Who are the highest paid NFL players? As the salary cap climbs, the top NFL salaries soar every year with teams rewarding talent and production.
It comes as no surprise that quarterbacks are the highest-paid NFL players. But clubs are spending more money than ever on edge rushers, cornerbacks, offensive tackles, and wide receivers.
Thanks to new television contracts worth $100-plus billion, franchise owners will be spending even more in 2023 free agency and the top paid NFL players will be shaken up even more. Sure enough, contract extensions and blockbuster trades have added to the list of the highest-paid NFL players.
Related: Highest paid NFL quarterbacks
Let’s take a look at the highest-paid NFL players of 2023.
Highest-paid NFL players 2023
1. Aaron Donald, defensive tackle, Los Angeles Rams — Highest-paid defensive player in NFL
- Aaron Donald Contract: 3 years, $95 million
- Aaron Donald salary (2023): $13.5 million
- Aaron Donald cap hit (2023): $26 million
- Signing Bonus: $25 million
- Average Salary: $31.67 million
- Career Earnings: $128.614 million
- Free Agent: 2025
Aaron Donald is the highest-paid NFL player, outside of quarterbacks, because he’s the best defensive player of his era. He’s right up there in company with the likes of Lawrence Taylor and Deion Sanders as all-time greats who made an impact like no other. It likely won’t be long until he retires, but Donald has earned every dollar of the largest contract in the NFL.
2. Tyreek Hill, receiver, Miami Dolphins — Highest paid wide receiver in 2023
- Tyreek Hill Contract: 4 years, $120 million
- Tyreek Hill salary (2023): $1.165 million
- Tyreek Hill cap hit (2023): $12.823 million
- Signing Bonus: $25.5 million
- Average Salary: $28.25 million
- Free Agent: 2027
Tyreek Hill is the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL and his speed is even more eye-catching than his contract. Even nearing 30 years old and no longer playing with Patrick Mahomes, Hill demonstrated why he’s one of the best weapons in football. Under contract through 2026, Hill will be making plays in Miami for a long time.
Related: Fastest NFL players
3. T.J. Watt, edge rusher, Pittsburgh Steelers – Highest-paid edge rusher in NFL
- T.J. Watt Contract: 4 years, $112.011 million
- T.J. Watt Salary (2023): $20 million
- T.J. Watt cap hit (2023): $29.368 million
- Signing Bonus: $35.593 million
- Average Salary: $28,002,750
- Free Agent: 2026
The Pittsburgh Steelers never break precedent. Simply put, the organization doesn’t like signing deals that award guaranteed money beyond the first year of the contract. T.J. Watt is so good that the Steelers went against their archaic approach. The four-year contract signed in 2021 provided Watt with $80 million guaranteed in the first three seasons and he’s worth every penny.
4. Davante Adams, wide receiver, Las Vegas Raiders
- Davante Adams contract: 5 years, $140 million
- Davante Adams salary (2023): $6.03 million
- Davante Adams cap hit (2023): $14.74 million
- Signing Bonus: $19.25 million
- AAV: $28 million
- Free Agent: 2027
Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill each became two of the highest-paid NFL players around the same time and through similar circumstances. Even without Aaron Rodgers, Adams showcased why he is one of the best wide receivers of his era. He’s guaranteed to be under contract through 2024, but Las Vegas could cut Adams in 2025 for $28.4 million in cap savings.
Related: NFL insider believes Josh McDaniels’ job safe no matter what in 2023
5. Joey Bosa, edge rusher, Los Angeles Chargers
- Joey Bosa contract: 5 years, $135 million
- Joey Bosa salary (2023): $1.165 million
- Joey Bosa cap hit (2023): $15.776 million
- Signing Bonus: $35 million
- AAV: $27 million
- Free Agent: 2026
Nick and Joey Bosa will soon become the two highest-paid brothers in professional sports. Joey Bosa landed a $135 million contract extension from the Los Angeles Chargers, making him one of the highest-paid defensive players in the NFL. While injuries have limited him at times, Bosa is one of the best pass rushers in football when healthy.
6. Cooper Kupp, wide receiver, Los Angeles Rams
- Cooper Kupp contract: 3 years, $80.1 million
- Cooper Kupp salary (2023): $15 million
- Cooper Kupp cap hit (2023): $27.8 million
- Signing Bonus: $20 million
- AAV: $26.7 million
- Free Agent: 2027
Cooper Kupp helped the Los Angeles Rams win a Super Bowl, now he gets to stick around as one of the highest-paid NFL players on a rebuilding team. The All-Pro wide receiver should remain a dynamic offensive weapon as long as he’s on the field and his contract should keep him around in Los Angeles through their rebuilding process.
