The NFL’s Ever-Changing Landscape: New Contracts and Uncertain Futures
The NFL season is just around the corner, and teams are putting the finishing touches on their rosters. Recent developments have seen players like Quinn Meinerz securing lucrative deals, while others, like Marcus Mariota, are facing uncertain futures. In this article, we’ll delve into the latest news and explore what it means for the upcoming season.
Image: NFL quarterback
Meinerz’s Big Payday
Offensive guard Quinn Meinerz has agreed to a four-year, $80 million contract with the Denver Broncos. This deal makes him one of the highest-paid guards in the league, with an average annual value of $20 million. Meinerz has been a key player for the Broncos, starting 13 games in his second season and all 17 games last year. His impressive performance earned him an overall player grade of 83.7 from Pro Football Focus, ranking him among the top guards in the league.
I think that is kind of an individual thing that will happen as a byproduct of playing well and being consistent. - Quinn Meinerz on his focus for the upcoming season
Unsigned First-Round Picks
As training camps get underway, five first-round picks from the 2024 NFL draft remain unsigned. The list includes quarterbacks Caleb Williams and J.J. McCarthy, wide receiver Rome Odunze, defensive end Dallas Turner, and offensive tackle Amarius Mims. With the clock ticking, these rookies will need to finalize their contracts quickly to avoid missing valuable practice time.
Image: Unsigned NFL draft picks
Mariota’s Fading Star
Marcus Mariota’s NFL career has been marked by flashes of brilliance, but inconsistent performances have relegated him to backup roles in recent seasons. After signing a one-year deal with the Washington Commanders, Mariota will likely serve as the backup to rookie Jayden Daniels. With his playing days as a starter seemingly behind him, Mariota’s future in the league looks uncertain.
He earned an overall grade of 76.2 or higher in 2017 and 2018, which proved his zenith as a full-time starter. - Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus on Mariota’s career
Image: Marcus Mariota
As the NFL season approaches, these developments will shape the landscape of the league. With new contracts, unsigned rookies, and fading stars, teams will need to adapt quickly to stay competitive.
