Peter Malnati wins the Valspar Championship. Malnati earns $1.512 million million bringing his 2024 on-course earnings to $2.10 and his career on-course earnings to $9.96 million. 

Valspar Championship Top 10 Payouts

Full Results

2024 Earnings Leaders Update

Full List

We already covered the NBA’s 10 Best Value Contracts in a previous piece. Now, it’s time to look at some of the worst value contracts in the league. Full disclosure: Opposite of the best contracts, it’s getting harder and harder to find 10 bad or even questionable contracts. More and more these deals trend towards a “Kind of get it, but don’t like it” thought vs being a truly bad deal.

A few notes:

• Unlike the Best Values, you will see max contracts and max extensions here. Some of them are just sort of mind-boggling in terms of long-term committed salary.
• No rookie scale contracts will appear here. Even if we think the pick was bad, the contract is what it is with rookie scale deals.
• This is a worst value list, so role and production vs contract factor in greatly. The same is true of not only the size of the contract (both per year and in total), but the length of the contract too. And the player’s age is a major factor as well.
• No expiring contracts, nor contracts that are turning into expiring deals next season will be here. So, you won’t find Ben Simmons or Lonzo Ball on this list. As history has taught us, once a contract is an expiring contract, it always has some level of trade value.
• This list factors in right now and looking forward. In all cases, total money will include this season, plus what’s remaining on the deal.

Got all that? On to the list!

Honorable Mentions

It was hard enough to find 10 contracts we felt deserved to be here. This time around, we’re not going to include any honorable (dishonorable, maybe?) mentions. They’d all be a stretch, as you’ll see when we get to the final few deals we are including.

On to the 10 Worst Values Contracts!

10 Worst Values Contracts

1. Bradley Beal – Phoenix Suns

Four years, $207.7 million (player option in 2026-27)

This contract was questionable when it was signed, and it’s only gotten worse. Beal isn’t worth an AAV of over $50 million per season. His production isn’t at that level, and he also can’t stay healthy. In addition, the player option here makes this even worse, as Beal has control over what happens in what will be his age-33 season. If that wasn’t enough, he still has his no-trade clause.

2. Jordan Poole – Washington Wizards

Four years, $123 million

It’s kind of funny that the players at the top of this list were effectively traded for each other. Poole’s track record of good health and the fact that he makes nearly $85 million less than Beal is why he comes in below him on the list. But don’t get it twisted, Poole’s production doesn’t match his contract. And, we’ve discovered again, that he’s better in a bench role. $30.75 million AAV is an awfully big contract for a reserve.

3. Zach LaVine – Chicago Bulls

Four years, $178.1 million (player option in 2026-27)

Continuing a trend of shooting guards on tough contracts, we have LaVine. This one is mostly about health. LaVine has missed a lot of this season, and he’s now built a history of knee/leg/foot issues. That’s scary considering how much money he’s owed. And, last but not least, he apparently still wants a trade. That’s a whole lot of negatives going on.

4. Andrew Wiggins – Golden State Warriors

Four years, $109 million (player option in 2026-27)

Wiggins has fallen off since the 2022 NBA Finals. After playing a huge role in the Warriors title that year, Wiggins has missed a lot of time due to off-court matters. We wouldn’t hold that against him as much if he was productive when he did play, but he hasn’t been. That’s a tough combo to swallow. And Golden State still has three more fully guaranteed years left after this one, and Wiggins will turn 30 years old midway through next season. That’s tough to deal with.

5. Khris Middleton – Milwaukee Bucks

Three years, $95 million (player option in 2025-26)

Middleton’s deal would be fine, if he wasn’t visibly breaking down. He’s suffered through three consecutive injury-plagued seasons now. Middleton has also slipped considerably as a defender. As an offensive player, he’s now best as a complementary guy vs being a primary one. That’s good because the Bucks have stars to carry the load. But it doesn’t make Middleton’s contract look any better.

6. Jerami Grant – Portland Trail Blazers

Five years, $160 million (player option in 2027-28)

Grant’s contract is fine right now. It’s probably fine next year too. It’s the final three seasons at over $102 million where things might turn sideways. Grant recently turned 30 years old. That means he’ll be a 34-year-old wing that relies on athleticism at the end of this contract. That’s very worrisome.

7. Draymond Green – Golden State Warriors

Four years, $100 million (player option in 2026-27)

If Green could be relied on to be on the floor, this contract would probably be fine. But between getting himself in consistent trouble with the league, and a mounting injury history, it’s unlikely Green will play many more than half of the maximum games he could on this deal. In addition, he’s openly talked about how retirement is looming. That’s not great for a Warriors team that needs Green to play, and play well, through the life of this contract.

8. Nikola Vucevic – Chicago Bulls

Three years, $60 million

This is where it starts getting really hard to find truly bad contracts. Vucevic’s deal isn’t really all that bad. It’s just sort of…unnecessary. Vucevic is still a nightly double-double guy, but his efficiency is starting to slip. A lot of that is Vucevic being more reliant on his jumper than ever. If that continues, and there aren’t any signs it won’t, the Bulls are under water with this deal.

