Who boasts the NFL‘s best contract? After examining the league’s worst deals (from the team perspective) on Monday, let’s take a look at the most club-friendly pacts in the NFL.
Some NFL contracts might be considered bargains because a player delivers league-average performance at a reduced rate. Others are steals because they almost can’t paid enough (like a certain quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs).
Let’s examine the best contract for every NFL team entering the 2024 season.
Best Bargain Contract For All 32 NFL Teams
As we review each NFL team’s best contract, keep in mind that we’ll only consider veteran deals.
Yes, the San Francisco 49ers are getting a bargain by paying QB Brock Purdy less than $1 million annually. Micah Parsons is a steal for the Dallas Cowboys at $4.2 million per year.
However, the NFL’s slotted rookie contract system turns almost every drafted player’s deal into a bargain. It wouldn’t be fair to compare artificially-deflated rookie agreements with veteran contracts negotiated on the open market.
Arizona Cardinals | C Hjalte Froholdt
The Cardinals didn’t draft a center to replace Froholdt, who came to the desert last offseason and proceeded to post the best season of his NFL career, starting all 17 games while displaying noticeable improvement by the end of the year.
Froholdt is on track to man the middle of Arizona’s offensive line again in 2024 and will do so while earning just $2.3 million per year. The Cards have $35 million in available cap space and rank first in projected 2025 cap room, so an extension could be warranted for the former journeyman.
Atlanta Falcons | S Jessie Bates
While Bates is the NFL’s fourth-highest-paid safety, his $16.005 million average annual value (AAV) is still a good deal for the Falcons. At signing, his AAV was just 7.1% of the NFL’s salary cap; fellow safety Derwin James was at 9.1%, while Minkah Fitzpatrick reached 8.8%.
Bates was a second-team All-Pro in 2023 after posting three forced fumbles, 11 pass breakups, and six interceptions in his debut campaign with Atlanta.
Baltimore Ravens | WR Rashod Bateman
Injuries and ineffectiveness have defined Bateman’s career thus far, as the former first-round pick has averaged just 389 receiving yards per season over his first three years in the NFL.
So, why is he a bargain? Bateman’s 2025 fifth-year option was non-applicable since he spent time on the non-football injury list in his rookie year. The Ravens used that leverage to sign him to a two-year, $12.8 million extension. Of course, Bateman actually has to deliver on the promise he showed coming out of Minnesota in 2021 — but a $6.4 million AAV is essentially a rounding error in 2024.
Buffalo Bills | QB Josh Allen
Allen is arguably the NFL’s second-best quarterback behind Patrick Mahomes but ranks only 11th in AAV among signal-callers. Allen earning $40 million per year while Jared Goff brings home $53 million is almost comical, but it’s the nature of the quarterback market.
Carolina Panthers | WR Diontae Johnson
The Panthers will pay Johnson just $10 million in 2024 after acquiring him from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for CB Donte Jackson this offseason. Signing bonus money doesn’t transfer in NFL trades, so Carolina is only responsible for Johnson’s $7 million base salary and $3 million roster bonus.
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While Johnson’s 51-717-5 line last season marked his worst production since his rookie year, he was still effective on a per-snap basis. He ranked seventh in ESPN’s player-tracking WR metrics, primarily due to his ability to create consistent separation. He should quickly become Bryce Young’s favorite target.
Chicago Bears | CB Jaylon Johnson
The Bears had no choice but to extend Johnson after how dominant he was in coverage last season. The former second-round pick led all qualified corners in yardage (195) and passer rating allowed (33.3) while managing four interceptions and earning a second-team All-Pro nod.
Chicago got a surprisingly good deal, keeping Johnson under $20 million annually while crafting a four-year contract that, upon closer inspection, is really more of a two-year deal.
Cincinnati Bengals | S Vonn Bell
The Bengals made several smart, affordable signings this offseason, papering over holes by adding RB Zack Moss, OT Trent Brown, TE Mike Gesicki, S Geno Stone, and others.
