Highest Paid NFL Players: The Biggest Guaranteed Contracts by Position

Highest Paid NFL Players: The Biggest Guaranteed Contracts by Position

Davis Washington Published:

NFL salaries are skyrocketing, and the highest paid NFL players at key positions are securing massive paydays. With contracts growing larger every year, it’s no surprise that superstars across the league are setting new records. This breakdown highlights the highest-paid players at every position, based on two key figures: their three-year average annual value (APY) and total guaranteed money. Let’s dive into who’s bringing home the biggest checks in 2025.

Quarterbacks: The Kings of the Paycheck

Quarterbacks run the show, and their contracts reflect it. Teams are willing to break the bank to secure their franchise leaders.

Highest Three-Year APY:

  1. Dak Prescott (DAL) – $61.6 million (Signed 2024, ends 2028)
  2. Joe Burrow (CIN) – $61.3 million
  3. Jordan Love (GB) – $58.3 million
  4. Trevor Lawrence (JAX) – $56.9 million
  5. Jared Goff (DET) – $55.4 million
  6. Josh Allen (BUF) – $55 million

Most Guaranteed Money:

  1. Josh Allen (BUF) – $250 million (Signed 2025, ends 2031)
  2. Deshaun Watson (CLE) – $230 million
  3. Dak Prescott (DAL) – $229 million
  4. Joe Burrow (CIN) – $219 million
  5. Patrick Mahomes (KC) – $208.1 million
  6. Trevor Lawrence (JAX) – $200 million

Running Backs: Fighting for Every Dollar

Running backs don’t always get the long-term security they deserve, but a few top-tier talents have cashed in big.

Highest Three-Year APY:

  1. Saquon Barkley – $20.6 million (Signed 2025, ends 2028)
  2. Christian McCaffrey (SF) – $19 million
  3. Jonathan Taylor (IND) – $14 million
  4. Alvin Kamara (NO) – $12.2 million
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Most Guaranteed Money:

  1. Saquon Barkley – $36 million
  2. Jonathan Taylor (IND) – $26.5 million
  3. Christian McCaffrey (SF) – $24 million
  4. Alvin Kamara (NO) – $34.3 million

Wide Receivers: Showstoppers Making Bank

With offenses leaning heavily on the passing game, elite wide receivers are commanding huge deals.

Highest Three-Year APY:

  1. Ja’Marr Chase – $40 million (Signed 2025, ends 2030)
  2. Justin Jefferson (MIN) – $35 million
  3. CeeDee Lamb (DAL) – $34 million
  4. A.J. Brown (PHI) – $32 million
  5. Brandon Aiyuk (SF) – $30 million
  6. Tee Higgins (CIN) – $28.75 million

Most Guaranteed Money:

  1. Ja’Marr Chase – $112 million
  2. Justin Jefferson (MIN) – $110 million
  3. CeeDee Lamb (DAL) – $100 million
  4. A.J. Brown (PHI) – $84 million
  5. DJ Moore (CHI) – $81.5 million
  6. Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET) – $77 million

Source: Highest-paid NFL players: Most guaranteed money at every position

Defensive Stars: Getting Paid to Shut Down the Offense

Defensive playmakers are cashing in, proving that stopping the best offenses is just as valuable as running one.

Edge Rushers:

Highest Three-Year APY:

  1. Maxx Crosby (LV) – $35.5 million (Signed 2025, ends 2029)
  2. Nick Bosa (SF) – $34.7 million
  3. Josh Hines-Allen (JAX) – $31 million
  4. T.J. Watt (PIT) – $30.5 million
  5. Brian Burns (NYG) – $30 million
  6. Myles Garrett (CLE) – $26.7 million

Most Guaranteed Money:

  1. Nick Bosa – $119.9 million
  2. Myles Garrett – $100 million
  3. Maxx Crosby – $91.5 million
  4. Josh Hines-Allen – $88 million
  5. Brian Burns – $87.5 million
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Cornerbacks:

Highest Three-Year APY:

  1. Derek Stingley Jr. (HOU) – $30 million (Signed 2025, ends 2029)
  2. Jaycee Horn (CAR) – $25 million
  3. Jalen Ramsey (MIA) – $24.1 million
  4. Pat Surtain II (DEN) – $24 million
  5. Jaire Alexander (GB) – $21.8 million

Most Guaranteed Money:

  1. Jaycee Horn – $100 million
  2. Derek Stingley Jr. – $89 million
  3. Pat Surtain II – $73.9 million
  4. Denzel Ward – $71.25 million
  5. Marshon Lattimore – $68.3 million
Highest Paid NFL Players: The Biggest Guaranteed Contracts by Position

Special Teams: Quietly Making Millions

Kickers and punters might not make the headlines, but they still earn their fair share of the pie.

Highest-Paid Kickers by Three-Year APY:

  1. Harrison Butker – $6.5 million (Signed 2024, ends 2028)
  2. Justin Tucker (BAL) – $6.2 million
  3. Jake Elliott (PHI) – $6 million

Highest-Paid Punters by Guaranteed Money:

  1. Michael Dickson (SEA) – $8.5 million
  2. Jack Fox (DET) – $7.5 million
  3. Tress Way (WSH) – $6.4 million

Top Long Snapper Salary:

  1. Luke Rhodes – $1.67 million (Signed 2023, ends 2027)

Final Thoughts: The Market Keeps Climbing

NFL contracts are growing every year, and elite players are cashing in like never before. While quarterbacks continue to dominate financially, other positions—especially wide receivers, pass rushers, and offensive linemen—are seeing massive increases in pay. As the league’s salary cap rises, expect to see even bigger contracts in the years to come.

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