Pricey Contracts, Stadium Talks Will Heat Up NFL Offseason

With Super Bowl LIX in the books, the NFL offseason is officially underway. 

And with more than 200 days until the Eagles kick off the 2025 regular season, decisions on pricey contracts for some star players, and negotiations for new stadium projects, are set to play out this spring and summer.

Quarterback Money

The deadline for NFL teams to place the franchise tag on a player is March 4. 

The most expensive candidate is Sam Darnold, who led the Vikings to a 14–3 record during the regular season while playing on a one-year, $10 million contract. Using the franchise tag on Darnold would cost roughly $40 million. An extension could be worth as much as $160 million over four years. Minnesota has rising second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who tore his meniscus during the preseason after being selected 10th in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Meanwhile, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is finally eligible for a contract extension, entering the fourth year of his rookie deal. Purdy, the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, made $2.88 million during his first three seasons, but based on other young QBs who signed recent deals, could be in line for a four-year extension worth around $200 million.

Skill Players at A Premium

Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons is set to make $24 million playing on his fifth-year club option. But Dallas is hoping to extend Parsons, and potentially make him the highest-paid player at his position (potentially a four-year, $180 million deal), after giving huge deals to quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb last offseason. 

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has been vocal about his desire to see the team re-sign both of its top receivers, no matter the cost. Tee Higgins earned $21.8 million while playing on the franchise tag this season, and is seeking a long-term deal. Ja’Marr Chase, entering the final year of his rookie deal, is likely looking for an extension close in value—if not higher than—the four-year, $140 million contract Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson signed last year.

Stadium Status

Several teams beyond the Chiefs will continue efforts to seal funding for new stadiums, too.

The Browns and the city of Cleveland are suing each other over the franchise trying to move out of its downtown venue and build a $2 billion dome in suburban Brooke Park. In Chicago, the Bears are seeking a new enclosed stadium that could cost close to $5 billion, but getting public funding has been a major issue thus far.