• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Guarantees Are Gold in NFL Free Agency—but Almost As Rare

NFL players don’t often sign fully guaranteed contracts. That leads to some inflated numbers when new deals come about.

Dec 8, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) at the line of scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium.
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

After several days of NFL free-agent frenzy, and a billion-dollar weekend of deals, players will finally be able to officially sign contracts with new teams when the 2025 league year begins at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday.

The money has been flying around this offseason, as it does every March, with the sport’s best players getting tens—and in some cases hundreds—of millions of dollars from extensions and new contracts. But that doesn’t tell the whole story.

Because of the NFL’s aversion to fully guaranteed contracts, many of the marquee deals agreed to this week have total sums reported that are far higher than the actual amount of money each team is guaranteeing to said player.

Take Sam Darnold, for example. His new contract with the Seahawks is reportedly a three-year, $100.5 million deal. However, just more than half of it, $55 million, is guaranteed. That makes it unlikely Darnold will actually play all three years of that contract under its initial terms. If he plays poorly, the Seahawks could release him without a huge financial penalty. If he plays well, Darnold will likely seek a raise.

Another example: Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn. His four-year, $100 million extension is a lower total amount than the four-year, $104 million contract defensive tackle Milton Williams signed with the Patriots. However, Horn is guaranteed more money ($70 million) than Williams ($63 million).

Record Deals

Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is getting more guaranteed money than any non-quarterback in NFL history ($122.8 million), as part of a four-year, $160 million extension. That comes just three years after Cleveland gave quarterback Deshaun Watson the most guaranteed money ever, $230 million over five years. Watson is unlikely to play in 2025, but he has a $172 million dead-cap hit.

That was until Sunday, when the Bills locked up NFL MVP Josh Allen through 2030 with $250 million in guaranteed money, as part of a deal that, of course, has a much higher reported total value: $330 million.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

$3.8 Billion Commanders Stadium Deal Approved Despite Late Drama

A decisive final vote on the stadium followed some last-minute snags.
Donald Trump
exclusive

Trump’s Unprecedented Super Bowl Visit Cost Secret Service More Than $120K

Trump was the first president to attend the Super Bowl.

CFB TV Ratings Stay Hot As Georgia-Tennessee Sets ABC High of 12.6M

ABC has had four games that have topped 10 million viewers this season.
Maria Taylor

Maria Taylor Talks About ‘Moving Differently’ in ESPN-NBC Jump

Taylor will be NBC Sports’ lead NBA and WNBA studio host.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Kawhi Leonard

A Timeline of the Kawhi Leonard-Clippers-Aspiration Saga

Investigations into the Clippers’ business dealings with Leonard date back years.
September 11, 2025

NHL To Allow Players From Hockey Canada Trial To Return This Winter

The five Canadian players were all acquitted in July.
Joe Burrow
September 15, 2025

Joe Burrow Out for Months After Bengals’ Pricey Offseason

Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are the highest-paid WR duo in NFL history.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 10, 2025

Kuminga, Grimes Remain Unsigned As Giddey Agrees to $100M Deal

Two of the four restricted free agents have inked deals.
September 8, 2025

Alcaraz and Sinner Have More to Gain in 2025 After Splitting Slams

Alcaraz and Sinner have split the last eight Grand Slams.
September 7, 2025

Alcaraz Beats Sinner, Wins $5M Prize, Reclaims World No. 1

Alcaraz won a record $5 million first prize at the US Open.
Angel Reese
September 5, 2025

Angel Reese Suspended For Half-Game After Ripping Teammates

The team is disciplining Reese for criticizing her teammates publicly.