25 NFL players who are playing for their next contract in 2023

Jacksonville exercised Allen’s fifth-year option this season, and he’s due for free agency in 2024. The former first-round pick had 27.5 sacks in four seasons and has become the top player on the Jaguars ascending defense.

Despite some trepidation, Barkley agreed to a one-year deal this season in lieu of the franchise tag. Entering his sixth NFL season, Barkley could finally find the long-term contract he desired with a good showing in 2023. He’s coming off his second career Pro Bowl, finishing with 1,650 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns.

Seattle declined the fifth-year option on Brooks’ contract despite consecutive excellent seasons as a starter. He finished last season with 161 tackles in 16 games, and could earn a huge contract if he matches that production this year.

Injury issues have been a problem for Brown during his four-year career, but the former first-round pick has shown elite upside when on the field. He’s averaged about 60 yards per game over the last two seasons and will have more responsibility as Arizona’s No. 1 wideout this season before hitting free agency.

Burns will hit free agency in 2024 after Carolina picked up his fifth-year option for this season. He’s made consecutive Pro Bowls, and is coming off a career-high 12.5 sacks and 63 tackles last year. It’s unlikely the Panthers would like Burns get away, but it will take a huge contract to keep him around if his recent pace continues.

The underappreciated Cousins made his fourth Pro Bowl last season, finishing with over 4,500 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. He’s not often mentioned among the elite quarterbacks in football, but Cousins led Minnesota to a 13-4 record season and should be paid handsomely in free agency if he has another strong year in 2023.

Davenport signed a one-year deal with the Vikings after a disappointing 2022 season in New Orleans, finishing with 0.5 sacks in 15 games. He had nine sacks in 11 games in 2021, and the Vikings feel he can rebound in coordinator Brian Flores’ system. A rebound would allow for a huge contract the next time he hits free agency.

Ekeler is among the NFL running back contingent disappointed in their compensation but is set to play out his contract this year. The versatile running back might not be in the Chargers’ long-term plans, though his versatile skillset could make him a hot commodity in free agency.

Evans isn’t as flashy as he was earlier in his career, but he’s still gained over 1,000 yards receiving in all nine of his NFL seasons. He’s finishing out his contract this season, and could be due for another multi-year deal at age 30 if he continues to perform.

Gary has been everything the Packers could have hoped for when they drafted him in 2019, with 22.5 sacks over 56 games. Coming off an injury-shortened season, Gary still has something to prove this year as he hopes for a big contract in free agency next offseason.

Henry has already received big money for a running back, and is set to enter free agency next offseason. It remains to be seen if the new Titans front office is willing to pay the star running back again, who has shown signs of decline over the last two years with a foot injury and a declining yards-per-carry average.

The Bengals can’t pay everyone, and that fact could make Higgins the odd man out in their offense. The former second-round pick has back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and could be a free agent next offseason.

Acquired from the Lions last season, Hockenson was elite in 10 games with his new team, with 60 catches for 519 yards. He’s looking to build on that production as he heads toward free agency next offseason.

Hunter rebounded from an injury-plagued 2021 season to record 10.5 sacks and make his third Pro Bowl last year. The Vikings struggling defense can ill-afford to lose its top player, but that’s possible as Hunter enters free agency next offseason.

Pollard picked up more work last season and is playing on the franchise tag this season as the Cowboys’ clear starter at running back. Showing elite efficiency with 5.1 yards per carry for his career, Pollard can net a rare long-term contract at running back next offseason.

Returning from a season-long suspension for gambling last year, Ridley is out to prove he has the same elite ability we saw from him in 2020 with the Falcons. He’s in the right offense with young Trevor Lawrence delivering the ball, and a full rebound would allow Ridley to make bank in free agency next year.

The versatile Simmons has been a solid performer in three seasons with the Cardinals, including 99 tackles and four sacks last year. He will be a free agent in 2024, and his speed could intrigue many NFL teams.

Smith rebounded from injury last season to record 10 sacks in 16 games for the Vikings. Despite that production, the team traded him to Cleveland, where he will finish out his current contract. There’s some risk Smith will become more of a pass-rushing specialist in his 30s, but he could still be paid well if he has another strong year.

Sneed has been an unsung hero in the Chiefs defense over his three seasons, showing versatility and elite ability. The former fourth-round pick could be headed to free agency next offseason, with Kansas City in great position at cornerback after selecting three productive players at the position in last year’s draft.

The clock is ticking on Tannehill, who will be a free agent next year and has second-round pick Will Levis looking over his shoulder in Tennessee. The presence of Levis makes it more likely that Tannehill will hit free agency, and he’s hoping for a big year after being plagued by an ankle injury last season.

White requested a trade in the offseason, but it looks as if he will finish out his contract with the Bucs in 2023. The former first-round pick has over 120 tackles in three consecutive seasons, and could be one of the highest-paid inside linebackers in the NFL if he has another good year.

Wilkins has plugged up the defensive interior nicely over the last four years in Miami and has been particularly productive over the last two seasons. His 98 tackles on the defensive line last year is almost unheard of, and he has a chance to prove he can play in multiple systems after the Dolphins hired Vic Fangio in the offseason. The former first-round pick could be in for a huge payday.

Inconsistency has been a theme during Williams’ career, and he’s coming off a poor season in which he recorded only 2.5 sacks in 12 games. He must rebound at age 29 to earn another big contract next offseason.

Winfield has been one of the league’s elite safeties since he was drafted by Tampa Bay in 2020. He made the Pro Bowl in 2021 and continued to produce last season, though injuries have taken their toll over the last two years. A healthy year will be key to a big safety contract for Winfield next offseason.

Once seen as a can’t-miss prospect, Young has struggled through a knee injury over the last two years and didn’t have his fifth-year option exercised by Washington. He’s set to hit free agency, and the price of his contract will be determined by how he performs in 2023.