NFL Analysis
7/18/24
7 min read
2025 NFL Free Agency: Predicting Contract Extensions Before Season Starts
The 2024 offseason has brought most of the action we'll see until Week 1 arrives. The flurry of big signings allowed teams to reshape rosters on the fly. Anyone who will be moved in the coming few months will likely be due to a contract holdout or extension impasse.
The 2025 NFL free agent class has already seen some top names come off the board. Trevor Lawrence, Justin Jefferson, and Amon-Ra St. Brown each received massive new deals. However, there are still several 2025 free agent contract extensions that need to be finalized.
We've scoured the list of top talents who could be unrestricted free agents next April and identified eight players who should sign their new deals before the start of the regular season.
2025 Free Agent Contract Extension Predictions
Each of these free agents-to-be will cash in with mega deals. Based on their closest and most recent positional comparisons, we did our best to project their contract.
Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
Projected contract: 4 years, $224 million, $120 million guaranteed
There might not be a player in the NFL with more leverage entering this season than Dak Prescott. Because Dallas failed to proactively extend Prescott, he's in a situation where he'll have to be franchise-tagged for $66.5 million for 2025 or depart in free agency if he's not extended.
Even if Dallas decided they were done with the Prescott era, that's a tough pill to swallow for a roster built to win now.
Dallas' malaise toward the situation will cost them millions, just as it did in their last contract negotiations with Prescott. A top-of-the-market deal for a quarterback entering his mid-30s isn't ideal, but the Cowboys might not be bold enough to instead commit a massive number of draft picks in a trade-up to replace him.
Amari Cooper, WR, Cleveland Browns
Projected contract: 4 years, $108 million, $49 million guaranteed
Few expected Amari Cooper to be an even better player in Cleveland than he was during his four-year stints in Oakland and Dallas. However, Cooper has been a true No. 1 threat, averaging 130 targets, 75 receptions, 1,205 yards, and seven touchdowns a season through two campaigns with the Browns. Now, the 30-year-old is looking to cash in one more time.
His efforts and fit with the organization have certainly justified an extension. His game should age well since he's crafty, sure-handed, versatile, and tough.
Amari Cooper #2 Highlights - #Browns pic.twitter.com/rAVjRNzQtT
— Brad Ward (@WardonSports) December 11, 2022
Cleveland could sign him to a deal closer to the second-tier receivers, which is $27 million annually and almost two years fully guaranteed. If Cooper is hard-pressed to get more than $30 million a year, the Browns might have to consider whether that's good business.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Projected contract: 4 years, $128 million, $69 million guaranteed
Brandon Aiyuk's trade request isn't a surprise. While the 26-year-old is supremely gifted as a route-runner and efficient playmaker, he's also underutilized in San Francisco's pecking order. San Francisco's dilemma is how they can justify adding another huge salary next to Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams, and George Kittle when they can't fully maximize Aiyuk in their scheme.
A resolution will come at some point, either with San Francisco caving on an extension or a trade that lands Aiyuk a long-term deal that puts him within the league's top-paid playmakers.
Recent receiver deals have reset the market, so there's no reason for Aiyuk to take less than what everyone else earned this offseason. He'll justify more than $30 million a year if he lands in a less rigid offense that prioritizes scheme over talent.
>> READ MORE: Predicting Aiyuk Trade Spots
Haason Reddick, EDGE, New York Jets
Projected contract: 3 years, $75 million, $50 million guaranteed
It's not often a trade gets done involving a veteran who is holding out when there's not an accompanying new contract. However, the New York Jets were desperate enough to trade a conditional 2026 second-round pick for Haason Reddick in April, and he's still unsigned. The star pass-rusher is slated to make $15 million this season.
Considering Reddick's guaranteed money has run out, the 29-year-old can ask for a fair market deal. He's become a stellar sack artist in recent years, totaling 50.5 during the last four seasons.
No one deserves the title "Game Wrecker" more than Haason Reddick.
— Brenden Deeg (@BrendenDeeg_) July 10, 2023
He carried the Eagles to a win over the Jags in Week 4. In the last 18 minutes (tied 14-14)
2 sacks
2 forced fumbles
2 fumble recovers
And we all know what happened in the NFC Championship game. pic.twitter.com/9B33dHijVp
There's no reason why he should make less than Danielle Hunter's $24.5 million-per-year deal in terms of talent or stats, and the Jets can't afford to enter the year without Reddick.
Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers
Projected contract: 5 years, $277.5 million, $150 million guaranteed
There's a very real chance Jordan Love has the largest contract in NFL history by Week 1's kick off. Love banked on himself by redoing his deal before his fifth-year option and then rapidly developed into a star quarterback throughout 2023. The Packers have their next franchise passer, and at 26, a long-term deal is a safe bet.
Green Bay could play a bit of hardball since they could franchise tag Love, but the team has ample cash flow to hammer out a fair contract.
A $55.5 million average salary might look bloated now, but it will eventually age well as Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and the next generation of young stars get updated contracts.
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Projected contract: 4 years, $138 million, $92 million guaranteed
After leading the NFL in receptions in 2023 and making his first All-Pro team, CeeDee Lamb is surely looking to top Justin Jefferson's new $140 million deal. However, that's a bit of a tough sell since Jefferson is more productive and benefitted from the Vikings having a healthier cap situation.
Dallas has to thread the needle of paying Prescott, Lamb, and soon, Micah Parsons.
CeeDee Lamb highlights pic.twitter.com/1slyMj7I76
— Shane (@shane_0415) December 31, 2023
Though Dallas might come in slightly below Jefferson's total comp, they can guarantee more upfront to bridge the gap. Lamb is undoubtedly one of the premier receivers in his prime, so his new deal is more about a smart structure that gives Dallas flexibility to fit other expensive stars around his contract.
Locking him in now will allow Lamb to chase his fourth-straight Pro Bowl in 2024.
Tristan Wirfs, OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Projected contract: 5 years, $127.5 million, $72 million guaranteed
The offensive line market has exploded in recent years. Tristan Wirfs already has three Pro Bowls under his belt, including in 2023, after switching from right to left tackle.
Instead of playing this out onto the franchise tag, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should just get their 25-year-old star blocker under contract for as long as possible.
Consistently graded as a top blocker and known for his nasty demeanor as a finisher, Wirfs is the exact type of talent that teams hope to land in the draft. His new deal should climb to the top spot of the tackle market.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins
Projected contract: 4 years, $215 million, $118 million guaranteed
With all of the positive messaging Mike McDaniel and the Miami Dolphins have pushed in the last two years on Tua Tagovailoa, it's surprising this deal has taken so long to complete.
Tagovailoa is a flawed quarterback, but he's the best passer the franchise has had since Dan Marino, and his skill set is a strong fit for McDaniel's scheme. Sometimes, sticking with a young, great system quarterback is a good plan.
2023 Tua Tagovailoa Mid-Season Highlights pic.twitter.com/Q4ArVgCX8A
— VBS (@VBSofficial_) November 12, 2023
The 26-year-old led the NFL in passing yards last year and increased his overall aggression and downfield playmaking. Despite some physical limitations, his long-term deal will align with the $50+ million range of other recent extensions.
What will help Miami is that Tagovailoa is on his fifth-year option now, so they can leverage the franchise tag to slightly lower the money owed to him in 2025.
>> READ MORE: Should Tua Make $200M?
