Who are the highest paid NFL players? As the salary cap climbs, the top NFL salaries soar every year with teams rewarding talent and production.
It comes as no surprise that quarterbacks are the highest-paid NFL players. But clubs are spending more money than ever on edge rushers, cornerbacks, offensive tackles, and wide receivers.
Thanks to new television contracts worth $100-plus billion, franchise owners will be spending even more in 2023 ree agency and the top paid NFL players will be shaken up even more. Sure enough, contract extensions and blockbuster trades have added to the list of the highest-paid NFL players.
Let’s take a look at the highest-paid NFL players of 2023.
Who is the highest-paid NFL player in 2023?
Related: Highest paid NFL quarterbacks
Aaron Donald, defensive tackle, Los Angeles Rams — Highest-paid non-QB
Aaron Donald Contract: 3 years, $95 million
Aaron Donald salary: $26.75 million
Signing Bonus: $40 million
Average Salary: $31.67 million
Free Agent: 2025
Just as retirement talk surrounded Aaron Donald for the second time over the past five months, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year inked a massive contract. On June 6, Donald’s Rams gave him a massive $40 million raise over the course of the final three years of his current contract. It makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
For good reason. Donald has been absolutely dominating in the eight seasons since the Rams made this Pittsburgh product a first-round pick. That includes racking up a resounding 118 QB hits and 59 sacks over the past four seasons.
Tyreek Hill, receiver, Miami Dolphins — Highest paid wide receiver in 2022
Tyreek Hill Contract: 4 years, $120 million
Tyreek Hill salary: $30 million
Signing Bonus: $25.5 million
Average Salary: $28.25 million
Free Agent: 2027
The latest blockbuster of the 2022 season sees Tyreek Hill departing the Kansas City Chiefs to join the Miami Dolphins who have put together a strong offseason after hiring Mike McDaniel. With the trade, Hill also received a new contract that just edges out Davante Adams as the highest-paid pass-catcher in football. Now Hill will take his talents to South Beach where he will be on the receiving end of throws from Tua Tagovailoa.
T.J. Watt, edge rusher, Pittsburgh Steelers
- T.J. Watt Contract: 4 years, $112.011 million ($80 million guaranteed)
- T.J. Watt Salary: $24 million (2022)
- Signing Bonus: $35.593 million
- Average Salary: $28,002,750
- Free Agent: 2026
The Pittsburgh Steelers never break precedent. Simply put, the organization doesn’t like signing deals that award guaranteed money beyond the first year of the contract. T.J. Watt is so good that the Steelers went against their archaic approach. The four-year contract signed in 2021 provides him with $80 million guaranteed in the first three seasons and he’s worth every penny.
Stefon Diggs, wide receiver, Buffalo Bills
- Stefon Diggs contract: 4 years, $104 million ($70 million guaranteed)
- Average salary: $26 million
- Free agent: 2028
Diggs became yet another wide receiver this offseason to get paid big time. Previously underpaid at $14.4 million annually, he just became the fourth highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history behind Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams, and DeAndre Hopkins.
For good reason. Diggs, 28, led the NFL in receptions (127) and receiving yards (1,535) back in 2020. He then put up 103 catches for 1,225 yards while working with Josh Allen to make one of the better tandems in the NFL.
Joey Bosa, edge rusher, Los Angeles Chargers
- Joey Bosa Contract: 5 years, $135 million ($102 million guaranteed)
- Joey Bosa Salary: $21.25 million (2022)
- Signing Bonus: $35 million
- Average Salary: $27 million
- Free Agent: 2026
When it came time for Joey Bosa and the Los Angeles Chargers to negotiate an extension, everyone knew he’d join the ranks of the highest-paid NFL players. Both sides signed the dotted lines in July 2020, a $135 million deal that makes him one of the NFL’s top-paid defensive players. You can bet Nick Bosa will beat his brother’s contract extension.
