One of the biggest remaining storylines of the 2024 NFL offseason involves the future of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The 26-year-old is entering the final year of his rookie contract, wants a new deal and has been pondering potential destinations if that deal doesn't come from San Francisco.
"If not a Niners uniform, probably a Washington Commander uniform. If not a Washington Commanders uniform, then probably a Steelers uniform," Aiyuk said last month on The Pivot podcast (h/t NFL.com's Coral Smith).
Aiyuk may desire a change of scenery for financial reasons since he may not get his best deal from the 49ers—who are heavily compensating key players like Christian McCaffrey, Nick Bosa and Deebo Samuel and will likely extend Brock Purdy next offseason. Other players who could soon want out may have other motivating factors.
With training camps rapidly approaching, let's examine eight other notable veterans who may already be looking to make the 2024 season their last with their current teams and why.
Players are listed in alphabetical order.
Cameron Heyward, DL, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward is already an established star who has earned two substantial extensions during his career. However, he's seeking another one entering a contract year and has yet to reach an agreement with Pittsburgh.
According to The Athletic's Mark Kaboly, the 35-year-old would like to find more long-term security.
"Heyward wants more security — he has said he wants to play for three more years, thus the impasse," Kaboly wrote.
Heyward has already made it clear that he'd prefer to stay in Pittsburgh but will play elsewhere if he cannot.
"If it comes to it I will play in another city," Heyward told The Jim Rome Show (h/t Timm Hamm of All Steelers).
While leaving may not be Heyward's top choice, the six-time Pro Bowler may already be eyeing potential future destinations. If the Steelers don't give Heyward the contract he wants before Week 1, it probably won't happen—Pittsburgh traditionally avoids contract talks during the season.
Heyward would undoubtedly fare well financially on the open market, and he might find a more enticing playing opportunity in free agency as well. The Steelers haven't won a playoff game since 2016, and Heyward has played in just one playoff victory during his 13-year career.
The arrival of quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields provides hope that Pittsburgh's playoff fortunes will be different in 2024. However, that doesn't mean that Heyward wouldn't welcome the opportunity to play for a perennial contender.
Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Receiver Tee Higgins may hope his Cincinnati Bengals tenure ends this season for a couple of reasons. The first is his lack of a second contract.
Higgins received the franchise tag this offseason and quickly requested a trade—though he did eventually sign his tender and resign himself to playing in Cincinnati this season. However, there is no sign that Higgins' second long-term contract will come from the Bengals.
ESPN's Ben Baby reported in May that Higgins and Cincinnati hadn't discussed an extension in over a year. The 25-year-old remains the only franchise-tagged player who hasn't received a long-term extension this offseason.
The other factor to consider here is that Higgins has flashed No. 1 receiver potential with the Bengals but cannot fill that role with Ja'Marr Chase also on the roster. Chase immediately rekindled his chemistry with former LSU teammate Joe Burrow as a rookie in 2021 and immediately surpassed Higgins as Cincy's top target.
Yet Higgins has served as the No. 1 target when Chase has been sidelined and has topped 1,000 receiving yards twice in three seasons as Burrow's second option.
The Bengals are hoping to return to contention this season and are unlikely to revisit the receiver's trade request. However, if Higgins is hoping to establish himself as a top-tier, No. 1 receiver—and get that coveted No. 1 receiver money—he has to hope that he finds a new home next offseason.
Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill is under contract through the 2026 season, and he's given no public indication that he wants to be traded. However, the 30-year-old has made it known that he'd prefer a new contract.
Hill's contract value of $30 million annually is enviable, but with Justin Jefferson resetting the market at $35 million annually, Hill wants an adjustment.
"For guys like me, that's great. I'm 30 years old, also looking for a new deal. So, very, very excited to see where I fit into that category. It's amazing," Hill said, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston.
Hill was on pace to break 2,000 receiving yards in 2023 before he was hampered by an ankle injury. He still led the league by tallying 1,799 yards in 16 games, but he's now just the fourth-highest-paid wideout in terms of annual earnings.
The problem is that Hill may find it difficult to get his desired contract from the Dolphins. Miami has $15.3 million in cap space currently, is projected to be $12.8 million over the cap next year and still has to work out an extension with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
It's easy to point to Miami's status as a playoff contender and suggest that Hill would be foolish to chase money elsewhere, but we've seen it before. Hill's desire for a new contract led to his trade from the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022.
Matthew Judon, Edge, New England Patriots
New England Patriots pass-rusher Matthew Judon is entering the final year of his contract and wants a new deal. The Patriots have reportedly made Judon an offer, though not one to his liking.
"Matthew Judon has asked for a new contract and the Patriots have made an offer, according to a source close to the situation," Fox Sports' Henry McKenna posted on X. "But they are not currently close to agreeing to a new deal."
The four-time Pro Bowler is set to earn just $6.5 million in base salary this season and is deserving of a raise. However, New England is likely in the midst of a lengthy rebuilding process and may not want to fulfill Judon's contract wishes.
New England won a combined 12 games over the past two years and hasn't won a playoff contest since Tom Brady departed in 2020.
In a nutshell, that's why Judon may hope to find a new team in 2025, if not before then. The money is part of the equation, but Judon will also turn 32 in August and is coming off a season-ending biceps tear.
