Now that the big wave of free agency and the draft are both gone, NFL front offices reorganize and check what their next priorities are. For most of them, there are impactful contract extension candidates waiting or negotiating new deals. So, let’s discuss some of the top extension candidates around the NFL.

Philadelphia Eagles DT Jalen Carter

The Eagles picked up Carter’s fifth-year option, so now he’s under contract through 2027. The star player is set to make $3.723 million in 2026 and then the salary jumps to $27.127 million next season. The contract situation, his age, and impact on the field all put him in position to receive an extension. Maybe that happens now, during the season, or next offseason, but the Eagles should be highly motivated to pull the trigger because the fifth-year option hits the cap all at once — something Howie Roseman certainly won’t want.

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Buffalo Bills DT Ed Oliver

Oliver is already in his second contract with the Bills, one that he signed back in 2023. He’s still under contract for two more seasons, making $15.05 million in 2026 and $16.5 million in 2027. Buffalo is in no rush to make a new deal now, but things may change next offseason — well, that if he doesn’t get traded. His cap hit jumps from $13.66 million to $28.285 million. While the Bills could lower that with a simple restructure, since there are already void years on the contract, it’s more fiscally prudent to give him some type of extension to keep those void years prorated for longer. Oliver is 28 and has played at a high level — at his position, players have a real shot at playing well into their 30s.

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Indianapolis Colts G Quenton Nelson

Jonathan Taylor and DeForest Buckner could easily be on this list, but guard Quenton Nelson is the most impactful player — and viable on the long run — for the Colts. He signed a second deal in 2022, which means he’s now in the final year of it, making $18 million. This extension is not as simple as the first one because Nelson is already 30, but he’s still playing at an extremely high level — he’s made the Second-Team All-Pro in each of the past two years — and guards can usually play longer. Maybe a mid-term deal is the way to go for Chris Ballard and the Colts.

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Denver Broncos G Ben Powers

Originally signed as a free agent in 2023, Powers has been the starting left guard since. He’s not a star, but he’s a viable starter and his experience helps a young quarterback like Bo Nix. Powers is making $13 million, with an $18.155 million cap hit. That means a new extension would probably clear some cap space this year, giving the Broncos even more financial flexibility to operate this season. Wide receiver Denzel Mims could be mentioned here as well.

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New England Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez

Drake Maye will probably get his own extension next offseason, but now it’s time to talk about Gonzalez. He makes $2.809 million this year, and it jumps to $18.119 million next season because of his fully-guaranteed fifth-year option. Gonzalez is a premier talent at a premium position, and he’s only 23. It’s a complete no-brainer, and the sooner the Patriots pull the trigger, the less expensive it will be. Now, the Patriots could make Gonzalez the highest-paid cornerback in new money — currently it’s Trent McDuffie at $31 million a year — and still dilute it.

A four-year, $128 million extension would be $32 million per year in new money. But in practicality, it would be a six-year, $148.9 million contract ($24.8 million a year in real money).

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New Orleans Saints WR Chris Olave

Olave is already playing under his fifth-year option at $15.493 million, so there’s plenty of reasons to find a resolution. He’s 25 and is productive — last year, he had 100 catches for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns, his third 1,000-yard season in four NFL seasons. There’s also some risk with injuries due to his concussion history, and the Saints drafted three wide receivers this year, but Olave should still be part — at least — of the mid-terms plans.

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Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua

Quarterback Matthew Stafford will make yearly contract negotiations, but that’s a different situation. So let’s focus on Nacua, who’s entering the final year of his rookie deal. His salary jumped to $5.828 million due to the proven performance escalator, but he will most likely become the highest-paid receiver in football. Right now, that guy is Ja’Marr Chase, with a $40.25 million yearly average.

Nacua is only 25 and has been insanely productive, with 4,191 yards and 19 touchdowns over three seasons in the NFL. This is another of those instances where the sooner, the less expensive for the team. It’s Nacua’s first year of eligibility to sign an extension, and general manager Les Snead could be proactive to get things done. The Rams have almost $30 million in cap space, which means they can afford the initial impact of a new deal.

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Seattle Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon

Offensive lineman Anthony Bradford is an honorable mention here, but Witherspoon is the obvious extension candidate for the defending Super Bowl champions. As a former fifth overall pick and with his fifth-year option picked up, the cornerback is already relatively expensive for a rookie — he’s making $21.3 million over the next two years. He’s 25, so now is the ideal moment to get a deal done and take advantage of his final rookie contract seasons to lower the overall impact of an extension. The Seahawks are in a comfortable cap situation, and there aren’t many reasons why they shouldn’t get this one done.

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New York Jets IOL Joe Tippmann

You could argue that running back Breece Hall should be here, but the Jets found a way to keep him in the short-term with less risk, which is always important for his position. Meanwhile, Tippmann is more valuable to the overall structure of the offense. Teams simply don’t allow a 25-year-old competent and versatile offensive lineman to walk. He is entering the final year of his rookie deal, making $3.924 million, and has played at both center and right guard spots throughout his NFL career. He’s likely a better center, but he was a solid starter at guard as well, and that brings a lot of value for the Jets. New York has almost $50 million in cap space now, and Tippmann should be a top priority to stay around for a long time.

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San Francisco 49ers C Jake Brendel

Nobody has more cap space than the 49ers in the NFL — and this will become even more evident when the team parts ways with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. While the front office may touch Nick Bosa and Fred Warner’s contracts to adjust their cap hits, there aren’t many real extension candidates on the roster at this point. Safety Ji’Ayir Brown could be one of them, but the defensive back is more easily replaceable. On the other hand, Brendel is older at 33 and has been in the NFL since 2016. However, he’s been a solid starter for the 49ers since 2022, and Kyle Shanahan appreciates a veteran, capable center to run his scheme. Coming off his best career season in PFF run-block grade, Brendel wouldn’t demand a huge contract, but securing him for one or two extra years would make sense.

Right now, he’s set to make $4.225 million in the final year of his deal, but the cap hit is $5.405 million — with $1.398 million in dead money next year if the contract voids. Keeping that money prorated is another motivation to get a deal done here, even though the 49ers don’t need immediate cap space.