NFL average salary: Startling pay gap between different positions decoded

Quarterbacks Dak Prescott and current Super Bowl champion Jalen Hurts are among the highest-paid NFL players in the sport’s history. If the trend follows the same trajectory, then in ten years, fans might see the first NFL player to sign a $1 billion contract.

Highest Paid Quarterbacks in the NFL (Average Annual Salary)

Quarterback

1. Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys): $61.6 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest-paid QB)
2. Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals): $61.3 million (Average Annual Salary)
3. Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers): $58.3 million (Average Annual Salary)
4. Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars): $56.9 million (Average Annual Salary)
5. Jared Goff (Detroit Lions): $55.4 million (Average Annual Salary)

Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) $61.6 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest-paid QB in NFL)

• Drafted: 2016 4th round (135th pick)
• Seasons: 9
• Pro Bowl: 3
• Win/Loss: 76-46 in the regular season & 2-5 in the playoffs

Dak Prescott became the NFL’s highest-paid player and highest-paid quarterback after signing a four-year, $240 million deal with the Dallas Cowboys near the eve of the 2024 NFL season.

Wide Receiver

1. Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals): $40.2 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest-paid WR)
2. Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings): $35 million (Average Annual Salary)
3. CeeDee Lamb (Dallas Cowboys): $32 million (Average Annual Salary)
4. AJ Brown (Philadelphia Eagles): $32 million (Average Annual Salary)
5. Brandon Aiyuk (San Francisco 49ers): $30 million (Average Annual Salary)
    

Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals): $40.2 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest-paid WR in NFL)

• Drafted: 2021, 1st round, 5th overall pick
• Seasons: 5
• Pro Bowls: 4
• All Pros: 2
• 2024 NFL Receptions leader, Receiving Yards leader & Receiving Touchdowns leader

Ja’Marr Chase became the NFL’s highest-paid wide receiver after the Cincinnati Bengals agreed to a four-year, $161 million contract in 2025. Chase recorded a career-best 127 receptions for 1708 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Defensive End

1. Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns): $40 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest paid defensive end in NFL)
2. Danielle Hunter (Houston Texans): $35 million (Average Annual Salary)
3. Maxx Crosby (Las Vegas Raiders): $35 million (Average Annual Salary)
4. Nick Bosa (San Francisco 49ers): $34 million (Average Annual Salary)
5. Josh Hines-Allen (Jacksonville Jaguars): $28 million (Average Annual Salary)

Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns): $40 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest paid DE in NFL)

• Drafted: 2017 1st overall pick
• Seasons: 8
• Pro Bowl: 6
• All Pro: 6
• 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year

Myles Garrett became the NFL’s highest-paid defensive end after he agreed to sign a four-year, $160 million extension with $123.5 million guaranteed and an average salary of $40 million per year. The contract includes a no-trade clause.

Running Back

1. Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles): $20.6 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest-paid)
2. Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers): $19 million (Average Annual Salary)
3. Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts): $14 million (Average Annual Salary)
4. Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints): $12.2 million (Average Annual Salary)
5. Josh Jacobs (Green Bay Packers): $12 million

Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles): $20.6 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest paid RB in NFL)

• Drafted: 2018, 1st round 2nd overall pick
• Seasons: 7
• Pro Bowls: 3
• All Pro: 1

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2018) NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2024) & Super Bowl Champion (2024)

Saquon Barkley became the NFL’s highest-paid running back in history after the Philadelphia Eagles agreed to a two-year, $41.2 million contract extension with the Eagles that includes $36 million guaranteed and up to $15 million more in incentives. Barkley rushed 345 times for 2,005 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns in 2024.

Tight End

1. Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs): $17.1 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest Paid TE)
2. T.J. Hockenson (Minnesota Vikings): $16.5 million (Average Annual Salary)
3. George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers): $15.5 million (Average Annual Salary)
4. Dallas Goedert (Philadelphia Eagles): $14.2 million (Average Annual Salary)
5. Mark Andrews (Baltimore Ravens): $14 million (Average Annual Salary)

Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs): $17.1 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest Paid TE in NFL)

• Drafted: 2013, 3rd round, 63rd pick
• Seasons: 12 seasons (didn’t play rookie year due to injury)
• Pro Bowls: 10
• All Pros: 4
  3x Super Bowl Champion

Travis Kelce became the NFL’s highest-paid tight end after the Kansas City Chiefs agreed to a two-year, $34.25 million deal in 2024. Kelce will earn the remaining amount of his contract after the 35-year-old announced that he will not be retiring this year.

