As we transfer via NFL OTAs and necessary minicamps to gear up for the beginning of coaching camps on the finish of July, a handful of massive names have unsure futures — contractually talking — with their groups. So, we checked in across the league on the place issues stand for a number of stars who both might receives a commission this summer time or stroll subsequent offseason.
A number of of the sport’s premier cross rushers are searching for big-money offers, and it will likely be fascinating to see which groups are in a position to accommodate them.
NFL Nation offers the most recent on every participant and what’s subsequent. Let’s dive in.
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Franchise tag | 2026 FAs | 2027 FAs
On the franchise tag
Newest on negotiations: The Chiefs did not make Smith their franchise participant or commerce their different beginning guard, Joe Thuney, simply to look at Smith go away in free company in March after the one-year contract he not too long ago signed expires.
“There is no secret there that we might wish to get Trey locked up,” normal supervisor Brett Veach stated.
The Chiefs are making the re-signing of Smith extra of a right away precedence than that for both cornerback Trent McDuffie or defensive finish George Karlaftis. They exercised the fifth-year choices on the contracts of McDuffie and Karlaftis so they’re each signed via the 2026 season.
Smith can moderately anticipate a contract that may make him the highest-paid guard within the league. — Adam Teicher
2026 free brokers
Newest on negotiations: Many thought Pitts might have been a commerce candidate this offseason, however he has extra worth to the Falcons within the quick time period than no matter they may have gotten in return.
This can be a contract 12 months for Pitts — and a pivotal one for his profession. There’s a likelihood the Falcons might re-sign him earlier than or through the season. Nevertheless it appears extra possible they will see how issues go on the sphere.
Pitts had one of many nice rookie seasons in historical past at tight finish (68 catches for 1,026 yards), however he has struggled with accidents and inconsistency over the previous three seasons. Atlanta has hope that Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback brings out the previous Pitts, or not less than an improved model in comparison with the previous few seasons. — Marc Raimondi
Newest on negotiations: Cook dinner is coming into the ultimate 12 months of his rookie deal, and whereas three different members of his draft class acquired extensions this offseason, that hasn’t been the case for the working again.
There have been discussions between Cook dinner’s camp and the Payments a few new deal, however normal supervisor Brandon Beane stated on the finish of March that he did not “see us getting one thing carried out anytime quickly.” That does not imply they would not signal him sooner or later.
Cook dinner was the one participant not in attendance for the Payments’ voluntary OTAs on Tuesday and has made it clear on social media that he would love an extension, even pinning as soon as when stay on Instagram this offseason, “15 mill [per] 12 months.”
“We’re staying in contact, such as you’d anticipate a participant and a coach to do,” Sean McDermott stated on Tuesday. “So, James might be right here when he is able to be right here and we transfer ahead.” — Alaina Getzenberg
0:53
Schrager: I believe Payments need to pay James Cook dinner however not at asking worth
Peter Schrager tells Pat McAfee that the Payments need to hold James Cook dinner, however not on the wage figures at present being mentioned.
Newest on negotiations: Hendrickson has no want to play out the ultimate 12 months of his contract. He’s set to earn $15.8 million in base wage this season however is angling for a long-term cope with a wholesome quantity of assured cash.
Cincinnati, alternatively, prefers a short-term contract for the All-Professional defensive finish who will flip 31 in December.
Hendrickson has been one of many NFL’s greatest values. He ranks third in sacks (57) and strain price (13.4%) since 2021, however he’s eleventh in common annual wage amongst edge rushers. Cincinnati has $24.7 million in obtainable cap area, per Roster Administration System. Each side might want to discover a center floor to ensure that Hendrickson to play in Cincinnati in 2025.
“Each events ought to perceive {that a} long-term contract with ensures that I can proceed to play on the degree that I’ve been is a mutual respect the place that is the place my values lie,” Hendrickson stated on Might 13. — Ben Child
Newest on negotiations: After Jerry Jones and Parsons had a non-public assembly in March by which the proprietor and normal supervisor felt they’d an settlement on the size of the deal, whole {dollars} and the assured cash, issues have slowed significantly. There has not been a lot dialogue from both aspect on closing any gaps.
It is shaping up as one other hurry-up-and-wait negotiation, very similar to the Cowboys had final offseason with CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott. Lamb missed virtually all of coaching camp earlier than signing in August. Prescott’s deal was finalized the day of the season opener, however he didn’t miss a observe.
Parsons has been round for components of the offseason. The subsequent key date would be the necessary minicamp that runs June 10-12. Lamb skipped that final 12 months. May Parsons do the identical this 12 months? — Todd Archer
1:08
Clark: Micah Parsons will obliterate Myles Garrett’s contract report
Ryan Clark explains why he expects Micah Parsons’ contract with the Cowboys to surpass Myles Garrett’s report cope with the Browns.