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7. Laremy Tunsil, offensive tackle, Houston Texans
- Laremy Tunsil contract: 3 years, $75 million
- Laremy Tunsil salary (2023): $18.25 million
- Laremy Tunsil cap hit (2023): TBD
- Signing Bonus: TBD
- AAV: $25 million
- Free Agent: 2027
The beauty of signing short-term extensions is that you get to become one of the highest-paid NFL players multiple times. With his contract set to expire in 2024, Houston Texans offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil signed a three-year contract worth $75 million. The $25 million AAV makes him the highest-paid offensive tackle in the NFL and his deal includes $50 million fully guaranteed.
8. Myles Garrett, edge rusher, Cleveland Browns
- Myles Garrett contract: 5 years, $125 million
- Myles Garrett salary (2023): $17.25 million
- Myles Garrett cap hit (2023): $29.176 million
- Signing Bonus: $21 million
- AAV: $25 million
- Free Agent: 2027
The first pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Myles Garrett has exceeded all expectations placed upon him coming out of Texas A&M. The 6-foot-4 edge rusher already earned four All-Pro selections in six seasons with 74.5 career sacks through his first 84 games. It likely won’t be long before Garrett lands another extension worth more than $30 million annually.
Related: 2023 NFL power rankings
9. A.J. Brown, wide receiver, Philadelphia Eagles
- A.J. Brown contract: 4 years, $100 million
- A.J. Brown salary (2023): $1.08 million
- A.J. Brown cap hit (2023): $8.318 million
- Signing Bonus: $23.234 million
- AAV: $25 million
- Free Agent: 2027
After being low-balled by the Tennessee Titans, A.J. Brown was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles and the organization instantly made him one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL. He is the No. 1 target for quarterback Jalen Hurts and it’s fair to say his on-field impact makes every dollar Philadelphia is spending a worthwhile investment.
Related: NFL trade rumors
10. Stefon Diggs, wide receiver, Buffalo Bills
- Stefon Diggs contract: 4 years, $96 million
- Stefon Diggs salary (2023): $1.165 million
- Stefon Diggs cap hit (2023): $14.875 million
- Signing Bonus: $21.5 million
- AAV: $24 million
- Free Agent: 2028
The market for wide receivers exploded during the 2022 offseason, with Stefon Diggs joining his peers among the highest-paid NFL players. While Diggs’ base salary ($1.165 million) is low, there is a $4.3 million signing bonus he receives each year and Buffalo structure the contract for roster, workout and option bonuses to kick in from 2024-’27. As the go-to target for Josh Allen, Diggs is certainly earning his contract.
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Highest paid NFL players in 2023
Here is a full rundown of the 20 highest-paid NFL players entering the 2023 season.
- Aaron Donald, Rams – $31.6M AAV
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins – $30M AAV
- T.J. Watt, Steelers – $28.02M AAV
- Davante Adams, Raiders – $28M AAV
- Joey Bosa, Chargers – $27M AAV
- Cooper Kupp, Rams – $26.7M AAV
- 19. Laremy Tunsil, Texans – $22M
- Myles Garrett, Browns – $25M AAV
- A.J. Brown, Eagles – $25M AAV
- Stefon Diggs, Bills – $24M AAV
- 11. D.K. Metcalf, Seahawks – $24M AAV
- 12. Deebo Samuel, 49ers – $23.85M AAV
- 13. Khalil Mack, Chargers – $23.5M AAV
- 14. Maxx Crosby, Raiders – $23.5M AAV
- 15. Trent Williams, 49ers – $23.01M
- 16. David Bakhtiari, Packers – $23M
- 17. Terry McLaurin, WAS – $22.788M
- 18. Daron Payne, WAS – $22.5M
- 19. Bradley Chubb, Dolphins – $22M
- 20. Chris Lindstrom, Falcons – $21M
Highest paid NFL players by position
Contracts courtesy Spotrac. All salary figures and cap hits for the highest paid NFL players are from the 2022 season.