Judon would probably prefer to finish his career with at least one legitimate shot at a title. The Patriots, rookie head coach Jerod Mayo and rookie quarterback Drake Maye are unlikely to provide it. In theory, a change of scenery could give Judon both more financial security and a chance to play for a contender.
Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins
While Hill may seek a change of scenery for contract reasons, teammate Raheem Mostert could want to play elsewhere for a starting opportunity.
While Mostert turned 32 in April and has been in the NFL since 2015, he rarely saw the field before 2019. He's become a standout and full-time starter over the past two seasons in Miami and made his first career Pro Bowl in 2023.
Mostert started all 15 games in which he appeared this past season and finished with 1,187 scrimmage yards and a league-high (tied with McCaffrey) 21 touchdowns. While Mostert is getting up there in age for his position, his lack of early usage could leave several strong years in front of him.
Unfortunately, Mostert's time as the Dolphins' lead back may already be nearing its end. De'Von Achane racked up 997 scrimmage yards in 11 games as a rookie last season and should play a significant role moving forward. The Dolphins also used a fourth-round pick on explosive Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright in the draft.
"Wright's 4.38 speed is no joke," Derrik Klassen of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "... Time and again, he bursts through the second level of the defense and separates himself from any remaining defenders."
Achane and Wright are poised to be Miami's backfield stars of the future. Mostert, who is under contract through 2025, may hope that a trade gives him the chance to be a star elsewhere in 2025.
Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins may have surprised a few folks when he opted to leave for the Atlanta Falcons in free agency. However, one teammate understood the decision.
"I always knew Kirk was going to do whatever he needs to do for his business-wise," Justin Jefferson told The Rich Eisen Show (h/t NFL.com's Kevin Patra). "I just knew that everything just wasn't the way he wanted it to be here, especially just with having to pay me and having to pay so many different guys."
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott now finds himself in a situation very similar to what Cousins faced a year ago. The Cowboys are good, but repeated early playoff exits suggest that they're no title contenders.
Prescott is also entering the final year of his contract, and Dallas isn't in a position to pay all of its biggest stars—CeeDee Lamb is an impending 2025 free agent, while pass-rusher Micah Parsons is extension-eligible.
Dallas has just $10.1 million in cap space.
Prescott has watched quarterbacks Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence receive new deals worth more than $50 million annually this offseason. If Dallas won't offer him that, Prescott can certainly find it on the open market next offseason.
The Cowboys also face the very real prospect of a looming rebuild. They suffered an embarrassing Wild Card Round loss to the Green Bay Packers, lost far more than they gained in free agency and have a head coach in Mike McCarthy who is—or at least should be—on the hot seat.
Prescott may already prefer the prospect of pocketing $55.5 million this season and hitting free agency in 2025.
Miles Sanders, RB, Carolina Panthers
Running back Miles Sanders had a couple of good seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before breaking out as a Pro Bowler in 2022. That year marked his third with more than 1,000 scrimmage yards, but his first as a 1,000-yard rusher and legitimate star.
Sanders' 2022 season also earned him a four-year, $25.4 million contract in 2023 free agency.
If the 27-year-old is hoping to sign a third sizeable contract in his NFL career, he may need to leave the Carolina Panthers as soon as possible.
Sanders' first season in Carolina was a borderline disaster. He was pulled from the starting lineup after five weeks and finished with only 586 scrimmage yards and one touchdown. Granted, the Panthers offense as a whole was a mess last season, but if not for Bryce Young's draft status, Sanders would have been viewed as Carolina's biggest bust.
There are reasons to believe that both Young and the Panthers offense will be better this season. Carolina hired an offensive head coach in Dave Canales and added pass-catchers Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette this offseason.
However, the Panthers also used a second-round pick on Texas running back Jonathon Brooks. With 2023 leading rusher Chuba Hubbard still on the roster, Sanders may find it impossible to reestablish himself as a starting back unless he makes his way out of Carolina via a trade or his release.
Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton appeared on track to be a perennial Pro Bowler in 2019 when he topped 1,100 receiving yards and made his first appearance in the all-star exhibition.
Unfortunately, a torn ACL cost Sutton most of the 2020 season, and inconsistent quarterback play has kept him from repeating his 2019 success—though Sutton has topped 700 yards in each of the past three seasons.
The 28-year-old is under contract through 2025 but is set to earn just $13 million in base salary and is seeking a new contract. Sutton requested a trade early in the offseason, and while he did report to mandatory minicamp, he hasn't dismissed the possibility of a training-camp holdout.
"The wide receiver is currently engaging in contract talks with the Broncos and has indicated that, if a resolution is not reached by the start of camp, he hasn't ruled out holding out," NFL.com's Coral Smith wrote.
Sutton's desire for an extension is part of the equation here. Another piece is that he's set to turn 29 in October and is running out of time to truly cash in on any return to Pro Bowl form. Doing so with the rebuilding Broncos could prove difficult.
Denver is set to build around rookie quarterback Bo Nix, and it drafted Nix's Oregon teammate Troy Franklin in Round 4. Unless Nix makes a faster-than-expected NFL transition, Sutton's numbers could remain stagnant. And if Franklin and Nix keep the chemistry they had in college, Sutton may need a change of scenery to become a No. 1 receiver again.
*Cap and contract information via Spotrac.
Read 0 Comments
Download the app for comments Get the B/R app to join the conversation