Newest on negotiations: Sutton’s case is exclusive given the Broncos dug of their heels a 12 months in the past on not giving the veteran receiver a brand new contract, so he stayed away from the group’s offseason program. He did attend minicamp final June and arranged exercises at SMU with quarterback Bo Nix and the group’s different cross catchers. The Broncos finally tweaked his deal, however with no new assured cash, as $11.79 million of his base wage was transformed to a signing bonus to go together with some incentive bonuses that Sutton finally earned when he led the group in each main receiving class. He turned Nix’s most valued and trusted goal — 80 extra targets than the subsequent vast receiver.
The Broncos have had discussions a few new deal since final season ended, and each side, regardless of final spring’s consternation, have publicly stated they need a long-term deal carried out. Normal supervisor George Paton stated: “Courtland is one among our guys, group captain … we wish him right here.” And coach Sean Payton has referred to as Sutton “essential to what we’re doing.” — Jeff Legwold
Newest on negotiations: As a result of Bonitto was a second-round choose in 2022, the Broncos haven’t got the fifth-year possibility as a cushion of their negotiations with the sting rusher, who had 13.5 sacks and was second-team All-Professional final season. The 25-year-old is scheduled to be a free agent after the upcoming season, and the Broncos must give him a deal commensurate with the league’s greatest edge rushers to maintain him.
Montez Sweat’s deal in 2023, which averages $24.5 million per 12 months, is the possible flooring for the ascending Bonitto, who helped Denver lead the NFL in sacks in 2024.
The Broncos nonetheless have $32 million remaining in useless cap from Russell Wilson’s launch, however Paton has referred to as signing Bonitto a precedence, including that they need him “right here for a very long time.” It’d behoove the Broncos to get him signed earlier, as a wholesome, productive 2025 season would drive up his worth. — Legwold
Newest on negotiations: Miller desires a brand new contract, however his demand hasn’t saved him from being on the observe discipline. After it was reported final month by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that Miller was not taking part within the group’s voluntary offseason program, the 29-year-old returned to the ability and was at OTAs final week.
Miller is within the closing 12 months of his contract and has a cap hit of $15.7 million. When normal supervisor John Spytek was requested about Miller’s contract scenario forward of the draft, he declined to reply. However earlier within the offseason, he talked about that contract extensions are on a case-by-case foundation. The Raiders have handed out extensions to defensive finish Maxx Crosby, quarterback Geno Smith and punter AJ Cole.
Miller has been a dependable presence up entrance, beginning 107 of 109 profession video games with the Raiders. It is smart to lock him in on a long-term deal. Las Vegas has $38.6 million in cap area. — Ryan McFadden
Newest on negotiations: Slater made the Professional Bowl for the primary time since his rookie season, reestablishing himself as one of many league’s high offensive tackles. Amongst tackles, he completed tenth in run block win price final season (78.6%).
Slater has been mum on his contract publicly and did not attend the Chargers’ non-obligatory offseason program. Nonetheless, normal supervisor Joe Hortiz stated in April that L.A. is having extension talks with Slater’s representatives and is hopeful {that a} deal might be made.
The Chargers have $26 million in wage cap area that can possible enhance if a deal will get carried out with Slater, as groups usually prorate a participant’s signing bonus over the size of a brand new contract, which means a smaller portion of that bonus counts in opposition to the wage cap within the first 12 months. — Kris Rhim
Newest on negotiations: On the league conferences in April, Rams coach Sean McVay and normal supervisor Les Snead met with Williams’ agent a few doable extension. That morning, McVay stated Williams “is aware of how essential he’s to us.” McVay stated the perimeters are aside on a quantity, though he wouldn’t say how far.
“So far as simply bridging that hole, we’ll see how far now we have to go for that, however he’s an important a part of what we need to be shifting ahead,” McVay stated.
The Rams have $19.5 million of cap area in 2025 and $75 million in ’26, however they produce other massive extensions on the horizon. After the 2025 season, the Rams’ 2023 draft class that features Puka Nacua, Kobie Turner, Steve Avila and Byron Younger can start to barter contract extensions. — Sarah Barshop
Newest on negotiations: Watt wasn’t amongst these noticed on the sphere through the first day of OTAs on Tuesday, however that is not essentially a shock as he and the Steelers proceed to barter. The group has been clear they need Watt to be a “one-helmet” man, and at league conferences in late March, normal supervisor Omar Khan stated he was “hopeful” Watt would end his profession as a Steeler.
Watt posted an Instagram story sporting his Steelers uniform in a recreation and flashing a peace sign up April with none additional clarification. The Steelers usually get extensions carried out later within the offseason, so it is not time to panic fairly but, however issues will not be going as easily as Khan hoped. — Brooke Pryor
Newest on negotiations: Washington clearly want to hold McLaurin round. He is coming off his greatest season general — 82 receptions for 1,096 yards and a career-best 13 touchdowns. He clicked with quarterback Jayden Daniels and has established himself as a No. 1 receiver within the league. He is a revered voice within the locker room and hasn’t missed a recreation since 2020.
Nonetheless, he turns 30 this summer time, so how a lot can the Commanders put money into a participant who might be approaching his mid-30s when the contract ends?
The edges have been speaking for some time, and McLaurin skipped final week’s voluntary OTA session — after attending all of the prior offseason exercises. McLaurin missed some OTA work in 2022 when he was final up for an extension.