Offensive Tackle (Right & Left)

1. Penei Sewell (Detroit Lions): $30 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest paid offensive tackle)
2. Tristan Wirfs (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): $28.6 million (Average Annual Salary)
3. Trent Williams (San Francisco 49ers): $27.6 million (Average Annual Salary)
4. Christian Darrisaw (Minnesota Vikings): $26 million (Average Annual Salary)
5. Laremy Tunsil (Washington Commanders): $25 million (Average Annual Salary)

Penei Sewell (Detroit Lions): $30 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest paid OT in NFL)

• Drafted: 2021, 1st round 7th pick
• Seasons: 4
• Pro Bowl: 3
• All Pro: 2

Penei Sewell became the highest-paid NFL offensive tackle after the Detroit Lions agreed to a four-year, $112 million contract extension in 2024.

Offensive Guard (Right & Left)

1. Trey Smith (Kansas City Chiefs): $23.6 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest paid offensive guard)
2. Landon Dickerson (Philadelphia Eagles): $21 million (Average Annual Salary)
3. Chris Lindstrom (Atlanta Falcons): $20.5 million (Average Annual Salary)
4. Robert Hunt (Carolina Panthers): $20 million (Average Annual Salary)alary)
5. Quenton Nelson (Indianapolis Colts): $20 million (Average Annual Salary)

Trey Smith (Kansas City Chiefs): $23.6 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest paid offensive guard in NFL)

• Drafted: 2021, 6th round, 226 pick
• Seasons: 4
• Pro Bowl: 1
• 2 Super Bowls

Trey Smith became the NFL’s highest-paid offensive guard after the Kansas City Chiefs placed a one-year franchise tag on him. Under the tag, Smith is set to earn $23.6 million during the 2025 NFL season.

Center

• Creed Humphrey (Kansas City Chiefs): $18 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest paid Guard)
• Drew Dalman (Chicago Bears): $14 million (Average Annual Salary)
• Frank Ragnow (Detroit Lions): $13.5 million (Average Annual Salary)
• Lloyd Cushenberry (Tennessee Titans): $12.5 million (Average Annual Salary)
• Erik McCoy (New Orleans Saints): $12 million (Average Annual Salary)

Creed Humphrey (Kansas City Chiefs): $18 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest paid Guard in NFL)

• Drafted: 2021, 2nd round, 63rd pick
• Seasons: 4
• Pro Bowl: 3
• All Pro: 2
• 2x Super Bowl Champion

Creed Humphrey became the NFL’s highest-paid guard after the Kansas City Chiefs agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $72 million, $50 million guaranteed, in 2024.

Cornerback

• Derek Stingley Jr. (Houston Texans): $30 million (Annual Average Salary) (Highest paid NFL cornerback)
• Jaycee Horn (Carolina Panthers): $25 million (Annual Average Salary)
• Jalen Ramsey (Miami Dolphins): $24.1 million (Annual Average Salary)
• Patrick Surtain II (Denver Broncos): $24 million (Annual Average Salary)
• Jaire Alexander (Green Bay Packers): $21 million (Annual Average Salary)

Derek Stingley Jr. (Houston Texans): $30 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest paid NFL CB)

• Drafted: 2022, 1st round 3 pick
• Seasons: 3
• Pro Bowl: 1
• All Pro: 1

Derek Stingley Jr. became the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback after signing a three-year, $90 million contract extension in March 2025. Stingley recorded 136 tackles and 11 interceptions from 37 NFL appearances.