But Bell will be one of the NFL’s best bargains in 2024. Already collecting $6 million in guaranteed salary from the Panthers, Bell returns to Cincinnati after a one-year hiatus making only the league minimum. Communication issues torched the Bengals’ secondary last season, and Bell will be tasked with fixing that problem.
Cleveland Browns | LB Jordan Hicks
The Browns have high-priced players along their defensive line and in their secondary and could soon hand a long-term extension to LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, so Cleveland had to go relatively cheap at its LB2 spot.
Hicks signed for $8 million over two years but only received $4.5 million guaranteed, making this a de facto single-season pact with a 2025 option.
Dallas Cowboys | S Malik Hooker
The Cowboys have dragged their heels on extensions for QB Dak Prescott and WR CeeDee Lamb, so much so that they’ll have to pay market rates for both stalwarts. Still, Dallas does have some affordable contracts on its books.
Hooker was constantly injured after entering the league as a first-round pick with the Indianapolis Colts in 2017, but he has since found a home in Dallas. The Cowboys extended him last season, giving him a three-year deal worth $21 million.
Denver Broncos | DT Zach Allen
Sean Payton prioritized Allen during his first offseason helming the Broncos’ personnel choices, signing the former Cardinals DT to a three-year, $45.7 million deal that ranks only 22nd among the highest-paid interior players.
Defensive tackle prices have steadily increased over the past year, making Allen’s pact seem all the more reasonable. The former third-round pick ranked 10th in pressures (60) among interior defenders in 2023.
Detroit Lions | G Kevin Zeitler
The Lions were in the market for a cost-effective Jonah Jackson replacement after losing their starting guard to the Rams, and Detroit could hardly have done better than landing Zeitler for one year and $6 million.
After starting 181 career games in the NFL, Zeitler finally made his first Pro Bowl last year after completing his age-33 campaign. He showed no signs of slowing down, especially in pass protection. Guards can play forever, and Zeitler is still among the league’s best.
Green Bay Packers | CB Keisean Nixon
While Nixon’s $6 million AAV ties him with Mike Hilton as the NFL’s second-highest-paid slot-only corner, he might have more value after the league changed its kickoff rules this offseason.
Nixon was one of only two players to post enough kick returns to qualify for year-end statistical rankings. He didn’t score a kick return TD last season, but Nixon posted two returns of 40+ yards. If he consistently puts Green Bay in good field position, Nixon should be a bargain.
Houston Texans | TE Dalton Schultz
Only three tight ends have caught more touchdowns than Schultz (22) over the past four seasons, and they are the names you might guess: Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, and George Kittle. Only four TEs have hauled in more receptions during that span.
Nevertheless, Schultz’s $12 million AAV ranks ninth at the position. He’ll have plenty of competition for C.J. Stroud’s targets after Houston added RB Joe Mixon and WR Stefon Diggs this offseason, but Schultz is an excellent fit for the Texans’ offense.
Indianapolis Colts | WR Michael Pittman Jr.
A second-round pick in 2020, Pittman has been uber-reliable since joining the Colts, topping 900 receiving yards in each of the last three seasons. He was the centerpiece of Indianapolis’ offense in 2023, as his 28.5% target share ranked sixth-best in the NFL.
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And yet, the Colts will pay Pittman less through two years of his extension than he would’ve received on back-to-back franchise tags. He’ll earn just $333,333 more annually than Calvin Ridley over the next three seasons despite being three years younger than the new Titans wideout.
Jacksonville Jaguars | C Mitch Morse
The Jaguars needed a replacement for center Luke Fortner after two seasons of struggles, and they found one in Morse, whom the Bills released in a cost-cutting move.
While Morse may no longer be the player he was at the beginning of his NFL career, he represents a clear improvement over Fortner. His $5.25 million AAV ranks just 11th among centers.
Kansas City Chiefs | QB Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes is one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, but ranks 10th among quarterbacks with a $45 million AAV. Case closed.
Las Vegas Raiders | WR Jakobi Meyers
The Raiders are paying market rate for Davante Adams, but their WR2 has outplayed his contract. Meyers is a better player than fellow wideouts Jerry Jeudy, Gabe Davis, Darnell Mooney, and Allen Lazard, each of whom matches or exceeds Meyers’ $11 million AAV.
