NFL Analysis
2/13/25
8 min read
2025 NFL Free Agency: Predicting This Year’s Mega-Contracts
We are officially less than a month away from 2025 NFL Free Agency opening, and there will be several players on the market who will earn deals exceeding $20 million per year.
This isn’t the deepest class in recent memory, but there are a few players that should earn top-end-of-the-market deals. How much money could they get in free agency? Here are the eight players that are expected to earn the most money this offseason:
Predicting 2025 Offseason Mega Contracts
Sam Darnold, QB, Minnesota Vikings
Projected Contract: 3 years, $120 million ($40M/year)
Sam Darnold isn’t the best player on the market, but he’ll get the biggest contract because of the position he plays. In fact, he might make $10 million more per year than any other free agent. Still, he deserves it after having a career year with the Vikings in 2024.
Darnold will also benefit from a weak quarterback class in the 2025 NFL Draft, which could lead a team like the Raiders to pay him now rather than wait for someone to fall to them. Darnold is only 27 but has a lot of experience, having started 73 games in the NFL.
The best landing spot would be with a veteran coach and a roster full of talent on the offensive side of the ball, but considering he hasn’t earned a big payday yet in the NFL, the money could ultimately dictate where he lands.
Potential Suitors: Raiders, Giants, Titans
Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Projected Contract: 3 years, $100 million ($33M/year)
The Cincinnati Bengals would be foolish to let Tee Higgins hit the open market, but it does seem like a real possibility next month. Higgins is the best free-agent receiver to hit the market in at least a decade, and there is no telling how much he could get paid.
Higgins isn’t in the tier of Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and CeeDee Lamb, but none of those players hit the open market, either. With several teams needing a No. 1 receiver, we could see a massive bidding war for Higgins’ services that make him one of the league's highest-paid receivers.
Because of his age (26) and lack of viable receivers in the 2025 NFL Draft, we could see as many as a dozen teams interested in Higgins this offseason. There could be some unexpected suitors for him, including teams like the Rams, Bills, and Ravens, who are all trying to win now and would be willing to mortgage the future to get him. Look for Higgins to be the second-highest-paid free agent this offseason, should he hit the market.
Potential Suitors: Patriots, Steelers, Chargers
Trey Smith, OG, Kansas City Chiefs
Projected Contract: 4 years, $84 million ($21M/year)
The top offensive lineman in free agency is none other than Trey Smith, who fell to the sixth round in the 2021 NFL Draft due to some injury concerns. Since being drafted, he has missed just one start in four years and played a total of 79 games, including 13 playoff starts.
He made the Pro Bowl for the first time during the 2024 season and is just 25, which means his best football could still be ahead of him. Considering all of his experience, play, and age, it’s likely that Smith could end up being one of the highest-paid interior offensive linemen in the league after free agency.
Smith should have plenty of suitors, as teams with young quarterbacks will be willing to overpay to solidify the middle of their offensive line. Expect him to have a robust market early in free agency.
Potential Suitors: Bears, Seahawks, Patriots
Josh Sweat, EDGE, Philadelphia Eagles
Projected Contract: 4 years, $88 million ($22M/year)
There is nothing like having the best game of your career in the Super Bowl. But that’s what Josh Sweat did as he led the Eagles in pressures and sacks. He had a really strong argument for being the MVP of Super Bowl 59, but the voters decided to give it to Jalen Hurts instead.
Sweat has been a productive player for the Eagles, racking up 33 sacks in the last four seasons. He has a lot of experience (appeared in 104 games), but he’s only 27. Teams around the league won’t be hesitant to give him big money, and we should see him sign a deal that locks him in for at least three seasons.
Expect Sweat to earn a deal more than $20 million per season, but there is no telling how high that number might get as there will be a bidding war for his services. He has the size, length, athleticism, and production of a No. 1 EDGE rusher and will be paid accordingly here next month.
Potential Suitors: Cardinals, Falcons, Titans
Ronnie Stanley, LT, Baltimore Ravens
Projected Contract: 2 years, $42 million ($21M/year)
There are several starting tackles available in free agency, but most of them are well past their primes or have significant injury concerns. Ronnie Stanley is clearly the best tackle on the market, and the fact that he’s started 34 games (including playoffs) in the last two seasons has quieted some of the injury concerns that haunted him early in his career.
The injury history could force Stanley to take a shorter deal, but he still should earn a nice payday in free agency. The Ravens would be smart to bring him back, but they might not have the cap space to get it done. Expect a half-dozen teams or more to be in on Stanley once the free-agent window opens up.
Projected Suitors: Patriots, Commanders, Dolphins
Osa Odighizuwa, DT, Dallas Cowboys
Projected Contract: 3 years, $63 million ($21M/year)
This is not a particularly deep class when it comes to interior defensive linemen, but there are two top-end talents who will get massive deals. The first is Osa Odighizuwa, a four-year starter for the Dallas Cowboys after being selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft
He led all interior defenders in quarterback hits this season and is a force as a pass rusher despite less-than-stellar sack totals. He is on the smaller side for a defensive tackle, but teams prioritizing pass-rush ability and durability will fall in love with Odighizwua this offseason.
Look for Odighizuwa to earn a contract worth at least $20 million per season. Given the lack of depth at defensive tackle in free agency, it wouldn't be a surprise if he earned significantly more. We saw Christian Wilkins sign a deal worth upwards of $27 million last year, and Odihizuwa is younger and far more durable.
There could be some sticker shock when his deal is announced early in free agency.
Projected Suitors: Bengals, Commanders, Giants
Milton Williams, DT, Philadelphia Eagles
Projected Contract: 3 years, $63 million ($21M/year)
It’s going to be fascinating to see who earns more on the open market between Odighizuwa and Milton Williams. Odighizuwa has more experience and more starts, but Williams is the better overall athlete and is only 25. You can also make a case that he is an ascending player and will only get better with more snaps.
His postseason performance will certainly help him out, as he was fantastic in the final two games of the season. Performing well on the biggest stage has historically helped players when it comes to free agency, and we shouldn't expect anything different from Williams.
Williams has just 19 career starts and has never played more than 501 snaps in a single season. Still, it’s hard to blame him, considering that he’s played behind the likes of Jalen Carter, Fletcher Cox, and Jordan Davis for much of his rookie contract. Still, he’s got the type of athleticism that is hard to find and should be paid handsomely this offseason.
Potential Suitors: Lions, Vikings, 49ers
Byron Murphy, CB, Minnesota Vikings
Projected Contract: 3 years, $50 million ($16.6M/year)
Cornerback is another spot that lacks depth in free agency, but Byron Murphy could benefit from that in a big way this offseason. Murphy had a career-high six interceptions with the Vikings this season, playing on the outside and in the slot.
Murphy has dealt with some injuries in the past, but he has 79 career starts in six seasons, and he just turned 27. The fact that he has this much experience but is still this young bodes well for his chances in free agency.
Don’t expect him to earn a record-breaking deal or anything like that. Still, somewhere between $15-$17 million per season is about right for Murphy.
Potential Suitors: Giants, Packers, Jaguars
