As 30 NFL teams prepare for the 2024 offseason and just one game remaining in the playoffs (the San Francisco 49ers will face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII), we take a look at what lies ahead over the following two months, with free agency beginning in March.
We asked our NFL Nation writers to select one player from each club they cover whose contract status will have the greatest impact on the franchise’s offseason. The list includes a few quarterbacks who led their clubs to the playoffs, a bunch of elite running backs, an AFC North star wide receiver, and a Super Bowl-winning defensive tackle who had a lengthy holdout last offseason.
This could just as easily be wide receiver Gabe Davis, who has stated that he expects to enter free agency in March, but Ed Oliver is the only defensive tackle on the 53-man roster who is under contract for 2024. This is in addition to many free agents on the defensive end. Jones was a critical starter alongside Oliver when healthy (Jones missed nine games due to a torn pectoral in Week 5), and getting him back makes a lot of sense, but with Buffalo’s cap predicament, it may not be simple.
“We missed DaQuan when he was hurt in London, and I told him so [Monday],” general manager Brandon Beane said. “… He has earned the right to test his market and see how it appears. But we’d be foolish not to consider bringing him back. — Alaina Getzenberg.
The Dolphins and Wilkins were unable to reach an agreement last offseason and agreed to postpone negotiations until after the regular season. Well, the 2019 first-round pick had a breakout year with nine sacks and appears to be in a better position to negotiate than he was in 2023.
Miami extended Wilkins’ partner at defensive tackle, Zach Sieler, two weeks before the season started but would still need to find a replacement for Wilkins if the sides are once again unable to reach an agreement. Money is tight in Miami — the Dolphins are $55.3 million over the projected cap, according to Roster Management System — but re-signing Wilkins should be a priority. — Marcel Louis-
The 2020 sixth-rounder has developed into a capable starter at right guard and/or right tackle, putting him in line for a big payday. Team owner Robert Kraft said championship teams draft well, and Onwenu is a good example of the type of player the franchise has developed and thus should feel comfortable signing to a second contract. Failing to do so would create a hole to fill on the offensive line, which is already one of the team’s top areas of need. — Mike Reiss
Huff, who made the team four years ago as an undrafted free agent, is likely seeking at least $15 million per year after recording a career-high 10 sacks. The Jets want to keep Huff, their most dynamic edge player, but they drafted edge rushers Will McDonald IV and Jermaine Johnson in each of the past two first rounds. It will be hard to retain Huff, who wants to be an every-down player. The franchise tag is an outside possibility. — Rich Cimini Madubuike was arguably the biggest breakout in the league this season, becoming the NFL’s best interior pass-rusher. He had 13 sacks in his contract year after totaling 8.5 sacks combined in his first three seasons.