Bradley Chubb, EDGE rusher, Miami Dolphins
- Bradley Chubb salary (2022): $7.736 million
- Bradley Chubb contract: Five-year, $110 million extension
- Guaranteed money: $63 million
- Average Salary: $22 million
After being the biggest acquisition at the 2022 NFL trade deadline, Bradley Chubb is now one of the highest-paid players on the Miami Dolphins roster. The new five-year extension with Miami will pay the one-time Pro Bowler $22 million annually and includes $63 million in guaranteed money.
Jaire Alexander, cornerback, Green Bay Packers
- Jaire Alexander salary (2022): $1.079 million
- Jaire Alexander contract: Four-year, $84 million extension
- Signing Bonus: $30 million
- Average Salary: $21 million
Jaire Alexander is now the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. The Green Bay Packers signed him to a new $84 million extension, providing him with the largest signing bonus ever for a defensive back. While the 2022 base salary is low, it’s purely for cap purposes. The signing bonus and contract extension itself make Alexander, an All-Pro talent, one of the highest-paid defensive players in football.
Denzel Ward, cornerback, Cleveland Browns
- Denzel Ward contract: 4 years, $100.5 million extension
- Total Guaranteed: $71.25 million
The Cleveland Browns are making Denzel Ward the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. Selected with the No. 4 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Ward earned two Pro Bowl selections on his rookie contract. With the prices for receivers skyrocketing, Ward cashes in for his coverage skills. The $71.25 million guaranteed is the most ever for a defensive back.
Xavien Howard, cornerback, Miami Dolphins
- Xavien Howard contract: Five-year extension
- Xavien Howard salary: $25.345 million
- Free Agent: 2027
The Miami Dolphins vowed to Xavien Howard that he’d receive a new deal if he played at a high level in 2021. Sure enough, they fulfilled that promise. Howard and the Dolphins agreed to a two-year extension with $50.691 million in new money. It’s added on top of the three years and $39 million that still existed on his old contract. As a result, Xavien Howard is the highest paid cornerback in NFL history.
Myles Garrett, edge rusher, Cleveland Browns
- Myles Garrett Contract: 5 years, $125 million ($100 million guaranteed)
- Myles Garrett Salary: $1.035 million (2022)
- Signing Bonus: $21 million
- Average Salary: $25 million
- Free Agent: 2027
Myles Garrett is the Cleveland Browns right now. The No. 1 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft is exceeding the massive hype he carried entering the league. A yearly threat for 20-plus sacks, it should come as no surprise that one of the best pass rushers in the NFL is also among its most compensated players.
DK Metcalf, wide receiver, Seattle Seahawks
- DK Metcalf contract: 3 years, $72 million ($58.2 million guaranteed)
- Average salary: $24 million
- Free agent: 2026
Just as training camp got going in the Pacific Northwest, Metcalf was able to lock up a long-term contract with the Seahawks. Said deal has him tied with Stefon Diggs as the sixth highest-paid receiver in terms of average annual salary. For good reason. The former Mississippi standout has been brilliant to open his career, averaging 1,057 yards and 10 touchdowns through three seasons.
Terry McLaurin, wide receiver, Washington Commanders
- Terry McLaurin contract: 3 years, $71 million
- Terry McLaurin average salary: $23.67 million
- Signing bonus: $28 million
After holding out of mandatory minicamp, McLaurin finally got paid with less than a month to go before training camp. He inked a three-year deal worth $71 million with an absurd $28 million due at signing.
The former Ohio State star has more than lived up to this contrac. Through three seasons, he’s averaging 75 receptions for north of 1,000 yards despite Washington’s continued issues at quarterback.
Deebo Samuel, wide receiver, San Francisco 49ers
- Deebo Samuel contract: 3 years, $71.6 million ($58.1 million guaranteed)
- Average salary: $23.9 million
- Free agent: 2026
After a drama-filled offseason in which he requested a trade, Deebo Samuel has finally come to terms on a massive extension with the 49ers. It makes him the seventh highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. For good reason.
Deebo Samuel stats (2021): 77 receptions, 1,405 yards, 18.2 average (league-best), 365 rushing yards, 1,770 total yards, 14 TD
Samuel is going to continue being important to what the 49ers do moving forward. He’ll now be back in the mix to provide young quarterback Trey Lance with another talented weapon as he takes over the 49ers’ starting job.
