Russell Wilson, 10 NFL Players on Prove-it Deals Capable of Cashing in This Season

Not every NFL free-agent signing is glamorous or franchise-changing. Some serve as short-term fixes, with the potential to turn into something bigger.

A fascinating sub-section of free agency exists, where teams splurge early in the market cycle then tighten the purse strings after those splashy signings. In doing so the NFL's middle class gets thinned and capable individuals are often left in a spot to take a short deal at a much lower price in order to prove themselves again for the following year's free agency.

As an example, Baker Mayfield signed a one-year, $4 million contract to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last offseason. Mayfield had to win a quarterback competition. He then had to play well enough to keep the job. He did so and helped the Bucs become a division winner playoff squad. He subsequently signed a three-year, $100 million contract this offseason to stay in Tampa.

The quarterback proved something along the way.

Others are now looking for similar opportunities. The following 10 individuals are operating under one-year deals this season, with the potential for far bigger paydays next offseason.

No one is going into this season expecting Russell Wilson to be the same Russell Wilson who helped lead the Seattle Seahawks to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances. He's far removed from that point in time, with a need to rebuild his reputation after a disastrous two-year tenure with the Denver Broncos, where the team endured the largest dead salary-cap hit in NFL history just to get rid him.

But—and this is can't be stated strongly enough—Wilson is still an upgrade over what the Pittsburgh Steelers fielded at quarterback last season.

The 35-year-old veteran wasn't the right fit in Denver after a disastrous first season with a head coach completely in over his head, then a poor stylistic fit for Sean Payton, who took over the following year. Still, Wilson threw for his highest completion percentage and most touchdown passes during a three-season span.

Comparatively, the Steelers' quarterbacks combined to throw 13 fewer touchdowns and 1 more interception.

Now, Wilson's start in Pittsburgh didn't go smoothly, since he suffered a strained calf during pre-camp conditioning. He lost valuable reps with the the Steelers' No. 1 offense. But Justin Fields hasn't done enough to outright claim the starting spot.

If Wilson provides a strong veteran presence, limits his turnovers and continues to show his trademark escapability, his status with the Steelers should extend beyond the 2024 campaign.

With Justin Herbert's foot injury, head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman may never throw the football. If their histories are any indication, the Los Angeles Chargers are going to run the ball early and often.

Still, today's game requires the ability to threaten a defense and pull an extra defender out of the box. Defenses already trend toward lighter boxes to offset the league's more prolific passing attacks. But someone on the Chargers roster may be able to make opponents pay when challenged down the field.

Instead of solidifying the team's wide receivers, the Chargers released Mike Williams then traded Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears.

Los Angeles did sign D.J. Chark Jr. as a free agent and draft Ladd McConkey in this year's second round. But neither should be viewed as an immediate upgrade over what was previously in place.

Chark has the ability to be a legitimate vertical threat. He was once a 1,000-yard receiver, but it's been five years since that occurred. He barely produced over 1,000 yards between the last two seasons combined.

However, a void exists in the Chargers offense that Chark has the potential to fill with a specific skill set, while being the most experienced option, even at 27.

Patrick Mahomes may hold the crown as the NFL's best player, but he's also a kingmaker.

When the Kansas City Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins. Mahomes probably said, "No problem."

Two Super Bowl victories later, the Chiefs' leading wide receivers during those runs were JuJu Smith-Schuster and the rookie Rashee Rice. The former signed elsewhere the following season, while Rice may be facing a league suspension after being charged with one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision involving injury by the Dallas Police Department.

Kansas City did sign Marquise Brown as a free agent, then drafted Xavier Worthy with this year's first-round pick.

Brown caught 209 passes for 2,291 yards and 13 touchdowns over the last three seasons. He's a speed merchant as an outside target, though he'll be slowed by injury going into the upcoming campaign.