9. Karl-Anthony Towns – Minnesota Timberwolves

Five years, $257 million (player option in 2027-28) (includes four-year, $221 million extension)

The last two contracts on this list are extensions that don’t seem likely to age very well. Towns is still a terrific offensive weapon, but it’s never been clearer that he can’t anchor the defense for a contender. That means he has to play power forward, and Towns isn’t the same matchup nightmare there as he is as center. In addition, this season is the second in a row where Towns has missed considerable time with a leg injury. Last season it was a calf injury, this year it’s a torn meniscus. That’s worrisome for a guy who hasn’t even started his $221 million long-term extension yet.

10. Damian Lillard – Milwaukee Bucks

Four years, $207.3 million (player option in 2026-27) (includes two-year, $112.9 million extension)

Lillard is still performing at a high level…most of the time. However, the occasional 3-for-17 clunkers are creeping in more and more often. And Lillard’s defense has gone from bad to really bad. Neither of those things are likely to reverse, as Lillard will be 34 years old at the start of next season. And, look, we get it. Lillard got this contract based mostly on past performance. That’s how it works for the late-career max guys. But that doesn’t mean the Bucks won’t be working around this contract when Lillard is making well over $50 million when he’s 35 and 36 years old.

Scottie Scheffler wins THE PLAYERS Championship. Scheffler earns $4.5 million million bringing his 2024 on-course earnings to $10.9 and his career on-course earnings to $53.5 million. 

THE PLAYERS Championship Top 10 Payouts

Full Results

2024 Earnings Leaders Update

Full List

The NBA has gotten better about handing out value contracts. It’s become increasingly harder and harder to limit this list to just 10 deals. Some of that is the rapid growth of the salary cap, but a lot is teams are being smarter who gets big money.

A few notes before we get to the list:

• You won’t see any max contracts on here, nor max extensions. Even if you think it’s fair to pay a player $100 million per season, that’s not allowed. (Well, at least not yet. Wait about five more years or so.) That means that no matter how good it looks that teams got some players to ink max deals, they won’t show up here.
• No rookie scale contracts will appear here either. Like a max deal, it’s nearly impossible to do better than teams already do on these deals. No Second Round Pick Exception deals either.
• Also, we’re not including anyone signed to a Minimum Exception deal. Those are largely a circumstantial thing. Plus, they run only two seasons at most, so the value is limited.
• This is a best value list, so role and production factor in greatly. The same is true of not only the size of the contract (both per year and in total), but the length of the contract too. No one-year steals will show up here.
• This list factors in right now and looking forward. In all cases, total money will include this season, plus what’s remaining on the deal.

Got all that? On to the list!

Honorable Mentions

Oklahoma City Thunder

A whole team? Yup, a whole team! Now, to be fair, the Thunder’s salary cap sheet features a whole bunch of key players on rookie scale contracts. And, yes, they’ll start getting expensive here in the next few years, as those players sign extensions. But for now, Oklahoma City is one of the best teams in the NBA and they have a remarkably clean cap sheet. That’s scary for the rest of the league.

Wendell Carter Jr. – Orlando Magic

Carter has been terrific for Orlando, but he has missed considerable time with injuries. That’s the only thing holding him back from making the top-10.

Ayo Dosunmu – Chicago Bulls

 Dosunmu provides starter-level production for roughly half to the Non-Taxpayer MLE. Sure, he might move back to the bench if the Bulls other guards get healthy. But, even then, Dosunmu would still be on a great contract, and are you really betting on Chicago’s guards getting and staying healthy?

On to the 10 Best Value Contracts!

10 Best Value Contracts

1. Jalen Brunson – New York Knicks

Three years, $76.3 million (player option in 2025-26)

Brunson is the Knicks leader and has become the team’s heartbeat in under two full seasons. He’s stayed pretty healthy throughout his career, so that gives Brunson a level of reliability for New York. He’s also incredibly productive, and his game has translated to winning. And, a key for a team that has added a lot of salary and will continue to do so, Brunson’s deal declines from this season to next by nearly $1.4 million. Also, Brunson has been so good, that we’re willing to overlook that player option which likely makes next season a contract year.

2. Jaren Jackson Jr. – Memphis Grizzlies

Three years, 75.8 million

Jackson is one of the best defenders in the NBA. This season, he’s shown he can anchor the frontcourt defense, as he’s had to play at the five more than ever. Jackson has also had to take on a bigger offensive role this season, with so many other Grizzlies injured. He’s lost some efficiency, but Jackson has shown he can handle more creation and playmaking. Like Brunson, his deal also declines year over year. That’s huge for Memphis, who has locked into a lot of long-term money for players on extensions.

3. Kawhi Leonard – LA Clippers

Four years, $195.3 million

This one is cheating a little bit. Leonard is on a max contract this year, and he will be next season too. But the last two years of Leonard’s deal are below the max he could have signed for. That’s good value for the Clippers. This season, Leonard has largely stayed healthy and he’s played well enough that he’s going to appear on a lot of MVP ballots. For less than the max, even a couple of years from now, that’s great value.

