19 players and coaches with the most at stake down the stretch

1) The Colts’ trade of two first-round draft picks for Sauce Gardner signaled they want Daniel Jones for the long term. What that contract looks like will almost certainly be shaped by how he performs down the stretch — he has thrown four interceptions, fumbled six times and taken 12 sacks in the last two games after playing remarkably clean football at the start of the season — and how far the Colts go.

2) Trey Hendrickson‘s contract saga consumed last offseason, and it could consume the next one. Hendrickson has been out with an injury since Oct. 26 — likely affecting his trade value at the deadline — and how he fares upon his return will shape what the Bengals do. Offer a long-term contract? Franchise tag? Let him hit free agency? Stay tuned.

3) Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has said he wants running back Breece Hall on the team, but he’s on an expiring contract. His value to the offense was obvious in Sunday’s win over the Browns. Hall is playing for his next contract, whether it’s from the Jets or someone else.

4) Receiver George Pickens is also on an expiring contract, and he already has 764 receiving yards and six touchdown receptions in nine games for the Cowboys. Retaining him should be a top Cowboys priority so he, too, is playing for his next contract.

5) With a contract that theoretically would allow the Seahawks to exit the deal at the start of next offseason without a prohibitive salary cap hit if they were dissatisfied with his performance, quarterback Sam Darnold is still playing to prove Seattle’s investment in him was the correct one. Given how well he and the 7-2 Seahawks have played so far, only a complete second-half meltdown could change the trajectory of his Seattle tenure.

6) Kyle Pitts is playing out his rookie deal with the Falcons, and while he’s having one of his more productive season (45 receptions in nine games), with big contracts on the horizon for Atlanta’s other offensive stars, Pitts could be the odd man out. His future — franchise tag, new contract or free agency — could be decided in these remaining weeks.