Finding NFL players with something to prove this season \u2014 or in any season \u2014 is not difficult. But of those currently navigating contract years or looking to move past 2025 hiccups, who has the\u00a0most to gain in 2026? Here’s my top 11 in descending order, ranking players not only by financial compensation at stake but also their perception in the eyes of the league: Williams established himself as one of the league\u2019s brightest young quarterbacks last season, delivering in the clutch and leading the Bears to their first playoff victory in 15 years. If he builds on what was an impressive second season, he sets himself up for what could be an extension that resets the quarterback market in the 2027 offseason. The 31-year-old Mayfield is entering a contract year after he and the Bucs failed to reach an extension agreement before training camp. A bounce-back campaign in 2026 \u2014 Mayfield\u2019s numbers regressed across the board last season compared to his first two years in Tampa \u2014 should earn the former No. 1 overall pick a deal that ranks comfortably in the top 10 of quarterback contracts. Nix has been a good quarterback through two NFL seasons, helping lead the Broncos to back-to-back playoff appearances. If he makes the leap to elite in Year 3, it not only would mean a record-setting contract for the 2024 first-round pick next offseason, but would also make Denver a legitimate Super Bowl contender. If Pickens once again performs like a true WR1 in 2026, a top-end wide receiver contract awaits him from the Cowboys or someone else in the spring. The former second-round pick will play in Dallas this season on the franchise tag, which will pay him $27.3 million fully guaranteed. After an injury-riddled 2025, Daniels needs to show the Commanders that he can stay on the field. Doing that, and picking up from his historic rookie season two years ago, would all but guarantee him a deal that resets the benchmark for quarterback contracts. The talented Woolen is coming off a season in which he lost his starting job. After three years with the Seahawks, he\u2019s now with the Eagles on a prove-it, one-year deal worth $12 million fully guaranteed. If he can recapture Pro Bowl form from his rookie season, he\u2019ll be able to secure a contract that will rank among the richest cornerback deals. The 2023 No. 1 overall pick, Young\u2019s career has been marked by inconsistency, including a benching in 2024. But he\u2019s coming off his best season as a pro \u2014 he posted career-highs in completion rate, passing yards and touchdowns, and guided the Panthers to their first playoff appearance in eight years. Another step forward in 2026 will cement his place as Carolina\u2019s long-term quarterback. After playing just 12 games over the past two seasons combined due to suspension and injury, Rice is now in the last year of his rookie deal. If he\u2019s on his best behavior and produces like a WR1 this season, the former second-rounder is in line for a lucrative second contract. Texans general manager Nick Caserio has said the team has had “productive” extension talks with Stroud, but there\u2019s a possibility that the QB plays this season without a new deal, given his playoff struggles last season and general regression since his rookie year in 2023. A bounce-back Year 4 would not only cement Stroud\u2019s status as Houston’s long-term quarterback, but also earn him a mega extension in 2027. Murray signed a league minimum, one-year contract with the Vikings after his release by Arizona. If he wins Minnesota\u2019s starting quarterback job and regains Pro Bowl form, a top-end QB deal will be waiting for him in the spring. Football-wise, Nacua already deserves a second contract that would be the richest for a wideout in league history. He led the NFL with 129 catches last season and his 95.3 receiving yards-per-game career average is the most all time. But after a few off-field controversies dating back to last season, the All-Pro receiver must rebuild the Rams’ trust in him to earn that mega extension. The former fifth-round pick is slated to make just over $5.6 million in base salary in 2026, while a new deal would be expected to start at over $42 million in average annual value.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Finding NFL players with something to prove this season \u2014 or in any season \u2014 is not difficult. But of those currently navigating contract years or looking to move past 2025 hiccups, who has the\u00a0most to gain in 2026? Here’s my top 11 in descending order, ranking players not only by financial compensation at stake<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/onlinebettingnewyork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33152"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/onlinebettingnewyork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/onlinebettingnewyork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onlinebettingnewyork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33152"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/onlinebettingnewyork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33152\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/onlinebettingnewyork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33152"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onlinebettingnewyork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33152"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onlinebettingnewyork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33152"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}