4. Domantas Sabonis – Sacramento Kings

Five years, $216.6 million

Sabonis’ deal is actually going to come in a bit less than above, as not being named an All-Star this year cost him some bonus money. That only makes his contract a better value. Sure, the final two seasons, when Sabonis will be in his early-30s, could turn a little sour. But we’re going to bet that this double-double machine will keep being an underrated big man through the life of his contract.

5. Zion Williamson – New Orleans Pelicans

Five years, $197.2 million

Alright, this one is full-on cheating. Williamson is on a max deal, but there’s a reason we’re including him here. Due to clauses that the Pelicans smartly included in Williamson’s deal, his contract isn’t fully guaranteed. If he has a reoccurrence of injuries and/or weight issues, New Orleans can get out of the contract with relatively little owed. We don’t expect that to happen, as Williamson looks good physically and is playing as well as he ever has. But having that protection is huge for the Pelicans or another team, if New Orleans were to ever trade Williamson.

6. Coby White – Chicago Bulls

Three years, $36 million

When this deal was signed last summer, it looked like a fair value. Nearly a year later, this contract is a great value for the Bulls. White should be garnering a lot of Most Improved Player love. He started playing better at the end of last season, and that’s carried over. White’s improvement into a legitimate starting guard is a big reason the Bulls don’t need to panic about Lonzo Ball and Zach LaVine’s uncertain futures.

7. Herb Jones – New Orleans Pelicans

Four years, $53.8 million

Herb Jones is one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. Actually, he may be THE best perimeter defender in the NBA. That alone would make a deal that comes in under the Non-Taxpayer MLE amount a great value. But Jones has improved as an offensive player each season too. This year, he’s shot over 43% from deep. If he shoots that well, while maintaining DPOY levels of defense, Jones will have broken the 3&D mold and rewritten whatever ceiling was previously put on his potential.

8. Austin Reaves – Los Angeles Lakers

Four years, $53.8 million (player option in 2026-27)

Reaves is a touch behind Jones on this list, because Jones has filled his role a little bit better and Reaves has a player option on the final season of his deal. But Reaves is still a tremendous value for the Lakers. A little shine has come off of Reaves since last season, but it shouldn’t have. He’s still a tremendously efficient shooter and scorer, but Reaves has also improved as a playmaker too. And he does all of that for less than the Non-Taxpayer MLE.

9. Mikal Bridges – Brooklyn Nets

Three years, $69.9 million

We’re knocking Bridges down behind Jones and Reaves only because he makes more than them, and his deal runs one year shorter. That means Bridges is in line to get paid before either Jones or Reaves, and he’ll get a bigger contract too. This season has been messy for both Bridges and the Nets, but he’s still a terrific player. For far less than the max, several teams have done way worse than Bridges. Even as his efficiency and defense has slipped just a bit, Bridges remains a great value. If the Nets improve the talent around him, Bridges will get back to being the two-way star we all loved a year ago.

10. Jarrett Allen – Cleveland Cavaliers

Three years, $60 million

Allen probably should have gotten more All-Star consideration. He’s one of the best defensive centers in the NBA, as he owns the paint and the glass. Allen is also a better offensive player than he usually gets credit for. He’s become a good passer and he’s one of the best play finishers in the league too. For $20 million per season, it’s hard to find many better values at the center position, or in the league period.

The first 24-48 hours of the NFL Free Agent Frenzy is always a whirlwind, and with it come a flurry of contract reports. Now that the dust has settled a bit, we’ll dive into every free agent contract with a total value of at least $30M, detailing the guaranteed portion of the deal, and a more practical set of terms for each.

Kirk Cousins (QB, Falcons)

4 years, $180,000,000

The largest total value contract in free agent history comes with $100M guaranteed, $90M at signing, and $62.5M cash in 2024. It’s a 2 year, $100M contract out of the gate, with 3 years, $135M in place for practical purposes. Early $10M roster bonuses in 2026 & 2027 offer early payment or team decision making at the back end of this contract. At $45M per year, Cousins is now the 8th highest average paid QB, while his $100M guaranteed ranks 12th.

Christian Wilkins (DT, Raiders

4 years, $110,000,000

Wilkins joins the Raiders on $57.5M fully guaranteed at signing (2nd among DTs), with another $25.25M set to lock in next March. This is a 3 year, $84.25M contract for practical purposes, with no early vesting guarantee or roster bonus in the final 1 year, $25.75M. The deal makes Wilkins the 3rd highest average paid interior defender.

Robert Hunt (G, Panthers)

5 years, $100,000,000

Carolina spent big to bolster their offensive line this week, handing Hunt $44M fully guaranteed at signing, with another $10M set to lock in next March. Technically the Panthers could walk away from this contract after 2 years, $54M, but a 3 year, $63M outcome is much more practical. The final 2 years, $37M are extremely fluffy, offering no early vesting guarantee or roster bonus. Hunt is now tied as the 3rd highest average paid guard in football, while his $63M of practical guarantee is most all-time at the position.

Calvin Ridley (WR, Titans)

4 years, $92,000,000

Ridley secures $46.9M fully guaranteed at signing through the 2025 season, and $3M of his 2026 compensation locks in next March. In this regard, there's a world where Tennessee buys him out in March of 2026 at 2 years, $50M, but it's more practical that Ridley sees 3 years, $69.75M on this deal. This becomes far & away the largest free agent WR contract to post this offseason.

