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 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.
Danielle Hunter is second, earning $35.6 million with the Texans. Hunter signed a one-year extension in March, including a $20 million signing bonus.
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 third among edge rushers.
Nick Bosa takes fourth, 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 fifth spot, earning $28.25 million per year. The Jaguars’ star signed a $141.25 million extension to stay in Jacksonville for another five years.
Top 25 Highest-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.
| Rank | Player | Team | Compensation |
| 1 | Myles Garrett | Cleveland Browns | $40 million |
| 2 | Danielle Hunter | Houston Texans | $35.6 million |
| 3 | Maxx Crosby | Las Vegas Raiders | $35.5 million |
| 4 | Nick Bosa | San Francisco 49ers | $34 million |
| 5 | Josh Hines-Allen | Jacksonville Jaguars | $28.3 million |
| 6 | Brian Burns | New York Giants | $28.2 million |
| 7 | T.J. Watt | Pittsburgh Steelers | $28 million |
| 8 | Milton Williams | New England Patriots | $26 million |
| 9 | Montez Sweat | Chicago Bears | $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 |
![Former NFL Coache Jon Gruden have a laugh while attending an NFL training camp session ten at the Miller Electric Center, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/USATSI_26781802_168422351_lowres-scaled-e1784132043881.jpg?quality=80&w=300)
