NFL players in contract year primed for breakout seasons, from Panthers' Laviska Shenault to Jets' Bryce Huff

These five impending free agents are in line to have lots of success in 2023

You know what motivates players unlike anything else? Simply being in a contract year. It's the one season upon which financial futures hinge for hundreds across the NFL. Have a down contract year, and you could be looking at the vested veteran minimum or a cheap one-year "prove it" contract. 

Erupt in your contract year, and you're fielding a variety of multi-year deals with signing bonuses that eclipse all the money you've made to date. 

Which players are bound to ascend in their contract years this season in the NFL? Below I've listed my five favorites.