How Much Does an NFL Football Player Make? A Deep Dive into Salaries

The world of professional football is known for its intense competition and the exceptional athleticism of its players. But beyond the gridiron glory, a crucial question lingers: How Much Does A Nfl Football Player Make? This article breaks down the earnings of NFL players across different positions, examining both average yearly pay (APY) and total guaranteed money. This information is based on the most recent data and contract details.

Quarterback Salaries

Quarterbacks, the field generals, often command the highest salaries.

Highest Three-Year APY:

  1. Dak Prescott (DAL): $61.6 million

    Signed: September 2024 (contract ends in 2028)

  2. Joe Burrow (CIN): $61.3 million

  3. Jordan Love (GB): $58.3 million

  4. Trevor Lawrence (JAX): $56.9 million

  5. Jared Goff (DET): $55.4 million

  6. Josh Allen (BUF): $55 million

Total Guaranteed Money:

  1. Josh Allen (BUF): $250 million

    Signed: March 2025 (contract ends in 2031)

  2. Deshaun Watson (CLE): $230 million

  3. Dak Prescott (DAL): $229 million

  4. Joe Burrow (CIN): $219 million

  5. Patrick Mahomes (KC): $208.1 million

  6. Trevor Lawrence (JAX): $200 million

Running Back Salaries

Running backs, known for their speed and power, also earn substantial incomes.

Highest Three-Year APY:

  1. Saquon Barkley: $20.6 million

    Signed: March 2025 (contract ends in 2028)

  2. Christian McCaffrey (SF): $19 million

  3. Jonathan Taylor (IND): $14 million

  4. Alvin Kamara (NO): $12.2 million

Total Guaranteed Money:

  1. Saquon Barkley: $36 million

    Signed: March 2025 (contract ends in 2028)

  2. Jonathan Taylor (IND): $26.5 million

  3. Christian McCaffrey (SF): $24 million

  4. Alvin Kamara (NO): $34.3 million

Wide Receiver Salaries

Wide receivers, celebrated for their catching prowess, secure lucrative contracts.

Highest Three-Year APY:

  1. Ja’Marr Chase: $40 million

    Signed: March 2025 (contract ends in 2030)

  2. Justin Jefferson (MIN): $35 million

  3. CeeDee Lamb (DAL): $34 million

  4. A.J. Brown (PHI): $32 million

  5. Brandon Aiyuk (SF): $30 million

  6. Tee Higgins (CIN): $28.75 million

Total Guaranteed Money:

  1. Ja’Marr Chase: $112 million

    Signed: March 2025 (contract ends in 2030)

  2. Justin Jefferson (MIN): $110 million

  3. CeeDee Lamb (DAL): $100 million

  4. A.J. Brown (PHI): $84 million

  5. DJ Moore (CHI): $81.5 million

  6. Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET): $77 million

Tight End Salaries

Tight ends, versatile players who both block and catch, command significant earnings.

Highest Three-Year APY:

  1. Travis Kelce: $17.1 million

    Signed: April 2024 (contract ends in 2025)

  2. T.J. Hockenson (MIN): $16 million

  3. George Kittle (SF): $15.3 million

Total Guaranteed Money:

  1. T.J. Hockenson: $42.5 million

    Signed: August 2023 (contract ends in 2027)

  2. George Kittle (SF): $40 million

  3. Mark Andrews (BAL): $37.6 million

Offensive Tackle Salaries

Offensive tackles, crucial for protecting the quarterback, secure substantial paychecks.

Highest Three-Year APY:

  1. Penei Sewell: $30 million

    Signed: April 2024 (contract ends in 2029)

  2. Tristan Wirfs (TB): $28.6 million

  3. Trent Williams (SF): $27.6 million

Total Guaranteed Money:

  1. Tristan Wirfs: $88.24 million

    Signed: August 2024 (contract ends in 2029)

  2. Christian Darrisaw (MIN): $74.5 million

  3. Penei Sewell (DET): $70 million

  4. Andrew Thomas (NYG): $61.9 million

Guard Salaries

Guards, essential for both pass protection and run blocking, earn considerable salaries.

Highest Three-Year APY:

  1. Chris Lindstrom: $21.8 million

    Signed: March 2023 (contract ends in 2028)

  2. Robert Hunt (CAR): $21 million

  3. Quenton Nelson (IND): $20.9 million

Total Guaranteed Money:

  1. Robert Hunt: $63 million

    Signed: March 2024 (contract ends in 2028)

  2. Chris Lindstrom (ATL): $62.7 million

  3. Quenton Nelson (IND): $60 million

Center Salaries

Centers, the anchors of the offensive line, also receive respectable compensation.

Highest Three-Year APY:

  1. Creed Humphrey: $18 million

    Signed: August 2024 (contract ends in 2028)

  2. Jonah Jackson (CHI): $17 million

  3. Frank Ragnow (DET): $14 million

  4. Lloyd Cushenberry (TEN): $12.6 million

  5. Erik McCoy (NO): $12.5 million

Total Guaranteed Money:

  1. Creed Humphrey: $50 million

    Signed: August 2024 (contract ends in 2028)

  2. Frank Ragnow (DET): $42 million

  3. Jonah Jackson (CHI): $34 million

  4. Erik McCoy (NO): $33 million

Cornerback Salaries

Cornerbacks, key defenders against the pass, are well-compensated.

