All articles tagged with #guaranteed money
Brandon Aiyuk’s increasingly blunt Instagram posts hint he’s trying to force the 49ers to release him, alleging he hasn’t received any money in 17 months and explaining he didn’t rehab at the team facility; commentary from ex-GMs and NFL analysts adds context, but there’s no clear resolution as August approaches.
The Titans signed defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to a five-year contract featuring $60.2 million guaranteed at signing and a practical $90 million guaranteed, with no per-game roster bonuses. The deal, whose new-money average is about $35.3 million, spans 2026–2030 with base salaries of $13M, $21.45M, $27.05M, $22.251M and $30.75M, effectively making Simmons the first DT with $100 million in total guarantees at signing and reshaping the interior-lineman market.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs agreed to a two-year, $239.05 million extension through 2033, pushing the deal to $504.75 million (or $522.25 million with incentives). The extension makes him the first NFL player to sign for more than $500 million, with the first four years guaranteed at signing and the rest guaranteed via contract mechanisms; total new money from 2022–2033 is $689.05 million, and when the new money kicks in in 2027 his annual average rises to about $64 million. Career earnings are on track to surpass $730 million by 2033. He’s returning from a left knee injury and could participate in 11-on-11 drills ahead of training camp.
Texans wide receiver Nico Collins agreed to a revised contract adding $17 million in new guaranteed money for 2026-27, boosting salaries to about $29 million in 2026 and $29.2 million in 2027 and keeping him in Houston through at least 2027.
The Cardinals gave running back Jeremiyah Love a four-year, $53 million fully guaranteed rookie contract—the largest guarantee for a running back in NFL history—because he was the third overall pick. rookie deals are driven by draft position, not position on the field, so the deal reflects his draft slot. His average annual value is about $13.25 million (seventh among RBs), and his future contract value will be market-driven when/if the Cardinals offer another deal.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love signed a four-year, $53 million rookie contract with the Arizona Cardinals, the most guaranteed money ever for a running back, making him the highest-drafted RB in Cardinals history as he heads into rookie minicamp and joins a backfield led by James Conner, Trey Benson and Tyler Allgeier.
The reported five-year, $172 million deal is actually structured as a one-year, fully guaranteed $20 million for 2026 (Raiders pay $11.3M, Falcons offset $8.7M). Key terms: 2026 base $1.3M guaranteed; 2027 offseason roster bonus $10M guaranteed; 2027 base $1.345M (guaranteed by day five); 2028 base $78.655M (guaranteed later); 2029 base $40M; 2030 base $40M. If cut before the 2027 day-five window, $11.3M is guaranteed for one season. If Raiders keep him beyond 2026, total could reach about $100M over three years, though that scenario is unlikely and would mean ~$30M per year.
Las Vegas signed Tyler Linderbaum to a three-year, $81 million deal that is, in practice, fully guaranteed: $20 million signing bonus; $10 million 2026 base; $30 million 2027 base; $21 million 2028 base guaranteed on the third day of the 2027 league year, plus injury guarantees. This vesting makes the $60 million guarantee effectively secure by year three, elevating the center market despite Linderbaum’s neck-injury history.
Murray is expected to sign a one-year, $1.3 million deal with the Cardinals, who would still owe about $38 million guaranteed for 2026; the arrangement could provide Murray cap flexibility and potentially a no-trade/no-tag clause to preserve leverage for 2027.
The Cincinnati Bengals and defensive end Trey Hendrickson are far apart on guaranteed money in their contract negotiations, despite agreeing on the deal's duration and average annual value, which could impact his readiness for Week 1 and the team's roster decisions.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have restructured Baker Mayfield's contract, securing him $30 million guaranteed in 2026, providing him with added security in his current deal as he continues to excel in his NFL career.
Baker Mayfield's contract with the Buccaneers, signed through 2026, now includes guaranteed money for that year, with the amount reportedly at $30 million, as the team and Mayfield look toward a potential extension.
The Las Vegas Raiders released DT Christian Wilkins, who was under a nearly $110 million contract with $35.2 million guaranteed, citing his failure to maintain physical condition. Wilkins has filed a grievance through the NFLPA, highlighting issues with guaranteed money in NFL contracts and the league's injury and termination policies. This case underscores ongoing concerns about the transparency and enforceability of guaranteed contracts in the NFL.
Trey Hendrickson is seeking a more lucrative contract from the Bengals, who have only offered one year of full guarantees and a $16 million salary for 2025, leading to ongoing negotiations. The Bengals typically offer limited guarantees, contrasting with other teams that provide multi-year guarantees, and Hendrickson aims for a deal comparable to top pass rushers like Maxx Crosby.
T.J. Watt signed a groundbreaking four-year contract with the Steelers, including three fully guaranteed years totaling $108 million, making it the highest guaranteed amount for a non-quarterback in NFL history, ensuring his stay with the team through 2027.