Jonathan Greenard (DE, Vikings)

4 years, $76,000,000

Following an outstanding walk season in Houston, Greenard attempts to fill the shoes vacated by Danielle Hunter in Minnesota. Early reports tag a $42M full guarantee on this contract, but the full structure has not yet been announced. The $19M per year average currently ranks 16th among edge defenders.

Xavier McKinney (S, Packers)

4 years, $67,000,000

As with nearly all Packers’ contracts, McKinney’s only upfront guarantee stems from a $23 million signing bonus. The 24-year-old gets over $25M cash in 2024, but the remaining 3 years, $42M becomes a year-to-year decision for Green Bay. $8.5M March roster bonuses in each of 2025 & 2026 offer a little stability in the next few offseasons. At $16.75M per year, McKinney’s contract makes him the 5th highest average paid safety in football.

Leonard Williams (DE, Seahawks)

3 years, $64,500,000

Williams returns to Seattle at a reported $43.85M guarantee, though just $26.15M of that is fully guaranteed at signing. While it’s highly likely that the 30-year-old sees at least 2 years, $47.85M out of this new deal, it’s possible for Seattle to walk away after just 1 year, $27M. 

Mike Onwenu (G, Patriots)

3 years, $57,000,000

The Patriots retained their 2020 6th round pick for at least another 2 years, $39.5M. $36.5M of that is fully guaranteed at signing, leaving 1 year, $17.5M of “fluff” on the back end of this contract. At $19M per year, Onwenu is now the 5th highest average paid guard in football, while his $36.5M of full guarantee chimes in at 8th overall.

Damien Lewis (G, Panthers)

4 years, $53,000,000

Lewis joins Carolina on a $26.2M full guarantee through the 2025 season, making the final 2 years, $26M of this contract completely up in the air. At $13.25M per year, the Panthers now have two of the Top 16 average paid & guaranteed guards in football.

Bryce Huff (OLB, Eagles)

3 years, $51,100,000

The Eagles made Huff a Top 20 paid edge defender on this 3 year contract that reportedly includes $34M fully guaranteed. Full details aren’t yet available, but a double bonus structure 2 year guarantee seems to fit the Philly bill here.

Jonah Jackson (G, Rams)

3 years, $51,000,000

Jackson secures $25M fully guaranteed at signing, which includes half of his 2025 compensation. The other half locks in next March, setting him up for 2 years, $34M for practical purposes. The final $17M on this deal is up in the air, though an $8M March 2026 roster bonus helps push things along. At $17M per year, Jackson is the 10th highest average paid guard in football.

Arik Armstead (DE, Jaguars)

3 years, $51,000,000

Armstead was designated a Post June 1st release by San Francisco this week, but wasted no time locking in a healthy deal elsewhere. Full details are still TBD, but it’s safe to assume there’s a near $35M guarantee on this contract.

Lloyd Cushenberry (C, Titans)

4 years, $50,000,000

Cushenberry represents a solid upgrade to the middle of Will Levis’ line, securing $26M fully guaranteed at signing, with another $4M locking in next March. It's a 2 year, $30M contract from the onset, with 2 years, $20M up in the air thereafter. Cushenberry now ties for the 4th largest average salary among centers, while his $30M practically guaranteed ranks 2nd.

Danielle Hunter (ED, Texans)

2 years, $49,000,000

One of the strongest deals to hit the books this week, Hunter secured $48M fully guaranteed over the next 2 seasons. Only a pair of annual $500,000 per game active bonuses set him apart from a fully guaranteed contract here. The 30-year-old will see $29.5M cash this year, & $19.5M in 2025.

Josh Jacobs (RB, Packers)

4 years, $48,000,000

Aaron Jones out, Josh Jacobs in, and in true Packers fashion, it’s a 1 year guarantee, plus three years of we’ll see. Jacobs secures a $12.5M signing bonus, and $14.8M total in 2024. The remaining 3 years, $33.2M of this contract go year-to-year, though an early March roster bonus ($5.9M) likely secures this deal as 2 years, $23M - but it doesn’t have to. The $12M APY on this contract makes Jacobs the 6th highest average paid running back.

Patrick Queen (LB, Steelers)

3 years, $41,000,000

The first real head-scratcher on the list. Queen was the top off-ball linebacker on the open market, putting up a huge season alongside Roquan Smith in Baltimore. He joins linebacker U on essentially a 1 year, $13.84M contract (as the Steelers do not guarantee future salary in their contracts). The remaining 2 years, $27.16M of this contract will be year-to-year. Queen chimes in as the 6th highest average paid off-ball linebacker with this deal.

Darnell Mooney (WR, Falcons)

3 years, $39,000,000

Mooney leaves Chicago for Atlanta to begin the Kirk Cousins regime. The former 5th round pick secures $26M fully guaranteed at signing on this contract, making the next 2 years, $27M a virtual lock. The remaining 1 year, $11.98M for 2026 is up in the air. Mooney ties Gabe Davis as the 22nd highest average paid WR with this deal.

