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The upcoming offseason may be the last thing on most people's minds, but not for those players in the last year of their contracts. While most players dream of riches to be had in free agency, the reality is often a slap in the ego. Only a handful of players get the big payday, and that number has been fewer each year as teams begin to manage their salary caps better. New rules concerning veteran salaries implemented last season allow more experienced players to stay in the league rather than pricing themselves out of a job, but also take away a good portion of their negotiating power. But for fans of teams that are already out of the playoff race, the recent history of last to first-place teams fuels hopes of a quick turnaround.

Below are position lists of defensive players who are currently without a contract for the 2003 season, as well as several players who might be released from their current contract as they are not playing up to their high salary.

Defensive Ends
Behind quarterbacks, defensive ends are the highest-salaried position in the NFL. That reflects the importance teams place on finding someone who can rush the passer. Few starting ends ever make it to free agency as teams try to sign them to a contract extension. When a player does, due to poor cap management by his team or advancing age, they become the big winners in free agency, even in a bad year for spending money. This past offseason, Joe Johnson received more per year salary at $5.5 million than any other free agent who switched teams. The only name defensive ends who were scheduled to hit the market this year are Johnson's new teammates, Vonnie Holliday and restricted free agent Kabeer Gbaja-Biamilla. But a contract clause added one very big name to the group.

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