Kevin O’Connell’s QB whispering worked again, setting off a series of events that made Minnesota's division the NFL's best.

As Madubuike can attest, fortunes can be made because of performance in a contract year. With the NFL regular season two-thirds of the way over, here are five players who have made good use of their contract year.

"Darnold’s price might continue to go up as teams evaluate the draft and available free-agent quarterbacks," The Athletic's Dianna Russini wrote. "Front office executives believe that his experience and performance in Minnesota this season will make Darnold’s market competitive in March."