Gabriel Davis (WR, Jaguars)

3 years, $39,000,000

Despite identical terms, Davis secured $2M less guaranteed, & $1M less to be earned through 2025 than Darnell Mooney signed for in Atlanta. Still, the Jags may have scored a value signing here, as Davis will step into that WR1B role recently vacated by Calvin Ridley - who just secured $50M guaranteed in Tennessee. Davis’ contract is a 2 for $26M deal, with $13M of fluff.

Grover Stewart (DT, Colts)

3 years, $39,000,000

Stewart returns to the Colts on a $25.7M guarantee, though only $17.9M of that is fully guaranteed at the time of signing. Still, with ? of his 2025 compensation locked in right now, we’ll consider this a 2 year, $26.75M contract for practical purposes, with the remaining $12.25M up in the air. A $13M APY for Stewart ranks him 18th among interior defenders.

Saquon Barkley (RB, Eagles)

3 years, $37,750,000

Barkley secured good money from a good team - a rare win for the running back position on the open market. All of the $24.5M due across the next two seasons is fully guaranteed, and $1.5M of his 2026 salary is locked in at the time of signing as well. It’s a 2 year, $26M fully guaranteed contract for one the higher ceiling playmakers in all of football. The $12.5M APY makes Barkley the 4th highest average paid running back in football.

Chidobe Awuzie (CB, Titans)

3 years, $36,000,000

Awuzie joins a Tennessee team that has been as aggressive as any to start the new league year. He slots in as the projected starting LCB for 2024, scoring $19M fully guaranteed on his new contract. It’s a 2 year, $24M deal for practical purposes, with the remaining $12M (his age 31 season), a veritable option for now. Awuzie’s near $23M practical guarantee ranks 15th among signed cornerbacks.

Azeez Al-Shaair (LB, Texans)

3 years, $34,000,000

The Texans’ new middle linebacker comes in at $21.5M fully guaranteed at signing, including $13M for the upcoming season. It’s a 2 years, $22.5M contract for practical purposes, with the final $11.5M up in the air.

Dorance Armstrong (DE, Commanders)

3 years, $33,000,000

Armstrong & also newly signed Dante Fowler Jr. project to start on the edge of the Commander’s line. The 26-year-old secured $16.1M fully guaranteed at signing, all in 2024, making this a glorified 1 year, $16.8M contract until further notice. Armstrong’s $6M salary for 2025 becomes fully guaranteed next March, so there will be an early decision to be made at that point.

Justin Jones (DT, Cardinals)

3 years, $31,165,000

Jones leaves the Bears for the Cardinals, who hand out an extremely aggressive 79% guarantee at signing on this contract. All of Jones’ 2024 & 2025 salaries are fully guaranteed, as well as $5M of his 2026 salary. If Arizona wants to walk away after 2025, they’ll owe him that $5M as a buyout, securing at the very least, $26.8M of this contract.

Frankie Luvu (LB, Commanders)

3 years, $31,000,000

Luvu & Bobby Wagner should help redefine this Commander’s linebacking core for the upcoming season, with new Head Coach Dan Quinn clearly making it a focal point of the offseason. Washington could make this a 1 year, $15M contract and nothing more if they need, but for practical purposes this should work out to 2 years, $22M at the bare minimum. The remaining $9M on this contract is up for grabs, though $1M of it comes in the form of a March 2026 roster bonus.

Jonah Williams (OT, Cardinals)

2 years, $30,000,000

The Cardinals released longtime OT D.J. Humphries in correspondence with this move, putting Williams and youngster Paris Johnson in line to bookend the O-Line in 2024. Williams secures $19M fully guaranteed at signing, and while Arizona could technically make this a 1 year, $19.61M contract, it's highly likely that he either sees both years of this deal, or is extended out of it after the 2024 season.

Kenny Moore (CB, Colts)

3 years, $30,000,000

The powers that be made it clear that Moore had signed the “largest ever contract for a nickel”, yet still haven’t disclosed the guaranteed figure for the deal. Generally speaking this isn’t a great sign, but crazier things have happened. 

Jon Runyan (G, Giants)

3 years, $30,00,000

Runyan leaves Green Bay on a $17M guarantee with the Giants, including more than half of his 2025 salary. The projected starting right guard for NY should see 2 years, $20.75M out of this contract, with $9.25M up in the air thereafter.

The NWSL 2024 season is here and the opening day rosters are set:

ANGEL CITY FC

Goalkeepers (3): Angelina Anderson, DiDi Hara?i?, Hannah Stambaugh

Defenders (10): Madison Curry, Elizabeth Eddy, Vanessa Gilles (LOAN), Sarah Gorden, Merritt Mathias, Paige Nielsen, Megan Reid, Ali Riley, Jasmyne Spencer, Gisele Thompson, M.A. Vignola

Midfielders (7): Meggie Dougherty Howard, Kennedy Fuller (U-18), Madison Hammond, Amandine Henry, Clarisse Le Bihan, Lily Nabet, Rocky Rodríguez

Forwards (6): Messiah Bright, Claire Emslie, Jun Endo (SEI), Katie Johnson, Sydney Leroux, Casey Phair (U-18), Christen Press (SEI), Alyssa Thompson  

Press Release

BAY FC

Goalkeepers (3): Emmie Allen, Melissa Lowder (SEI), Katelyn Rowland, Lysianne Proulx

