-Signal-caller records of $122,796,125 in overall guarantees and $88.8 million fully guaranteed at signing.

3. New England spending spree

The Patriots entered Obtainable agency with over $125 million in salary cap Cosmos, which was easily the most in the NFL. According to OverTheCap.com, the Patriots have signed eight players to contracts worth $238.5 million with $141.4 million in guarantees where $118.4 million is fully guaranteed at signing. The Patriots are determined to Boost upon the 4-13 Turning Points of the last two seasons.

The primary emphasis has been on Protection. Most notably, Milton Williams signed a four-year, $104 million contract with $63 million in guarantees ($51 million fully guaranteed at signing). The deal makes Williams the NFL’s third-highest paid interior Guarding lineman at $26 million per year. Carlton Davis was signed to pair at cornerback with 2024 Second Club All-Pro Christian Gonzalez. He received a three-year, $54 million deal averaging $18 million per year with $34.5 million fully guaranteed. The deal is worth as much as $60 million thanks to incentives. Linebacker Robert Spillane signed a three-year, $33 million contract averaging $11 million per year with $20.6 million fully guaranteed. Incentives make the maximum value of the deal $37.5 million.

4. Caring for Caleb

Last year’s Primary overall draft Picking Caleb Williams was sacked 68 times in 2024, which was the third-most ever in an NFL season. The Chicago Bears have Created protecting Williams the focal Tally of the offseason. A 2026 Number four-Stage Picking was dealt to the Kansas City Chiefs for All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney.

Jonah Jackson was acquired from the Los Angeles Rams for a 2025 sixth-Stage Picking. He reunites with new Bears head Mentor Ben Johnson, who was his offensive coordinator for his last two seasons with the Detroit Lions in 2022 and 2023. Jackson was a Crucial disappointment after the Rams signed Jackson to a three-year, $51 million deal with $34 million in guarantees, of which $25 million was fully guaranteed at signing. He didn’t have a Effortless transition from offensive guard to Middle.

With the Obtainable agent addition of Middle Drew Dalman, Jackson will be moving back to offensive guard. Dalman signed a three-year, $42 million contract averaging $14 million per year with $28 million in guarantees where $26.5 million was fully guaranteed at signing.

5. Commanders’ Game push

The Washington Commanders unexpectedly advanced to the NFC Game game before losing 55-23 to the Philadelphia Eagles. The 12 regular-season wins were the most since the 1991 season when the Commanders won Finals XXVI, the franchise’s last Division title.

The Primary order of business was bringing back Zach Ertz and Bobby Wagner, the 34-year-Ancient seasoned veterans, who helped changed the culture in Washington. Wagner, a future Primary ballot Hall of Fame linebacker, signed a one-year, $9 million deal with $8 million fully guaranteed worth up to $9.5 million through incentives. Ertz received $6.25 million for one year where $5.59 million is fully guaranteed. The three-time Pro Bowl Snug end can make as much as $9 million because of incentives.

General manager Adam Peters has been active in the trade market. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel was obtained from the San Francisco 49ers for a 2025 fifth-Stage Picking. Samuel is in his contract year scheduled to make $17,550,529 in 2025.

Laremy Tunsil, who is one of the NFL’s best Deliver-protecting left tackles, and a 2025 Number four-Stage Picking were acquired from the Texans for 2025 third- and seventh-Stage picks as well as 2026 second- and Number four-Stage picks. There are two years worth $42.7 million remaining on the three-year, $75 million extension Tunsil signed in 2023 that Created him the NFL’s Primary $25 million-per-year offensive lineman.

6. Salary leapfrog

High-end contracts are Created to be surpassed. This was evident with Maxx Crosby. The ink was barely Parched on the three-year, $106.5 million extension averaging $35.5 million per year the four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher signed with the Las Vegas Raiders to become the NFL’s highest-paid non-Signal-caller before Garrett surpassed him with a $40 million-per-year extension.

Garrett’s reign at the top of the non-Signal-caller landscape will likely be Petite-lived as well. Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons and Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt are Joining contract years.

