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Highest-paid NFL positions currently 2025 plus salaries

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.