With the first wave of free agency behind us, many players were given huge contract extensions or big-money moves away from their current team.
Players like Josh Allen, Chris Jones and Patrick Queen have already signed high-value contracts this offseason, with some becoming the highest-paid players in their position.
These are the biggest contracts signed in each defensive position in the NFL this offseason:
Defensive End – Jonathan Greenard
Johnathan Greenard was drafted in 2020 by the Houston Texans. In his first three seasons in Houston, Greenard had tallied 23 sacks, eight pass deflections and three forced fumbles.
Greenard had a career-high 12.5 sacks last season, which led to a four-year contract worth $76 million with the Minnesota Vikings.
Defensive Tackle – Chris Jones
The three-time Super Bowl champion signed a five-year extension at the Chiefs. Jones’ deal is worth $158m. Jones hit double figures in sacks for the third time in his NFL career last season, totalling 10.5 sacks.
Chris Jones has played over 100 games in his eight years in the NFL and amassed 273 tackles, 75.5 sacks, 37 pass deflections and 12 forced fumbles.
Following the retirement of the LA Rams' Aaron Donald and the new deal for Jones, the Chiefs star is now the highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL.
Outside Linebacker – Josh Allen
Josh Allen was drafted seventh-overall in the 2019 draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. During his five seasons with the Jags, Allen accumulated 251 tackles, 53 tackles for loss, 45 sacks and nine forced fumbles.
Allen had career-highs in both Tackles for Losses and sacks last season with 17 and 17.5 respectively.
The outside linebacker signed a five-year extension with the Jags worth $141.25 million just beating out the $141 million contract of fellow outside linebacker Brian Burns who signed with the New York Giants this offseason.
Inside Linebacker – Patrick Queen
Patrick Queen was drafted 28th overall in 2020 by the Baltimore Ravens and has been a staple of their defence for the past three seasons, but the inside linebacker has moved on. Queen joined the Ravens' divisional rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers on a three-year $41 million contract.
Queen amassed 454 total tackles, 13.5 sacks, six fumble recoveries, 15 pass deflections, four interceptions and a defensive touchdown during his time in Baltimore.
Queen was also a second-team all-pro and Pro Bowl selection last season after a career-best in tackles.
Cornerback – L’Jarius Sneed
L'Jarius Sneed won two Super Bowls with the Chiefs in his first three seasons on the team but decided he wanted to move elsewhere. That’s exactly what he did, with Sneed signing a four-year, $76 million contract with the Tennessee Titans. The Titans traded a third-round pick and an exchange of seven-round picks to secure Sneed.
In his first three years in Kansas City, Sneed collated 303 total tackles, 40 pass deflections and 10 interceptions.
Free Safety – Antoine Winfield Jr.
Antoine Winfield Jr. won the Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has been a staple of their defence ever since being drafted in 2020.
During his four seasons in Tampa, Winfield has made 384 tackles, 27 pass deflections, 11 forced fumbles and seven interceptions.
Winfield had a career-best year last season, setting personal highs in tackles, sacks, pass deflections, interceptions and forced fumbles. Following his impressive season, the Bucs handed Winfield a four-year extension worth $84m.
Strong Safety – Xavier McKinney
Xavier McKinney swapped New York for Green Bay when he signed a four-year, $67m contract with the Packers this offseason.
The strong safety spent the first three years of his NFL career on the NY Giants' roster where he amassed 279 tackles, 27 pass deflections and nine interceptions.
McKinney set career highs last season in tackles with 116 and pass deflections with 11.