The 27-year-old target suffered a sternoclavicular injury during the Chiefs' first preseason contest. He's expected to miss four to six weeks, according to Jordan Schultz.

Upon his return, Brown could easily slide into being the Chiefs' WR1 this season.

"Obviously, we lose a little bit of that veteran-type of receiver in that room," Mahomes told reporters, "...but to have that much talent and have a good understanding of what I want...hopefully, we get him back sooner rather than later."

A strong effort as Mahomes' favorite outside target could easily turn into a deal to serve in that same role for multiple seasons.

Tight end Mike Gesicki has operated on a one-year deal for three straight seasons. The expectation that he'll eventually break through and live up to his potential remains, even though he turns 29 later this year.

Gesicki is a tremendous athlete, who should be a consistent threat down the seam and in the red zone. Yet he's never fully transformed into that dominant version of himself.

During the 2020 and '21 campaigns, the tight end did manage 126 receptions for 1,483 yards and eight touchdowns.

After signing a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, Gesicki may finally be in a the perfect place to truly thrive. With Joe Burrow orchestrating the offense, as well as Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins working on the outside, Gesicki could fill the void left by slot receiver Tyler Boyd, who left to sign with the Tennessee Titans.

The tight end can work the middle of the field, as part of a dynamic passing attack. In turn, the Bengals could really use a player capable of creating mismatches from the position. In fact, no Bengals tight end has eclipsed 500 receiving yards since Tyler Eifert in 2015.

A breakthrough performance could come as a result of a player needing a specific team fit and vice versa. Otherwise, Gesicki may be looking for yet another short-term deal next offseason.

Ben Bredeson joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason knowing full well he would be forced to compete for a starting spot. Well, the decision was made for the Bucs since fellow guard Sua Opeta suffered a season-ending torn ACL last month.

Bredeson is now entrenched at left guard, where he'll be playing between Pro Bowl left tackle Tristan Wirfs and (eventually) first-round rookie center Graham Barton.

"Ben has been so great to me, especially coming into (organized team activities) and now just being a veteran presence for me at left guard and I'm right there at center," Barton said, per the Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud. "... Just having his experience and having a vet next to you at the line of scrimmage is very helpful."

Bredeson started 24 games over the last two seasons, including 16 last year. He's 26. With Tampa Bay's offensive line coming together, Bredeson could easily become a mainstay by signing a contract extension after this season.

"Just a pro's pro. He's played a lot of ball. Sharp guy," Bucs offensive line coach Kevin Carberry said. "Great in the meeting room. Great on the grass field. He's one of those pros that's just a pleasure to coach. We've all got to continue to get better. ... We've got to continue to develop as the year goes on. But he's been a great fit in the room."

Offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn hasn't been able to stay healthy. He's played more than 10 games during a season only once since coming into the league as a first-round pick in 2018, hence the reticence of a one-year contract.

To that point, Wynn is still on the Miami Dolphins' physically unable to perform list while he deals with a quad injury that he suffered last season.

According to Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, the projected starter at left guard continues to deal with "compounding stuff," per Pro Football Network's Adam Beasley.

When healthy, Wynn is a capable veteran, with position versatility. As of now, his absence creates questions along the offensive interior. Robert Jones has slid into the left guard opening as the top option throughout training camp. Jones does have 13 career starts after entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2021.

To make matters worse, center Aaron Brewer is currently dealing with a hand injury, which forced right guard Liam Eichenberg to slide over the ball.

Wynn can calm the waters by getting healthy and settling one of those interior spots. Then, he'll have another season to prove he's capable of staying in the lineup to earn a long-term deal.

Chase Young was supposed to be the NFL's next great, young defensive end, hence why the Washington Commanders drafted him with the second overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

But injuries have played their part, with questions about effort rising along the way.

After finally overcoming a devastating knee injury that limited the '20 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year to only 12 games during the following two seasons, Young didn't make it through a full campaign with the Commanders before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers at last year's in-season deadline.