Defenders (10): Jen Beattie, Jordan Brewster, Caprice Dydasco, Savy King, Alyssa Malonson, Emily Menges, Kiki Pickett, Kayla Sharples

Midfielders (7): Joelle Anderson, Dorian Bailey, Caroline Conti, Deyna Castellanos, Maya Doms, Jamie Shepherd

Forwards (6): Tess Boade, Scarlett Camberos, Rachell Hill, Racheal Kundananji, Alex Loera, Princess, Asisat Oshoala

Press Release

CHICAGO RED STARS

Goalkeepers (3): Alyssa Naeher, Sydney Schneider, Mackenzie Wood  

Defenders (8): Hannah Anderson, Camryn Biegalski, Sami Feller (SEI), Natalia Kuikka, Taylor Malham, Tatumn Milazzo, Maximiliane Rall, Sam Staab 

Midfielders (8): Julia Bianchi, Jenna Bike, Chardonnay Curran, Bea Franklin, Sarah Griffith, Sophie Jones, Leilanni Nesbeth, Cari Roccaro 

Forwards (8): Ally Cook, Ava Cook, Nádia Gomes, Shea Groom, Penelope Hocking, Jameese Joseph, Ally Schlegel, Mallory Swanson 

Press Release

HOUSTON DASH

Goalkeepers (3): Emily Alvarado, Jane Campbell, Savannah Madden

Defenders (6): Allysha Chapman (ML), Madelyn Desiano, Jyllissa Harris, Natalie Jacobs, Katie Lind, Courtney Petersen, Sarah Puntigam, Croix Soto 

Midfielders (7): Andressa Alves, Belle Briede, Sophie Hirst, Elin Rubensson, Sophie Schmidt, Havana Solaun, Barbara Olivieri

Forwards (7): Michelle Alozie, Ryan Gareis (ML), Paulina Gramaglia (LOAN), Cece Kizer, Yuki Nagasato, Diana Ordóñez, Avery Patterson, María Sánchez, Amanda West

Press Release

KANSAS CITY CURRENT

Goalkeepers (3): AD Franch, Hope Hisey, Jordan Silkowitz

Defenders (10): Stine Ballisager Pedersen, Elizabeth Ball, Hanna Gla (SEI), Lauren, Hailie Mace, Gabrielle Robinson, Izzy Rodriguez, Regan Steigleder, Ellie Wheeler, Mallory Weber (SEI)

Midfielders (8): Sophia Braun, Debinha, Vanessa Dibernadro (SEI), Bayley Feist, Claire Hutton, Lo’eau LaBonta, Claire Lavogez, Desiree Scott (SEI), 

Forwards (7): Temwa Chawinga, Michelle Cooper, Kristen Hamilton, Alex Pfeiffer (U-18), Nichelle Prince, Alexa Spaanstra, Bia Zaneratto, 

Press Release

NJ/NY GOTHAM FC

Goalkeepers (2): Michelle Betos, Cassie Miller, Abby Smith (SEI)

Defenders (10): Maycee Bell, Bruninha , Tierna Davidson, Kristen Edmonds, Mandy Freeman, Sam Hiatt, Maitane , Jenna Nighswonger, Kelley O’Hara, Taryn Torres

Midfielders (6): Sinead Farrelly, Rose Lavelle, Nealy Martin, Yazmeen Ryan, Delanie Sheehan, Emily Sonnett, McCall Zerboni (SEI)

Forwards (7): Crystal Dunn, Esther , Svava Guðmundsdóttir, Midge Purce, Taylor Smith, Katie Stengel, Ella Stevens, Lynn Williams

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NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE

Goalkeepers (3): Marisa Bova, Hensley Hancuff, Casey Murphy

Defenders (10): Malia Berkely, Sydney Collins (IR), Julia Dorsey, Kaleigh Kurtz, Estelle Johnson (ML), Maya McCutcheon, Feli Rauch, Talia Staude, Ryan Williams, Jenna Winebrenner

Midfielders (11): Rikako Kobayashi (SEI), Riley Jackson, Manaka Matsukubo (LOAN IN), Landy Mertz, Narumi Miura, Denise O’Sullivan, Brianna Pinto, Victoria Pickett, Clara Schilke (SEI), Meredith Speck (SEI), Dani Weatherholt

Forwards (7): Mille Gejl (LOAN),Haley Hopkins, Tyler Lussi, Kerolin Nicoli (SEI), Ashley Sanchez, Bianca St-Georges, Olivia Wingate

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ORLANDO PRIDE

Goalkeepers (4): Kaylie Collins (LOAN), McKinley Crone, Sofia Manner, Anna Moorhouse

Defenders (9): Tori Hansen (LOAN), Celia, Carrie Lawrence, Bri Martinez, Haley McCutcheon, Megan Montefusco (SEI), Emily Sams, Rafaelle, Kylie Strom

Midfielders (8): Angelina, Evelina Duljan, Morgan Gautrat, Ally Lemos, Cori Dyke, Luana, Kerry Abello, Viviana Villacorta (SEI)