Linebacker

• Roquan Smith (Baltimore Ravens): $20 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest paid linebacker in NFL)
• Fred Warner (San Francisco 49ers): $19 million (Average Annual Salary)
• Tremaine Edmunds (Chicago Bears):  $18 million (Average Annual Salary)
• Zack Baun (Philadelphia Eagles): $17 million (Average Annual Salary)
• Nick Bolton (Kansas City Chiefs): $15 million (Average Annual Salary)

Roquan Smith (Baltimore Ravens): $20 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest paid LB in NFL)

• Drafted: 2018, 1st round 8th pick
• Seasons: 7
• Pro Bowl: 3
• All Pro: 5

Roquan Smith became the NFL’s highest-paid linebacker after signing a five-year, $100 million extension with the Ravens, including $45 million fully guaranteed with $60 million in total guarantees with the Baltimore Ravens in 2022.

Safety

• Antoine Winfield Jr. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): $21 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest paid safety in NFL)
• Derwin James (Los Angeles Chargers): $19 million (Average Annual Salary)
• Minkah Fitzpatrick (Pittsburgh Steelers): $18.2 million (Average Annual Salary)
• Budda Baker (Arizona Cardinals): $18 million (Average Annual Salary)
• Tre’von Moehrig (Carolina Panthers): $$17 million

Antoine Winfield Jr. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): $21 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest paid S in NFL)

• Drafted: 2020, 2nd round 45th pick
• Seasons: 5
• Pro Bowl: 1
• All Pro: 1
• Won Super Bowl in the 2020-21 season

Antoine Winfield Jr. became the highest-paid NFL safety after signing a four-year, $84.10 million contract extension that includes $45.00 million guaranteed upon signing and an initial signing bonus of $20.00 million with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2024. Winfield Jr. recorded 444 tackles and 7 interceptions from 68 NFL receptions.

Kicker

1. Harrison Butker (Kansas City Chiefs): $6.4 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest paid NFL Kicker)
2. Jake Elliott (San Francisco 49ers): $6 million (Average Annual Salary)
3. Justin Tucker (Baltimore Ravens): $6 million (Average Annual Salary)
4. Matt Gay (Indianapolis Colts): $5.6 million (Average Annual Salary)
5. Cameron Dicker (Los Angeles Chargers): $5 million (Average Annual Salary)

Harrison Butker (Kansas City Chiefs): $6.4 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest paid NFL K)

• Drafted: 2017, 7th round 233rd pick
• Seasons: 8
• 3x Super Bowl winner

Harrison Butker became the highest-paid NFL kicker after signing a four-year, $25.6 million extension with the Kansas City Chiefs. Butker appeared in 122 NFL games and recorded a field goal completion rate of 88.6.

Punter

1. Michael Dickson (Seattle Seahawks): $3.6 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest paid NFL punter)
2. Jack Fox (Detroit Lions): $3.4 million (Average Annual Salary)
3. Bryan Anger (Dallas Cowboys): $3.2 million (Average Annual Salary)
4. Tommy Townsend (Houston Texans): $3 million (Average Annual Salary)
5. Riley Dixon (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): $3 million (Average Annual Salary)

Michael Dickson (Seattle Seahawks): $3.6 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest paid NFL punter)

• Drafted: 2018, 5th round, 149th pick
• Seasons: 7
• Pro Bowl: 1
• All Pro: 1

Michael Dickson became the NFL’s highest-paid punter after signing a four-year, $14.5 million contract extension with the Seattle Seahawks in 2021. Dickson has 24 thousand+ punting yards in 116 games for the Seahawks.

Long Snapper

1. Mitchell Fraboni (Denver Broncos): $4.1 million (Average Annual Salary) (Highest paid NFL Punter)
2. James Winchester (Kansas City Chiefs): $1.6 million (Average Annual Salary)
3. Reid Ferguson (Buffalo Bills): $1.6 million (Average Annual Salary)
4. Luke Rhodes (Indianapolis Colts): 1.6 million (Average Annual Salary)
5. Zach Wood (New Orleans Saints): 1.5 million (Average Annual Salary)

Mitchell Fraboni (Denver Broncos): $4.1 million (Annual Average Salary) (Highest paid NFL Punter)

• Drafted: Undrafted Free Agent
• Seasons: 4

Mitchell Fraboni became the NFL’s highest-paid long-snapper after signing a three-year, $4.175 million extension with the Denver Broncos. Fraboni entered the NFL with the Houston Texans.