If you missed the news today. The Steelers agreed to a contract with OLB T.J. Watt to a 3-year, $123M extension. 

At $41M average per year, Watt becomes the highest paid Non-QB in the NFL. And opens the floodgates for every player to get the money they’re after.

An Ever-Growing Cap

14 seasons ago, after signing a new collective bargaining agreement the NFL had a salary cap of $120.375M. 

Coming into 2025, the NFL cap went up $23.8M bringing teams to a total of $279.2M. Nearly a 132% increase to the cap since 2011. 

Now, with such large increases contracts are constantly growing. Years ago, the quarterback market exploded into the $40M range and it only took a few years to jump beyond the $50M  mark and into the $60M bracket.

In 2022, Kyler Murray signed a 5-year, $230.5M contract. ($46.1M average)In 2023, Jalen Hurts signed a 5-year, $255M contract ($51M average)In 2024 Dak Prescott signed a 4-year, $240M contract ($60M average)In 2025 Josh Allen signed a 6-year, $330M contract ($55M average)

The markets are starting to grow across every position now. Including the following players

WR Ja’Marr Chase signed 4-year, $161MRB Saquon Barkley signed 2-year, $41.2MCB Sauce Gardner signed 4-years, $120.4MDT Milton Williams signed 4-years, $104MEagles Upcoming Paydays

While the Eagles might not be having contract disputes with former Defensive Players or Rookies of the year. They’re coming off a dominant season, capped off with a Super Bowl victory with one of the youngest rosters in the NFL.

They’ve already made some future decisions with upcoming players, preparing to keep a winning core intact. including:

Cam Jurgens 4-years, $68MLane Johnson 1-year, $25MZack Baun 3-years, $51M 

However in the upcoming offseasons will be some expensive decisions to make for the Eagles front office as the following players will be looking for new contracts:

2026

Dallas GoedertReed BlankenshipNakobe Dean

2027

Jalen Carter (5th year option)Jordan DavisNolan Smith (5th year option)Tyler SteenMoro OjomoSydney BrownKelee RingoTanner McKee

2028

Zack BaunQuinyon Mitchell (5th year option)Cooper DeJeanWill ShipleyJeremiah Trotter Jr.Jalyx Hunt

Will the Eagles be able to keep a competitive core together to compete against the Chiefs as a new dynasty for years to come? Or will they become victims to the cap like the Cowboys and Saints?

Tags: Cam Jurgens Cooper DeJean Dak Prescott Dallas Goedert Eagles Ja’Marr Chase Jalen Carter Jalen Hurts Jalyx Hunt Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Jordan Davis Josh Allen Kelee Ringo Kyler Murray Lane Johnson Milton Williams Moro Ojomo Nakobe Dean Nolan Smith Philadelphia Eagles Pittsburgh Steelers Quinyon Mitchell Reed Blankenship Saquon Barkley Sauce Gardner Sydney Brown T.J. Watt Tanner McKee Tyler Steen Will Shipley

Categorized:Eagles