Big Money Moves: 3 Players Who Will Reset the NFL Market in 2025
- Jake Barkin
- Jan 11
- 5 min read
Every NFL season, we always tend to see players exceed their expectations leading to large contract extensions that reset the market for their position. This season, there is a quarterback, running back, and wide receiver who will all be individually resetting the market in their respective positions. These upcoming contract extensions will set the financial landscape for years to come as other players in their positions can potentially earn a similar contract if they play as well. Let's break down and analyze three NFL stars who will force their teams to open up their chequebooks this year.
Firstly, the Minnesota Vikings will look to resign and extend their starting quarterback Sam Darnold as he has had an exceptional season in his first year with the Vikings. While he was not signed originally to start for the Vikings, Vikings first-round pick J.J. McCarthy suffered a brutal injury as he tore his meniscus before the regular season even began. While many expected Darnold to be a one-year rental just filling in for one year before McCarthy returns, Sam Darnold has been an elite quarterback this year leading his team to an outstanding 14-3 record. While Darnold has not played perfectly, he has taken a Vikings team to the playoffs after missing the postseason last year. With the help of head coach and play-caller Kevin O’Connell, the two have meshed well together creating a dangerous offence. Similar to quarterback Jared Goff, Sam Darnold while not the most athletic player has excelled by doing the simple things efficiently. Darnold this season has shown he can bravely step into a collapsing pocket and find the right read before he gets sacked. Darnold has also been very efficient on play action as he has improved his footwork and accuracy as well. The former third-overall pick has finally silenced all the critics and has proven he can be a franchise quarterback.
Passing for 35 touchdowns and over 4300 yards in addition to going 14-3 has allowed Darnold to reset the market for other quarterbacks similar to his position. While I do not believe he will be paid the highest amount for any quarterback in the NFL, Sam Darnold will be the first quarterback to make at least $50 million per season after just playing one season on a new team. It is very unlikely that the Vikings are desperate enough to pay him $60 million a season which Dak Prescott is currently being paid as the highest-paid player in the NFL. However, the last time a quarterback was being passed around the league and got an extension after their first season was Baker Mayfield who only is being paid $33.3 million a season. Expect Darnold to sign a two to four-year contract extension that will make him around $50 million per season resetting the market for quarterbacks who are looking to revamp their career on a new team.
Moving on, after an inconsistent rookie season where he even fumbled on his first-ever carry, Buffalo Bills star running back James Cook has been sensational for the Bills for the last two seasons and is due this offseason to reset the running back market. After the departure of Bills offensive coordinator and play caller Ken Dorsey, James Cook has been a huge success with the Bills as new offensive coordinator and play caller Joe Brady has implemented James Cook’s unique abilities into the dangerous Bills offence perfectly. With opposing defences having to focus on Josh Allen as a passer and a runner, James Cook has been able to be a weapon for the Bills as a runner and a receiver too. With an elite offensive line, James Cook has been able to create explosive plays on the ground in addition to beating the opposing team's slower linebackers on wheel routes and checkdowns too. After finishing second in the league in rushing touchdowns with sixteen even with Josh Allen stealing a lot of the red zone touchdowns using the infamous tush push, James Cook is set to be paid the highest amount for any running back in the NFL.
As Christian McCaffery’s $19 million per season contract is leading all running backs in salary, I expect James Cook to be paid at least $20 million annually throughout three to five seasons. As the former Georgia Bulldog is still in just his third season, his young age and rising potential are just a couple of reasons why Bills general manager Brandon Beane will want to extend James Cook as soon as possible. Even though James Cook's rookie contract does not expire until the end of the 2025 season, the Bills do not want to make the mistake of having to watch Cook play even better and be forced to pay him even more. As the running back position is notorious for its short career span and high injury risk, paying them long-term and guaranteed money is an extremely large risk for franchises. This implies that a contract extension for James Cook will significantly help running backs be paid more in the future as these athletes deserve to be rewarded for succeeding in such a dangerous sport.
At last, the most anticipated player on this list is Ja’Marr Chase as he will be one of the most heavily discussed players during this upcoming NFL offseason. Even though his contract does not expire until the end of next season, the former first-round pick was looking to be extended by the Cincinnati Bengals before the 2024 season even began. After Chase and his agency could not agree on a fair price with the Bengals, Chase decided to play the entire season and ignore any contract negotiations as Chase wanted to put his money where his mouth was and earn the contract he wanted. As the Bengals at the time did not want to pay Chase record-setting money at the wide receiver position, they will not be left with any choice as Chase won the triple crown for receivers this year by leading the league in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. With 127 catches, 1708 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns, the Bengals are heavily regretting not extending Chase before his career year.
As it currently stands, the Bengals this offseason will have limited options financially as Chase’s LSU and Bengals teammate Joe Burrow’s annual $48 million is taking up a large portion of the Bengals salary cap. It is also worth mentioning that the other Bengals star receiver Tee Higgins is currently in the last year of his rookie contract with the Bengals who is also deserving of a large contract extension. Ja’Marr’s other former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson currently is making $35 million annually which is the highest amount for any wide receiver in the NFL. With the Bengals season over as they just missed out on the Playoffs as the eighth seed in the AFC, it can be assumed that the Bengals are already preparing for the offseason. It can be expected that Ja’Marr will be extended by the Bengals this offseason and will make around $40-45 million annually over the next four to six seasons. Tee Higgins on the other hand will have a choice of taking a pay cut to stay with the Bengals or will be traded to another team who can pay him the money he deserves. As the Bengals cannot afford to pay both Chase and Higgins, I expect the Bengals to trade Higgins away to an NFC team such as the Carolina Panthers who can use a receiver desperately and pay him what he deserves as well. It can be expected that Higgins will be paid around $35 million annually if he goes to a new team but will be paid $28-31 million annually if he decides to stick around with the Bengals long-term.
What are your thoughts about the upcoming NFL offseason? Let me know your thoughts on this situation and if you believe the Bengals will be able to afford both Chase and Higgins. Stay tuned as I upload daily articles covering everything you need to know about the NFL and UFC. Follow the official X account of Blitz & Brawlers to know when I post my articles every day.
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