By Marvin Moore – June 30, 2023
NFL training camps are set to start in less than a month, and several 2020 first-round draft picks are primed to ink record-setting contracts before the season-opening game in September. Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love signed a one-year extension that will pay him $7.5 more in 2023 than he was slated to earn in the fourth year of his rookie contract. However, no 2020 first-rounder has yet to sign a multi-year extension this offseason.
2020 No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow is projected to become the league’s highest-paid player this offseason, but a handful of other youthful superstars are also in line for massive paydays. Below are candidates who should sign huge contract extensions over the next few months.
1. QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Burrow set career-highs with 414 completions and 35 touchdown passes last season while earning his first Pro Bowl selection. The 2019 Heisman Trophy winner led the Bengals to their first postseason win in 2021 en route to Super Bowl LVI and has guided Cincinnati to more playoff victories in three years than the franchise enjoyed in its first 52 seasons.
Baltimore Ravens dual-threat quarterback Lamar Jackson is the NFL’s top-compensated player with a $52 million average salary. The 26-year-old has overall guarantees of $185 million, including $135 million fully guaranteed. Jackson also received a league-record $72.5 million signing bonus.
Burrow is a lock to become the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history in regard to annual salary. According to Spotrac, the former LSU standout has a market value of $54 million per season.
2. WR Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Jefferson became the youngest player to lead the league in receptions and receiving yards last season while garnering his third Pro Bowl nod in three years. The 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year posted 128 receptions, 1,809 yards, and eight receiving touchdowns and was a final candidate for the league MVP award.
The Louisiana native has tallied 324 receptions, 4,825 yards, and 25 touchdowns during his three NFL seasons. The 24-year-old holds the NFL record with an average of 96.5 receiving yards per game and is a smart bet to become the league’s highest-paid wide receiver.
Miami Dolphins speedster Tyreek Hill is currently atop the wideout salary list with $30 million annually. However, according to Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report, Jefferson is projected to ink a six-year deal worth $190 million, with $97.5 million guaranteed. If true, the former LSU playmaker will earn an annual salary of $31.67 million.
3. QB Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Herbert set several single-season franchise records in 2022 while throwing for 4,739 yards and 25 touchdowns. The 2020 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year tossed a rookie-record 31 touchdowns and 4,336 yards in his maiden season and established a league record for most passing yards in a quarterback’s first three seasons with 14,089 yards.
The Oregon native has a 25-24 record as a starter, and his 396 completions in 2020 is the most by a rookie quarterback. Sportrac projects the former sixth overall pick to receive a six-year, $254 million extension that would be the third-largest deal in league history in terms of total value.
A durable player who has not missed a game since becoming the starting quarterback for the Chargers in the second week of his rookie campaign, Herbert’s projected annual salary is slated to be $42 million per season.
