Quarterbacks continue to rake in the most money among the highest-paid NFL players.
While stars at other positions held out before the 2024-2025 season, hoping to secure bigger contracts, quarterbacks have been rewarded as the highest-paid position in the NFL for years.
Only eight non-quarterbacks make the list of the 25 highest-paid NFL players.
Dak Prescott’s extension before the start of the 2024 season made him the league’s highest-paid player. The Cowboys quarterback signed a four-year, $420 million extension for a $60 million average annual value (AAV). He became the latest quarterback to take the title of the highest-paid player, and although he still holds the title, recent history suggests it may not last long.
Josh Allen of the Bills, Joe Burrow of the Bengals, Jordan Love of the Packers, and Trevor Lawrence of the Jaguars are tied for second, each earning $55 million in AAV.
Allen signed a four-year deal in March 2025 that will give him the most guaranteed money ever for an NFL player at $250 million.
Burrow signed his contract extension in 2023, which will net him $275 million over five years and include a $146.5 million guarantee at signing.
In July 2024, Love signed a 4-year extension with Green Bay to put himself at second. He’ll earn an additional $600,000 as a bonus each year he makes the roster.
Lawrence signed a 5-year, $275 million contract extension in June 2024 to catapult toward the top of the list. He was previously earning $9.2 million on his rookie contract.
T.J. Watt signed a three-year extention in July 2025 to become the highest-paid non-quarterback ever (for the second time). He will make $41 million per year, with $108 million of that guaranteed. He edges out Cincinnati wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, whose four-year, $161 million extension includes $112 million guaranteed and made him the highest-paid wide receiver ever.
Myles Garrett is the highest-earning defensive player, earning $40 million in AAV. He made history in March 2025, right before Allen signed his record extension. Garrett’s four-year, $160 million extension is the most ever for a defensive player.
As the NFL moves closer to its revenue goal of $25 billion, the highest-paid players will continue to demand increasing salaries. Last year, only three players earned at least $50 million per season.
This year, 11 players have crossed the $50 million mark.
Ranking The NFL’s Highest-Paid Players
Here is the list of the top 25 highest-paid NFL players. The list was compiled with data from Spotrac.
- Updated: April 23rd, 2025
| Rank | Player | Position | Team | Total Contract AAV |
| 1 | Dak Prescott | Quarterback | Dallas Cowboys | $60 million |
| T-2 | Joe Burrow | Quarterback | Cincinnati Bengals | $55 million |
| T-2 | Jordan Love | Quarterback | Green Bay Packers | $55 million |
| T-2 | Trevor Lawrence | Quarterback | Jacksonville Jaguars | $55 million |
| T-2 | Josh Allen | Quarterback | Buffalo Bills | $55 million |
| 6 | Tua Tagovailoa | Quarterback | Miami Dolphins | $53.1 million |
| T-7 | Jared Goff | Quarterback | Detroit Lions | $53 million |
| T-7 | Brock Purdy | Quarterback | San Francisco 49ers | $53 million |
| 9 | Justin Herbert | Quarterback | Los Angeles Chargers | $52.5 million |
| 10 | Lamar Jackson | Quarterback | Baltimore Ravens | $52 million |
| 11 | Jalen Hurts | Quarterback | Philadelphia Eagles | $51 million |
| 12 | Kyler Murray | Quarterback | Arizona Cardinals | $46.1 million |
| 13 | Deshaun Watson | Quarterback | Cleveland Browns | $46 million |
| T-14 | Kirk Cousins | Quarterback | Atlanta Falcons | $45 million |
| T-14 | Patrick Mahomes | Quarterback | Kansas City Chiefs | $45 million |
| 16 | Matthew Stafford | Quarterback | Los Angeles Rams | $42 million |
| 17 | T.J. Watt | Offensive Line | Pittsburgh Steelers | $41 million |
| 18 | Ja’Marr Chase | Wide Receiver | Cincinnati Bengals | $40.3 million |
| 19 | Myles Garrett | Defensive End | Cleveland Browns | $40 million |
| 20 | Geno Smith | Quarterback | Las Vegas Raiders | $37.5 million |
| 21 | Danielle Hunter | Defensive End | Houston Texans | $35.6 million |
| 22 | Maxx Crosby | Defensive End | Las Vegas Raiders | $35.5 million |
| 23 | Justin Jefferson | Wide Receiver | Minnesota Vikings | $35 million |
| T-24 | Nick Bosa | Defensive End | San Francisco 49ers | $34 million |
| T-24 | CeeDee Lamb | Wide Receiver | Dallas Cowboys | $34 million |
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