NFL's What-If Contracts: Dream Matches Unfulfilled

On April 7, NFL Free Agency dropped some massive contracts this off-season,

shaking up the 2026 landscape big time.

Stars like Mike Evans, Trey Hendrickson, Jalen Phillips, George Pickens,

and Malik Willis all landed huge deals elsewhere, but fans are buzzing about.

Five Dream matches that never happened.

Take Mike Evans, who inked three years for $42,500,000 with the San Francisco 49ers after 12 loyal.

Years with Tampa Bay.

Imagine him staying put on a four-year, $60 million packed,

keeping that Buccaneer's legacy alive instead of chasing rings out West.

Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys missed out on Trey Hendrickson, who went to Baltimore on four years,

$112 million. A shorter two-year, $55 million deal there could have fixed their past rush

woes after a sack star of season. Over in Philly, Jalen Phillips slipped to Carolina for four years,

$120 million when a three-year, $75 million. Stay might have boosted their defense long term.

Then there's George Pickens, franchise tag for one year, $27 million, $300,000 by Dallas.

Picture him exploding with Buffalo on four years, $129 million alongside Josh Allen,

giving the bills that true number one. Receiver, they've craved.

And Malik Willis signed three years, $67 million, $500,000 with Miami,

but a four-year, $80 million move, too. Cleveland under Todd Monkin screamed perfect duel

threat fit. These what-ifs highlight how one signature can flip contenders into dynasties,

leaving us all replaying the tape on what might have been this coming.

Season. This has been NFL News Today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the story.