“We need to make Terry a Commander for a very long time,” normal supervisor Adam Peters stated earlier this offseason. “He bought higher and higher because the season went on, not solely as a participant, however as a frontrunner. It was actually spectacular to see him develop a lot. You consider Terry as this pristine, polished participant, however then he bought even higher.” — John Keim
2027 free brokers
Newest on negotiations: The Falcons picked up London’s fifth-year possibility in April and have made it very clear that preserving the rising vast receiver with the franchise for a lot of seasons to return is a high-priority merchandise.
London had profession highs in receiving yards (1,207), receptions (100) and touchdowns (9) in 2024 regardless of Kirk Cousins’ struggles. And there’s a perception internally that, with Michael Penix Jr. throwing to him, London will take his recreation to a different degree in 2025 and past.
His contract scenario is not more likely to get sorted out absolutely till subsequent offseason, however the Falcons are dedicated to preserving the Penix-London mixture collectively for the long run. — Raimondi
Newest on negotiations: The Ravens used the fifth-year possibility on Hamilton, however it feels prefer it’s a matter of when — not if — he turns into the NFL’s highest-paid security.
Hamilton has rapidly change into one of many leaders and playmakers on protection, making him the kind of foundational participant round whom Baltimore likes to construct. At first of the offseason exercise program final month, Hamilton stated there haven’t been many talks with the Ravens about an extension.
“If it occurs this offseason, [that’s] cool,” Hamilton stated in April. “However I am not in a rush to get it carried out essentially.”
If Hamilton indicators an extension, he’s anticipated to surpass Detroit’s Kerby Joseph ($21.5 million per season) because the league’s highest-paid security. — Jamison Hensley
Newest on negotiations: The Lions picked up Hutchinson’s fifth-year possibility in April and see him as a foundational piece inside the group for years to return. The No. 2 choose of the 2022 NFL draft has earned respect as one of many league’s high younger cross rushers via his first three seasons however is coming off a season-ending leg damage that restricted him to 5 video games in 2024.
Hutchinson not too long ago introduced that he’s absolutely cleared for soccer exercise. Though he’s eligible for an extension, it is unclear when the Lions will attain an extension with him provided that he is underneath contract for the subsequent two seasons.
Detroit’s entrance workplace has established a monitor report of taking good care of their very own gamers with latest notable extensions to Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Alim McNeill and Kerby Joseph. — Eric Woodyard
Newest on negotiations: The Chiefs have not invested massive cash at cornerback since Brett Veach turned their normal supervisor in 2017. They traded Marcus Peters and L’Jarius Sneed earlier than they bought to free company and in addition noticed Charvarius Ward signal a profitable contract with the San Francisco 49ers.
However McDuffie might change all of that. The Chiefs see him as a great cornerback in coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive system, as a result of he can play outdoors or within the slot, is a succesful blitzer and a keen run defender.
There is no have to rush to a deal for both aspect. The Chiefs not too long ago exercised a fifth-year possibility on McDuffie’s contract, extending his deal via the 2026 season. For McDuffie, latest contracts signed by Pat Surtain II, Jaycee Horn and Derek Stingley Jr. lifted the cornerback market, and a brand new deal by Sauce Gardner would do the identical. — Teicher
Newest on negotiations: Gardner has professed his want to stick with the Jets long-term. The Texans’ Derek Stingley Jr. raised the ceiling together with his three-year, $90 million extension. Gardner is considered searching for not less than that a lot.
Gardner was an All-Professional in every of his first two seasons, however his play tailed off final season, because it did for lots of the Jets’ defenders. Nonetheless, he is nonetheless considered one of many high corners, a necessary place in coach Aaron Glenn’s man-heavy scheme. — Wealthy Cimini
Newest on negotiations: The brand new regime has made it clear that it values Wilson as a foundational participant. The sensation is mutual, as Wilson stated final week.
“I am hopeful I am a Jet for all times,” the receiver stated.
Talks are within the early levels; this seems like a scenario that can warmth up in coaching camp.
Regardless of inconsistent quarterback play, Wilson has recorded three straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons. He is in all probability searching for a deal within the $30 million-a-year vary. After June 2, the Jets might be among the many leaders in cap room, so there’s sufficient flexibility to make it occur. — Cimini
Newest on negotiations: The Seahawks picked up Cross’ fifth-year possibility in Might, marking the primary time they’ve carried out that with one among their very own first-round picks since John Schneider turned their normal supervisor in 2010. That units up Cross to make an estimated $17.56 million in 2026, although the 2 sides would certainly like to increase his rookie contract earlier than then.
After serving as his personal agent early in his profession, he employed Klutch Sports activities Group to signify him in negotiations on his second contract.
The Seahawks usually wait till properly after free company and the draft to increase their very own gamers, so the beginning of coaching camp is a practical timeframe for the 2 sides to get a deal carried out. The ninth general choose in 2022, Cross ranked sixteenth amongst all tackles final season in cross block win price whereas taking part in in all 17 video games for the second time in three seasons. — Brady Henderson
