3 NFL players who don't deserve to have their contracts extended for 2023 ft. Kareem Hunt
Every NFL offseason features many players on expiring contracts. Their current teams get the first opportunity to begin contract extension negotiations if they desire to keep the player. If the negotiations fail for whatever reason, that player then becomes a free agent. This allows them to sign with any team that's interested in acquiring them.
While teams should always be proactive in an attempt to keep their star players, not all of the big names on expiring contracts deserve to be extended beyond their current deal. Here are three players who will be in need of a new contract prior to the start of the 2023 season, but whose teams would be better off letting them become free agents rather than giving them an extension.
#1 - Sam Darnold, Carolina Panthers (NFL)
Sam Darnold was selected in the first round of the 2018 Draft by the New York Jets. After failing to secure the starting quarterback job, he was traded to the Carolina Panthers in 2021. He again failed to lock down a starter role as the Panthers acquired Baker Mayfield to replace him in 2022.
After Mayfield failed miserably as the starter, he was let go and is now with the Los Angeles Rams. Darnold is once again the starting quarterback for the Panthers, helping them compete for a spot in the NFL Playoffs. Even if they get in, they should move on from Darnold and start over at quarterback. Despite winning a few games lately, he has still completed less than 60 percent of his passes with 58 career touchdowns and 52 interceptions.
#2 - Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns (NFL)
Kareem Hunt spent two years with the Kansas City Chiefs before joining the Cleveland Browns in 2019. He has spent four NFL seasons with his new team, sharing the backfield with Nick Chubb. Hunt attempted to avoid a contract year by negotiating an extension prior to the start of the 2022 NFL season, but the two sides failed to come to an agreement.
Hunt then requested to be traded, but the Browns instead decided to hang on to the running back. While the two sides may again enter negotiations this offseason, the Browns would be wise to let him go. They have already rewarded Chubb with a $12 million AAV contract and paying two running backs is a poor decision in almost every situation.
#3 - Jarvis Landry, New Orleans Saints (NFL)
Following successful runs with the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns, Jarvis Landry signed a free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints prior to the 2022 NFL season. The Saints gave him a "prove it" type of contact, worth $3 million for one season.
It's hard to imagine Landry has done enough to earn him another contract with the Saints. He has exceeded five receptions and 40 receiving yards in one game this year, while totaling one touchdown. Unless he's willing to take even more of a pay cut, it doesn't make much sense for the Saints to extend him.