Who are the highest paid NFL players at each position?

In the NFL, the bar is always higher. Every offseason, superstars reset the market, changing the salaries the top players at each respective position expect to receive. Well, as we approach the start of the 2026 NFL season, deals are still being made that set the bar for positions around the league. Philadelphia Eagles star Jalen Carter and Cleveland Browns pro Denzel Ward became the latest players to receive a record-breaking contract. Carter agreed to a deal that made him the highest-paid defensive tackle in the league, while Ward agreed to an extension that made him the highest-paid cornerback in the league. Carter and Ward join an illustrious list of players to be the highest paid players at their respective positions. So who does he join on the team of highest paid players by position? Here are the NFL’s highest-paid players at each position, by average annual value (AAV), via Spotrac: Mahomes is once again the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL. He usurped Dak Prescott for that honor after signing a two-year extension in June, bringing his total contract value to $504.75 million. Prescott was the NFL’s highest-paid quarterback for nearly two years prior, signing an extension in September 2024 that pays him $60 million per year. The value of running backs is constantly contested and Barkley has done a lot to help his peers and himself. Barkley was rewarded with a two-year extension worth $41 million after winning NFL Offensive Player of the Year in his first year with the Eagles. The New York Giants didn’t want to pay Barkley after six seasons with the team, so the Eagles took the opportunity to sign him in free agency in 2024. Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase had the honor of being the highest-paid receiver in NFL history for about a year, thanks to a contract that paid him just north of $40 million per season. But Smith-Njigba’s memorable 2025 campaign helped him usurp Chase for that honor. Smith-Njigba reportedly agreed to a four-year, $168.6 million extension with the Seahawks. Smith-Njigba won Offensive Player of the Year in 2025, leading the league in receiving yards (1,793). His dominant regular season preceded Seattle’s run to the Super Bowl title, which saw Smith-Njigba put up a 153-yard performance in the NFC title game. Days after the 2025 NFL Draft concluded, Kittle agreed to a four-year, $76.4 million extension with the 49ers. His new contract is worth an average of $19.1 million, surpassing the contract Trey McBride ($19 million AAV) signed with the Arizona Cardinals earlier in April of that year. However, Kittle could face his toughest test yet after another injury-plagued season in 2025. He missed time with a torn hamstring before tearing his Achilles tendon in the postseason. Tunsil agreed to a two-year, $60.2 million extension at the start of the 2026 offseason, which made him the highest-paid offensive tackle. The 31-year-old earned that honor over Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs, who signed a five-year extension worth $140.6 million in 2024. Tunsil has been one of the best offensive tackles in the game since entering the league in 2016. He has been named a Pro Bowler five times and was ranked the sixth best offensive tackle by Pro Football Focus in 2025. Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler in his first four years in the league, became the NFL’s highest-paid safety in September when he agreed to a four-year extension worth $96 million. He did, however, play some left tackle in 2025. Linderbaum became the highest-paid center in the NFL in March after signing a three-year, $81 million contract to join the Las Vegas Raiders. He passed Chiefs center Creed Humphrey for that honor, as Humphrey signed a four-year, $72 million extension ($18 million AAV) in August 2024. Carter became the highest-paid tackle in the NFL when he agreed to a four-year, $152 million extension with $106 million guaranteed. He received the contract after earning his second Pro Bowl nomination in 2025, as he was also a key part of the Eagles’ Super Bowl team in 2024. Carter usurped Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones for the honor, as Jones receives $31.75 million per year on a five-year, $158.75 million contract. Anderson needed just three seasons to land a contract that made him the highest-paid edge player in the NFL. He signed a three-year, $150 million extension with the Texans that included just over $100 million guaranteed. Packers star Micah Parsons was previously the highest-paid edge rusher, signing a four-year, $186 million extension ($46.5 million AAV) in August 2025. Among defensive positions, inside linebacker has the leader in cheapest average annual value contract. Still, Warner makes a pretty penny. He reached a three-year extension worth $63 million ($56 million guaranteed) when he re-signed with the 49ers in May 2025. Warner is one of the longest-tenured 49ers, having played seven seasons with the team since being drafted in 2018. He is arguably the best inside linebacker in the NFL, and if not, he is at least the most consistent. He had been named to three straight All-Pro teams before an injury cut short his 2025 campaign. Warner was also the driving force behind San Francisco’s defense during its run to Super Bowl LVIII. He had recorded at least 118 total tackles in every season of his career before his injury-shortened 2025 season. Ward became the other player to set the standard at his position on Tuesday. He agreed to a two-year, $62.2 million contract with the Browns, making him the highest-paid cornerback in the league. Before Tuesday, Trent McDuffie was the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. He agreed to a four-year, $124 million extension with the Rams shortly after Los Angeles traded him, giving him $31 million per year. Through numerous contract maneuvers, James slightly beat out Ravens star Kyle Hamilton to become the highest-paid safety in the NFL. The Chargers star signed a three-year extension worth $75.6 million in May after earning his sixth All-Pro nod in 2025. Two kickers can claim to be the highest-paid player at the position. Both Aubrey and Boswell make $7 million per year, as both players also signed a four-year, $28 million pact. Aubrey receives more guaranteed money, however, as his contract guarantees $15 million compared to Boswell’s $10.5 million guaranteed. Stout was one of the few members of the Ravens organization to follow head coach John Harbaugh to the Giants, and he was paid handsomely for it. Stout received a three-year, $12.3 million contract at the start of free agency this offseason. Stout was named a first-team All-Pro in 2025, with his average of 44.9 net yards per punt leading the league.