Projecting Contracts for NFL Players Who Could Reset Major Position Markets in 2025

This offseason, several NFL players signed deals that top their position market in terms of average annual value. As training camps open, wideout Ja'Marr Chase and offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs could also land megadeals.

Let's fast forward to the 2025 offseason. Who may be at the top of their position in annual salary by the end of next summer?

Between a mix of impending free agents and third-year players who will be eligible for extensions next year, we have highlighted eight players (all at different positions) who could be the biggest potential earners in 2025 and provided estimates for each deal.

Our list below factors in a player's recent production, age and a forecast of his 2024 season to determine who has the best chance to reset position markets in average annual value next year.

Nick Chubb will garner some buzz among impending free agents if the Cleveland Browns allow him to hit the open market, but he's going into his age-29 term coming off a torn ACL. The club hasn't set a timetable for Chubb's return.

At 25, Travis Etienne is a few years younger than Chubb. He also plays a bigger role in his team's short passing attack, which will allow his agent to push the envelope at the negotiating table.

After Etienne sat out his entire rookie campaign with a foot injury, he's bounced back with 1,400-plus scrimmage yards in consecutive terms. Between 2022 and 2023, Etienne saw a drop-off in his rushing yards per game, but he more than doubled his touchdown total in the same time span.

Last year, the Jacksonville Jaguars turned the ball over at an alarming rate, particularly in the second half of the campaign, which contributed to their late-season slide. Head coach Doug Pederson called out quarterback Trevor Lawrence for his poor ball security.

This offseason, the Jaguars signed Lawrence to a market-setting contract that's equal to Joe Burrow's deal in total value. However, Jacksonville may take a more conservative approach on offense to protect the ball, which could result in a heavier workload for Etienne.

If Etienne has a more efficient year than the last running the ball, he will get the big bucks heading into his 2025 option year.

Contract: Three years, $58 million ($25 million guaranteed)

We recently discussed Sauce Garnder as someone who should be the highest-paid player at his position—that could become a reality in 2025.

Assuming Gardner continues to perform at his current level, he will probably be the top earner among cornerbacks next year.

Gardner doesn't have an impressive number of interceptions, and he's lined up against secondary and tertiary options in the opposing team's passing offense. Yet the New York Jet cover man can put any doubt about his ability to be a game-changer against top-notch competition to bed in the upcoming campaign.

The Jets could add on to Gardner's assignments against top receivers. If he shadows more lead wideouts, the two-time All-Pro should see a ton of action in coverage, which may result in more pass breakups and interceptions.

Keep in mind that quarterbacks targeted Gardner 86 times in 2022 and that number dropped to 55 last year, which tied for 120th across the league.

With more passes potentially coming Garnder's way in the upcoming season, he has a chance to post his best season numbers in coverage.

Contract: Five years, $110 million ($75 million guaranteed)

Talanoa Hufanga tore his ACL in November of last year, but that won't stop him from getting a big-money deal next offseason if he makes a full recovery.

In case you are concerned about Hufanga's playmaking ability coming off a serious injury, the San Francisco 49ers safety acknowledged that he's more of a cerebral player than one who thrives on physical tools.

"The amount of film I watch is second to none," Hufanga said via The Athletic's David Lombardi. "That's one thing I pride myself on. I wasn't the most athletic person, so being one step ahead film-wise, it's a mental game for me."

Hufanga's dedication to his studies in the film room could keep him on track for another big season.

In 2022, Hufanga took over a full-time starting role, and he's recorded 149 tackles, six for loss, 12 pass breakups and seven interceptions over the previous two seasons. Hufanga earned an All-Pro nod in 2022 and may have done it again last season if not for the knee injury.

This offseason, Antoine Winfield signed a deal to become the league's highest-paid safety. He has Pro Bowl (2021) and All-Pro (2023) years on his resume. With an All-Pro year already under his belt, Hufanga could top the market with another standout campaign.

Contract: Four years, $85 million ($46 million guaranteed)

Micah Parsons has said he's willing to be patient about his contract situation, but that doesn't mean the star defender will take a hometown discount.

Quarterbacks aside, Parsons expects to be the highest-paid player in the league. He talked about the robust market for top-flight players.

"This market is going to just jump up, and the cap goes up again next year," Parsons said via Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "They're talking about these contracts might for a high-caliber player might be up to $40 million by then."

In three terms, Parsons has won Defensive Rookie of the Year, made the NFC's Pro Bowl roster every year and earned two All-Pro nods. If he wins 2024 Defensive Player of the Year, the Dallas Cowboys will likely have to sign off on a record-setting deal to satisfy his contract demands.

Even if Parsons doesn't win Defensive Player of the Year in the upcoming campaign, he's still arguably the league's best pass-rusher with at least 13 sacks and 41 pressures in all of his pro seasons.

