10 NFL Players With Expiring Contracts In 2022 (Will Their Teams Re-Sign Them?)

If 2023 NFL free agency started today, there would be absolutely no shortage of franchise-changing stars available in the open market. But of course, next year's free agent period won't open for another eight months. Several pending 2023 free agents like Jaire Alexander, Hunter Renfrow and A.J. Brown have already signed extensions with their respective teams. And more will eventually reach new deals between now and the start of next offseason.

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That said, it's not too early to project which pending 2023 free agents will end up re-signing with their new teams, and which ones will find new homes. Let's play the guessing game with these 10 notable players.

10 Jimmy Garoppolo: Won't Re-Sign With 49ers

With Baker Mayfield getting traded to the Carolina Panthers, the Seattle Seahawks are the last remaining team that makes sense for Jimmy Garoppolo. The problem is that the San Francisco 49ers likely aren't keen to do business with their arch-rivals, so it feels likely that Garoppolo will be on the San Fran roster come Week 1.

Whether he stays there throughout the season or gets traded ahead of the deadline is anyone's guess. But the 49ers most certainly won't retain Jimmy G beyond this season. It's Trey Lance's time to shine. They didn't give up all that draft capital to take him third overall so that he could sit for two years.

9 Jack Conklin: Will Re-Sign With Browns

It's no coincidence that the Cleveland Browns' offensive line went from one of the worst in 2019 to top-tier in 2020. Adding Jack Conklin via free agency (a three-year deal worth $42 million) has helped take the offense to another level.

The Browns' window to win is now, and they can't afford to let one of the game's elite offensive tackles get away in free agency. Expect Conklin to be retained on a similar deal to the one he signed with Cleveland two years ago.

8 Josh Jacobs: Won't Re-Sign With Raiders

If he didn't miss two games, Jacobs would have hit 1,000 yards for the third straight season. Instead, the 2019 first-round pick finished with a respectable 827 (and nine rushing touchdowns) in 15 contests last year.

However, the Las Vegas Raiders decided against picking up the fifth-year option on Jacobs' rookie deal. On top of that, they opted to select Georgia running back Zamir White in the fourth round of this year's draft. Given how replaceable most running backs are in this day and age, it seems obvious that the Raiders are prepared to lose Jacobs for nothing in 2023 free agency.

7 D.K. Metcalf: Will Re-Sign With Seahawks

It's tough to get a read on where the Seattle Seahawks stand with D.K. Metcalf. They moved on from franchise pillars Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner this offseason. They didn't make a play for Baker Mayfield, either. Will GM John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll look to build the offense around Metcalf long-term, or will they deal him for more rebuilding assets?

Right now, the former feels more likely. They have plenty of cap space and should be keen on retaining a top-10 receiver who's only entering his prime. Even if the Seahawks flop in 2022, they can draft one of the many stud QB prospects next year and pair him with Metcalf.

6 J.J. Watt: Won't Re-Sign With Cardinals

Injuries limited the three-time Defensive Player of the Year to seven games last season. In those contests, Watt recorded only one sack, one forced fumble and 16 quarterback pressures, per Pro Football Reference.

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The Arizona Cardinals need to get younger on the front seven, and Watt will be entering his age-34 season in 2023. Even if he bounces back with a Pro Bowl-like season in 2022, the Cardinals would be wise to spend that money elsewhere.

5 Lamar Jackson: Will Re-Sign With Ravens

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There is absolutely zero reason to think Lamar Jackson will play somewhere outside of Baltimore in 2023. The 2019 league MVP has changed the direction of this franchise following five years of mediocrity. They simply can't afford to lose the two-time 1,000-yard rusher.

Jackson hasn't given any indication that he wants to leave the Ravens, either. The only question is if he'll maximize his earnings by playing 2023 under the franchise tag before signing a new deal, or if he'll take the extension right away. Either way, he's not going anywhere after next season. Jackson is staying where he belongs, plain and simple.

4 Saquon Barkley: Won't Re-Sign With Giants

Injuries have limited Barkley to 15 games over the last two seasons, which is a huge shame when you remember how prolific he was in his rookie and sophomore years. The No. 2 pick of the 2018 NFL Draft is entering the final season of his rookie deal, but it's already hard to envision the New York Giants ponying up the dollars for an extension.

The team is in full-scale rebuilding mode under new GM Joe Schoen, and they can't risk another bad contract on their hands. Running backs don't last long in today's NFL, and Barkley will be 26 in the 2023 season. Even if he bounces back in 2022, the Giants would be better off avoiding a hefty extension.

3 Roquan Smith: Will Re-Sign With Bears

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The Chicago Bears are in rebuilding mode, but Smith is absolutely somebody they need to build around long-term. The workhorse linebacker is the new No. 1 star of this defense with Khalil Mack gone, and the Bears can't afford to let Smith leave in 2023 free agency.

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If the two sides can't reach an agreement on a new deal, Smith will likely get the franchise tag. Good-at-everything linebackers like Smith don't come around often, and the Bears need to commit to him long-term.

2 Bradley Chubb: Won't Re-Sign With Broncos

Like Barkley, this 2018 first-round pick has been hampered by injuries since a thrilling rookie year. Chubb has played just 25 games over the last three years, and the Denver Broncos have to decide if he's worthy of a long-term investment.

Keep in mind they'll eventually have to extend newcomer Russell Wilson soon. Jerry Jeudy, Patrick Surtain II and Javonte Williams are among the many young standouts that will need extensions down the line. The early guess here is the Broncos let Chubb walk for a better payday in 2023 free agency.

1 Orlando Brown Jr.: Will Re-Sign With Chiefs

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The Kansas City Chiefs placed the franchise tag on their star offensive tackle, so they can at least relax in knowing that Brown Jr. is under contract for one more reason.

It'd be a shock if the two sides failed to reach an agreement before 2023 free agency. The Chiefs paid a hefty price to land Brown from the Baltimore Ravens last year, and Brown will surely be excited about playing on a legitimate Super Bowl contender long-term. A multi-year deal worth around $20 million annually should get done at some point.