Contract Year Chaos: Who Gets the Bag?
Ah, training camp. That glorious time of year when NFL players pretend to be excited about running wind sprints in 100-degree heat. But for some poor bastards, a dark cloud hangs overhead – the dreaded contract year. They’re out there busting their asses, hoping to score that sweet, sweet guaranteed money before their bodies turn to dust. Will they get paid? Will they get franchise-tagged and have even more turkey-talk between agents and teams? I’m here to tell you who’s poised to get a Scrooge McDuck-level money bath, and who’s destined for a fate worse than Cleveland Browns quarterback purgatory.
T.J. Watt: Will Pittsburgh Pay Up or Ship Out?
First up, we got T.J. Watt, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ resident sack machine. This dude’s been terrorizing quarterbacks for eight seasons, racking up 108 career sacks. He even tied the single-season sack record back in 2021 with a mind-blowing 22.5. So, you’d think the Steelers would be throwing money at him like confetti at a ticker-tape parade. But NOPE. There’s always a but, isn’t there?
Apparently, the Steelers are worried about Watt’s age (he’s 30, ancient in NFL years) and his “injury history.” (He’s a defensive player in the NFL – everyone has an injury history!). According to some jabroni named Ari Meyer at SI, age and durability are the sticking points.
Now, I’m no genius, but let’s look at the facts. In 2024, Watt racked up 17.5 sacks (the dude is still a monster). So, what gives? Are the Steelers going senile? Are they suddenly allergic to winning? It’s all very confusing to your average fan like myself. What’s even more appalling is that this contract impasse has sparked trade rumors. It’s hard to imagine him in anything other than Black and Gold.
And get this: Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio chimed in with some “wisdom,” saying, “You never pay a guy for what he’s done.” Oh really, Mike? So, we should only pay people based on their potential for future success? That’s like saying we should only eat unripe bananas because they might taste good someday. It makes absolutely zero sense. This isn’t a goddamn charitable enterprise. Pay the man for the sacks!
Projected Contract: Three years, $121 million, $81 million guaranteed.
Micah Parsons: The $200 Million Man?
Speaking of getting paid, let’s talk about Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys. This contract is so obvious, it’s practically written in the stars (or, you know, on Jerry Jones’s platinum-plated checkbook). ESPN’s Adam Schefter (who, let’s be honest, knows more about contracts than I know about parallel parking) said Parsons is poised to become the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player.
Parsons is a goddamn defensive unicorn. He’s 26 years old and has been wrecking offenses since day one, racking up at least 12 sacks in every season. He’s basically a cheat code in human form.
Despite contract drama, T.J. Watt flashes a sign of victory on the field.
Source: profootballnetwork.com
The only thing that might have slowed down this inevitable payday was a six-game absence in 2024 (his first missed games EVER). Oh, and the fact that the Cowboys have to figure out how to cram his gargantuan contract under their salary cap, which is apparently made of rubber bands and wishful thinking.
Bottom line: Parsons is going to get PAID. We’re talking about a contract that could make him the first $200 million defender in NFL history. If Jerry Jones doesn’t make it happen, I will personally fly to Dallas and toilet paper his entire stadium.
Projected Contract: Five years, $201.5 million, $141 million guaranteed.
Trey Hendrickson: Holdout Hero or Trade Bait?
Alright, just one more edge-rusher. I promise. This one’s about Trey Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals, a saga that’s been hotter than Cincinnati chili in July. After leading the league with 17.5 sacks in 2024 (his second straight year hitting that number!), Hendrickson wants a new deal. And he’s not showing up until he gets one. Classic holdout move.
The Bengals, on the other hand, seem about as willing to open their wallets as I am to watch a full game of preseason football. CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr pointed out that the Bengals already splashed the cash on Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, leaving Hendrickson feeling like the red-headed stepchild of the Cincy offense.
Here’s the dilemma: Hendrickson is 30 years old. That’s right, the dreaded 3-0. The age where NFL teams start questioning whether you’re about to fall apart like a cheap IKEA dresser. If the Bengals want to compete, they need Hendrickson. But if they don’t pay him, he might just force a trade to some frozen tundra like Green Bay or Detroit.
Projected Contract: Three years, $103.5 million, $74.5 million guaranteed.
Terry McLaurin: Is Washington Skimping on Scary Terry?
Let’s switch gears to the Washington Commanders and their star wide receiver, Terry McLaurin. Washington made some splashy moves this offseason, like trading for offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel. But they’ve been dragging their feet when it comes to giving McLaurin a new deal.
