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The Highest-Paid NFL Safeties in 2025

Kerby Joseph’s record-breaking extension leads a new wave of top-paid NFL safeties, spotlighting the evolving value of the position.

Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

NFL safeties have long been known as the quarterbacks of the defense, sniffing out dangers from the offense and handling them. Unlike quarterbacks, who continue to be the highest-paid position in football, safeties have lacked in pay compared to other positions.

Kerby Joseph of the Lions hopes to reverse that trend. He’s the new highest-paid NFL safety, earning $21.5 million. A day before the 2025 NFL Draft, Joseph signed a four-year, $86 million extension to keep him in Detroit.

Joseph is coming off a season in which he led the league in interceptions and was named First-Team All-Pro for the first time in his career.

Second is veteran safety Antoine Winfield Jr. at $21 million. The Bucs safety signed an extension worth $84.1 million last May, including $45 million guaranteed.

Coming in third is the Chargers’ Derwin James at $19.13 million annually. James has spent his entire career in Los Angeles and signed a four-year, $76.5 million extension in 2022.

Fourth is L’Jarius Sneed of the Titans, who earns $19.1 million annually. Sneed’s four-year extension, worth $76.4 million, will keep him in Nashville through the 2027-2028 season.

Rounding out the top five is the Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick at $18.4 million. Fitzpatrick has been in Pittsburgh since 2019, when he was traded from Miami.

Only ten NFL safeties earn over $15 million a year, compared to 20 NFL cornerbacks who make at least that much.

Top 25 Highest-Paid Safeties

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

RankPlayerTeamTotal Compensation
1Kerby JosephDetroit Lions$21.5 million
2Antoine Winfield Jr.Tampa Bay Buccaneers$21 million
3Derwin JamesLos Angeles Chargers$19.13 million
4L’Jarius SneedTennessee Titans$19.1 million
5Minkah FitzpatrickPittsburgh Steelers$18.4 million
6Budda BakerArizona Cardinals$18 million
7Trevon MoehrigCarolina Panthers$17 million
8Xavier McKinneyGreen Bay Packers$16.8 million
9Jessie Bates IIIAtlanta Falcons$16 million
10Jevon Holland New York Giants$15.1 million
11Camryn Bynum Indianapolis Colts$15 million
12Kyle DuggerNew England Patriots$14.5 million
13Talanoa HufangaDenver Broncos$13 million
T-14Grant DelpitCleveland Browns$12 million
T-14Jalen ThompsonArizona Cardinals$12 million
16Julian LoveSeattle Seahawks$11 million
17Jimmie WardHouston Texans$10.51 million
18Justin ReidNew Orleans Saints$10.5 million
19Amani HookerTennessee Titans$10 million
20Chauncey Gardner-JohnsonHouston Texans$9 million
21Andre Cisco New York Jets$8.5 million
22Jeremy ChinnLas Vegas Raiders$8.1 million
23Jabrill PeppersNew England Patriots$8 million
24Kevin ByardChicago Bears$7.5 million
25Darnell SavageJacksonville Jaguars$7.3 million

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