NFL

Top 10 Highest-Paid Players In The NFL

Disclosure
We publish independently audited information that meets our strong editorial guidelines. Be aware we may earn a commission if you purchase anything via links on our pages.
CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

Wide receiver Justin Jefferson made headlines by signing a record-breaking contract extension with the Minnesota Vikings. Jefferson is now one of the top-paid players in the NFL. Find out the top 10 highest-paid players in the NFL below.

Top 10 Highest-Paid Players In The NFL

Player/Position Team Average Per Year
Joe Burrow, QB Cincinnati Bengals $55 million
Trevor Lawrence, QB Jacksonville Jaguars $55 million
Jordan Love, QB Green Bay Packers $55 million
Tua Tagovailoa, QB Miami Dolphins $53.1 million
Jared Goff, QB Detroit Lions $53 million
Justin Herbert, QB Los Angeles Chargers $52.5 million
Lamar Jackson, QB Baltimore Ravens $52 million
Jalen Hurts, QB  Philadelphia Eagles $51 million
Kyler Murray, QB Arizona Cardinals $46.1 million
Deshaun Watson, QB Cleveland Browns $46 million

It pays to be the quarterback.

The 18 highest-paid players in the NFL are all quarterbacks.

Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow, Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, and Green Bay’s Jordan are tied for the highest average annual salary in the NFL at $55 million.

In July, Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa ($53.1 million) signed a four-year, $212.4 million extension with $167 million guaranteed.

On May 16, 2024, Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff ($53 million) signed a four-year, $212 million contract extension with $170 million guaranteed.

Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes ($45 million), widely considered the best QB in the NFL, is only the 11th highest-paid player.

Top 10 Highest-Paid Non-QBs In The NFL

Player/Position Team Average Per Year
Justin Jefferson, WR Minnesota Vikings $35 million
Nick Bosa, Edge San Francisco 49ers $34 million
CeeDee Lamb, WR Dallas Cowboys $34 million
A.J. Brown, WR Philadelphia Eagles $32 million
Chris Jones, DT Kansas City Chiefs $31.75 million
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR Detroit Lions $30.003 million
Tyreek Hill, WR Miami Dolphins $30 million
Jaylen Waddle, WR Miami Dolphins $28.25 million
Josh Hines-Allen, Edge Jacksonville Jaguars $28.25 million
Brian Burns, Edge New York Giants $28.2 million

The highest-paid non-QB in the NFL is Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson. On June 3, the star wideout signed a four-year, 140 million-dollar contract extension, with an average of $35 million per year.

Jefferson passed San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa, who earns an average of $34 million per year.

In August, Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb ($34 million) signed a massive four-year, $136 million extension to tie Bosa’s average of $34 million per year.

Of the 10 highest-paid non-QBs, six are wide receivers, one is a defensive tackle, and three are edge rushers.

Noticeably absent fom the top 10 is an offensive lineman. Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackle Tristan Wirfs became the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL after signing a five-year, $140,600,000 contract this offseason.

*All contracts come via Overthecap.com as of 8/30/24.