By Daniel
AFC Contract Updates: Who’s Getting Paid and Who’s Taking a Gamble
It’s been a busy offseason in the AFC, with teams locking in deals for key players while some guys are taking short-term bets on themselves. Here’s a breakdown of the latest contracts and what they mean:
Mekhi Becton (Chargers) – 2 years, $20M
Becton impressed with the Eagles, but the injury concerns are real. He’s getting $6.94M guaranteed upfront, with plenty of per-game bonuses built in—basically, the Chargers are protecting themselves in case he can’t stay on the field.
Christian Elliss (Patriots) – 2 years, $13.51M
The Pats clearly wanted Elliss badly enough to match the Raiders’ offer, guaranteeing him $7.75M at signing. New England also let go of Ja’Whaun Bentley, which should clear the way for Elliss to take on a bigger role.
Cam Robinson (Texans) – 1 year, $12M
Houston’s banking on Robinson with $10.75M guaranteed, plus some extra incentives. They also threw in void years, meaning they’ll take a hit if he doesn’t stick around past 2025.
Garrett Bradbury (Patriots) – 2 years, $9.5M
The former Vikings center gets $3.8M guaranteed and a chance to prove he fits into the Patriots’ system. If it doesn’t work out, New England has an easy out in 2026.
Zach Wilson (Dolphins) – 1 year, $6M**
The ex-Jets QB lands in Miami with a fully guaranteed deal as he tries to revive his career. The Dolphins structured it smartly, keeping his cap hit low at $2.2M.
Sheldon Rankins (Texans) – 1 year, $5.25M
Rankins had a rough stint with the Bengals but gets another shot with Houston. He’s got $4.5M guaranteed and could earn up to $1.75M more if he sees enough playing time.
Teven Jenkins (Browns) – 1 year, $3.1M
Jenkins might’ve aimed too high in free agency and had to settle for this short-term deal. Cleveland’s giving him $2.67M guaranteed, plus some incentives.
Marcus Epps (Patriots) – 1 year, $2.03M
A former Raiders starter, Epps gets only $500K guaranteed. That means he’s not a lock for the roster and will have to earn his spot in camp.
Some players are cashing in, while others are betting on themselves with short-term deals. Either way, the AFC is shaping up for an interesting season with plenty of fresh faces in new places.