After Justin Jefferson signed the richest contract in NFL history for a non-quarterback, the question was who would be next. Jefferson got $140 million over four years, plus $110 million guaranteed, and was guaranteed to become the face of the NFL. Minnesota Vikings a month of Sundays.
In recent years, the NFL contract market has been renovated at an incredible pace by players. Last summer, quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow signed the richest contracts in NFL history, with Burrow coming out on top. Before Jefferson, Nick Bosa signed the richest contract in history for a non-quarterback. 49ers It paid DE $170 million in September last year.
With all this known, here are some players who will reset the market next at each position, including QB.
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Lawrence and the Jaggers Already communicating extensively about the extensionBoth sides are hoping to get a deal done before the season begins. With the Cowboys and QB Dak Prescott’s deal moving very slowly and QB Tua Tagovailoa’s deal with Miami still to be finalized, Lawrence and the Jaguars have a chance to get as close as possible to or even beat Joe Burrow’s contract before deals start to surge again.
While the stats may not reflect that well, Lawrence is one of the best quarterbacks in the entire league and with another solid year, Duvall could be considered the best quarterback in Jaguars history. Paying him is a top priority and he could be the next big contract at quarterback.
Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have two receiver contracts they’ll eventually have to deal with, with Chase and teammate Tee Higgins both hoping for big new deals. I think Chase is more likely to land a Jefferson Range deal than Higgins, and there’s a good reason for that. Since entering the league, he’s been one of the best receivers in football, and his play has helped elevate the team’s QB Joe Burrow and other skill position players.
Chase is also very young and keeping him in Cincinnati until his prime is really the biggest part of this whole thing. You pay elite players, and Chase is one of the elite players.
Patrick Surtain II, CB, Denver Broncos
Lost in the confusion Denver BroncosThe NBA’s biggest strength is that they have the best cornerback in football in Patrick Surtin II. While the offense is finding itself, losing itself and everything in between, Surtin is trying to hold the defense together, and he’s been pretty successful. Surtin shadows the other team’s best receivers and allows the defensive coordinator to worry about 10 other guys on the other side of the ball.
the current, PackersJaire Alexander is under contract at $21 million, the highest average annual yield (APY) of any cornerback contract in the NFL, and Surtain should easily surpass that figure, especially if an ownership group is willing to spend big money.
Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Tristan Wirfs, OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It’s time to add the big boys to this list! Wirfs is one of the most valuable players in football regardless of position, and his ability to go from right tackle to left tackle without a moment’s hesitation makes him a Buccaneers Living life post-Tom Brady, he is currently on his fifth-year option and should reshape the market as the highest-paid tackle in the game.
Detroit Lions Tackle Penei Sewell just blew the market away with his recent contract, but Wirfs should easily approach or beat that deal because he’s such a valuable asset to the Buccaneers.
Micah Parsons, EDGE, Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys will need to pay a lot of players in the near future, and Parsons should be one of the top picks. The dynamic pass rusher has been one of the best defenders since he entered the league and has consistently been a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year awards. It will be interesting to see how the Cowboys pay him. Dallas obviously exercised his fifth-year option, but neither team has done much with him since then.
With contracts in the works for both Josh Allen and Brian Barnes (and a Myles Garrett extension potentially on the way), Parsons’ price understandably continues to rise.
SOURCE Gardner, CB, New York Jets
It’s fun to see two players playing the same position reset their respective markets here. Gardner has quickly established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in football. His contract ends after the 2025 season, but the Jets would be wise to get in a good position to sign Gardner before prices rise again. He would set the tone for the Jets defense and bring physical play to the outside cornerback position. New York has some young players to pay, such as WR Garrett Wilson, but Gardner should be at the top of the list.
