Dude, the money is flying around the NFL right now, and the contracts being signed are absolutely wild. Forget the pads coming on, these players are getting PAID, setting new benchmarks left and right. Tuesday saw a full-on explosion of extensions, especially from that stacked 2023 draft class, and it is reshaping the entire salary landscape. Preseason games are right around the corner too, with the Cardinals and Panthers naming their starters for Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game, but honestly, the real action is in these record-breaking deals.
Running Backs Get Their Bag, But For How Long?
The biggest news out of the gate has to be Bijan Robinson ending his hold-in with a monster three-year, $75 million extension from the Falcons, including $51 million guaranteed. That is absolutely insane! His $22.25 million average annual salary makes him the highest-paid running back in NFL history, blowing past Saquon Barkley’s $20.6 million. Robinson is now only the second running back ever to be guaranteed over $40 million, after rookie Jeremiyah Love’s fully guaranteed $53 million deal. But get this, Robinson’s $51 million in guaranteed cash actually leads all *veteran* running back contracts, topping Barkley’s $36 million and Ashton Jeanty’s $35.9 million. This deal sets a new bar, no doubt. But with Jahmyr Gibbs still holding out and arguably having a better career so far, how long will Bijan hold that title? The RBs are finally getting their due, man, but the market is moving fast.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s Prowess Setting the WR Market
Now, let’s talk wide receivers, because this is where it gets spicy, especially when you look at our guy, Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Baltimore Ravens just locked up Zay Flowers with a four-year, $140 million contract extension, a whopping $108 million guaranteed. That $35 million average annual value is legit, tying Flowers with Justin Jefferson for the fourth-highest-paid wide receiver in the league. But check this out: only three guys actually have higher average annual salaries than Flowers and Jefferson. Those are Ja’Marr Chase ($40.25 million), Drake London ($35.26 million), and our very own Jaxon Smith-Njigba, sitting at a massive $42.15 million! That’s right, JSN is still leading the pack there, showing just how dominant he is. Flowers’ deal pushes him ahead of guys like CeeDee Lamb and A.J. Brown, and with him and Chris Olave getting paid, it is just setting the stage for Puka Nacua to get an absolutely massive deal next offseason, even though he is not expected to get one before this season starts. Flowers even set a Ravens record with 1,211 receiving yards in 2025, which was 36.9% of their total receiving yards. The only player with a higher share in the league? You guessed it, Jaxon Smith-Njigba at 44.1%! Our guy is truly elite, dude. This Flowers deal also lays the groundwork for what George Pickens might get after the Cowboys tagged him.
So, while the preseason is kicking off with the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, the real fireworks are happening in these contract negotiations. The money being thrown around is insane, setting new standards across the league, and with Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s deal at the top, you know our Emerald City legend is a trendsetter. Get ready, the regular season is gonna be wild!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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