Highest paid running backs in NFL
- Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers – $16.016 million AAV, $14.309 million cap hit, $8.4 million base salary
- Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints – $15 million AAV, $14.5 million cap hit, $5.5 million base salary
- Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings – $12.6 million AAV, $14.309 million cap hit, $8.3 million base salary
- Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans – $12.5 million AAV, $14 million cap hit, $12 million base salary
- Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns – $12.2 million AAV, $5.213 million cap hit, $1.213 million base salary
- Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers – $12 million AAV, $8.197 million cap hit, $1.08 million base salary
Highest paid wide receivers in NFL
- Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins — $30 million average annual value
- Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders — $28 million AAV
- DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals – $27.25 million AAV
- Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles rams — $26.7 million AAV
- A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles — $25 million AAV
- DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks — $24 million AAV
- Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills — $24 million AAV
- Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers — $23.85 million AAV
- Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders — $22.788 million AAV
- DJ Moore, Chicago Bears – $20.628 million AAV
- Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers – $20.025 million AAV
- Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers — $20 million AAV
- Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns – $20 million AAV
- Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers — $20 million AAV
- Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys – $19.882 million AAV
Highest paid tight ends in NFL
- Darren Waller, New York Giants – $17 million AAV
- George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers – $15 million AAV
- Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs – $14.312 million AAV
- Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles – $14.25 million AAV
- Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens – $14 million AAV
- David Njoku, Cleveland Browns – $13.687 million AAV
- Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills — $13 million AAV
Highest paid offensive linemen in NFL
- Laremy Tunsil, Houston Texans – $25 million AAV
- Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers – $23.01 million AAV
- David Bakhtiari, Green Bay Packers – $23 million AAV
- Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta Falcons – $20.5 million AAV
- Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts – $20 million AAV
- Jawaan Taylor, Kansas City Chiefs – $20 million AAV
- Ronnie Stanley, Baltimore Ravens – $19.75 million AAV
- Ryan Ramczyk, New Orleans Saints – $19.2 million AAV
Highest paid defensive linemen in NFL
- Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams — $31.67 million AAV
- Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns – $25 million AAV
- Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders – $23.5 million AAV
- Daron Payne, Washington Commanders – $22.5 million AAV
- DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts – $21 million AAV
- Javon Hargrave, San Francisco 49ers — $21 million AAV
- Leonard Williams, New York Giants – $21 million AAV
- Chris Jones, Kansas City Cheifs – $20 million AAV
Highest paid edge rushers in NFL
- T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers – $28.002 million AAV
- Joey Bosa, Los Angeles Chargers –$27 million AAV
- Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns – $25 million AAV
- Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers – $23.5 million AAV
- Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders – $23.5 million AAV
- Bradley Chubb, Miami Dolphins – $22 million AAV
- Von Miller, Buffalo Bills – $20 million AAV
- Harold Landry, Tennessee Titans – $17.5 million AAV
- Shaquil Barrett, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – $17 million AAV
Highest paid linebackers in NFL
- Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens — $20 million AAV
- Darius Leonard, Indianapolis Colts – $19.7 million AAV
- Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers – $19.045 million AAV
- Tremaine Edmunds, Chicago Bears — $18 million AAV
- C.J. Mosley, New York Jets – $17 million AAV
- Foyesada Oluokun, Jacksonville Jaguars – $15 million AAV
Highest paid cornerbacks in NFL
- Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers – $21 million AAV
- Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns – $20.1 million AAV
- Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints – $19.52 million AAV
- Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens – $19.5 million AAV
- Jalen Ramsey, Miami Dolphins – $18.33 million AAV
- Xavien Howard, Miami Dolphins – $18 million AAV
- Tre’Davious White, Buffalo Bills – $17.25 million AAV
- Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles – $16.683 million AAV
- J.C. Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers – $16.5 million AAV
- Carlton Davis, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – $14.833 million AAV
Highest paid safety in NFL
- Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers – $19.133 million AAV
- Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers – $18.4 million AAV
- Jamal Adams, Seattle Seahawks – $17.645 million AAV
- Jessie Bates, Atlanta Falcons — $16.005 million AAV
- Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings – $16 million AAV
- Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos – $15.25 million AAV
- Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals – $14.75 million AAV
- Eddie Jackson, Chicago Bears – $14.6 million AAV
10 longest field goals in NFL history
Highest paid kicker in NFL
- Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens – $6 million AAV
- Matt Gay, Indianapolis Colts – $5.625 million AAV
- Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks – $5.275 million AAV
- Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers — $5 million AAV
- Younghoe Koo, Atlanta Falcons – $4.85 million AAV
- Graham Gano, New York Giants – $4.666 million AAV
- Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders – $4.6 million AAV
Who is the highest paid punter in the NFL?
Jack Fox is the highest-paid punter in the NFL after signing a three-year contract extension worth an average of $3.775 million, immediately making him one of the highest paid punters in NFL history. Here are the top highest paid punters in the NFL>
- Michael Dickson, Seattle Seahawks – $3.675 million AAV
- Jack Fox, Detroit Lions – $3.516 million AAV
- Tress Way, Washington Commanders – $3.412 million AAV
- A.J. Cole, Las Vegas Raiders – $3 million AAV
- Logan Cooke, Jacksonville Jaguars – $3 million AAV
- Bryan Anger, Dallas Cowboys – $3 million AAV