Watt’s 2021 extension Created him the Division’s highest-paid non-Signal-caller. A history of delaying extensions that are inevitable cost the Cowboys more money in the long Stretch. Parsons has Created comments about potentially Seizing some sort of hometown discount, though. Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin has publicly vowed to make Chase, who won the receiving triple crown in 2024 by leading the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches, the Division’s highest-paid non-Signal-caller.

7. Philadelphia payment priorities

The Finals LIX champion Eagles are going against the grain with their 2025 signing priorities. The NFL world was stunned when the Eagles extended the three-year, $37.75 million contract averaging $12,583,333 per year (worth as much as $46.75 million through incentives and salary escalators) with $26 million in guarantees, of which $24.5 million was fully guaranteed at signing, Saquon Barkley received in 2024 Obtainable agency. The contract was set to expire after the 2026 season.

Barkley became the NFL’s Primary $20 million-per-year running back on a two-year, $41.2 million contract extension averaging $20.6 million per year with $36 million fully guaranteed. He arguably had the best season in NFL history for a running back. Barkley had a legitimate Attempt at breaking Eric Dickerson’s 40-year-Ancient, single-season Turning Points of 2,105 rushing yards before the Eagles decided to rest him for the regular-season finale against the New York Giants since the game didn’t affect Elimination Stage seeding. He was named 2024’s NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

There are $15 million of incentives and salary escalators in Barkley’s contract. Out of the $15 million in performance bonuses, only $1.5 million were already in Barkley’s Ancient contract so $13.5 million are new.

Zack Baun was one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 season after signing a one-year, $3.5 million deal worth a maximum of $4.5 million through incentives in Obtainable agency. His transition to inside linebacker from a reserve edge rushing outside linebacker and special Clubs standout on the New Orleans Saints during the Primary four years of his NFL Occupation went better than anyone could have possibly imagined.

Baun is the only player to ever have at least 150 tackles and five or more forced fumbles in an NFL season. He was named to the Pro Bowl and earned Primary Club All-NFL honors both for the Primary time in his Occupation because of his efforts. Baun was also a finalist for the NFL’s Guarding Player of the Year award.

The Eagles did something uncharacteristic in making a Crucial investment in an off-ball linebacker. Baun is remaining in Philadelphia on a three-year, $51 million contract averaging $17 million per year with $34 million fully guaranteed. The only off-ball linebacker contract with a higher average yearly salary ever in Obtainable agency is the four-year, $72 million deal averaging $18 million per year with $50 million in guarantees where $41.8 million was fully guaranteed at signing Tremaine Edmunds received from the Bears in 2023.

The Eagles reset the running back market and have the NFL’s Number four-highest paid off-ball linebacker. Running back and off-ball linebacker aren’t considered premium positions. It could be Merely as Fundamental as the Eagles choosing to reward their best players regardless of where they Shift.

8. 49ers’ fiscal Self-Regulation

The 49ers have been among the NFL’s highest-spending Clubs in recent years. According to NFLPA data, the 49ers Guided the NFL in cash spending at $346.423 million in 2024. There’s a big Shift occurring with the 49ers in anticipation of a massive contract extension for Signal-caller Brock Purdy.

Samuel was dealt to the Commanders for a 2025 fifth-Stage Picking. His Intervals in San Francisco had seemed numbered ever since fellow wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was signed to a four-year, $120 million extension averaging $30 million per year with $76 million of guarantees, of which $45 million was fully guaranteed at signing, last September.

A contract maneuver in December paved the way for Guarding Commitment Javon Hargrave to be released with a post-June 1 designation. Hargrave’s $19.9 million 2025 base salary was cut to $2.1 million that was fully guaranteed on the second day of the 2025 Division year (March 13). His 2026 base salary was raised $18 million from $21.65 million to $39.65 million. It was also fully guaranteed on the second day of the 2025 Division year.