Highest Three-Year APY:

  1. Derek Stingley Jr.: $30 million

    Signed: March 2025 (contract ends in 2029)

  2. Jaycee Horn (CAR): $25 million

  3. Jalen Ramsey (MIA): $24.1 million

  4. Pat Surtain II (DEN): $24 million

  5. Jaire Alexander (GB): $21.8 million

Total Guaranteed Money:

  1. Jaycee Horn: $100 million

    Signed: March 2025 (contract ends in 2030)

  2. Derek Stingley Jr. (HOU): $89 million

  3. Pat Surtain II (DEN): $73.9 million

  4. Denzel Ward (CLE): $71.25 million

  5. Marshon Lattimore (NO): $68.3 million

Safety Salaries

Safeties, the last line of defense, earn significant salaries.

Highest Three-Year APY:

  1. Antoine Winfield Jr.: $21.5 million

    Signed: May 2024 (contract ends in 2028)

  2. Derwin James Jr. (LAC): $19.6 million

  3. Minkah Fitzpatrick (PIT): $18.6 million

Total Guaranteed Money:

  1. Antoine Winfield Jr.: $45 million

    Signed: May 2024 (contract ends in 2028)

  2. Derwin James Jr. (LAC): $42 million

  3. Minkah Fitzpatrick (PIT): $36 million

  4. Jessie Bates III (ATL): $36 million

Edge Rusher Salaries

Edge rushers, critical for pressuring the quarterback, command top dollar.

Highest Three-Year APY:

  1. Maxx Crosby: $35.5 million

    Signed: March 2025 (contract ends in 2029)

  2. Nick Bosa (SF): $34.7 million

  3. Josh Hines-Allen (JAX): $31 million

  4. T.J. Watt (PIT): $30.5 million

  5. Brian Burns (NYG): $30 million

  6. Myles Garrett (CLE): $26.7 million

Total Guaranteed Money:

  1. Nick Bosa: $119.9 million

    Signed: September 2023 (contract ends in 2029)

  2. Myles Garrett (CLE): $100 million

  3. Maxx Crosby (LV): $91.5 million

  4. Josh Hines-Allen (JAX): $88 million

  5. Brian Burns (NYG): $87.5 million

Defensive Tackle Salaries

Defensive tackles, essential for stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback, secure lucrative contracts.

Highest Three-Year APY:

  1. Chris Jones: $31.7 million

    Signed: March 2024 (contract ends in 2028)

  2. Christian Wilkins (LV): $28 million

  3. Alim McNeill (DET): $24 million

Total Guaranteed Money:

  1. Chris Jones: $101 million

    Signed: March 2024 (contract ends in 2028)

  2. Christian Wilkins (LV): $82.7 million

  3. Quinnen Williams (NYJ): $66 million

Off-Ball Linebacker Salaries

Off-ball linebackers, vital for both run stopping and pass coverage, earn significant pay.

Highest Three-Year APY:

  1. Roquan Smith: $20 million

    Signed: January 2023 (contract ends 2027)

  2. Fred Warner (SF): $19.5 million

  3. Tremaine Edmunds (CHI): $19 million

Total Guaranteed Money:

  1. Roquan Smith: $60 million

    Signed: January 2023 (contract ends 2027)

  2. Tremaine Edmunds (CHI): $45 million

  3. Fred Warner (SF): $40.5 million

Kicker Salaries

Kickers, crucial for scoring, receive respectable compensation.

Highest Three-Year APY:

  1. Harrison Butker: $6.5 million

    Signed: August 2024 (contract ends in 2028)

  2. Justin Tucker (BAL): $6.2 million

  3. Jake Elliott (PHI): $6 million

Total Guaranteed Money:

  1. Harrison Butker: $17.75 million

    Signed: August 2024 (contract ends in 2028)

  2. Justin Tucker (BAL): $17.5 million

  3. Jake Elliott (PHI): $14.1 million

Long-Snapper Salaries

Long-snappers, specialists in the kicking game, earn a steady income.

Highest Three-Year APY:

  1. Luke Rhodes: $1.67 million

    Signed: September 2023 (contract ends 2027)

  2. Joe Cardona (NE): $1.63 million

  3. Zach Wood (NO): $1.62 million

Total Guaranteed Money:

  1. Tyler Ott: $2.8 million

    Signed: March 2024 (contract ends 2026)

  2. Thomas Hennessy (NYJ): $2.62 million

  3. Joe Cardona (NE): $2.6 million

Punter Salaries

Punters, crucial for field position, receive respectable salaries.

Highest Three-Year APY:

  1. Michael Dickson: $3.9 million

    Signed: June 2021 (contract ends in 2025)

  2. Jack Fox (DET): $3.6 million

  3. Tress Way (WSH): $3.3 million

Total Guaranteed Money:

  1. Michael Dickson: $8.5 million

    Signed: June 2021 (contract ends in 2025)

  2. Jack Fox (DET): $7.5 million

  3. Tress Way (WSH): $6.4 million

Conclusion

The compensation for NFL players varies significantly based on position and performance. From quarterbacks commanding top salaries to specialists earning a steady income, the financial landscape of the NFL reflects the diverse roles and contributions of its athletes. Understanding these earnings provides valuable insight into the business side of professional football.

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