The former undrafted free agent managed at least 800 receiving yards in each of the last three seasons and scored six-plus touchdowns in the previous two. Meyers remains underrated and underpaid.
Los Angeles Chargers | C Bradley Bozeman
The Chargers were largely set at four of five offensive line positions entering the offseason but needed a new center with Corey Linsley set to retire. Bozeman quickly landed in Los Angeles after getting his walking papers from the Carolina Panthers, signing a one-year pact worth the veteran’s minimum.
He’s reuniting with new Chargers OC Greg Roman, who held the same title when both men were with the Ravens. Roman already knows Bozeman — and his hulking 6’5″, 325-pound frame — is a good fit for his gap-running scheme.
Los Angeles Rams | S Kam Curl
The Rams have habitually collected players like CB Cobie Durant and S Quentin Lake, who can line up virtually anywhere in the second and third levels, and Curl fits that mold.
While the 25-year-old lacks ball production (with zero interceptions since his three-pick rookie campaign), Curl can play safety in two-deep coverages, erase tight ends, or line up in the box as a Big Nickel or Dime linebacker. He was the only top-25 free agent in Pro Football Network’s Top 100 to sign for less than a $7 million AAV.
Miami Dolphins | CB Kendall Fuller
Fuller was arguably the No. 1 steal of NFL free agency in 2024. He’s 29 years old, but he has played 1,000 snaps for three consecutive seasons, is solid against the run, and forced a tight window on 40.8% of his targets in man coverage in 2023, the fourth-highest rate in the league, per Next Gen Stats.
While he’s played primarily on the perimeter since 2020, Fuller began his career in the slot. He’ll give the Dolphins optionality if incumbent slot CB Kader Kohou struggles or 2023 second-round pick Cam Smith develops into a starting option on the outside. Getting Fuller’s talent and flexibility for $7.5 million annually is a gift for Miami.
Minnesota Vikings | RB Aaron Jones
Injuries will be a never-ending concern for Jones, who turns 30 in December and missed six games in 2023 with hamstring and knee issues. But Jones — who ranked sixth in yards after contact per attempt (3.35)– is a perfect fit for the Vikings’ zone-running scheme.
Ty Chandler flashed after taking over Minnesota’s backfield at the end of last season, but he’ll cede touches to Jones, who should add a dose of explosiveness and efficiency to the Vikings’ rushing attack. Landing him for just $7 million should be a steal for the NFC North franchise.
New England Patriots | EDGE Josh Uche
Yes, Uche is a designated pass rusher who’s never played more than a third of New England’s defensive snaps in a season. But the delta between Uche (who re-upped for just $3 million) and Bryce Huff — another edge defender who sees limited snaps but received a $17 million AAV from the Eagles this offseason — isn’t as wide as the gap between their salaries.
Uche finished first in PFF’s pass-rushing productivity in 2022 while posting 11.5 sacks. He won’t turn 26 years old until September. The limitations are obvious, but the price point doesn’t make sense.
New Orleans Saints | LB Demario Davis
While he’s entering his age-35 campaign, Davis is still among the most productive linebackers in the league. He has received a first- or second-team All-Pro nod in five consecutive seasons and has been named a Pro Bowler the last two. His 6.5 sacks in 2023 ranked second among off-ball linebackers.
Roquan Smith reset the LB market with a $20 million AAV on his 2023 Ravens extension, but Davis is still stuck at $8.6 million.
New York Giants | DT Dexter Lawrence
There’s no other NFL player quite like Lawrence. He’s one of the league’s best pass rushers despite standing 6’4” and 340 pounds. While most defensive tackles his size merely take up space, Lawrence finished seventh among interior defenders with 65 pressures in 2023.
Lawrence is arguably the league’s second-best DT behind Chris Jones, but his $22.4 million AAV is tied for just eighth at the position. While the Giants have handed out myriad regrettable contracts in recent years, Lawrence’s deal isn’t one of them.
