Each NFL Franchise’s Richest RB Contract
Running back value has become a divisive topic in the modern NFL, and teams’ histories with these investments reveal a large gap in their respective approaches to RB contracts. Following our installments covering the highest-paid quarterback, wide receiver and off-ball linebacker in each team’s history, here are the most lucrative deals — ranked by guaranteed money — for running backs in each franchise’s history (the list excludes rookie contracts).
Unlike the QB and WR markets, some teams’ top RB deals occurred decades ago. This list covers contracts agreed to across four different decades.
Arizona Cardinals
- James Conner; March 14, 2022: Three years, $21MM ($13.5MM guaranteed)
Jeremiyah Love‘s rookie contract brings the highest guarantee ($53MM) in RB history, but for veteran accords, Conner’s second Arizona pact is the organizational standard
Atlanta Falcons
- Devonta Freeman; August 9, 2017: Five years, $41.25MM ($22.1MM guaranteed)
Baltimore Ravens
- Derrick Henry; May 19, 2025: Two years, $30MM ($25MM guaranteed)
Buffalo Bills
- James Cook; August 13, 2025: Four years, $46MM ($28.82MM guaranteed)
LeSean McCoy‘s March 2015 extension included more guaranteed at signing ($18.25MM), but Cook’s brought a rolling guarantee structure that eclipsed that package in total
Carolina Panthers
- Christian McCaffrey; April 13, 2020: Four years, $64.1MM ($38.16MM guaranteed)
Chicago Bears
- Matt Forte; July 16, 2012: Four years, $30.4MM ($17.1MM guaranteed)
D’Andre Swift‘s 2024 agreement included more guaranteed at signing ($14MM), but Forte’s guarantee package remains the Chicago standard
Cincinnati Bengals
- Corey Dillon; May 11, 2001: Five years, $26MM ($10.5MM guaranteed)
The Bengals more than doubled Dillon’s AAV number in 2020 for Joe Mixon (four years, $48MM) but only guaranteed $10MM of that pact
Cleveland Browns
- Nick Chubb; July 31, 2021: Three years, $36.6MM ($20MM guaranteed)
Dallas Cowboys
- Ezekiel Elliott; September 4, 2019: Six years, $90MM ($50.1MM guaranteed)
Denver Broncos
- Melvin Gordon; March 20, 2020: Two years, $16MM ($13.5MM guaranteed)
Detroit Lions
- Barry Sanders; July 21, 1997: Six years, $33.5MM ($11.5MM guaranteed)
David Montgomery‘s two Lions deals topped the Hall of Famer in AAV, but neither surpassed $11MM guaranteed; Jahmyr Gibbs is tied to the highest RB guarantee in franchise history ($17.85MM) but got there via a rookie deal
Green Bay Packers
- Aaron Jones; March 14, 2021: Four years, $48MM ($13MM guaranteed)
Josh Jacobs‘ 2024 pact edges Jones in AAV but fell short of his predecessor’s deal in guarantees
Houston Texans
- Arian Foster; March 5, 2012: Five years, $43.5MM ($20.75MM guaranteed)
Indianapolis Colts
- Jonathan Taylor; October 7, 2023: Three years, $42MM ($26.5MM guaranteed)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Maurice Jones-Drew; April 15, 2009: Five years, $31.1MM ($14.25MM guaranteed)
Leonard Fournette received a $27.15MM guarantee — still in the top 10 in RB history — but it came on a rookie contract
Kansas City Chiefs
- Kenneth Walker; March 9, 2026: Three years, $43.1MM ($28.7MM guaranteed)
Las Vegas Raiders
- Josh Jacobs; August 26, 2023: One year, $11.79MM franchise tag ($10.1MM guaranteed)
Raiders sweetened Jacobs’ franchise tag agreement; Ashton Jeanty‘s 2025 rookie slot deal included $35.9MM guaranteed
Los Angeles Chargers
- LaDainian Tomlinson; August 15, 2004: Six years, $48MM ($21MM guaranteed)
Los Angeles Rams
- Todd Gurley; July 24, 2018: Four years, $57.5MM ($45MM guaranteed)
Miami Dolphins
- De’Von Achane; May 13, 2026: Four years, $64MM ($32MM guaranteed)
Minnesota Vikings
- Adrian Peterson; September 10, 2011: Six years, $86.28MM ($36MM guaranteed)
New England Patriots
- Rhamondre Stevenson; June 20, 2024: Four years, $36MM ($17.12MM guaranteed)
New Orleans Saints
- Alvin Kamara; September 12, 2020: Five years, $75MM ($33.83MM guaranteed)
New York Giants
