With the 2025 NFL regular season now past the quarter-pole, a few players have established themselves as bonafide contract extension candidates in the coming months. The following is a position-by-position look at players who are either a pending free agent, or extension-eligible during the 2026 offseason, including current Spotrac valuations for each.

Quarterback

Daniel Jones (28, Colts)

A #6 overall pick by the Giants in 2019, Jones signed a 1 year, $14M base value contract to join Indy this year, won the starting gig in camp, and will enter Week 6 as one of the top QBs in the league, subsequently leaving Anthony Richardson (1 yr, $5.3M gtd remaining) in his dust. The 28-year-old carries a 4 year, $166M ($41.5M APY) valuation in our system.

Also: Baker Mayfield (30, Buccaneers)

Running Back

Bijan Robinson (23, Falcons)

The #8 overall pick from 2023 had a breakout campaign in 2024 (1,900 scrimmage yards, 15 TDs), and is proving he belongs in the conversation of best RB in football to begin the 2025 season. The 23-year-old becomes extension-eligible for the first time next offseason, carrying a 3 yrs, $58M ($19M+ APY) valuation in our system.

Also: Kenneth Walker III (25, Seahawks); Jahmyr Gibbs (23, Lions)

Wide Receiver

Puka Nacua (25, Rams)

The 2023 5th-rounder went from a veritable nobody, to a record-setting WR and a household name. Nacua is averaging 7 catches, 93 yards per game through 2+ seasons, and becomes extension-eligible for the first time this coming offseason. He’s a 4 year, $146M ($36.5M APY) player in our system right now.

Also: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (23, Seahawks); Drake London (24, Falcons); Zay Flowers (25, Ravens)

Tight End

Sam LaPorta (24, Lions)

The Lions have had a lot of mouths to feed through LaPorta’s first 2+ seasons, but he’s still managed to stand out both in this offense, and across the league. The 2023 2nd round pick carries a 4 year, $70M ($17.5M APY) valuation in our system.

Also: Dalton Kincaid (26, Bills); Tucker Kraft (25, Packers)

Offensive Tackle

Charles Cross (25, Seahawks)

The 2022 #9 overall pick hasn’t had the smoothest start to his career, but a breakout campaign in 2024 and a strong beginning to 2025 should have the Seahawks’ brass leaning heavily toward an offseason extension. Cross holds a fully guaranteed $17.5M exercised option for 2026, which also happens to be his APY valuation right now.

Also: Paris Johnson Jr.  (24, Cardinals)

Guard

David Edwards (28, Bills)

Buffalo has boasted one of the most consistently reliable O-Lines in the league across the past few seasons, and keeping Josh Allen happy & healthy will remain a priority until the end of time. Edwards is a pending free agent, doesn’t allow sacks, and protects Allen’s blindside while also boasting one of the best run-block metrics in the league. The math says Edwards could be in line for $20M per year going forward, but a 3 year extension at around $50M probably fits the bill.

Also: Peter Skoronski (24, Titans); Joel Bitonio (33, Browns)

Center

Tyler Linderbaum (25, Ravens)

The #25 overall pick from 2022 has established himself as one of the premier centers in the game. The Ravens were forced to decline his $23.4M 5th-year option (which recklessly covers all offensive linemen), meaning Linderbaum is a pending free agent this coming March. The math places his coming contract at around $18M per year (4 years, $72M), but common sense says he should push past that to exceed Creed Humphrey’s current $18M mark.

Interior Defensive Lineman

Kobie Turner (26, Rams)

Turner sits inside for the Rams 3-4 defense, but he’s known almost primarily for his ability to get to, and sack the QB. The 2023 3rd-rounder has produced 19 sacks in 39 games and will be entering a contract year in 2026. Tershawn Wharton’s $15M per year deal in Carolina represents a likely floor here.

Edge Defender

Aidan Hutchinson (25, Lions)

The #2 overall pick from 2022 stepped right back into form thus far this season after missing much of 2024 with a leg injury. Micah Parson’s $46.5M APY might be a bit of a unicorn right now, but Hutchinson should have no trouble eclipsing the $40M mark in the coming months. He’s guaranteed $19.7M next season thanks to an exercised 5th-year option.

Also: Will Anderson (24, Texans); Byron Young (27, Rams)

Linebacker

Jack Campbell (25, Lions)

The centerpiece of Detroit’s D fully established himself as such in 2024, and is off to an even better start this season. Nick Bolton’s 3 year, $45M deal in KC is a floor here, but the math pushes Campbell closer to a $19M APY currently speaking. A loaded/expensive Detroit roster likely requires a discount from their former 1st round pick.

Also: Devin Lloyd (27, Jaguars); Demario Davis (36, Saints)

Cornerback

Trent McDuffie (25, Chiefs)

It was somewhat surprising that the Chiefs elected to wait on locking down McDuffie long term, but it appears he’ll head into 2026 on an expiring contract (guaranteed $13.6M 5th-year option). The cornerback market exploded this past summer, setting up the former 1st rounder for a major payday. The 25-year-old carries a 4 year, $100M valuation ($25M APY) in our system.

Also: Roger McCreary (25, Titans); Tariq Woolen (26, Seahawks); Cam Taylor-Britt (25, Bengals)

Safety

Brian Branch (24, Lions)

The 4th member of the Lions to hit this list, Branch has proven to be a 5-tool defensive back in Detroit since joining from the 2nd round back in 2023. The nearly 24-year-old currently projects toward a 4 year, $86M ($21.5M APY) extension in our system.

Also: Reed Blankenship (26, Eagles)

Kicker

Brandon Aubrey (30, Cowboys)

Arguably the best kicker in football each of the past 2+ seasons, Aubrey’s accuracy, range, and reliability have kept the Cowboys afloat in many games since adding him as a UDFA back in 2023. The 30-year-old is technically a restricted free agent this coming March, but Dallas likely wastes no time locking in their weapon on a multi-year guarantee. Harrison Butker’s $6.4M APY is the current leader in the clubhouse, so a 4 year, $26M+ extension is in the cards here.

Also: Chris Boswell (34, Steelers); Wil Lutz (31, Broncos)

Punter

Johnny Hekker (35, Titans)

The long-time Rams punter is still doing the job at an above average rate. While he certainly won’t command top of the market pay (Michael Dickson, Logan Cooke $4M+ APY), a re-up with a team like Tennessee who need to use the field possession weapon often to balance out their young QB1 makes a lot of sense.