Find out the highest-paid NFL positions and salaries currently in 2025.
The NFL has continued to grow in terms of salaries. However, a certain position seems to be ahead when it comes to players raking in the highest paycheque.
The NFL is a tactical game where positions matter a lot. As a result, specific players in positions of high demand are continuing to earn the highest salaries over the years.
Without further talks, here are the highest-paid NFL players by position currently, including average salary ratings.
Highest-paid NFL positions and salaries 2025
Quarterback
Player: Patrick Mahomes
Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Contract Value: $450 million
The quarterback position is the highest-earning position in the NFL over the years, even as players continue to rake in millions of dollars.
Scrolling through the NFL's highest-paid players list shows you that the majority of the players in the top 25 highest-paid are players in the quarterback position.
Patrick Mahomes is the highest-paid player in the quarterback position with a contract worth over $450 million.
Defensive End
Player: Nick Bosa
Team: San Francisco 49ers
Contract Value: $170 million
The roles of an NFL quarterback are as important as other positions. However, they play a key role, and thus they also earn huge sums of money.
Defensive ends are as important to a quarterback as the opposing team due to their position, especially when facing attack-minded players.
Nick Bosa, who is in the books of the San Francisco 49ers, is the highest-paid player in the defensive end position. The total value of his contract is worth $170 million.
Nick Bosa signed a five-year, $170 million contract extension, including $122.5 million guaranteed, in September 2023.
Wide Receiver
Player: Ja’Marr Chase
Team: Cincinnati Bengals
Contract Value: $161 million
The third position having a player with an incredible salary is the wide receivers. It is important to also note the roles of the wide receivers in the team.
Although quarterbacks may dominate the list, wide receivers are also receiving a handsome salary annually.
Ja’Marr Chase is the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL currently. He signed a four-year, $161 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals that is valid until the 2029 season.
Defensive Tackle
Player: Chris Jones
Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Contract Value: $158.75 million
The next position having a player with an incredible salary is the defensive tackle. Another important position where players are also in high demand in the NFL.
The highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL currently is Chris Jones, who earns a whopping sum of money. The total value of his contract with the Kansas City Chiefs is $158.75 million.
The Kansas City Chiefs have two players on the highest payroll, with Patrick Mahomes in the quarterback position and Chris Jones as a defensive tackle.
Linebacker
Player: Joshua Hines-Allen
Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Contract Value: $141.25 million
The next position having a player with a high pay cheque is the linebackers. It is also a position with a top priority.
Joshua Hines-Allen of the Jacksonville Jaguars is the highest-paid linebacker in the NFL. His contract is worth $141.25 million.
Offensive Tackle
Player: Tristan Wirfs
Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Contract Value: $140.63 million
Offensive Tacklers also make the list of the highest-paid positions in the NFL currently. It is not a surprise, judging by the relevance of the position in the team.
Tristan Wirfs, who is a player on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster, has an impressive contract with the franchise worth $140.63 million.
Guard
Player: Chris Lindstrom
Team: Atlanta Falcons
Contract Value: $102.5 million
The guards also make up the list of the highest-paid positions in the NFL currently. And the Atlanta Falcons made it possible.
Chris Lindstrom is currently the highest-paid guard in the NFL with an impressive contract worth over $102.5 million.
Cornerback
Player: Denzel Ward
Team: Cleveland Browns
Contract Value: $100.5 million
The next position in the NFL's highest position with top salaries is the cornerback. Of course their importance cannot be overemphasised.
Cleveland Browns star Denzel Ward is the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL currently. His contract with the Browns is worth $100.5 million.
Safety
Player: Antoine Winfield Jr.
Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Contract Value: $84.1 million
Next up on the list of highest paying positions in the National Football League is safety. Well, there's not much to say regarding their role because they are top-notch.
Antoine Winfield Jr is the highest-paid safety player in the NFL, currently having a contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers worth $84.1 million.
Tight End
Player: George Kittle
Team: San Francisco 49ers
Contract Value: $75 million
The next position on the list is the tight end. George Kittle is currently the highest-paid player in the position with a contract worth $75 million with the San Francisco 49ers.
Centre
Player: Creed Humphrey
Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Contract Value: $72 million
Creed Humphrey of the Kansas City Chiefs is the highest-paid centre in the NFL currently. His contract is worth $72 million.
Running Back
Player: Josh Jacobs
Team: Green Bay Packers
Contract Value: $48 million
The next position with the big salary player is the running back. Josh Jacobs has a contract with the Green Bay Packers worth $48 million.
Kicker
Player: Harrison Butker
Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Contract Value: $25.6 million
Harrison Butker is the highest-paid kicker in the NFL with a contract worth $25.6 million with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Punter
Player: Michael Dickson
Team: Seattle Seahawks
Contract Value: $14.7 million
Michael Dickson is the highest-earning punter in the NFL with a contract worth $14.7 million with the Seattle Seahawks.
Highest-paid players per average annual salary (AAV) by position
Dak Prescott (Quarterback, Dallas Cowboys)
Annual Salary: $60 million
Ja’Marr Chase (Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bengals)
Annual Salary: $41.25 million
Myles Garrett (Defensive End, Cleveland Browns)
Annual Salary: $40 million
Chris Jones (Defensive Tackle, Kansas City Chiefs)
Annual Salary: $31.75 million
Derek Stingley Jr (Cornerback, Houston Texans)
Annual Salary: $30 million
Joshua Hines-Allen (Linebacker, Jacksonville Jaguars)
Annual Salary: $28.250 million
Tristan Wirfs (Offensive Tackle, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Annual Salary: $28.12 million
Trey Smith (Guard, Kansas City Chiefs)
Annual Salary: $23.402 million
Antoine Winfield Jr (Safety, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Annual Salary: $21.025 million
Saquon Barkley (Running Back, Philadelphia Eagles)
Annual Salary: $20.6 million
Creed Humphrey (Centre, Kansas City Chiefs)
Annual Salary: $18 million
Travis Kelce (Tight End, Kansas City Chiefs)
Annual Salary: $17.125 million
Harrison Butker (Kicker, Kansas City Chiefs)
Annual Salary: $6.4 million
Michael Dickson (Punter, Seattle Seahawks)
Annual Salary: $3.675 million.