Forwards (10): Adriana, Amanda Allen, Barbra Banda, Simone Charley (SEI), Julie Doyle, Alex Kerr, Mariana Larroquette, Marta, Ally Watt, Summer Yates

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PORTLAND THORNS FC

Goalkeepers (4): Kat Asman, Bella Bixby (ML), Shelby Hogan, Lauren Kozal

Defenders (8): Kelli Hubly, Meghan Klingenberg, Marie Müller , Meaghan Nally, Isabella Obaze , Nicole Payne, Reyna Reyes, Becky Sauerbrunn

Midfielders (6): Sam Coffey, Jessie Fleming , Olivia Moultrie, Gabby Provenzano (SEI), Hina Sugita , Olivia Wade-Katoa

Forwards (6): Janine Beckie, Izzy D’Aquila, Payton Linnehan, Christine Sinclair, Sophia Smith, Morgan Weaver

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RACING LOUISVILLE FC

Goalkeepers (3): Jordyn Bloomer, Katie Lund, Olivia Sekany

Defenders (6): Abby Erceg, Ellie Jean, Lauren Milliet, Carson Pickett, Elli Pikkujämsä , Arin Wright

Midfielders (9): Jordan Baggett, Ary Borges , Savannah DeMelo, Marisa DiGrande, Kayla Fischer, Taylor Flint, Jaelin Howell, Yuuka Kurosaki , Maddie Pokorny

Forwards (8): Elexa Bahr, Milly Clegg, Parker Goins, Uchenna Kanu, Linda Motlhalo, Emma Sears, Reilyn Turner, Kirsten Wright

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SAN DIEGO WAVE

Goalkeepers (3): Hillary Beall, Morgan Messner, Kailen Sheridan

Defenders (8): Abby Dahlkemper, Sierra Enge, Naomi Girma, Hanna Lundkvist, Kristen McNabb, Kaitlyn Torpey, Kennedy Wesley, Christen Westphal

Midfielders (3): Danny Colaprico, Savannah McCaskill, Emily van Egmond

Forwards (9): Amirah Ali, Melanie Barcenas (U-18), Elyse Bennett, Kyra Carusa, Makenzy Doniak, Sofia Jakobsson, Mya Jones, Alex Morgan, Jaedyn Shaw

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SEATTLE REIGN FC

Goalkeepers (3): Claudia Dickey, Laurel Ivory, Maia Pérez

Defenders (9): Lauren Barnes, Ryanne Brown, Alana Cook, Shae Holmes, Sofia Huerta, Julia Lester, Jimena López (LOAN), Phoebe McClernon, Lily Woodham

Midfielders (10): Olivia Athens, Jess Fishlock, Angharad James, Luany (LOAN), Maddie Mercado, Sam Meza, Quinn, Ji So-Yun, Nikki Stanton, Olivia Van der Jagt

Forwards (6): Emeri Adames (U18), Bethany Balcer, Jordyn Huitema, Tziarra King, Veronica Latsko, McKenzie Weinert

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UTAH ROYALS FC

Goalkeepers (3): Mandy Haught, Carly Nelson, Cristina Roque

Defenders (7): Madison Pogarch, Imani Dorsey, Lauren Flynn, Zoe Burns, Kaleigh Riehl, Addisyn Merrick, Kate Del Fava

Midfielders (5): Mikayla Cluff, Dana Foederer , Emily Gray, Agnes Nyberg , Frankie Tagliaferri

Forwards (7): Brecken Mozingo, Michele Vasconcelos, Cameron Tucker, Ify Onumonu, Paige Monaghan, Hannah Betfort, Ally Sentnor

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WASHINGTON SPIRIT

Goalkeepers (3): Nicole Barnhart, Lyza Bosselmann, Aubrey Kingsbury 

Defenders (6): Annaïg Butel , Gabrielle Carle , Anna Heilferty, Casey Krueger, Tara McKeown, Kate Wiesner 

Midfielders (6): Croix Bethune, Courtney Brown, Hal Hershfelt, Paige Metayer, Heather Stainbrook, Andi Sullivan 

Forwards (9): Ashley Hatch, Civana Kuhlmann (SEI), Makenna Morris, Brittany Ratcliffe, Chloe Ricketts (U18), Trinity Rodman, Ouleymata Sarr , Lena Silano, Riley Tanner 

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Chris Jones & the Kansas City Chiefs agreed on a blockbuster extension Sunday night that puts to bed any question about his immediate future.

Total Value

At 5 years, $158.75M, this contract becomes the 13th highest total value deal currently on the books in the NFL, sliding in between Daniel Jones’ deal in NY, & Derek Carr’s contract in New Orleans. In terms of non-quarterback contracts however, this contract chimes in 2nd only to Nick Bosa’s $170M blockbuster in San Francisco.

The 5 year term takes Jones through his age 34 campaign,setting this contract up to be a potential career-finisher for the future Hall of Famer.

Average Annual Salary

At $31.75M per year, Chris Jones’ new deal makes him the 18th highest average paid player in the NFL (for a minute). Only Nick Bosa and his mega deal in San Fran surpasses this number right now.

