As the 2025 NFL offseason unfolds, the landscape for pass rushers is buzzing with significant contract updates that are reshaping the market. This time around, the spotlight is firmly on the stars who chase down quarterbacks, and they’re cashing in big.
Take Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders, for instance. The talented edge rusher recently secured a jaw-dropping three-year extension worth $106.5 million. This deal brought him into the record books as the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history – a title that, however, was short-lived. Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns surged past Crosby just days later, signing a four-year extension that boasts an impressive total of $123 million in guaranteed money and an annual average value (AAV) hitting $40 million. Interestingly, Garrett’s leverage extended beyond the negotiation table, as he had publicly voiced his desire for a trade from Cleveland just before the deal was finalized.
But the record-breaking frenzy didn’t stop there. In a surprising twist, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase claimed the crown shortly after Garrett. His four-year, $161 million extension not only positions him as the highest-paid non-quarterback but also has $112 million guaranteed. This series of high-stakes negotiations underlines the escalating value of top-tier talents in the league.
Looking ahead, other stars like T.J. Watt, Trey Hendrickson, and Micah Parsons are also in the conversation for major contract extensions. Rumor has it that Parsons is eyeing a $200 million deal—the kind of investment that would turn the league on its head and shatter Chase’s record if the Dallas Cowboys decide to meet his demands. Parsons has made quite the case for himself with an impressive 2025 season where he recorded 43 total tackles, 12 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pass defended across 13 games. Over his career since joining the league in 2021, he has amassed a remarkable total of 256 tackles and 52.5 sacks in just 63 games, proving himself among the elite pass rushers in the game.
With over five months remaining until the 2025 regular season kicks off, there’s ample time for negotiations to heat up. As the offseason progresses, all eyes will be on these dynamic players and their next moves in a constantly evolving narrative of contracts and performance in the NFL. Buckle up, because this race for record-breaking deals is just getting started!