- Saquon Barkley; March 7, 2023: One year, $10.1MM franchise tag ($10.1MM guaranteed)
Barkley’s rookie slot deal included $31.19MM guaranteed — fourth all time among all RB contracts — while Devin Singletary‘s $9.5MM represents the franchise’s high-water mark on a multiyear deal
New York Jets
- Breece Hall; May 8, 2026: Three years, $43.5MM ($29MM guaranteed)
Philadelphia Eagles
- Saquon Barkley; March 4, 2025: Two years, $41.2MM ($36MM guaranteed)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Le’Veon Bell; February 27, 2017: One year, $12.12MM franchise tag ($12.12MM guaranteed)
Bell’s second franchise tag (2018) covered $14.54MM, but the RB became the first tagged player this century to skip a season; Jaylen Warren‘s 2025 extension brought the highest Steelers RB guarantee ($7.1MM) on a multiyear deal
San Francisco 49ers
- Christian McCaffrey; June 4, 2024: Two years, $38MM ($24MM guaranteed)
Seattle Seahawks
- Marshawn Lynch; March 4, 2012: Four years, $30MM ($17MM guaranteed)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Doug Martin; March 9, 2016: Five years, $35.75MM ($15MM guaranteed)
Tennessee Titans
- Derrick Henry; July 15, 2020: Four years, $50MM ($25.5MM guaranteed)
Washington Commanders
- Clinton Portis; March 1, 2004: Eight years, $50.52MM ($13MM guaranteed)
Information from OverTheCap and Spotrac was used in the creation of this post
Saints Place OL Nick Saldiveri On Reserve/PUP
After a knee injury knocked Nick Saldiveri out for the entire 2025 campaign, the guard is set to miss another season. The Saints placed the offensive lineman on the reserve/PUP list, per ESPN’s Katherine Terrell.
Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.football clarifies that the reserve/PUP list is different than the active/PUP list that’s often used at the beginning of training camp. Today’s designation means Saldiveri will not be able to suit up for New Orleans during the upcoming season.
It’s an unfortunate development for the 2023 fourth-round pick. The guard worked his way back from calf and shoulder injuries early in his career, eventually starting six of 11 appearances as a sophomore. That 2024 campaign ended early thanks to a first knee injury, but Saldiveri seemed to have established himself as at least a dependable depth piece for the Saints.
Saldiveri suffered his second knee injury during last year’s training camp, landing him on season-ending injured reserve. That same injury will now erase his 2026 campaign. The 25-year-old will be a free agent next offseason.
The Saints recently used a fourth-round pick on Jeremiah Wright, and the team could end up depending on the rookie behind Cesar Ruiz and David Edwards. New Orleans is also still rostering versatile lineman Dillon Radunz, who started 10 games for New Orleans in 2025.
Saints Restructure LB Pete Werner’s Deal
The 2026 offseason required far less in the way of salary cap gymnastics than previous years for the Saints. The team has still tweaked a few contracts, though.
The latest example on that front is linebacker Pete Werner. His pact was recently restructured, as noted by ESPN’s Katherine Terrell. As a result of the move, Werner’s 2026 cap charge has been lowered from just under $8MM to $3.94MM.
Werner was one of many veteran Saints who drew trade interest in 2025. New Orleans elected to keep him in the fold, though, and two years remain on his contract. The five-year veteran is due to collect $6.25MM this season and $6.5MM in 2027, although none of the latter figure is guaranteed.
Werner’s future will thus depend in large part on how he fares in 2026. The former second-rounder has amassed 63 starts during his New Orleans tenure, and he will be expected to remain a key defensive figure for at least one more season. Werner has recorded at least 80 tackles in each of the past four year; he added career-high totals in sacks (two), pass deflections (five) and fumble recoveries (three) in 2025.
