Edge rushers have increased their value in recent years, as the NFL’s elite pass rushers have seen record contract extensions each of the last few offseasons.
Myles Garrett (above) of the Browns leads the pack, securing the top position after signing a record four-year, $160 million extension on March 9th. He’ll receive $123 million in guaranteed money, two days after Browns owner Jimmy Haslam declined to meet with Garrett over his trade request.
Maxx Crosby briefly held the title of highest-paid edge rusher after signing a three-year, $106.9 million extension three days before Garrett. His $35.5 million contract average is second among defensive players.
Nick Bosa takes third, earning $34 million with the 49ers. The former second overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft will earn $170 million through his extension signed in 2023, not including a $50 million signing bonus.
Josh Hines-Allen takes the fourth spot earning $28.25 million per year. The Jaguars star signed a $141.25 million extension to stay in Jacksonville for another five years.
Brian Burns cashes in at the fifth spot at $28.2 million per year. After being traded from the Panthers, Burns signed a five-year, $141 million contract with the Giants.
Top 25 Paid Edge Rushers
Here is the full list of the top 25 highest-paid NFL edge rushers by average annual value. The list was compiled using data from Spotrac.
- Updated: March 11th, 2025
| Rank | Player | Team | Compensation |
| 1 | Myles Garrett | Cleveland Browns | $40 million |
| 2 | Maxx Crosby | Las Vegas Raiders | $35.5 million |
| 3 | Nick Bosa | San Francisco 49ers | $34 million |
| 4 | Josh Hines-Allen | Jacksonville Jaguars | $28.3 million |
| 5 | Brian Burns | New York Giants | $28.2 million |
| 6 | T.J. Watt | Pittsburgh Steelers | $28 million |
| 7 | Milton Williams | New England Patriots | $26 million |
| T-8 | Montez Sweat | Chicago Bears | $24.5 million |
| T-8 | Danielle Hunter | Houston Texans | $24.5 million |
| 10 | Rashan Gary | Green Bay Packers | $24 million |
| 11 | Leonard Williams | Seattle Seahawks | $21.5 million |
| 12 | Trey Hendrickson | Cincinnati Bengals | $21 million |
| 13 | Greg Roussaeu | Buffalo Bills | $20 million |
| 14 | Josh Sweat | Arizona Cardinals | $19.1 million |
| 15 | Jonathan Greenard | San Francisco 49ers | $19.04 million |
| 16 | Bradley Chubb | Miami Dolphins | $18.2 million |
| 17 | Khalil Mack | Los Angeles Chargers | $18 million |
| 18 | Bryce Huff | Philadelphia Eagles | $17.03 million |
| T-19 | Alex Highsmith | Pittsburgh Steelers | $17 million |
| T-19 | Chase Young | New Orleans Saints | $17 million |
| 21 | Dayo Odeyingbo | Chicago Bears | $16 million |
| 22 | Zach Allen | Denver Broncos | $15.3 million |
| 23 | Jonathon Cooper | Denver Broncos | $15 million |
| T-24 | Arik Armstead | Jacksonville Jaguars | $14.5 million |
| T-24 | Cameron Heyward | Pittsburgh Steelers | $14.5 million |
| T-24 | Harold Landry | New England Patriots | $14.5 million |
