As the National Football League (NFL) continues to captivate audiences worldwide, its financial landscape has evolved dramatically, reflecting the league's immense growth and popularity. NFL franchises are breaking records each year with lucrative contracts, attracting elite talent and rewarding their star players handsomely.
In a landmark deal, Justin Jefferson recently agreed to a four-year, $140 million contract extension with the Minnesota Vikings, including $110 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. This news has sparked curiosity among fans about the salaries of top players across various positions.
With the 2024 season on the horizon and players gearing up for another year, it's an opportune moment to look at the highest-paid NFL players by position. The premium placed on quarterbacks is evident, with Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow leading the pack as the highest-paid player in the league, boasting an average annual salary of $55 million.
Defensive players are also commanding significant salaries, with San Francisco 49ers' edge rusher Nick Bosa earning $34 million per season, making him the highest-paid defender. Among non-quarterback offensive players, Philadelphia Eagles' wide receiver A.J. Brown stands out, earning $32 million annually.
The rise in the NFL's salary cap, fueled by substantial TV rights deals and stadium revenues, has led to skyrocketing player salaries. Entering the 2024 offseason, the salary cap increased by $30 million, reaching a total of $255.4 million per team, allowing franchises to invest heavily in building Super Bowl contenders.
The competitive nature of the NFL fosters an ever-rising market for top talent. In 2023, the title of the highest-paid player shifted multiple times among quarterbacks, with Joe Burrow ultimately securing the top spot. As we approach the new season, other talented quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, and Jalen Hurts are also earning over $50 million annually, with more players likely to join these ranks soon.
Here is the list of the league's highest-paid players by position in 2024:
1: $55m - Quarterback (Joe Burrow - Cincinnati Bengals)
2: $35m - Wide receiver (Justin Jefferson - Minnesota Vikings)
3: $34m - Edge rusher (Nick Bosa - San Fransisco 49ers)
4: $31.75m - Defensive lineman (Chris Jones - Kansas City Chiefs)
5: $28m - Offensive lineman (Penei Sewell - Detroit Lions)
6: $21.03m - Safety (Antoine Winfield Jr. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
7: $21m - Cornerback (Jaire Alexander - Green Bay Packers)
8: $20m - Linebacker (Roquan Smith - Baltimore Ravens)
9: $17.1m - Tight end (Travis Kelce - Kansas City Chiefs)
10: $16m - Running back (Christian McCaffrey - San Fransisco 49ers)
11: $6.2m - Kicker (Justin Tucker - Baltimore Ravens)
12: $4.6m - Fullback (Kyle Juszczyk - San Fransisco 49ers)
13: $3.68m - Punter (Michael Dickson - Seattle Seahawks)