Khalil Mack, edge rusher, Los Angeles Chargers
- Khalil Mack Contract: 6 years, $141 million ($90 million guaranteed)
- Khalil Mack Salary: $12.05 million (2022)
- Signing Bonus: $34 million
- Average Salary: $23.5 million
- Free Agent: 2025
Khalil Mack wanted to play for a team that would pay him in 2018 and the Chicago Bears immediately showed their commitment to him. The six-year pact is one of the longest signed by an edge rusher and it’s made him one of the top paid NFL players ever since.
The reasoning for Los Angeles to acquire Mack is obvious. When healthy, he is an absolute force off the edge and he’s going to create even more havoc on the opposite side of Joey Bosa. Of course, being one of the highest paid NFL players is why Chicago only received a 2022 second-round pick for him.
Trent Williams, left tackle, San Francisco 49ers – Highest paid offensive lineman in NFL
- Trent Williams Contract: 6 years, $138 million ($55.1 million guaranteed)
- Trent Williams Salary: $7.25 million (2022)
- Signing Bonus: $30.1 million
- Average Salary: $23.01 million
- Free Agent: 2027
A few years ago, some wondered if Trent Williams’s career might be over. It turns out, getting him away from the Washington Commanders made all the difference. San Francisco rewarded its left tackle for his dominance and he became the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history with a six-year agreement signed in 2021.
David Bakhtiari, left tackle, Green Bay Packers
- David Bakhtiari Contract: 4 years, $92 million ($61.5 million guaranteed)
- David Bakhtiari Salary: $3.2 million (2022), $10 million roster bonus
- Signing Bonus: $30 million
- Average Salary: $23 million
- Free Agent: 2025
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst ensured the team’s All-Pro left tackle stayed, signing him to a $92 million contract. He played at his elite standard in 2020, but a torn ACL in December 2020 has largely kept him sidelined. He’s a candidate for a contract restructure in the 2022 offseason, but the Packers likely feel confident he will return to form.
Roquan Smith, linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
- Roquan Smith contract: Five years, $100 million
- Roquan Smith average salary: $20 million
Baltimore acquired this All-Pro linebacker from the Chicago Bears ahead of the November NFL trade deadline. It paid off big time for the playoff team with the 25-year-old Smith recording 86 tackles, two sacks and an interception in nine games with Baltimore. Smith also yielded a mere 82.6 QB rating when targeted in 2022. Hence, why he’s now the highest-paid linebacker in NFL history.
Derwin James, safety, Los Angeles Chargers
- Derwin James contract: Four years, $76.5 million
- Derwin James salary: $19.1 million AAV
- Derwin James guaranteed money: $40 million
Derwin James is the highest paid safety in NFL history. Just a week weeks after the Pittsburgh Steelers awarded the title to Minkah Fitzpatrick, his contract is surpasses. James, a 2018 first-round pick, has earned first-team All-Pro honors in every year he has been fully healthy. An integral piece in Brandon Staley’s defense, it’s no surprise James is now one of the highest paid NFL players in 2023 and beyond.
Minkah Fitzpatrick, safety, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Minkah Fitzpatrick contract: Four-years, $73.6 million
- Minkah Fitzpatrick salary: $18.4 million AAV
- Signing Bonus: $36 million
Just a few years after trading a first-round pick for Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Pittsburgh Steelers make their star safety one of the highest paid NFL players over the next four years. It just surpasses the Jamal Adams deal (four years, $70.58 million) and follows in line with rising contracts for defensive backs.
Highest paid NFL players by position
Contracts courtesy Spotrac. All salary figures and cap hits for the highest paid NFL players are from the 2022 season.
