Is Sam Darnold going to earn a bigger pay day in 2025 with his performance over the final weeks of the 2024 NFL season? Kevin Patra identifies five players with a chance to cash in down the stretch.

As Madubuike can attest, fortunes can be made because of performance in a contract year. With the NFL regular season two-thirds of the way over, here are five players who have made good use of their contract year.

"Darnold’s price might continue to go up as teams evaluate the draft and available free-agent quarterbacks," The Athletic's Dianna Russini wrote. "Front office executives believe that his experience and performance in Minnesota this season will make Darnold’s market competitive in March."