The Saints brought back Kaden Elliss this spring. The former Falcon inked a three-year, $33MM deal in free agency and he will be counted on to produce alongside Werner. Replacing Demario Davis will be no small feat in 2026, but managing to do so could help team build off its momentum from late last season and contend for a playoff berth.
With the financial wiggle room brought on by the Werner restructure, the Saints now have roughly $8MM in cap space. No major additions should be expected, but low-cost roster moves will be more viable moving forward.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/11/26
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DT Ross Blacklock, LB Daveren Rayner
- Waived: TE Brandon Frazier, DT Ben Stille, WR Deven Thompkins, RB Carlos Washington
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: S K’Von Wallace
Buffalo Bills
- Waived: CB M.J. Devonshire
Chicago Bears
- Signed: WR Kyron Hudson, LB Wayne Matthews III, LB Jon Rhattigan
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: CB Michael Coats Jr.
- Waived: TE Sal Cannella
Denver Broncos
- Signed: CB Paul Manning, WR Michael Woods
Houston Texans
- Signed: RB Evan Hull
- Waived: TE Luke Lachey
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Cameron McGrone
- Waived: WR Brenden Rice
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: FB DJ Herman
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB Bangally Kamara, DL Smith Vilbert
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB Xavier Holmes, S Peter Manuma
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Brock Rechsteiner
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Jaden Keller
- Waived: LB Ochaun Mathis
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: C Greg Crippen
- Waived: OT Sataoa Laumea
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LB Larry Worth III
- Waived: LB Milo Eifler
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Claimed off waivers (from Colts): LB John Bullock
- Waived: LS Wesley Brown, WR Noah Short, LB Benton Whitley, RB Owen Wright
Saints Sign Second-Round DT Christen Miller, Complete Class Signings
This morning, the Saints secured the signature of Georgia defensive tackle Christen Miller, per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. In signing their second-round pick, New Orleans has completed the signing process for its rookies from the 2026 NFL Draft.
Miller arrived at Georgia during a time of transition for the Bulldogs defensive line. Travon Walker and Devonte Wyatt had just departed as first-round picks, and Nolan Smith, Jalen Carter, and Jordan Davis were close on their heels. Miller redshirted as a true freshman, appearing in just four games behind the remaining trio. He wasn’t quite able to to seize one of the starting opportunities following their departures as Zion Logue and Nazir Stackhouse assumed the top roles and Warren Brinson held the DT3 role in what is usually a very active defensive line rotation in Athens.
In Year 3, Miller replaced the NFL-bound Logue in the starting group next to Stackhouse, but his first-team honors were offset a bit as Brinson outpaced him in play time and production off the bench. After Logue and Brinson entered the NFL as late-Day 3 picks and Stackhouse went undrafted, it seemed Georgia’s domination in DL production had come to an end, but Miller’s resurgence in his final year shows they’re not quite done yet. The Bulldogs moved Miller around on the line, but he excels in run defense. The stout, big-bodied defender is deceptively athletic, but his potential to play all three downs will depend on his coaching staff’s ability to develop his pass rush and his own ability to climb the depth chart.
New Orleans returns three starters along the defensive line in Bryan Bresee, Davon Godchaux, and Nathan Shepherd, and the team should return last year’s third-round pick Vernon Broughton after he missed nearly all of his rookie season with a hip injury. With so much depth and experience in place, Miller won’t be asked to shoulder a bigger burden than necessary as a rookie, but considering the play of the returning group left much to be desired last year, he should get every opportunity to earn a bigger role.
All that will develop over the next several months, but for now, here’s a final look at the Saints 2026 rookie draft class:
- Round 1, No. 8: Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 42: Christen Miller (DT, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 73: Oscar Delp (TE, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 132 (from Seahawks): Jeremiah Wright (G, Auburn) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 136*: Bryce Lance (WR, North Dakota State) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 172 (from Seahawks): Lorenzo Styles (S, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 190: Barion Brown (WR, LSU) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 219 (from Raiders): TJ Hall (CB, Iowa) (signed)
Saints Sign First-Round WR Jordyn Tyson
The Saints announced deals with seven draft picks, including first-round wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. As the eighth overall pick, Tyson’s fully guaranteed contract is worth approximately $32.49MM over four years.