Even with Young playing in 16 games and registering 7.5 sacks between his two stops, the defensive lineman still dealt with a neck injury.

The 25-year-old entered free agency and signed a one-year, $13 million contract to join the New Orleans Saints, where he adds some juice opposite long-time veteran Cameron Jordan.

"Everything he's that done to this point, coming in here, he's exceeded expectations in terms of his work ethic," Saints head coach Dennis Allen told reporters. "In terms of coming in and doing everything we've asked him to do, he's bought into everything. And when you see him out here you notice him when he's on the field. He's a disruptive force."

A healthy and motivated Young can be building block at a premium position. The Saints hope so.

Javon Kinlaw is used to playing among a loaded defensive line. He'll just do so for the New York Jets now instead of the San Francisco 49ers. The Jets think he's in the right situation to blossom, as the Niners originally envisioned when selecting the defensive tackle 14th overall four years ago.

"I mean Kinlaw is a creature. I mean he's a beast, man," Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers told reporters when discussing the 6'5", 319-pound defensive lineman. "I haven't seen a guy like that too many times in the league."

The 26-year-old veteran continues to be surrounded by talent. He went from Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave flanking him to Quinnen Williams, Jermaine Johnson II, Will McDonald and possibly Haason Reddick serving as running mates.

Kinlaw played in only 10 games during his second and third seasons before bouncing back last year. He's has a history of knee issues. But when the defensive tackle is running full tilt, he's long, powerful and explosive.

"I've been through a lot, that's all I can really say. But I never gave up," Kinlaw said. "A lot of people would've gave up. But I never gave up."

A spotlight will be placed on the Jets this season. Kinlaw has every opportunity to show everyone what he's all about as part of an excellent defense.

These aren't your Legion of Boom-shaped Seattle Seahawks anymore. Pete Carroll is no longer the head coach. Bobby Wagner is gone (again). The linebacker room looks extremely different under new coach Mike Macdonald, who brings his experience as the Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator along with him.

Tyrel Dodson is finally getting his shot to be a full-time starter at the NFL level.

Dodson entered the league in 2019 as an undrafted free agent. Matt Milano's season-ending injury last year allowed Dodson to start 10 games. With Milano coming back (before suffering another season-ending injury during training camp), the Bills allowed Dodson to leave in free agency, where he saw a chance to play in Seattle.

"You got to maximize your opportunity when you get your turn," Dodson told reporters. "It felt good because being an undrafted guy those opportunities are slim, so you have to maximize when you get those opportunities."

The 26-year-old veteran graded as the league's second-best off-ball linebacker last season, per Pro Football Focus. Now, he enters the season as an entrenched starter for the first time alongside the fellow free-agent signing of Jerome Baker.

Both Dodson and Baker are under one-year deals. Dodson has a chance to prove last season wasn't an aberration and turn his current contract into a massive extension.

Even as a 26-year-old veteran with extensive starting experience, Jeremy Chinn was another victim of the down safety market. He's ready to change how people view him, though.

"I am pissed off," Chinn said during an interview with Bryan Colbert Jr. of the Commanders official site. "It's just a whole lot that needs to be shown on that field and I'm excited to show all of it."

When the Carolina Panthers originally drafted Chinn in the second round of the 2020 class, he projected as a possible defensive chess piece, much like Derwin James. After all, he's a 6'3", 220-pound hybrid.

Yet the organization seemed determined to pigeonhole him into one position, then couldn't decide what position that should be.

Upon reaching free agency this offseason, Chinn joined the Commanders. It's an interesting fit based on how head coach Dan Quinn revived the career of Jayron Kearse—another oversized safety—during his time as defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys.

Chinn is a natural safety despite his bigger frame. It's where he played at the collegiate level. It's where he's most comfortable. Quinn can move him all over the field, but he should be best positioned to take on a similar role to the one Kearse provided within the Cowboys defensive scheme.