Indianapolis Colts: Sophomore first-round pick Anthony Richardson has to prove he can stay healthy and produce in 2024, but the Colts are conservative enough to give him another chance in 2025 anyway.
Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson has been a disappointment, but his massive fully guaranteed contract realistically keeps him in Cleveland for the next two years at a minimum.
Denver Broncos: Bo Nix wasn't a top-10 pick, but that could buy him some time if the Broncos feel less pressure to bring him along quickly.
Minnesota Vikings: When you spend a high first-round pick on a guy, he deserves at least two full seasons to make his case.
New England Patriots: Same rule above.
Washington Commanders: Ditto.
Chicago Bears: Same rule, but to the absolute max with Caleb Williams.
Miami Dolphins: We didn't have Miami in this category last year because of Tua Tagovailoa's health history, but he earned the benefit of the doubt during another strong (and concussion-free) season in 2024.
Los Angeles Chargers: Maybe the new regime won't have a lot of patience with the yet-to-become-a-star Justin Herbert, but the 26-year-old's contract likely marries him to the team for at least two more years.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Hurts had a tough 2023 season, but he's still a superb 26-year-old talent under contract through 2028.
Cincinnati Bengals: At age 27, the marvelously talented Joe Burrow is under contract in Cincinnati through 2029.
Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud is coming off one of the greatest rookie seasons in NFL history.
Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen has been in the MVP mix pretty much annually for much of his career, and the 27-year-old is under contract through 2028.
Baltimore Ravens: Reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, 27, is under contract through 2027.
Kansas City Chiefs: Two-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes is smack dab in the middle of his prime—and his current contract—at the age of 28.
Atlanta Falcons: Clearly they've spent big enough to give Kirk Cousins plenty of time, but the presence of top-10 pick Michael Penix Jr. really puts Atlanta at the top of the secure column.
