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The 2024 NFL free-agency extravaganza has been exciting to monitor this offseason, and there has been no shortage of high-dollar contracts handed out to the likes of Kirk Cousins and Calvin Ridley. However, every time a massive contract is signed, you can expect more to follow.
When players like Cousins or Ridley get more money than expected, it only raises the price tag for future stars at each position. There are a ton of young players in today's NFL who are already very good or elite, and their new deals are sure to raise eyebrows moving forward.
In this article, we'll dive into nine players who could be extended before the start of the 2024 season in September. The players listed are all scheduled to become free agents in 2025, so their franchises are likely to try to extend their contracts before they can taste the open market next offseason. Let's dive in!
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Tua Tagovailoa, QB - Miami Dolphins
Career Stats: 66.9% completion, 12,639 passing yards, 81 passing touchdowns, 37 interceptions, 381 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns (53 games)
2023 PFF Grade: 88.4
Spotrac Market Value: Six years, $302.78 million ($50.46 million AAV)
There's plenty of debate on whether Tua Tagovailoa is an elite franchise quarterback, but he's looked the part of a high-end facilitator over the last two seasons. With head coach Mike McDaniel and WR Tyreek Hill assisting, the 2020 first-round pick has tossed 54 touchdowns while posting a 19-11 record since 2022.
While he may not "wow" NFL fans with arm strength and spectacular plays like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, he's played well enough to warrant an extension. We'll see if Miami offers him a new deal, or if they choose to franchise tag him next offseason.
TUA DIME TO TYREEK. 42-YARD TOUCHDOWN.
📺: #NEvsMIA on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Quwvdzpx7G pic.twitter.com/VI65QA6lZ0— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2023
Trevor Lawrence, QB - Jacksonville Jaguars
Career Stats: 63.8% completion, 11,770 passing yards, 58 passing touchdowns, 39 interceptions, 964 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns (50 games)
2023 PFF Grade: 79.7
Spotrac Market Value: Six years, $295.16 million ($49.19 million AAV)
Like Tagovailoa, Trevor Lawrence's level of play is a hot topic for debate. On one hand, he led the Jaguars to a playoff victory in 2022, but on the other hand, he seemingly regressed in 2023. It's worth noting he dealt with a flurry of injuries last season and still threw for a respectable 4,016 yards and 21 touchdowns. That said, he was viewed as a generational prospect coming out of Clemson, so people are expecting more.
LAWRENCE TO RIDLEY FOR THE 59-YARD TD
📺: #JAXvsTEN on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/X0vcyHUoyR pic.twitter.com/ELqgixz2VU— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024
Either way, the franchise has become a playoff contender after being bottom-feeders before his arrival, so a large chunk of change could be headed his way. The Jaguars have until early May to pick up his fifth-year option. If they do, extension talks might be held off until next offseason.
Jared Goff, QB - Detroit Lions
Career Stats: 64.7% completion, 30,429 passing yards, 185 passing touchdowns, 82 interceptions, 495 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns (117 games)
2023 PFF Grade: 84.4
Spotrac Market Value: Four years, $189.65 million ($37.46 million AAV)
Although Jared Goff had his struggles with the Los Angeles Rams, he was likely underrated during his tenure with Sean McVay. Now in Detroit with Dan Campbell, he is not taken for granted. The former No. 1 overall pick led the Lions to the organization's first playoff win since 1991 last season, and the offense has been the driving factor in team success over the last few years. The Lions boasted a top-five scoring offense in 2022 and 2023.
Goff to Reynolds puts the @Lions ahead, 10-3!
📺: #TBvsDET on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/frRD38BNYS pic.twitter.com/JKCL0Y5GxL— NFL (@NFL) January 21, 2024
It would be surprising if the team lets Goff leave the franchise anytime soon considering the decades of struggles before he took over at the QB spot. For his accomplishments and the trajectory of Detroit moving forward, he deserves every penny of a new mega-deal.
Justin Jefferson, WR - Minnesota Vikings
Career Stats: 392 receptions, 5,899 receiving yards, 30 receiving touchdowns, 28 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown (60 games)
2023 PFF Grade: 91.1
Spotrac Market Value: Four years, $117.65 million ($29.41 million AAV)
There's zero debate to be had here -- the Vikings should and almost certainly will sign Jefferson to a new, earth-shattering contract. The LSU product hit the league by storm in 2020 and was immediately viewed as a top-10 player at the position. A few years later, he's in the thick of the discussion to be the best wideout in the NFL, and he's on pace to finish as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
He's projected to sign a deal that pays him around $29 million per season, but it wouldn't be surprising if his new deal is above and beyond that number. Jefferson has three seasons of at least 1,400 receiving yards, and he posted 1,074 yards in 2023 despite missing seven games. Although he faces quarterback uncertainty following the departure of Kirk Cousins, we saw him post a whopping 192 receiving yards with Nick Mullens at the helm last year.
Man on a mission.@JJettas2 #ProBowlVote
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/E6AjKk5GjG
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 24, 2023
This one is a no-brainer, as Jefferson is a prime Randy Moss-level player early in his career.