Highest paid running backs in NFL
- Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers – $16.016 million AAV, $14.309 million cap hit, $8.4 million base salary
- Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints – $15 million AAV, $14.5 million cap hit, $5.5 million base salary
- Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys – $15 million AAV, $18.22 million cap hit, $12.4 million base salary
- Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings – $12.6 million AAV, $14.309 million cap hit, $8.3 million base salary
- Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans – $12.5 million AAV, $14 million cap hit, $12 million base salary
- Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns – $12.2 million AAV, $5.213 million cap hit, $1.213 million base salary
- Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals – $12 million AAV, $11.42 million cap hit, $8 million base salary
Highest paid wide receivers in NFL
- Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins — $30 million annually, $6.485 million cap hit, $1.045 million base salary
- Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders — $28.25 million annually, $8.17 million cap hit, $3.5 million base salary
- DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals – $27.25 million AAV, $25 million cap hit, $6.65 million base salary
- Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles rams — $26.7 million AAV, $75 million total guaranteed
- Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills — $26 million AAV, $70 million total guaranteed
- A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles — $25 million AAV, $57 million total guaranteed
- DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks — $24 million average annual salary
- Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers — $23.9 million average salary, $58.1 million guaranteed
- Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders — $23.67 million AAV, $28 million signing bonus
- Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers – $20.025 million AAV, $19.2 million cap hit, $16.5 million base salary
- Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns – $20 million AAV, $22 million cap hit, $20 million base salary
- Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers — $20 million AAV, $14 million cap hit, $7 million base salary
- Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers — $20 million AAV, TBD, TBD
- Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints – $19.25 million AAV, $24.7 million cap hit, $15.35 million base salary
- Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers – $18.35million AAV, $36.71 million total value
- Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars – $18 million AAV, $72 million total value
- Kenny Golladay, New York Giants — $18 million AAV, $72 million total value
Highest paid tight ends in NFL
- Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders – $17 million AAV, $6.84 million cap hit, $6.25 million base salary
- George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers – $15 million AAV, $16.011 million cap hit, $11.45 million base salary
- Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs – $14.312 million AAV, $8.855 million cap hit, $6.5 million base salary
- Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles – $14.25 million AAV, $3.766 million cap hit, $1.080 million base salary
- David Njoku, Cleveland Browns – $14.1 million AAV, $3.328 million cap hit, $1.035 million base salary
- Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens – $14 million AAV, $9.657 million cap hit, $3.5 million base salary
- Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills — $13.4 million AAV, $31-plus million guaranteed
Highest paid offensive linemen in NFL
- Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers – $23.01 million AAV, $14.031 million cap hit, $7.25 million base salary
- David Bakhtiari, Green Bay Packers – $23 million AAV, $22.768 million cap hit, $3.2 million base salary
- D.J. Humphries, Arizona Cardinals — $22.3 million AAV, $34 million in guarantees
- Laremy Tunsil, Houston Texans – $22 million AAV, $26.153 million cap hit, $17.85 million base salary
- Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts – $20 million AAV, $13.7 million cap hit, $13.7 million base salary
- Ronnie Stanley, Baltimore Ravens – $19.75 million AAV, $18.552 million cap hit, $9.5 million base salary
- Ryan Ramczyk, New Orleans Saints – $19.2 million AAV, $23.041 million cap hit, $10.5 million base salary
Highest paid defensive linemen in NFL
- Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams — 31.67 million AAV, $26.75 million cap hit, $9.25 million base salary
- Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns – $25 million AAV, $12.961 million cap hit, $1.035 million base salary
- Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams – $22.5 million AAV, $26.75 million cap hit, $9.25 million base salary
- DeMarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys – $21 million AAV, $27 million cap hit, $19 million base salary
- Leonard Williams, New York Giants – $21 million AAV, $27.3 million cap hit, $19 million base salary
- DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts – $21 million AAV, $16 million cap hit, $11 million base salary
