At some point in every professional athlete’s career, they will be on a contract year. This is basically the last year a player has left on their contract. Once a player’s contract runs out they are no longer a part of their former team, unless they get re-signed. Every contract year is important because it can determine how negotiations will be as the representatives go about drawing up a new contract.
A good example would be Joe Flacco, QB of the Baltimore Ravens, in the 2012-13 season. He was on his contract year and hadn’t played very well the two previous seasons. He wound up leading the Ravens to a super bowl victory that season and in turn was rewarded with a six year, $120.6 million deal. On the other hand, if the Ravens hadn’t made the playoffs that season, he might not have been re-signed at all.
The following ten players are all on their contract years and will be looking towards the end of the tunnel for their possible major contract.
[new page = 10. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers, RB]
Frank Gore has been on the San Francisco 49ers his entire career. He has only dropped below 1,000 yards in a season twice – both times he had missed two or more games. An underrated element of Gore’s game is his ability to catch the ball in the flat and gain yards in open space. If he can just put up his average numbers he will be in San Francisco with a new contract next year.
[new page = 9. Torrey Smith, Baltimore Ravens, WR]
Nearly two years since his super bowl victory, Torrey Smith has developed into the Ravens most reliable receiver. Without much competition in the receiving core, Smith just needs to stick with his career averages and he should be re-signed to a decent contract.
[new page = 8. Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders, RB]
McFadden has always had injury problems. He has also only had one season with over 1,000 yards rushing. Coming off one of his worst seasons with Raiders, McFadden will need to impress if he wants a bigger contract. He is still very young and needs a huge season to get paid.
[new page = 7. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals, QB]
Dalton has become one of the better deep threats in the NFL. He has plenty of targets to throw at and can get the ball downfield with ease. His problems come with turnovers. The Bengals have gotten better each season since his arrival and he should be due for a big contract if he can get the Bengals back to the playoffs.
[new page = 6. Julius Thomas, Denver Broncos, TE]
Thomas went from being a no-name to one of the best tight ends in football in just one season. While most of it can be explained by Peyton Manning at the helm, he is still a big body with great route running and excellent hands. If he can put up similar numbers as he did last season, he will get a big new contract.
[new page = 5. Randal Cobb, Green Bay Packers, WR]
When Aaron Rodger is throwing you the ball it can’t be that hard. With that said, Randal Cobb makes things look easy. He has done a great job taking over for Greg Jennings and has become one of Rodger’s favorite targets. He will be in Green Bay next season with a bigger contract.
[new page = 4. Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs, QB]
Smith’s first season with the Chiefs was also his best season in the NFL thus far. He was able to get the Chiefs to the playoffs and started them out on a nine game winning streak. His strength comes with his ball security. He might not have the best arm in football but he has a big football IQ and knows how to control an offense. I expect him to get paid well at the end of this season.
[new page = 3. Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers, WR]
Crabtree is the best receiver on the 49ers. He is big, fast and aggressive to the ball in the air. The guy knows how to stretch the field and make big plays. At his current pace he is due to make big bucks at the end of this season with a brand new contract. All he needs to do is stay consistent.
[new page = 2. Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos, WR]
Thomas is another wide receiver who was brought into the limelight by none other than Peyton Manning. With his combination of size, speed and skill, he will have another monster year. There is no doubt that he will get the money he so deserves.
[new page = 1. Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys, WR]
Dez Bryant might be one of the most physically gifted players in the entire NFL. He is bigger, faster and stronger than almost every other wide receiver in the league. His downfall comes with his mentality. He isn’t the hardest worker and never takes any blame. If he wants his general manager to show him the money, he will have to take matters into his own hands and have one of the best seasons of his career. The fact that he plays for one of the most hated teams in the league, the Dallas Cowboys, doesn’t help his case.