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5 pending free agents on losing teams with lots to still play for

Jasen Vinlove / USA TODAY Sports

There are two goals held above all else in the NFL: Win games and make money.

When your team stops completing the former, the latter becomes much more prominent, especially if you are a pending free agent.

With teams like the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and New York Jets having seen their playoff chances slip away, there are a few players on each team who should be turning their attention to offseason contract negotiations.

Alshon Jeffery, Bears

Remaining games: at Lions, Packers, Redskins, at Vikings

Jeffery and the Bears couldn't come to an agreement last spring, resulting in the receiver getting a $14.6-million franchise tag that he has not necessarily lived up to.

The 26-year-old, who will return from his PED suspension in Week 15, is having the worst season of his career, with just 630 yards and one touchdown through nine games. Due to his age and potential, Jeffery could still be the top free-agent receiver on the market, though he'll have some convincing to do upon his return. Jeffery will see difficult matchups against the Redskins' Josh Norman in Week 16 and the Vikings' Xavier Rhodes in Week 17.

Dre Kirkpatrick, Bengals

Remaining games: at Browns, Steelers, at Texans, Ravens

It took him a few years, but the Bengals 2012 first-round pick seems to have developed into the starter his team was hoping for. Too bad the rest of the team dropped off.

The Bengals just signed Adam Jones to a new deal last offseason and are rumored to undergo a decent amount of roster turnover, especially on the defensive side after their disappointing season. Kirkpatrick will likely look for a higher payday than what the Bengals will offer, making him one of the few starting corners to hit the market while still at a prime playing age (27). Kirkpatrick has some potential top-class matchups with Antonio Brown and DeAndre Hopkins in the final month and has the size at 6-foot-2 teams crave at cornerback.

Trumaine Johnson, Rams

Remaining games: Falcons, at Seahawks, 49ers, Cardinals

The Rams chose to give Johnson the franchise tag over Janoris Jenkins, who signed a mega-deal with the Giants, and boy, did that turn out wrong.

Jenkins has flourished in New York, while Johnson, like most of the Rams, has struggled during his first season in Hollywood. He's earning just under $14 million this season, but won't be seeing that type of money this spring with an underwhelming interception total of one in 2016. Other than a Christmas eve contest against the 49ers, each team the Rams face down the stretch carries at least one receiver Johnson can attempt to prove his worth against.

Colin Kaepernick, 49ers

Remaining games: Jets, at Falcons, at Rams, Seahawks

While Kaepernick technically still has another year on his deal with the 49ers, he will reportedly use his opt-out clause to become a free agent this spring.

Coming off possibly the worst start of his career (or anyone's career) Sunday, it's crucial that Kaepernick takes some big steps forward in his final set of starts if he wants any team to consider him as a possible starter. Games against the Jets and Rams should be ideal scenarios for Kaep to showcase his abilities. If he can somehow get the 49ers to compete with the Falcons and Seahawks, he may build enough momentum to capitalize on a market lacking many options at quarterback.

Jamie Collins, Browns

Remaining games: Bengals, at Bills, Chargers, at Steelers

When Collins was traded from the Patriots, it was assumed he would shine as one of the most versatile players on the Browns defense. However, since his arrival, he has been somewhat exposed, no longer surrounded by Bill Belichick's defense.

Collins reportedly wanted to be paid as one of the league's top inside linebackers before the trade and with all the cap room Cleveland has to offer, many assumed he would get his wish. Some breathing room should be given to Collins as he adjusts to a new defense midseason, but if he wants to get paid, he needs to show his current organization he is more than a product of Belichick's system.

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