With the offseason just weeks away, it's the perfect time to examine which players have earned themselves big-money contracts with their performances this season.
This is Year 3 of this exercise. In the first edition, I hit on five quarterbacks who signed lucrative extensions. Last year, 12 of the 13 players I listed signed massive paydays, with Cincinnati wide receiver Tee Higgins the only one who didn't get a multi-year deal. There will be more on him in a second.
I'm taking another crack at it this year. One thing to note: Rather than simply listing every productive player who is either headed for free agency or becoming eligible for an extension, I wanted to focus on guys whose 2024 output, in particular, will be the primary reason they'll likely be in line for new money in the coming months. In other words, you won't see big names like superstar receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who was already destined to become of the highest-paid players at his position even before he won the receiving triple crown this year.
Below are nine players who I think are most deserving of fat new contracts in 2025 (listed in alphabetical order).
Offense
Darnold was brought in as a bridge quarterback for 2024 until first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy was ready to take over. He became the guy under center in August when McCarthy went down with an injury, and Darnold played extremely well in Kevin O'Connell's offense for 17 weeks -- throwing for 4,153 yards, 35 touchdowns and tallying a 106.4 passer rating while leading Minnesota to 14 wins -- before succumbing to old habits in the final two games. Despite faltering in those contests that included a wild-card blowout loss, Darnold is one of the best QB options on the market. Combine his career campaign with the fact that this year's draft class isn't great at the position, and Darnold is in line for a nice payday.
After moving on from Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard in recent years, Dallas handed the backfield reins to first-time starter Dowdle in 2024. He made the most of his opportunity, rushing for 1,079 yards, including four 100-yard games in the second half of the season, and scoring five total touchdowns -- doing it all while on a one-year, $1.255 million deal. Dowdle's breakout campaign, in which he rushed for 4.6 yards per carry, has earned him a multi-year contract.
Higgins is the headliner of this year's list, and the only repeater from last year's. He's here again because of last offseason's saga that included a trade request before Higgins eventually signed the franchise tag; Cincinnati and Higgins never seemed to gain traction on a long-term deal. While teammate Ja'Marr Chase dominated on the stat sheet in 2024, the 6-foot-4, 219-pound Higgins averaged 75.9 receiving yards per game (most since the 2021 season) and connected with Joe Burrow for a career-high 10 touchdowns. This trio has expressed wanting to stay together, and it's obvious why. The Bengals offense is one of the NFL's best when these three are all healthy and available. That said, the Bengals still need to pay Chase, and Higgins will be one of the best receivers in free agency this offseason, after posting two 1,000-yard seasons in his five years in Cincinnati. Higgins was 89 yards shy of his third 1K campaign this season despite playing in just 12 games. He's got to stay healthy, but I'm willing to bet several teams will be willing to shell out beaucoup bucks for his services.
The Chiefs offense certainly worked through some issues this season, but Smith's play wasn't one of them. The 6-6, 321-pound guard was exceptional in his fourth pro season, giving up exactly zero sacks on 742 pass-blocking snaps, per PFF. His stellar performance upfront, within a unit that had problems at both tackle spots, played a significant part in the Chiefs appearing in their seventh consecutive AFC Championship Game. It also earned him his first Pro Bowl nod and, almost certainly, a huge contract this offseason.
After signing a mega extension with Baltimore during the 2020 offseason, Stanley struggled to stay healthy. He missed 10 games in Year 1 of his new deal, and then another 26 over the next three seasons. He restructured his contract last offseason (he took a $7.5 million pay cut, per Over The Cap) -- betting on himself in the process. He played in all 17 games for the Ravens in 2024 and re-solidified himself as a great tackle by allowing just two sacks on 590 pass-blocking snaps, per PFF, and helping pave the way for Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and the NFL's No. 1 run game. Great left tackles are hard to come by in this league, and Stanley surely improved his value with his health and performance this season.
Defense
After underwhelming during his four seasons in New Orleans, Baun has thrived in Philly under Vic Fangio. As a full-time starter in the middle of Fangio's defense, Baun recorded 151 tackles (including 11 for loss), five QB hits, five forced fumbles, four passes defensed, 3.5 sacks and an interception, which ultimately earned him first-team All-Pro honors. He has proven to be one of the best additions to any unit this year, but I'm sure some front offices will wonder whether he can continue this level of play outside of Fangio's system. Time will tell, but one thing is for sure: Baun has earned himself a multi-year deal.
Holland has been a playmaker for the Dolphins since Miami selected him 36th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. He's a versatile safety with great instincts and tackling ability, which allows him to play deep in the middle of the field or up in the box. As a guy who can play in any defensive scheme, look for Holland to earn a contract similar to the one Jessie Bates III signed with the Falcons in 2023.
After four so-so seasons with the Cardinals, Murphy joined the Vikings in 2023 on a two-year deal worth $17.5 million. Murphy has shined in Brian Flores' defense, with the savvy defensive coordinator putting the corner in position to make big and timely plays. Murphy recorded three interceptions in his first campaign with the Vikings and doubled that figure in 2024; his team-high six picks helped the Vikings lead the league with 24 total interceptions. The veteran's impressive production, while splitting time in the slot and out wide, earned him his first Pro Bowl selection.
Williams has spent a majority of his four seasons in Philly as a rotational player along the defensive interior. But he really stepped up this year, playing some of his best football for the Eagles' top-ranked defense in 2024. In 17 games (including playoffs), Williams registered six sacks, 51 total pressures and one forced fumble, per PFF. By comparison, Williams' previous career high in pressures was 27 in 2023. He is a young player who always seems to be in the mix when Philly makes a splash play. I think he showed enough this season to earn a full-time starting position for a team in 2025.
