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NFL teams have handed out major contract extensions throughout training camp. However, not every new deal deserves the same praise. Some extensions protect a team’s future and reward a deserving star. Others could create problems once the salary cap catches up. That makes contract value just as important as the player’s talent. Jahmyr Gibbs recently joined that group. The Detroit Lions gave their star running back a three-year, $67.5 million extension. The deal includes $51.5 million in guaranteed money. Gibbs ranks among the league’s most exciting young offensive players. Still, his contract only lands fifth in this ranking.
Here is a look at 10 notable NFL extensions, ranked from best to worst.
- Brian O’Neill, OT, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings made one of the smartest moves by extending Brian O’Neill. Minnesota gave the veteran tackle a four-year, $96 million extension. O’Neill has remained remarkably consistent throughout his career. He also brings tremendous value at an important position. His pass-block win rate ranked in the 95th percentile or higher from 2022 through 2024. That number fell to the 79th percentile in 2025. However, his run-blocking improved significantly last season. O’Neill also turns 30, but that does not make this deal risky. Offensive tackles can remain productive well into their 30s. The $24 million annual value also looks reasonable compared with today’s tackle market. Losing O’Neill would create a major hole for Minnesota. The contract structure makes the deal even better. Only $11.2 million in 2027 salary carries full guarantees. The Vikings therefore gained valuable control without taking on excessive long-term risk.
- Darnell Wright, OT, Chicago Bears
Chicago also made a strong investment in its offensive line. The Bears gave Darnell Wright a four-year, $116 million extension. Wright showed promise immediately after entering the league in 2023. Most rookie tackles struggle early, but Wright produced above-average results. He took another step forward in pass protection last season. His 96th-percentile pass-block win rate ranked among the league’s best. Wright also received strong praise from coaches and executives. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler’s survey ranked him as the NFL’s sixth-best tackle. At $29 million per year, the deal carries a hefty price. Still, Wright’s age makes the investment easier to understand. The 24-year-old should anchor Chicago’s offensive line for years. That long-term value makes the contract worthwhile.
- Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Running back contracts often create skepticism. Bijan Robinson’s new deal, however, stands apart. Atlanta gave Robinson a three-year, $66.75 million extension. The Falcons essentially made Robinson the centerpiece of their offense. Robinson delivered outstanding production last season. He led all running backs in yards after contact over expected. He also ranked third in rushing yards over expected. His receiving production added another dimension to his value. Only Christian McCaffrey ranked ahead of Robinson in ESPN’s receiver score among running backs. Robinson also remains just 24 years old. That age matters tremendously at a position with a short shelf life. Robinson should remain productive throughout Atlanta’s next championship window. The Falcons also have enough future cap space to absorb the contract. Therefore, this extension makes sense for both sides.
- Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints
The Saints took a calculated risk by extending Chris Olave. New Orleans gave the receiver a four-year, $124 million contract. Olave produced a breakout season with 100 receptions and 1,163 receiving yards. He also averaged 2.1 yards per route run. More importantly, Olave consistently creates separation. His ESPN open scores remained strong throughout his first four seasons. The major concern involves his concussion history. Olave previously said those issues made him consider retirement. However, New Orleans built protection into the contract. His $35 million signing bonus provides immediate security. Meanwhile, only his 2026 and 2027 salary and roster bonuses carry full guarantees. That structure gives the Saints an important safety valve. At $31 million annually, the contract also fits the current receiver market.
- Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
Gibbs earned one of the NFL’s biggest running back contracts. Detroit gave him three additional years’ worth $67.5 million. The Lions clearly believe Gibbs can remain an elite offensive weapon. His receiving ability makes the investment easier to justify. Gibbs finished behind Robinson in several Next Gen Stats categories last season. Robinson recorded 249 rushing yards over expected compared with Gibbs’ 168. Robinson also posted 201 receiving yards over expected. Gibbs finished with 126. Still, both players look like elite talents. Gibbs also remains only 24 years old. His annual salary represents the top of today’s running back market. Yet previous stars received comparable money when adjusted for today’s salary cap. That makes Gibbs’ deal more understandable. Detroit also gets to keep a dangerous weapon during its championship window.
- Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens made a major commitment to Zay Flowers. Baltimore gave the receiver a four-year, $140 million extension. Flowers will earn $35 million per season. That puts him among the highest-paid receivers in football. The price looks aggressive, but Flowers has earned plenty of confidence. He has averaged 2.4 yards per route run throughout his career. That number climbed to 2.8 last season. He also consistently creates separation from defenders. Flowers has recorded an open score of at least 76 in every season. That skill remains extremely valuable for Lamar Jackson. The biggest question involves timing. Baltimore still had two years remaining on Flowers’ contract. That reduced his leverage compared with other recent receiver extensions. Even so, Flowers is only 25 and remains central to Baltimore’s offense.
- Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Taylor received a two-year, $44 million extension from Indianapolis. The deal gives him an average annual value of $22 million. Taylor remains one of the league’s best runners. However, his ranking reflects his age and contract cost. Taylor turns 27, making him three years older than Robinson and Gibbs. Running backs can decline quickly once they reach their late 20s. Taylor also benefited from strong run blocking last season. He produced 190 rushing yards over expected and scored 18 rushing touchdowns. His receiving numbers showed value as well. Taylor caught 46 passes for 378 yards. Still, Indianapolis had reason to think about the future. Taylor only had one year remaining on his previous contract. The extension does not look disastrous, but the Colts paid more than necessary. His shorter contract does limit some of the long-term risk.
- Jalen Carter, DT, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia made Jalen Carter one of the NFL’s highest-paid defensive tackles. The Eagles gave him a four-year, $152 million extension. The contract carries a $38 million annual value. That ranks fourth among defensive tackles when adjusted for salary-cap inflation since 2015. Carter certainly has elite potential. He has shown stretches where he completely takes over games. However, his consistency remains a question. Carter posted a 90th-percentile pass-rush win rate as a rookie. That number fell to the 52nd percentile in 2024. It then improved to the 66th percentile last season. His sack totals also declined. Carter recorded six sacks as a rookie, followed by 4.5 and three sacks. He remains a very good player. Carter also made the Pro Bowl during each of the past two seasons. Still, Philadelphia paid him like an established superstar. The contract could look expensive if his production fails to reach another level.
- Denzel Ward, CB, Cleveland Browns
The Browns gave Denzel Ward a two-year, $62.2 million extension. The deal carries an annual value of $31.1 million. Ward remains an important piece of Cleveland’s defense. However, the timing makes this extension difficult to defend. Ward already had two years remaining on his contract. Those seasons carried an average salary of $20.25 million. Cleveland therefore had little reason to rush into another deal. The new contract also covers Ward’s age-31 and age-32 seasons. His coverage numbers add another concern. Ward struggled badly in 2024 before bouncing back in 2025. His yards allowed per coverage snap dropped to 1.0 last season. That number represented a major improvement from 2024. Ward still received strong league-wide respect. Fowler’s survey ranked him seventh among cornerbacks. Even so, Cleveland surrendered valuable financial flexibility. The Browns could have waited before committing additional money.
- Matthew Bergeron, G, Atlanta Falcons
Matthew Bergeron’s extension ranks last among these deals. Atlanta gave the guard a four-year, $96 million contract. The annual value ties Tyler Smith for the highest among NFL guards. That number seems difficult to justify based on Bergeron’s production. Bergeron recorded a 41st-percentile pass-block win rate last season. His run-block win rate ranked in the 57th percentile. His numbers looked better in 2024, but they still did not suggest a top-of-market player. Bergeron does have youth on his side. He is only 26 and entered the final year of his rookie contract.
Atlanta also has plenty of salary-cap space. The Falcons therefore had room to make the investment. However, the timing creates additional questions. Atlanta is changing its offensive system under Kevin Stefanski. The Falcons previously relied heavily on outside-zone concepts. They now expect to move toward a gap-based approach. That change makes the contract even more difficult to understand. Atlanta could have waited and evaluated Bergeron under the new system. Instead, the Falcons committed significant money before seeing the results. That creates substantial downside with limited immediate upside.
The Bigger Picture
These extensions show how difficult NFL roster building has become. Teams must balance player talent, age, production and future cap space. The best deals usually combine young players with elite production. Robinson and Gibbs fit that description particularly well. The offensive tackle market also creates opportunities. O’Neill and Wright provide valuable protection at a premium position. Meanwhile, older players create more complicated decisions. Taylor and Ward could remain productive, but their age increases the risk. Carter represents another type of gamble.
Philadelphia believes his best football remains ahead of him. Bergeron’s extension carries perhaps the biggest question mark. Atlanta paid premium money without clear evidence of premium production. Ultimately, contract extensions should create flexibility rather than eliminate it. The smartest teams understand that distinction. The NFL season will eventually provide the final verdict. Until then, these rankings offer a snapshot of which teams made the smartest investments. This version keeps the key contract figures, player statistics, rankings, and reasoning from the source while removing the unrelated email content.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a co-host on the P&W Sports Report and hosting The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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