What happened: Rookie-scale extension eligibility for the 2023 first-round class expires in two weeks. Teams must decide on long-term deals now or carry eligible picks into restricted free agency next summer.

Why it matters: Extensions lock in first-contract values before the 2026-27 market resets. Waiting preserves short-term cap flexibility but invites qualifying offers and offer-sheet competition next summer.

What to watch: Watch for agreements to finalize before the deadline, with unsigned cases shifting to extension fallback planning.