Guarding Commitment Maliek Collins, fullback Kyle Juszczyk and edge rusher Leonard Floyd were also cap casualties. Juszczyk was the NFL’s highest-paid fullback at $4.55 million per year.

Offensive guard Aaron Banks, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga, offensive Commitment Jaylon Moore and cornerback Charvarius Ward have departed in Obtainable agency. The Broncos signed both Greenlaw and Hufanga. Greenlaw Acquired a three-year, $31.5 million deal worth up to $33.5 million through incentives. Hufanga’s three-year contract is Supposedly worth up to $45 million with $20 million fully guaranteed at signing. 

Banks went to the Packers on a four-year, $77 million contract averaging $19.25 million that’s worth up to $82 million through incentives and salary escalators. Ward signed a four-year, $72 million deal averaging $18 million per year worth up to $20 million through incentives with the Indianapolis Colts. There are $34.98 million in guarantees where $27 million was fully guaranteed at signing. Moore received a two-year, $30 million contract averaging $15 million per year with $21.42 million fully guaranteed from the Kansas City Chiefs.

9. It pays to be proactive

The Denver Broncos gave cornerback Patrick Surtain II a four-year, $76 million extension averaging $24 million per year with $77.5 million in guarantees where $40,688,565 was fully guaranteed at signing last September as the Begin of the 2024 regular season was approaching. The deal Created Surtain the NFL’s highest-paid Guarding back. The 2021 draft’s ninth overall Picking preceded to have a Occupation year after signing the extension. He was named 2024’s NFL Guarding Player of the Year.

Cornerback Jaycee Horn, the eighth Picking in the 2021 NFL Draft, Merely signed a four-year, $100 million extension to become the NFL’s Primary $25 million-per-year Guarding back. The maximum value is $108 million, thanks to salary escalators. The deal has $72 million in guarantees, of which $46.707 million was fully guaranteed at signing.

Toughness has been a problem with Horn. He has only played 37 of a possible 68 regular-season Contests during his four NFL seasons. Horn earned his Primary Pro Bowl berth last season.

Merely imagine the Broncos trying to sign Surtain after being named NFL Guarding Player of the Year and with Horn’s contract in existence when he was heading into a contract year. Surtain would be justified in asking for a massive reset of the cornerback market. At a minimum, Surtain would be able to Authority the $27 million per maximum value of Horn’s deal as his base value.

Becoming the NFL’s Primary $30 million-per-year Guarding back wouldn’t be out of the question with Bengals planning on making Chase the Division’s highest-paid non-Signal-caller. That means eclipsing Garrett’s new $40 million-per-year extension with the Browns.

Shutdown cornerbacks, like Surtain, are rarer commodities than Top-tier wide receivers. According to the NFL’s Upcoming Gen Stats, Surtain was on Chase for 43 of 56 coverage snaps when the Broncos played the Bengals in Week 17 last season. Surtain limited Chase to three catches for 27 yards on six targets.

10. Per-game Lineup bonus prevalence

The original intent of a per-game Lineup bonus was for a Club get some type of financial relief with a player coming off an Wound or because of Toughness concerns if there was inability to remain Well. With this type of bonus, an amount is only payable Every time a player is on the game day active Lineup.

Per-game Lineup bonuses are becoming increasingly prevalent in NFL contracts, particularly with players who don’t have a history of getting hurt. It’s impossible to sign a contract of significance on Many Clubs, including the 49ers and Patriots, without per-game Lineup bonuses.

The Patriots are Seizing per-game Lineup bonuses to an extreme. For example, Williams’ four-year contract averaging $26 million per year contains $8.5 million in per-game Lineup bonuses. He has $2.55 million ($150,000 for Every game active) in 2027 and 2028.

The biggest per-game Lineup bonus I can recall before the Williams deal is Ex 49ers Signal-caller Colin Kapernick with $2 million annually ($125,000 per game) in his 2014 contract extension. A shoulder Wound in 2015 that ended Kapernick’s season after nine Contests cost him $875,000 since he didn’t earn seven Contests worth of per-game Lineup bonuses.