On top of that, Parsons has the versatility to impact the game in different ways as an edge-rusher and off-ball linebacker.

Parsons isn't worried about a contract extension because he knows that his big payday will come soon.

Contract: Five years, $200 million ($130 million guaranteed)

This one may be debatable because Kyle Pitts has had two mediocre seasons after his Pro Bowl rookie campaign. He's had an underwhelming stretch mostly because of the Atlanta Falcons' quarterback situation.

After a solid first year with 36-year-old Matt Ryan under center, Pitts caught passes from Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke. All three players are projected backups this year.

This offseason, the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins, who played at a Pro Bowl level before he tore his Achilles in October of last year.

During Cousins' time with the Minnesota Vikings, Justin Jefferson won 2022 Offensive Player of the Year, leading the league in receptions (128) and receiving yards (1,809); second-year wideout Jordan Addison showed promising flashes with a 123-yard, two-touchdown performance in Week 7 of last season; and T.J. Hockenson saw an uptick in his receiving production.

All signs indicate that Cousins will be ready to suit up for Week 1, which is good for Pitts' 2024 outlook.

Even with wide receivers Drake London and Darnell Mooney on the perimeter, Pitts' athletic 6'6", 246-pound frame should be a major asset to the Falcons' passing attack with a significant upgrade at quarterback.

Pitts could easily eclipse 1,300 receiving yards and score double-digit touchdowns in a Pro Bowl-All-Pro campaign, which may be enough to help him earn a massive extension next offseason.

Contract: Four years, $70 million ($35 million guaranteed)

The Dallas Cowboys may want to see what Dak Prescott can do with a little more on his shoulders before they sign him to a megadeal.

The Cowboys will open training camp next week with ninth-year running back Ezekiel Elliott leading the backfield. Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn could serve as primary backups.

Elliott has a lot of tread on his legs with 2,065 career carries, and his average in rushing yards per game has been on the decline since 2021. Dowdle and Vaughn have 119 career rush attempts combined.

Without a robust ground attack, the Cowboys will likely need Prescott to carry the offense for extended stretches, and he can do that.

In 2021 and 2023, Dallas ranked within the top eight in passing attempts. Between those years, Prescott threw for 8,965 yards, 73 touchdowns and 19 interceptions combined. He completed 410 passes in both seasons, which led the league last year.

Regardless of how the Cowboys finish the season, Prescott's passing numbers could have teams line up for him if he hits the open market next offseason. If not the Cowboys, a quarterback-needy club will be willing to pay a high bill for the three-time Pro Bowl signal-caller's services.

Contract: Five years, $285 million ($210 million guaranteed)

Tyler Smith is the third Dallas Cowboy on this list, which means the front office may have some tough decisions to make next offseason.

Nonetheless, Dallas could pay Smith early to get ahead of the rising cost for players at his position. Behind quarterbacks, offensive tackles, along with edge-rushers and wide receivers, are high on the position premium scale.

Last year, as a left guard, Tyler Smith made the NFC Pro Bowl roster. According to Pro Football Focus, he gave up just one sack while on the field for 942 offensive snaps.

Though Smith needs to cut down on penalties–with 13 last year–he's one of the league's budding pass protectors who can play guard and tackle.

Dallas allowed Tyron Smith to walk in free agency. As a result, the younger Smith could move back to left tackle, where he lined up during his rookie campaign.

If Smith has another standout year, he will be one of the NFL's most distinguished young offensive linemen with two Pro Bowl-All-Pro seasons in three years.

With that career start, Smith could earn a market-setting deal at tackle, topping Penei Sewell's $112 million contract or whatever Tristan Wirfs might get from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the coming weeks, or guard with a contract that eclipses Chris Lindstrom's $102.5 million deal.

Contract: Four years, $120 million ($45 million guaranteed)

Sauce Gardner isn't the only New York Jet who may get an early extension. On the other side of the ball, Garrett Wilson should be in the discussion for a market-setting contract if he fully breaks out in his third season.

Despite the Jets' subpar quarterback play over the last two seasons, Wilson has caught at least 83 passes and eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in both campaigns.

Since the Jets drafted Wilson in 2022, they have started five different quarterbacks for multiple games: Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco, Mike White, Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian.

Last offseason, Gang Green acquired Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers, but he tore his Achilles four plays into the 2023 campaign.

If Rodgers is ready to go for a full season, Wilson should see a spike in his production. Rodgers, a four-time league MVP, could put Wilson in the conversation for Offensive Player of the Year.

Based on the Jets' massive upgrade at quarterback, Wilson can turn 1,000-1,100 receiving yards in a season to 1,500-1,600 yards in a pivotal year for the franchise. He doesn't have the same star power as Justin Jefferson or Ja'Marr Chase right now, but Rodgers can help him change that this year.

Contract: Four years, $144 million ($115 million guaranteed)

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.