For eight teams, there is unfinished business on the field with a Lombardi trophy still in sight. But the rest of the NFL already has moved on to 2019 and the churn of the offseason, which means preparing for free agency.
Naturally, the most notable names in free agency will drive the most interest: quarterbacks, star pass-rushers such as DeMarcus Lawrence and Jadeveon Clowney, and, of course, Le'Veon Bell.
But the household names aren't the only players who will cash in this offseason. NFL teams have their eyes on several quality players who have slid under the national radar but figure to make substantial money this March.
So, let's take a look at the players who are set to make more money than you might expect.
Grady Jarrett, defensive tackle, Atlanta Falcons
Jarrett leads this list because he's a player many already know of and appreciate. But when you play a position that can be difficult to quantify -- and where gaudy statistics are hard to come by -- your impact is overlooked in the box score (even still, Jarrett had 52 tackles and six sacks this season).
Make no mistake about it, however: The 25-year-old Jarrett is one of the elite interior defensive linemen, capable of disrupting the integrity of the pocket on any play and holding up against the run. A recent run of defensive cornerstones has changed the financial game for top players; the Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack deals won't be matched often, but the ceiling of a defensive player's earnings rose when those deals were signed. Garrett will cash in.
Matt Paradis, center, Denver Broncos
A fractured fibula ended Paradis' season early, but that injury isn't expected to limit him in any way in 2019 or beyond. If we've learned one thing from recent free-agency periods, it's that, with a relative dearth of ready-made prospects arriving from the college ranks each year, NFL teams are going to target offensive linemen aggressively.
Paradis started 57 straight games prior to his injury and is a rugged and reliable middle-of-the-line force. The Falcons stepped up in a big way to pay a then-30-year-old Alex Mack in free agency in 2016; Paradis will be 29 when he hits the open market and should see a comfortable list of suitors.
Trey Flowers, defensive end, New England Patriots
There's a decorated list of edge players scheduled to hit the market this offseason, with names such as DeMarcus Lawrence and Jadeveon Clowney among the most notable. Flowers shouldn't be overlooked, though. Although he doesn't have as much sack production (7.5 sacks in 2018) as some of the other top pass-rushers whose contracts are nearly up, he's one of the most consistent, forceful and impactful players at his position. He's just 25 years old and does a little bit of everything on defense: He can pressure off the edge, kick down inside to rush from a 3-technique alignment, set the edge as a run defender and drop back into space when needed.
Robbie Gould, kicker, San Francisco 49ers
Gould is a relatively well-known kicker with a Pro Bowl to his name, so you may be wondering how he makes this list. When you consider the state of kicking around the NFL -- the Vikings, Buccaneers, Chargers, Raiders and Browns all made in-season changes due to performance -- the value of a steady performer like Gould rises.
He'll be 36 when the market opens in March, but longevity isn't much of a concern given the position he plays and his recent performance. He has connected on 90-plus percent of his kicks each season going back to 2016 and would be a natural fit to return to San Francisco, a team that has been aggressive in spending and unafraid to pay top of the market -- or close to it.
Margus Hunt, defensive end, Indianapolis Colts
It's not often we see a player blossom at the age of 31, but Hunt is accomplishing exactly that. There's a bit of a caveat, however, as he didn't play in an NFL game until he was 26. There's less tread on his tires than that which a player of his age normally carries.
Hunt is a 6-foot-8 behemoth with power and nimble footwork unusual for a man of his stature. He has been a steady contributor for an energized Indianapolis defense, doubling his career sack total with five this season. The Colts entered the 2018 season with modest external expectations. Guys like Hunt have played an integral role in leading this team to a point where few thought it would wind up.
Adam Humphries, wide receiver, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This 2019 free-agent class of wide receivers isn't a very strong one. There is a case to be made that Humphries is among the best wide receivers available in free agency, as he's just 25 and coming off a terrific finish to the 2018 season.
Humphries has operated mostly out of the slot during his career, and slot receiver is typically not nearly as lucrative a position as perimeter wideout. But for a player who entered the league as an undrafted free agent and has been overshadowed by Tampa Bay's brilliant receiving corps led by Mike Evans, he should make some quality coin in a couple of months.