Despite five straight 1,000-yard seasons and a career-high 13 touchdowns last year, McLaurin is still waiting for his payday. Bleacher Report’s James Palmer reported that McLaurin isn’t trying to become the next $40 million receiver. But there’s still a pretty sizable gap between player and team in negotiations. Pay the man!
Projected Contract: Four years, $124 million, $83.5 million guaranteed.
Rashawn Slater: Chargers’ Gamble on an Elite Tackle
Rashawn Slater of the Los Angeles Chargers is widely regarded as one of the league’s best young offensive tackles. According to Pro Football Focus, the 26-year-old allowed just three sacks in over 900 snaps last year. He was a top-five player at his position. Slater himself seems chill about his contract situation, telling reporters he’s focused on training and letting his agent handle the negotiations. But don’t let the laid-back attitude fool you, elite offensive tackles do not grow on trees!
CBS Sports’ Joel Corry expects Slater’s next deal to reset the market at his position, and while Slater’s injury history—he missed time in three of four seasons, including a torn biceps that sidelined him for most of 2022—might be giving the Chargers pause, they simply can’t afford to lowball him. Elite offensive tackles are worth their weight in gold. Slater weighs about 315 pounds of pure, unadulterated gold. So, pony up the dough, Chargers!
Even the best players like Watt deal with constant trade rumors during contract negotiations.
Source: sportingnews.com
Projected Contract: Four years, $120.5 million, $84 million guaranteed.
DaRon Bland: Cowboy Corner in Contract Limbo
The Dallas Cowboys have to make a decision about cornerback DaRon Bland’s future. Back in 2023, Bland was a goddamn interception machine, leading the NFL with nine picks and returning an NFL-record five of those for touchdowns. But 2024 was a dumpster fire. A stress fracture sidelined him for the first 10 games, and when he returned, his passer rating against went through the roof. He didn’t record a single interception.
According to Athlon Sports’ Mike Fisher, that injury might be making the Cowboys hesitant to extend Bland. Plus, they already handed Trevon Diggs a massive contract in 2023 (a contract that hasn’t exactly delivered a Super Bowl, let’s be honest). The Cowboys might be playing a game of wait-and-see with Bland, which is a risky move because the price tag for elite cornerbacks is only going up. The longer they wait, the more it will cost them or he will hit the market and sign elsewhere.
Projected Contract: Three years, $83 million, $51 million guaranteed.
Trey Smith: Can the Chiefs Keep Their Lineman?
If you watched Super Bowl LIX, you know that the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive line was a major point of emphasis this offseason. One of their first moves was to slap a $23.4 million franchise tag on right guard Trey Smith.
Smith seems as nervous as I am at a vegan potluck. “I leave it to the hands of my agents,” Smith said, which is code for “Please, God, don’t let me end up playing for the Jets.” Smith didn’t allow a single sack in over 1,100 snaps and graded out as a top-10 pass blocker, meaning the Chiefs would be dumber than a bag of hammers to let him walk.
Projected Contract: Four years, $88 million, $54.5 million guaranteed.
George Pickens: Cowboy Gamble on a Steelers Castoff
Ah, George Pickens. A Dallas Cowboy?! Now, Pickens told reporters he’s focused on playing well, not on his impending free agency in 2026. For his part, Pickens told reporters that right now he’s much more focused on playing well opposite CeeDee Lamb than on his impending free agency in 2026.
Pickens is saying all the right things in his new home, and he’s wise to focus on the here and now. Dallas is in no hurry to extend a player who hasn’t played a snap for them. If he can prove that he can actually be a good receiver, Pickens could land a contract from Dallas.
Projected Contract: Three years, $76.5 million, $50.5 million guaranteed.
What Does This Mean for the NFL?
All this contract year drama highlights the cold, hard reality of the NFL: it’s a business, plain and simple. Players are assets, and teams are constantly trying to maximize their investments. This leads to holdouts, trade rumors, and a whole lot of anxiety for fans who just want to see their favorite players stay put. The constant churn of players also erodes fan loyalty. It’s hard to invest emotionally in a team when you know half the roster could be gone in a few years.
The rise of guaranteed money in contracts is another trend that’s changing the game. Players are demanding more security, and agents are pushing for deals that protect their clients from injury or declining performance. This puts even more pressure on teams to evaluate players accurately and make smart financial decisions. I just feel bad for those fans.