Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions has a chance to be the best defensive player in the NFL this … More
The management of an NFL roster is one of the most challenging aspects of the work that NFL head coaches and general managers collaborate on during a season. Revenues have increased throughout the league to the point where each team has $279.2 million to pay in salaries and bonuses to players in the 2025 season.
Finding the best players is one of the keys to being successful but deals that represent bargains for the team can be the key to how far a team goes in the upcoming season. Younger players who are not quarterbacks represent the best opportunities to find players who can deliver big plays on a consistent basis.
Defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson may be the biggest bargain in the NFC North. Hutchinson is a game-changing player, but his salary numbers are advantageous for the Detroit Lions.
He signed a 4-year, $35.7 million contract with the Lions, per Spotrac. The deal includes a $23 million signing bonus, $35 million in guaranteed money, and an average annual salary of $8,928,347.
Hutchinson will earn a base salary of $1,100,000 and a roster bonus of $4,477,008 in the upcoming season, while carrying a cap hit of $11.4 million
The Lions have a club option for the 2026 season and he is scheduled to become a free agent prior to the 2027 season. That’s unlikely to happen. Look for the Lions and Hutchinson to work out a new deal prior to the start of the 2026 season that makes him one of the highest paid pass rushers in the league.
But before that happens, he will be one of the biggest bargains in the league. His 2024 season was cut short by his fractured tibia and fibula. He had 7.5 sacks in five games before the injury and the Lions are expecting a monster season of 14.0 sacks or more from him this season.
Metellus does everything for Flores in Vikings defense
Brian O’Neill #75 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with Josh Metellus #44 of the Vikings. (Photo … More
The Vikings have a bargain player of their own on defense in safety Josh Metellus. He has been one of the most valuable players in defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ plan of attack, recording 116 tackles, 1 interception, 5 passes defensed, 4 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery in 2023 and following that up with 103 tackles, 2 interceptions, 5 passes defenses and 1 forced fumble last year.
Flores looks at Metellus who can do everything the defense asks for, including rushing the passer, dislodging the ball carrier from the ball, making big hits in the running game and covering receivers.
Metellus was merely a sixth-round draft pick in 2020, meaning it was a 50-50 opportunity to make the team. The safety is one of the biggest bargains in the NFL. He signed a 2 year, $8 million contract that includes a $3 million signing bonus, $5.1 million in guaranteed money, and an average annual salary of $4 million.
He is scheduled to be a free agent at the conclusion of this season.
The Green Bay Packers have another bargain on their roster in Tucker Kraft. The Packers tight end is headed into his third year with the team after catching 50 passes for 707 yards and 7 touchdowns last season. Quarterback Jordan Love was troubled by receivers who led the league with 33 drops last season, but he knows he can depend on Kraft, a Pro Bowl alternate last season.
Kraft has two seasons remaining on a 4-year, $5.5 million contract. He will earn $1.2 million bases salary this year along with a workout bonus of $50,000. A healthy Kraft will command a dramatic increase prior to the 2027 season.
The Chicago Bears made a splash during the offseason as they signed a pair of high-priced offensive linemen in guard Joe Thuney from the Kansas City Chiefs and Drew Dalman from the Atlanta Falcons. However, general manager Ryan Poles has a sharp bargain in cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. The third-year cover man has started 30 games in his first two years and he appears to be a player the Bears can depend on going forward.
He had 4 interceptions, 16 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles and 86 tackles as a rookie. Stevenson followed that up with 2 interceptions, 12 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble and 78 tackles last year.
He signed a 4-year, $6.45 million contract that includes a $1.7 million signing bonus, $3.5 million in guaranteed money, and an average annual salary of $1.6 million. He is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2026 season.
If these bargain players can stay healthy and on the field, big paydays are sure to follow.