Highest Average Paid Non-QBs

1. Nick Bosa, $34M
2. Chris Jones, $31.75M
3. Aaron Donald, $31.6M
4. Tyreek Hill, $30M
5. T.J. Watt, $28M

Only Donald, who was 30 years old at the time of his extension, compares in terms of age when speaking to these numbers. Nick Bosa was 26, T.J. Watt was 27, Tyreek Hill was 27 when they penned their most recent extensions.

Furthermore, the cash flow of this deal is structured to pay out a true $31.7M over the first 3 seasons (the practical portion of this contract). This also aligns with Donald’s deal, who secures $95M over 3 seasons, for a true $31.6M per year.

Nick Bosa’s contract, which comes with a 4 year practical guarantee, drops down to a $30.4M adjusted APY when portioning off this section of the contract.

BONUS STRUCTURE

The Chiefs kept things fairly neat and tidy here. Jones secures a single $30M signing bonus (spread out over the full 5 seasons for salary cap purposes). He then offsets his compensation in both 2025 ($15M) & 2026 ($16M) with early March roster bonuses. These bonuses are highly likely to be converted to signing bonus for cap saving purposes in the weeks leading up to each respective offseason.

Additionally, Chris Jones will secure an extra $100,000 per year by completing the necessary offseason workout programs.

GUARANTEE STRUCTURE

Jones secures an outstanding $60M fully guaranteed at signing on this contract, stemming from a $30M signing bonus, a $1.25M salary in 2024, a $15M roster bonus due next March, and a $13.75M salary for the 2025 season.

Next March, $35M of his 2026 compensation (a $16M roster bonus & $19M salary) will become fully guaranteed. That balance is guaranteed for injury at the time of signing (a not-insignificant for a player in his 30s).

This $95M represents the practical guarantee balance on this contract, spread over the next 3 seasons. The contract also contains an additional $6M of salary guarantee, but Jones must be on the roster in March of 2027 to secure the $3M early vesting lock, then on the roster in March of 2028 to secure another $3M of early guarantee for that upcoming season salary. While these guarantees help in forcing the team to make a decision, they don’t hamper the franchise from being able to move on from the player in that given year, so we don’t treat this $6M as practical guarantee for this reasoning. 

CASH FLOW

Had the Chiefs slapped a franchise tag on Jones this February, it would have accounted for $32.14M (120% of his 2023 compensation). Jones scores a little bit less than this for the upcoming season, set to earn $31.35M in 2024. It’s a small price to pay for another $64M guaranteed thereafter.

Annual Cash Payouts

1. $31.35M
2. $28.85M
3. $35.1M
4. $28.35M
5. $35.1M

Cumulative Cash Payouts

1. $31.35M
2. $60.2M
3. $95.3M
4. $123.65M
5. $158.75M

The 3-year payout is the number to pay attention to here, as it represents the 2nd most earned across this span for any non-QB in NFL history (Nick Bosa, $98.5M). Jones barely surpasses Aaron Donald’s $95M mark here (not accidentally).

CAP FLOW

Once Chiefs fans see this contract breakdown, only one number will stand out initially: $7.35M. That’s the cap hit for 2024 under these new terms. Well - sort of. Keep in mind that the structure of Jones’ 1-year deal for 2023 came with unlikely to be earned incentives that if met, would need to be accounted for on the Chiefs’ 2024 cap table. That adds an additional $4M to this year’s accounting, meaning Jones technically carries an $11M hit for KC this season.

From there, the numbers jump significantly, starting with a $34.85M cap hit in 2025. However, if the NFL salary cap jumps to $270M in 2025, this hit will only represent around 13% of that balance, a potentially tenable situation for the Chiefs.

Annual Salary Cap Hits

1. $7.35M
2. $34.85M
3. $41.1M
4. $34.35M
5. $41.1M

If the contract remains untouched (no cap conversions), KC will hold $12M of dead cap ahead of the 2027 season against a $34.35M cap hit, offering up $22M of potential savings. It should be largely expected that the team converts some of Jones’ future compensation (possibly only the roster bonuses) into signing bonus to aid in roster construction over the next 2 seasons.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

All of Spotrac’s predictions & analysis surrounding this contract chimed in at 3 year deals. It’s important to remember that while this contract is posted as a 5 year deal, it’s essentially a 3 year, $95M contract for practical purposes.

With that said, Jones has surpassed all expectations of a “team-friendly” “compromising” contract to remain in Kansas City. Aaron Donald’s deal, based on both age, production, & leverage, was long considered a bit of a 1 of 1 across the league. Does Jones deserve to surpass him in all regards financially speaking?

Yes. Even if the numbers on the stat line or the analysis from PFF don’t necessarily back it up - the finances of the NFL do. When Aaron Donald signed his extension in Los Angeles, the league salary cap was $208.2M. This means Donald’s $31.6M APY represented a 15.1% allocation of the league cap at the time of signing. Fast forward to 2024, and Jones’ $31.75M only represents 12.5% of the upcoming $255.4M league cap.

This is why NFL contracts keep forging forward. Players don’t necessarily have to produce (or even contain ceilings that could see them potentially producing) at the highest level of their respective position group. Math matters, and in the case of Chris Jones & the Chiefs, longevity, production, a window of contention, & a hell of a money jump across the league - all equaled a monster pay day for #95 going forward.

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