The NFL offseason has been nothing short of interesting. There has been a ton of movement in the trade market and in free agency.
While the Falcons have been relatively quiet this offseason, an extension for WR Drake London just got more difficult after the latest news.
According to Jordan Schultz, the Cincinnati Bengals agreed to extensions with both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Chase got a four-year, $161 million extension with $112 million guaranteed. He's now the highest-paid non-QB in the league at $40.25 million annually.
The Bengals also extended Higgins with a four-year, $115 million deal. He now gets $28.75 million per year, which is good for ninth among WRs.
These deals certainly now change whatever plans Atlanta originally had for a London contract figure.
BREAKING: #Bengals WRs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins exclusively tell me they’ve agreed to contract extensions with the team.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 17, 2025
Ja'Marr gets: 4-years, $161M with $112M guaranteed — making him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history.
Tee gets: 4-years, $115M with the first two… pic.twitter.com/zbdnEDELgz
Negotiations Between Drake London and Falcons Just Got Harder
London is entering his fourth year in the NFL, and the Falcons will have the option to pick up his fifth-year option this spring.
Regardless, an extension for London is in the cards. In 50 career games, London has supplied 241 receptions (385 targets) for 3,042 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns. His best season came in 2024, posting career-highs in catches (100), receiving yards (1,271), and receiving touchdowns (9).
The WR market has been exploding, with more elite pass-catchers making at least or more than $30 million. The Pittsburgh Steelers recently handed out a four-year, $132 million extension with D.K. Metcalf, earning $33 million a year.
As the price continues to go up, London's asking price will increase. There have been rumors that New York Jets WR Garrett Wilson could land an extension this offseason. He was in the same draft class as London, racking up 3,249 receiving yards, 14 touchdowns, and three straight seasons with 1,000 yards.
The WR market will only keep increasing. The deals by Chase and Higgins showcase that and will make things harder for Atlanta when they get to the negotiating table with London. If someone else cashes in before London, he'll just ask for more on his deal and that isn't the best case for Atlanta.