Highest paid edge rushers in NFL
- T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers – $28.002 million AAV, $31.118 million cap hit, $24 million base salary
- Joey Bosa, Los Angeles Chargers –$27 million AAV, $28.25 million cap hit, $21.25 million base salary
- Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers – $23.5 million AAV, $30.15 million cap hit, $12.05 million base salary
- Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders, $23.5 million AAV, $6.677 million cap hit, $3.51 million base salary
- Von Miller, Buffalo Bills — $20 million AAV, $5.15 million cap hit, $1.12 million base salary
- Shaquil Barrett, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – $17 million AAV, $18.75 million cap hit, $16.25 million base salary
Highest paid linebackers in NFL
- Roquan Smth, Baltimore Ravens — $20 million AAV
- Darius Leonard, Indianapolis Colts – $19.7 million AAV, $10.916 million cap hit, $6.916 million base salary
- Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers – $19.045 million AAV, $8.124 million cap hit, $2.564 million base salary
- C.J. Mosley, New York Jets – $17 million AAV, $17.5 million cap hit, $16 million base salary
- Foyesada Oluokun, Jacksonville Jaguars – $15 million AAV, $45 million total value
- Zach Cunningham, Tennessee Titans – $14.5 million AAV, $10.5 million cap hit, $10 million base salary
Highest paid cornerbacks in NFL
- Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns – $25.126 million AAV, $5.035 million cap hit, $1.035 million base salary
- Xavien Howard, Miami Dolphins – $25.345 million AAV, $8.213 million cap hit, $1.035 million base salary
- Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers – $21 million AAV, $30 million signing bonus (NFL record for CBs)
- Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams – $20 million AAV, $23.2 million cap hit, $15 million base salary
- Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints – $19.52 million AAV, $27.453 million cap hit, $9.1 million base salary
- Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens – $19.5 million AAV, $17.45 million cap hit, $10 million base salary
- Tre’Davious White, Buffalo Bills – $17.25 million AAV, $16.403 million cap hit, $9.95 million base salary
- Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles – $16.683 million AAV, $22.035 million cap hit, $16 million base salary
- J.C. Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers – $16.5 million AAV, $82.5 million total value
Highest paid safety in NFL
- Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers – $18.4 million AAV, $8.124 million cap hit, $4 million base salary
- Jamal Adams, Seattle Seahawks – $17.5 million AAV, $9.11 million cap hit, $2 million base salary
- Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings – $16 million AAV, $13.407 million cap hit, $2.95 million base salary
- Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos – $15.2 million AAV, $18.85 million cap hit, $15.1 million base salary
- Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals – $14.75 million AAV, $14.775 million cap hit, $11 million base salary
- Eddie Jackson, Chicago Bears – $14.6 million cap hit, $15.09 million cap hit, $11 million base salary
10 longest field goals in NFL history
Highest paid kicker in NFL
- Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens – $6 million AAV, $5.908 million cap hit, $3.5 million base salary
- Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers — $5 million AAV, $12.5 milion guaranteed
- Graham Gano, New York Giants – $4.666 million AAV, $4.671 million cap hit, $3.75 million base salary
- Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders – $4.6 million AAV, $4.234 million cap hit, $3.434 million base salary
Who is the highest paid punter in the NFL?
Jack Fox is the highest-paid punter in the NFL after signing a three-year contract extension worth an average of $3.775 million, immediately making him one of the highest paid punters in NFL history. Here are the top highest paid punters in the NFL>
- Jack Fox, Detroit Lions – $11.325 million total, $3.775 million avg. per year, $7.5 million guaranteed
- Michael Dickson, Seattle Seahawks – $14.699 million total, $3.674 avg. per year, $8.5 million guaranteed
- Tress Way, Washington Commanders – $13.25 million total, $3.312 million avg. per year, $6.415 million guaranteed
- Jake Bailey, New England Patriots – $9.139 million total, $3.046 million avg. per year, $6.275 million guaranteed
- Logan Cooke, Jacksonville Jaguars – $12 million total, $3 million avg. per year, $6 million guaranteed
Who will be the next highest paid NFL players?
We’ve seen a flurry of contract extensions signed this summer, resulting in a dramatic climb in salaries for the highest paid players in the NFL. We now look toward the future, examining what young standout could soon join their peers. Looking at the 2023 NFL free agents provides a bit of a guide in determining who is next to be among the highest paid NFL players.
- Orlando Brown Jr, Kansas City Chiefs
- Joe Burrow, quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals
- Justin Herbert, quarterback, Los Angeles Chargers
- Lamar Jackson, quarterback, Baltimore Ravens