With a little over a week left until 2026 NFL free agency starts, there will be a few players who will sign top-of-the-market deals. Here are five players who will get the bag in 2026 free agency.
Five Players Who Will Sign Top Dollar Deals in 2026 NFL Free Agency
5. C Tyler Linderbaum
Linderbaum will likely sign the richest contract for a center in league history. Creed Humphrey is currently the highest-paid center in the NFL, making $18 million annually. It has been reported that Humphrey will receive a contract as high as $20 million a year. The Ravens want him back, and at the combine, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said there was an offer on the table for Linderbaum that would make him the highest-paid center in the league. However, there could be several teams out there who would be willing to surpass the offer Baltimore has on the table for him right now.
4. WR Alec Pierce
An ascending young wide receiver, Pierce, will likely command the highest free agent wide receiver contract. Pierce is a big-play waiting to happen and has improved each of his four seasons in Indianapolis. Last season, Pierce had 1,003 receiving yards on just 43 catches, which shows how efficient he was when he touched the ball. The Colts’ front office has been on record saying they will do all they can to keep Pierce on the team; however, his price tag might be more than the Colts can afford.
3. TE Isaiah Likely
Likely has been a playmaker in Baltimore since his rookie season. Likely was never really able to ascend to the primary full-time starting tight end role because of Mark Andrews, but there is no doubt Likely’s best football could be ahead of him as he will be featured more as the top tight end with whomever he signs with in free agency. At 26 years old, he will likely sign a deal that will place him among the top tight ends. Teams with cap space, like the LA Chargers and Washington Commanders, will push hard to sign the young tight end.
2. RB Kenneth Walker III
The Super Bowl LX MVP will undoubtedly sign a big deal in free agency after breaking out in the 2025 NFL playoffs. Walker was the Seahawks’ best offensive player in the playoffs and in the Super Bowl. With Walker and Seattle proving that you need a strong running game if you want to make a playoff push, other teams will try to follow suit by trying to lure Walker away from Seattle and continuing to be an instant impact running back for their team. Seattle won’t franchise tag Walker, which will lead the way for other teams to negotiate with Walker.
1. QB Malik Willis
NFL insiders have been reporting that Malik Willis could get over $30 million a year as an unrestricted free-agent quarterback; the only question is for which team. Willis will definitely command a bidding war among quarterback-needy teams, as he will be one of the best options available, and there will be no draft capital required to sign him.
The former 2022 third-round pick for the Tennessee Titans was released after just two seasons, but was able to go to Green Bay and show promise in spot starts when there was an injury to Jordan Love. In two seasons in GB, Willis started three games, going 2-1, passing for 972 yards and six touchdowns.
Willis’ dual-threat ability will be sought after, and he will most assuredly sign a big deal in free agency.
Main Image: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images