Tyson was the second receiver taken in the draft, falling behind Carnell Tate (Titans, No. 4), after an excellent couple of seasons at Arizona State. The 6-foot-2, 203-pounder combined for 136 receptions, 1,812 yards and 18 touchdowns over 21 games from 2024-25. However, injuries were a problem throughout Tyson’s time in college, which likely dinged his draft stock to some extent.
Tyson began his college career in 2022 at Colorado, where he averaged a robust 21.4 yards per catch on 22 receptions and totaled four TDs in nine games. His freshman year ended with a torn ACL, MCL and PCL. Tyson, who then transferred to Arizona State, missed almost all of 2023 while recovering from his knee injury. He went on to suffer a broken collarbone late in 2024, and hamstring issues nagged him last year.
Tyson’s hamstring continued bothering him during the pre-draft process, which prevented him from working out at the Combine or participating in ASU’s pro day. He recovered in time to hold a workout for NFL teams on April 17. The Saints clearly came away impressed, and they will turn to Tyson as their top complement to No. 1 receiver Chris Olave in 2026.
Tyson was the first of four pass catchers the offense-needy Saints drafted this year. They spent a third-rounder on former Georgia tight end Oscar Delp and later selected wideouts Bryce Lance (fourth round, North Dakota State) and Barion Brown (sixth round, LSU). The team announced agreements with Delp, Lance and Brown on Friday. The Saints also signed guard Jeremiah Wright (fourth round, Auburn), safety Lorenzo Styles Jr. (fifth round, Ohio State) and cornerback TJ Hall (seventh round, Iowa). Second-round defensive tackle Christen Miller is now the lone unsigned member of their eight-player draft class.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/7/26
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: WR Andre Baccellia (failed physical)
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB Darren Hall
- Waived: S Tysheem Johnson
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: LB Jacoby Windmon
Chicago Bears
- Waived: DB Zah Frazier
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived: OL Sal Wormley
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived: DL Josh Fuga, CB Jordan Oladokun
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DL Zxavian Harris
New York Giants
- Released: DL Marlon Tuipulotu
- Waived: LB Swayze Bozeman, DL Elijah Chatman, WR Courtney Jackson
New York Jets
- Waived: C Gus Hartwig (failed physical)
- Waived/injured: S Chris Smith
The Bears surprised many today when they moved on from 2025 fifth-round pick Zah Frazier. The six-foot-three cornerback sat out his entire rookie campaign for what the team described as a “personal reason,” leading to his placement on the non-football injury list. As Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun Times notes, GM Ryan Poles recently acknowledged that the player had a “mountain to climb” if he hoped to contribute in 2026, with the executive adding that Frazier “needed to play” last year. Now, the defensive back will have to make his NFL debut elsewhere.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals received a roster exemption today for international player Valentin Senn. The former Austrian prospect will be auditioning for a spot on Arizona’s offensive line. The Jets also got a roster exemption for Paschal Ekeji. The former rugby player will be competing for a spot on the Jets defensive line.
NFC Draft Rumors: Saints, Bain, Cowboys, Guarantees
On the eve of the 2026 NFL Draft, multiple reports came out asserting the Saints were a team to monitor for a potential draft day trade-up. Sitting already at No. 8 overall, rumors seemed to indicate that New Orleans could be looking to move up as far as the third pick in the draft, but general manager Mickey Loomis set things straight for the media (video via NewOrleans.Football) the next day.
Fully aware of the reports that had been made, Loomis told reporters, “Yeah, I never made one call to move up from pick 8.” After noting some surprise in the room, he continued, “I know it was reported by a couple of people, but that was completely untrue.”
The surprise was in part due to the existing reports of such interest, but it also stemmed from Loomis’ history of memorable moves up draft boards in years past. Dating back to his first draft with the Saints in 2003, Loomis has negotiated moves up for players like Johnathan Sullivan, Jammal Brown (2005), Sedrick Ellis (2008), Mark Ingram (2011), Brandin Cooks (2014), Stephone Anthony (2015), Marcus Davenport (2018), and Chris Olave (2022). Loomis did admit that the team was looking to make moves up on Day 2 of this year’s draft, but concerning the first round, he told reporters that the cost to move up would’ve been too high while knowing a player they really liked would fall to them at No. 8.
