While fans refer to the NFL as the National Football League, players know it by another moniker – not for long. The average NFL career lasts just 3.3 years, according to the NFL Players’ Association, meaning players have a limited amount of time to maximize their earnings. Now that the first week of free agency is nearly wrapped, let’s see which players are taking advantage of their stints as a pro.
Daniel Jones – Indianapolis Colts Quarterback
After signing a one-year prove-it deal for $14 million last offseason, Jones put his money where his mouth was and played at a near-MVP level in 2025. This resulted in the Colts handing him a two-year, $88 million contract, worth up to $100 million with incentives.
Jones and his agent played their cards perfectly, forcing general manager Chris Ballard to secure his franchise quarterback – no matter what the cost. With Jones and Jonathan Taylor secured through 2027, expect the Colts offense to remain dangerous for years to come.
Trey Hendrickson – Baltimore Ravens EDGE
After prolonged financial battles with the Cincinnati Bengals’ ownership and front office, Hendrickson was finally able to cash in on a four-year, $112 million deal with the division rival Ravens.
Hendrickson was in a precarious spot, coming off his age-31 season in which he managed just four sacks while dealing with a significant core muscle injury. Though he had put up 35 sacks from 2023-24, his age and recent injury history put his potentially large, upcoming contract into question.
However, after the Ravens backed out of the Maxx Crosby trade, Baltimore shifted their priorities to Hendrickson, the next best edge rusher on the market, and was willing to spend as much as needed to bring him in.
Odafe Oweh – Washington Commanders EDGE
If you were to tell Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta at the trade deadline that Oweh would secure a $100 million contract, he likely would’ve laughed. Though 2024 was a solid 10-sack year for Oweh, he’d been largely inconsistent from 2021-23, averaging just over four sacks a season.
Through his first five games with Baltimore in 2025, Oweh failed to notch a single sack, but everything changed after he was dealt to the Los Angeles Chargers. Including the playoffs, he’d rack up 10.5 sacks, including the playoffs – despite playing on obvious passing downs only.
His mostly limited production historically, as well as inability to stop the run, makes it nearly a miracle that he was able to secure $25 million APY over the next four seasons.
Kenneth Walker III – Kansas City Chiefs Running Back
Not only did Walker III secure the long-term deal he’d hoped for, but he got to sign with a perennial contender as well. His three-year, $45 million contract is the fourth highest in the league among his position, not bad considering he’s never surpassed 1,050 rushing yards, even though he has had to split carries with Zach Charbonnet for a chunk of his career.
Now, Walker III has a chance to be the featured back in an offense led by a future Hall-of-Fame quarterback in Patrick Mahomes, who could easily propel his team to a deep playoff run, though he is coming off a serious knee injury.
Romeo Doubs – New England Patriots Wide Receiver
Doubs is an interesting case. He’s showcased WR1 potential at times throughout his career, though head coach Matt LeFleur has preferred to feature a stable of wide receivers in his offense, instead of just one.
Injuries have been a common theme in Doubs’ career, suffering multiple concussions, including two in 2024. Despite this, he came back strong in 2025, putting up a career-high 724 receiving yards alongside six touchdowns.
Now, with Stefon Diggs ousted from New England (for now), Doubs figures to be the WR1 for one of the league’s top emerging quarterbacks in Drake Maye, while making a significant $17 million APY.