CeeDee Lamb, WR - Dallas Cowboys
Career Stats: 395 receptions, 5,145 receiving yards, 32 receiving touchdowns, 318 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns (66 games)
2023 PFF Grade: 91.1
Spotrac Market Value: Four years, $115.44 million ($28.86 million AAV)
NFL fans and fantasy football enthusiasts have been waiting for the CeeDee Lamb mega-breakout, and it happened in 2023. He represented the No. 88 well last season, snagging 135 passes for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. He racked up at least 1,100 yards in the two seasons prior, but he put himself in the conversation with the elite players at the position in his fourth season as a pro.
UNREAL 92-YARD TD 😱😱😱
📺: #DETvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/urKeZaIvCL pic.twitter.com/uVK0ixWWZo— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023
The Cowboys don't seem to be interested in offering quarterback Dak Prescott or head coach Mike McCarthy a new deal ahead of the 2024 campaign, but locking up Lamb long term should be in the cards. The former Oklahoma Sooner will only be 25 years old when next season starts, so he should have plenty of dominant years ahead. Like with Jefferson, Lamb's contract could surpass his projection of almost $29 million per season.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR - Detroit Lions
Career Stats: 315 receptions, 3,588 receiving yards, 21 receiving touchdowns, 180 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown (49 games)
2023 PFF Grade: 90.6
Spotrac Market Value: Four years, $108.87 million ($27.22 million AAV)
Amon-Ra St. Brown flashed signs of growing into an elite receiver in the second half of his 2021 rookie season, and he has never looked back. He's become Jared Goff's go-to man all over the field, and his average yards per reception has improved each year.
AMON-RA ST. BROWN 70-YARD TD
📺: #MINvsDET on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/X0vcyHUoyR pic.twitter.com/rUyhJjUi0c— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024
The 24-year-old was a fourth-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, so the franchise does not have the chance to pick up his fifth-year option. They could franchise-tag him next year to keep him from hitting free agency, but it's more likely that he'll be extended this offseason.
The Sun God looks to be a lock for 100+ receptions per season moving forward, and with Goff ready to sign a new extension, this QB-WR duo could be one of the league's best combinations for years to come.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR - San Francisco 49ers
Career Stats: 269 receptions, 3,931 receiving yards, 25 receiving touchdowns, 117 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns (62 games)
2023 PFF Grade: 92.3
Spotrac Market Value: Four years, $96.09 million ($24.02 million AAV)
Brandon Aiyuk is trending in trade rumors, and it makes sense given the contracts of stars like Nick Bosa, Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey, and Fred Warner. With a Brock Purdy extension on the horizon next offseason, can the 49ers keep Aiyuk around? It's tough to know, but he's a candidate to sign a new deal with the 49ers or a new team that trades for him.
Despite playing in a star-studded offense full of high-end pass-catchers, Aiyuk caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023. All six of the other wide receivers to post at least 1,300 yards also caught at least 96 passes. That speaks to Aiyuk's efficiency and splash-play tools.
AIYUUUUUUUUUUUK AGAIN.
📺: #SFvsPIT on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/G4uoYVOqQn pic.twitter.com/oe2fa730Im— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2023
In a different offense with weaker target competition, Aiyuk could prove himself to be one of the game's best wideouts. He likely wants the chance to do just that, and he'll be signing a deal with a pretty paycheck soon.
Tristan Wirfs, OT - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Career Stats: 10 sacks allowed (63 games)
2023 PFF Grade: 81.1
Spotrac Market Value: Four years, $102.25 million ($25.56 million AAV)
When Tom Brady came to the Buccaneers in 2020, the roster looked great for Super Bowl contention, but the offensive line needed quick improvements. The franchise selected Tristan Wirfs with the No. 13 overall pick, and he was immediately one of the best players at the position. As a rookie, he gave up just one sack and earned an 81.8 PFF grade. Since then, he has been named to two All-Pro teams and three Pro Bowl rosters.
Although he gave up a career-high five sacks last season, it was mostly due to him playing a lot of left tackle, which was new for him in the NFL. Either way, he's a bona fide elite offensive tackle, which carries a premium on either side of the line. With Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans agreeing to new contracts recently, Wirfs could be next in line.
🚨TRISTAN WIRFS ELITE PLAYMAKER 🚨 pic.twitter.com/PdhIv3P7HN
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 12, 2023
Josh Allen, EDGE - Jacksonville Jaguars
Career Stats: 251 tackles (162 solo), 45 sacks, nine forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, two interceptions, eight passes defensed, 28.5 run stuffs (74 games)
2023 PFF Grade: 89.5
Spotrac Market Value: Five years, $119.93 million ($23.86 million AAV)
The Jaguars decided to place the franchise tag on Josh Allen ahead of 2024 free agency, but the 26-year-old could still get paid before Week 1.
Josh Allen is expected to be franchise tagged, per @RapSheet
Led the Jags with 17.5 sacks last year pic.twitter.com/cHu7HV3NyJ
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) March 5, 2024
Allen has been a good player since he entered the league in 2019, posting at least seven sacks in three of his first four seasons. However, he delivered big-time in Year 5 (the final season of his rookie deal). Allen racked up 17.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. High-end pass-rushers don't grow on trees, and as the NFL moves toward a pass-heavier game with each passing season, the studs at the position will continue to be financially rewarded.
It's possible that Jacksonville lets Allen play on the tag this year and lets him hit the open market next season, but as we know, that can lead to drama that can affect in-season success. This is one to keep an eye on.
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