Here are a few other draft rumors coming out of the NFC:
- The Buccaneers were considered big winners on Day 1 of the draft after walking away with Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. 15 picks into the first round. They had no clue that Bain would end up slipping just that far, but somehow, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports, they were able to come away with a player that general manager Jason Licht told reporters was a top-five player on their board.
- The Cowboys ended up making a trade up one spot — from pick 12 to 11 — in order to ensure nobody would trade in front of them for Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. According to Jon Machota of The Athletic, they also attempted to make a move up to No. 9 overall in a deal that would’ve affected their second first-round pick, as well. Per Machota, Dallas offered Cleveland pick Nos. 12 and 20 with a fifth-rounder in exchange for Cleveland’s pick Nos. 9 and 24. The Browns were not interested. It’s unclear if Downs still would have been the target had the deal gone through. Machota also notes that, if the Cowboys hadn’t been able to move back from 20th to 23rd, they still would’ve taken UCF’s Malachi Lawrence. If Lawrence was gone by 23, though, then they would’ve pivoted to Georgia linebacker CJ Allen, who ended up going to the Colts at No. 53.
- In 2025, there was a holdout of second-round picks as players pushed for guaranteed money that hadn’t made it past the first round until only recently. There was — and still is — some anticipation about where that line might get drawn in this year’s draft, but a few team’s have moved quickly to draw the line at their own third-round picks. Last year, increased guarantees made it all the way through the second round with Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba being the latest pick to receive any. Even the first pick of the third round, Giants defensive tackle Darius Alexander, received only his signing bonus as guaranteed money. So far, only four third-rounders have signed deals this year, and Packers defensive tackle Chris McClellan is the earliest of the four. His deal’s only guaranteed money is his signing bonus. With Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck standing at the top of the third round, though, it will be interesting to see if there is any kind of push for guarantees to start making their way back into the third round.
2027 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker
May 1 marked the deadline for teams to decide on fifth-year options on 2023 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of performance- and usage-based benchmarks:
- Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
- One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
- Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th top salaries at their position:
- At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
- A 75% snap average across all three seasons
- At least 50% in each of first three seasons
- Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position
PFR’s Offseason Outlook series examined each of these decisions in-depth. Twenty-two options were exercised this year. Here is how each team with an option decision proceeded with 2023 first-round contracts:
- QB Bryce Young, Panthers ($25.9MM): Exercised
- QB C.J. Stroud, Texans ($25.9MM): Exercised
- DE Will Anderson Jr., Texans ($21.51MM): Exercised
- QB Anthony Richardson, Colts ($22.48MM): Declined
- CB Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks ($21.16MM): Exercised
- LT Paris Johnson Jr., Cardinals ($19.07MM): Exercised
- DE Tyree Wilson, Saints ($14.48MM): Declined
- RB Bijan Robinson, Falcons ($11.32MM): Exercised
- DT Jalen Carter, Eagles ($27.13MM): Exercised
- RT Darnell Wright, Bears ($19.07MM): Exercised
- G Peter Skoronski, Titans ($19.07MM): Exercised
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions ($14.29MM): Exercised
- LB Lukas Van Ness, Packers ($13.75MM): Exercised
- LT Broderick Jones, Steelers ($19.07MM): Declined
- DE Will McDonald, Jets ($13.75MM): Exercised
- CB Emmanuel Forbes, Rams ($12.63MM): Declined
- CB Christian Gonzalez, Patriots ($18.12MM): Exercised
- LB Jack Campbell, Lions ($21.93MM): Declined
- DL Calijah Kancey, Buccaneers ($14.48MM): Exercised
- WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks ($23.85MM): Exercised
- WR Quentin Johnston, Chargers ($18MM): Exercised
- WR Zay Flowers, Ravens ($27.3MM): Exercised
- WR Jordan Addison, Vikings ($18MM): Exercised
- CB Deonte Banks, Giants ($12.63MM): Declined
- TE Dalton Kincaid, Bills ($8.16MM): Exercised
- DT Mazi Smith, Jets ($13.93MM): Declined
- RT Anton Harrison, Jaguars ($19.07MM): Exercised
- DE Myles Murphy, Bengals ($14.48MM): Declined
- DT Bryan Bresee, Saints ($13.93MM): Exercised
- LB Nolan Smith, Eagles ($13.75MM): Exercised
- DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Chiefs ($14.48MM): Declined
Saints Made Multiyear Offer To K’Lavon Chaisson
The Saints have been shopping around for edge rushers this offseason. Connected to Arvell Reese and Rueben Bain Jr. before the draft, New Orleans also made an offer for Kayvon Thibodeaux. The team ultimately pivoted to Tyree Wilson when the Giants rejected their proposal.
