Players competing at the highest level in the National Football League don’t need a contract year to provide motivation. If that were most player’s incentives, they’d likely be gone after their first contract.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t a push for these players to perform. There’s something to be said about continuity in an NFL system — and continuity in life with them not having to move their families — to warrant an uptick in playing performance in contract years. That being said, it’s important not to get too caught up in this narrative. I’m not here to argue the validity of that line of thinking, but instead, just to present you with players that are entering this situation heading into the 2019 season.
Let’s go over the more fantasy-relevant players from the AFC that are seeking a lucrative extension in the near future.
Quarterbacks
Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans
Mariota’s tenure with the Titans has had its ups and downs, but he should be in line for an extension if he performs adequately this year. Tennessee has surrounded him with playmakers at every position to try and get the most out of him. Nothing sparks motivation more than competition, and with the front office bringing in Ryan Tannehill this offseason, Mariota has motivation in spades to work his way into a long-term deal in Tennessee.
Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Brady isn’t going anywhere, but I have to include his name here by default. He has stated he wants to play into his mid-40’s (entering his age-41 season), and appears confident a contract extension will get done with New England.
Philip Rivers, Los Angeles Chargers
There doesn’t appear to be any set timetable to Rivers’ extension, but both sides are confident that a re-signing will occur. Like Brady, Rivers is listed here by default.
Jacoby Brissett, Indianapolis Colts
I wrote about Brissett as a possible Superflex stash given his upcoming expiring contract with the Colts. Indianapolis is set for the long term with Andrew Luck under center and it would make sense for Brissett to try his luck in the open market this offseason. Performing well in the upcoming preseason and getting more tape on him is critical to him showing he’s improved since his 2017 showing.
Running Backs
LeSean McCoy, Buffalo Bills
The Bills’ running back room is loaded at this time. Not only did they bring in free agents Frank Gore (36) and T.J. Yeldon (25), they also spent a third-round pick on rookie Devin Singletary (21) to join 31-year-old LeSean McCoy. Gore and McCoy are both on the final years of their contract, but look to the starting one-two punch at the running back position heading into camp. At their advanced respective ages, who knows who long that will hold up, especially with talented youth waiting in the wings. There’s too many mouths to feed here in Buffalo to try and take any fantasy takeaways here outside a very late dart throw on Singletary.
Lamar Miller, Houston Texans
Consistent. Adequate. Boring. I don’t blame anyone that uses those adjectives to describe Miller’s time in Houston. He’s done just well enough to keep the coaching staff from outright replacing him, but hasn’t truly helped fantasy gamers beyond some sporadic touchdown weeks. 4.1 yards per carry and 13 rushing touchdowns in three seasons means Houston could be looking for a running back early next year. D’Onta Foreman’s return from a torn Achilles doesn’t inspire confidence given the history of the injury, but it’s kind of difficult to blame anyone throwing darts on him given his age (23) and that he’s playing in a Deshaun Watson-led offense. For Miller, this looks like it’ll have to be a performance-inspired season for him to find a contract extension with Houston.
Melvin Gordon, Los Angeles Chargers
Gordon is currently in contract talks with the Chargers. It looks like Gordon wanted to wait until Le’Veon Bell’s contract was announced before making any moves, but now we can expect the 26-year-old to try and find some common ground in negotiations with both sides looking to continue working together. I’d expect LA to offer a contract before the start of the regular season to keep their star running back from becoming malcontent.
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
Coming off the heels of averaging close to 150 rushing yards per game last December, expectations are sky-high for Henry this 2019 season. The Titans signed Dion Lewis to a four-year, $19.8M contract last season, but Henry’s role in this offense as the grinder is still an important one. Reports show he’s focused just on this season and will let the contract situation play itself out. If Henry can improve on his 39 career receptions and prove to be a more versatile weapon out of the backfield, perhaps we see an extension here.
Kenyan Drake, Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins continue their full rebuild mode, but what does that mean for Drake? It would make sense for Miami to invest elsewhere than the running back position if they aim to have long term success, but who knows how fiscally responsible new GM Chris Grier will be with this team. Entering his age-25 season, there’s still a lot of tread on the tire for Drake to showcase his talents this year if he were to enter free agency.
Others: Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals; Carlos Hyde, Kansas City Chiefs; Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns; Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
Wide Receivers
A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals
Both Bengals receivers are set to hit the 2020 market. Green has spent the last eight seasons with Cincinnati and Owner Mike Brown seems set on retaining Green with another contract extension. Injury has limited Green the past three seasons (playing in 35-of-48 possible games), but when out there, he remains a dominant force that opposing defenses must account for. Teammate Tyler Boyd broke out last year with a 76-1,028-7 stat line. Boyd enters his age-25 season as the Bengals’ primary slot receiver where he ran 73.3% of his routes last year. Cincinnati has over $50M in cap space next year. With how often they retain their own, I’d expect both receivers to remain in Bengals stripes next season.
Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
A touchy subject at this time, the Chiefs need to wait until they find out what kind of verdict and sanctions the league hands to Tyreek Hill before any kind of contract extension can be made. Otherwise they’re looking at a massive PR nightmare. Anything now is pure conjecture, but they were previously looking at setting a “record-setting” deal. It’ll be interesting to see how this one plays out.
Robby Anderson, New York Jets
Anderson wants to become an “all-around receiver” for New York in Adam Gase’s new offense. If he can show consistency this year and round out his game beyond being just a deep threat, Anderson could get paid next year. He’s looking to stay with the Jets for the long haul, even though he “settled” for a one-year deal as an RFA. Jets media project new GM Joe Douglas to sign Anderson to an extension and keep him in New York
Devin Funchess, Indianapolis Colts
Signed by the Colts this offseason to a one-year, $13M contract, Funchess was given the prove-it deal by Indy. A back injury and drops led to a disappointing 2018 campaign, and the Colts are using this one-year deal to determine whether or not they want to keep Funchess long term. Rookie Parris Campbell’s addition makes this Colts receiving corps much improved from last season.
Others: Emmanuel Sanders, Denver Broncos; Josh Gordon, New England Patriots
Tight Ends
Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers front office certainly has their hands full with upcoming contract negotiations heading into 2020. Their starting quarterback, running back, and tight end are all on expiring contracts. Henry missed out all of last season, but prior to that has undoubtedly been a rising star at the position. His 29 red zone targets within his first two years was rather remarkable considering he was splitting time with Antonio Gates. Henry’s return off the ACL injury may make this a wait-and-see approach to any type of contract extension.
Jack Doyle and Eric Ebron, Indianapolis Colts
Both starting Colts tight ends enter the 2019 season on expiring contracts. Doyle missed much of last season with a hip injury and kidney injury, but when out there, easily out-snapped Ebron in every game. Doyle’s blocking versatility makes him a necessary player to have on the field, while Ebron is better served flexed out in the slot. In games where Doyle was active, the Colts ran the third-highest rate of 12 personnel — two tight ends — in the league (29%) with great success. With how frequently Luck has historically targeted his tight ends, this could have some massive fantasy implications if either one opted for the free agent market.
Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals
Injuries have derailed what looked like a promising career for Eifert. He’s now entering his sixth year in the league and has played just 43-of-96 career games. His career 12.1 yards per reception show that when he’s healthy he can still perform, but it’s difficult to see anyone handing out anything more than a cheap one-year deal to him given his history. Cincinnati may have already moved on after spending second round draft capital on Drew Sample. They also just gave C.J. Uzomah a three-year deal earlier this offseason. The writing may be on the wall here that this may be Eifert’s final year in Cincy.
