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Friday, July 11, 2025

The 25 Highest-Paid NFL Wide Receivers

A ranking of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL for the 2025-26 season.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) participates in drills during training, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, at the Kettering Health Practice Fields outside of Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.

Elite NFL wide receivers can greatly impact a team’s success in a season. The best at their position command salaries rivaling the salaries of every position on the field other than quarterback.

Ja’Marr Chase of the Bengals signed a record extension right before St. Patrick’s Day. The extension makes him the highest-paid wide receiver at $40.3 million annually.

The reigning triple-crown winner—he led the league in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns, only the fifth player to do so since 1970—signed a four-year, $161 million extension, including $112 million guaranteed.

He became the latest player to take the title of highest-paid non-QB ever after Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby briefly held the title.

The Vikings’ Justin Jefferson is second at $35 million in AAV. The former LSU teammate of Chase signed a 4-year, $140 million contract extension last June. He earned $88.7 million at signing last summer.

Third is Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb, who has an AAV of $34 million. Lamb will earn $136 million over four years, but on March 4th, he agreed to restructure his contract to clear up $20 million in Dallas’s cap space.

New Steelers receiver D.K. Metcalf is fourth, earning $33 million annually. Traded to Pittsburgh from Seattle after a frenzied start to free agency, Metcalf signed a four-year, $132 million extension on March 9th.

Eagles superstar A.J. Brown wraps up the top five at $32 million annually. Brown signed a three-year, $96 million contract extension with the Eagles last April. The deal will keep him with the Super Bowl champs through his 33rd birthday.

The top 11 highest-paid receivers all earn over $25 million a year.

The Highest-Paid Wide Receivers

Here is the full list of the top 25 highest-paid NFL receivers by average annual value. The list was compiled using data from Spotrac.

RankPlayerTeamAverage Annual Compensation
1Ja’Marr ChaseCincinnati Bengals$40.3 million
2Justin JeffersonMinnesota Vikings$35 million
3CeeDee LambDallas Cowboys$34 million
4D.K. MetcalfPittsburgh Steelers$33 million
5A.J. BrownPhiladelphia Eagles$32 million
6Amon-Ra St. BrownDetroit Lions$30.002 million
T-7Tyreek HillMiami Dolphins$30 million
T-7Brandon AiyukSan Francisco 49ers$30 million
9Tee HigginsCincinnati Bengals$28.8 million
10Jaylen WaddleMiami Dolphins$28.3 million
11D.J. MooreChicago Bears$27.5 million
12DeVonta SmithPhiladelphia Eagles$25 million
13Nico CollinsHouston Texans$24.3 million
14Michael Pittman Jr.Indianapolis Colts$23.3 million
15Calvin RidleyTennessee Titans$23 million
16Terry McLaurinWashington Commanders$22.8 million
T-17Davante AdamsLos Angeles Rams$23 million
T-17Chris GodwinTampa Bay Buccaneers$22 million
19Stefon DiggsNew England Patriots$21.2 million
20Mike EvansTampa Bay Buccaneers$20.5 million
21Christian KirkHouston Texans$18 million
22Deebo SamuelWashington Commanders$17.55 million
23Jerry JeudyCleveland Browns$17.5 million
24Courtland SuttonDenver Broncos$15.2 million
25Cooper KuppSeattle Seahawks$15 million

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