Weeks earlier, however, New Orleans was in the K’Lavon Chaisson market. This would have been a homecoming of sorts for the LSU product, and the Saints outflanked the Commanders in terms of contract length. But it sounds like the former first-round pick was willing to bet on himself rather than be tied down to a multiyear deal at a less-than-desirable rate.
Chaisson’s YouTube channel presented a look into his free agency decision. The seventh-year pass rusher’s agent (David Mulugheta) communicated to him a Saints three-year offer, though it does not sound like NFC South team would have placed him much higher — in terms of AAV — than Washington’s proposal (one year, $11MM). Mulugheta indicated he attempted to move the Saints to $13MM per year; the team not getting there created a decision on term length.
As Mulugheta explained to his client the Patriots did not make an offer, preferring Dre’Mont Jones to help in run defense from the EDGE position, the two discussed the Saints and Commanders (Jones signed a three-year, $36.5MM Pats contract). Mike Vrabel said at the Combine he would “love” to retain Chaisson, but nothing ended up materializing on that front.
It is not known how much guaranteed money New Orleans was offering, but the video points to guarantees into Year 2. Chaisson, however, preferred to bet on himself. This led to the late-blooming sack artist declining to return to Louisiana.
“I’m not gonna lie, I think that Commanders (offer), only because … you know, they’re competitive. So, we’re going to be in some time of playoff race,” Chaisson said. “I’m going to have more opportunities to be ahead (in) the game. I don’t know about the Saints; I don’t know what they offense look like. To know, like, we’ll be playing from ahead to even have rush opportunities.”
Chaisson, who is heading into an age-27 season, broke through with the Patriots after failing to justify his draft slot with the Jaguars. He joined the Raiders on a one-year, $1.13MM after the Panthers released him in 2024; his 2025 Pats contract came in at one year and $3MM. Chaisson recorded 7.5 regular-season sacks and three more in the playoffs. Mulugheta advised his client to avoid a multiyear deal for less than $11MM per when the Commanders were offering that in a “prove it” scenario.
After the EDGE market transformed throughout 2025, Chaisson opted to take the Commanders’ offer in hopes teams present better proposals — he mentioned a future deal beyond $20MM per year — in 2027. This is an interesting behind-the-curtain look at Chaisson’s process. In the video, he also inquires about the Buccaneers and Ravens, but without much traction from either, the decision came down to the Commanders or Saints.
PFR ranked Chaisson 32nd in this year’s free agent class, predicting some teams would deem his Patriots breakthrough as insufficient for a big multiyear offer. The Saints gave Chase Young a three-year, $51MM deal in 2025, but they had seen him excel with the team in 2024. Chaisson, who will team with Odafe Oweh in Washington, will hope to make a similar jump (Young played on a one-year, $13MM deal in 2024). Meanwhile, Oweh signed a four-year, $100MM deal with the Commanders.
Although the Saints finished with a better record than the Commanders last season, Chaisson looks to view the latter in higher regard because of Jayden Daniels‘ presence. The team, after all, voyaged to the NFC championship game during Daniels’ healthy rookie season before regressing as its quarterback battled multiple injuries. The Saints finished 6-11 last season and saw promise from Tyler Shough, but Chaisson will bet on Daniels presenting him with more pass-rushing snaps in Washington.