New York Jets | LB Quincy Williams
Williams has been one of the league’s most productive linebackers since joining the Jets as a 2021 waiver claim.
In 2023, Williams led the NFL with 80 defensive stops — tackles that resulted in negative EPA for the offense — according to PFF. But he wasn’t a pure run-stopping linebacker. Williams also finished second among LBs in pass breakups (10) and played the third-most LB snaps from the slot.
New York wisely bought early stock in Williams, inking him to a three-year, $18 million contract in March 2023 — before he earned first-team All-Pro honors.
Philadelphia Eagles | EDGE Josh Sweat
Free agent tackle/guard Mekhi Becton’s one-year, $2.75 million contract could turn into a bargain for the Eagles, but we’re going with Sweat, who still seems relatively anonymous despite his annual production.
Sweat has posted at least six sacks in four consecutive years, including a career-high 11 in 2022. Last year, he ranked 14th in pass-rush win rate (20%) among edge rushers. Philadelphia still convinced him to accept a $6 million pay cut this offseason in exchange for $9.5 million in guarantees.
Pittsburgh Steelers | QB Russell Wilson
Wilson is collecting $37 million in guarantees from the Denver Broncos in 2024, so he’ll only cost the Steelers a minimum salary. That’s a genuine bargain in a league where backup quarterbacks like Tyrod Taylor and Marcus Mariota earn $6 million annually.
Whether Wilson will move the needle for Pittsburgh remains to be seen. Still, he almost has to represent an improvement over last year’s Kenny Pickett/Mason Rudolph/Mitchell Trubisky trifecta.
If Wilson struggles, it’s no harm, no foul for the Steelers. He’s costing Pittsburgh nothing, and Mike Tomlin can turn over the QB reins to trade acquisition Justin Fields whenever he wants.
San Francisco 49ers | CB Charvarius Ward
One of the more physical corners in the game, Charvarius Ward landed a free-agent payday with the 49ers in 2022 and has continued his feisty play in San Francisco. His 34 pass breakups are the second-most in the NFL over the past two seasons.
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The cornerback market has been relatively stagnant in recent years but has still eclipsed the $20 million threshold. Ward makes just $13.5 million annually for the Niners. Still just 28 years old, he should be in line for a raise when he hits the market in 2025.
Seattle Seahawks | OT George Fant
Signing a swing tackle like Fant for two years and $9.1 million isn’t exactly the sexiest of transactions. However, the Seahawks will be thankful they invested in a capable insurance policy like Fant if starting OTs Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas miss more time with injuries. Fant, 32, started 13 games and played over 900 snaps for Houston in 2023.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | WR Mike Evans
While everything pointed to Evans leaving Tampa Bay this offseason, he eventually took a hometown discount. His $20.5 million AAV came in well below projections, even if the 30-year-old can earn up to $11 million via incentives. If Evans reaches the production thresholds to unlock his incentive package, the Buccaneers will happily pay the money.
Tennessee Titans | S Jamal Adams
The Titans paid full freight for most of their offseason spending spree. Contracts for new additions like WR Calvin Ridley, RB Tony Pollard, C Lloyd Cushenberry, and CB L’Jarius Sneed were hardly cheap.
However, Tennessee did get a deal on Adams, who signed for just $1.125 million in July. He’s a liability in coverage but can probably hold his own in the box or as a hybrid linebacker in first-year DC Dennard Wilson’s scheme. The Titans need help at both spots, making Adams a low-risk, high-reward addition.
Washington Commanders | S Jeremy Chinn
We called Chinn one of the NFL’s forgotten free agents earlier this offseason, noting the former second-round pick’s absence from the Panthers’ defensive plans. He might’ve landed in a perfect spot last week when he signed with the Dan Quinn-led Commanders.
Quinn always got the most out of unheralded tweeners like Jayron Kearse, Donovan Wilson, and Markquese Bell during his run as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator.
Chinn is cut from the same cloth. He can do a little bit of everything while lining up as a safety, nickel corner, or linebacker, and Washington signed him for just $4.1 million.