NFL teams are becoming more comfortable extending the contracts of first-round picks at the earliest possible instance, in what is now an emerging trend. Draft-pick contracts can't be renegotiated until the conclusion of a player's third NFL regular season. Teams have an option for a fifth year with first-round picks that must be exercised by May 1 after their third season.
The extra contract year hasn't been an impediment to new deals in recent years. For the third straight year, a record number of first-round picks received extensions after playing three seasons. The number has reached double digits for the first time, with 10 first-rounders getting new deals so far in 2026.
It could increase to 11 as the New England Patriots and cornerback Christian Gonzalez are engaged in contract negotiations. Seven of the 10 became the highest-paid player at their respective positions. The Houston Texans made edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. the NFL's first and only $50 million per year non-quarterback in April.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the 2025 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, topped the wide receiver pay scale with the four-year, $168 million contract extension he received from the Seattle Seahawks in March. Seattle also established a new standard for cornerbacks last week with Devon Witherspoon's four-year extension, averaging $33 million per year. Jalen Carter recently took interior defensive lineman compensation to new heights when the Philadelphia Eagles gave him a four-year, $152 million extension.
Peter Skoronski just established a new benchmark for offensive guards at $25 million per year by signing a four-year, $100 million extension with the Tennessee Titans. Bijan Robinson raised the salary bar for running backs a couple of weeks ago. He received a three-year, $66.75 million extension from the Atlanta Falcons.
Jahmyr Gibbs surpassed Robinson by $250,000 per year in a matter of days when he signed a three-year, $67.5 million extension with the Detroit Lions. The previous high was in 2025 when eight first-round picks got new deals without playing a fourth season. That bettered the high mark of seven from 2024.
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