In the NFL, a player’s contract is more than just a paycheck; it’s a statement of value that reshapes team-building and locker room dynamics. While quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes remain a benchmark, recent massive extensions for defensive and skill-position stars have dramatically altered the league’s financial landscape. This seismic shift shows that a player’s perceived impact has become the new currency for front offices.
Below, we rank the single highest-paid player at each position by average annual value (AAV), providing context for how each deal reset the market.
Who Are the Highest-Paid NFL Players at Each Position?
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_Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons, and Ja’marr Chase (Image Credits: Imagn)_
The following list breaks down the top earner at every position, reflecting how general managers currently prioritize roster construction and financial planning. All contract information is based on the latest available data from sources like Spotrac and OverTheCap.
1. **Edge/OLB:** Micah Parsons (Packers), **$46.5 million AAV**. Parsons’ extension with the Packers didn’t just reward him; it completely reset the market for non-quarterback defenders, establishing a new ceiling for elite pass rushers.
2. **Quarterback:** Dak Prescott (Cowboys), **$60 million AAV**. Prescott’s $240 million extension made him the highest-paid player in NFL history, solidifying his status as a cornerstone of the franchise.
3. **Wide Receiver:** Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals), **$40.25 million AAV**. With his new contract, Chase shattered previous records for wide receivers, pushing the position’s top salaries into the exclusive $40 million-per-year club.
4. **Defensive Tackle:** Chris Jones (Chiefs), **$31.75 million AAV**. After restructuring his deal, Jones solidified his place as the highest-paid interior defensive lineman, a reward for his consistent, game-disrupting presence.
5. **Cornerback:** Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner (Colts), **$30.1 million AAV**. Gardner’s extension with the Colts made him the highest-paid cornerback in league history, a title that reflects his shutdown capabilities on the perimeter.
6. **Offensive Tackle:** Rashawn Slater (Chargers), **$28.5 million AAV**. Slater’s four-year, $114 million extension vaulted him to the top of the offensive tackle market, setting a new standard for blindside protectors.
7. **Safety:** Kyle Hamilton (Ravens), **$25.1 million AAV**. Hamilton’s deal with the Steelers significantly elevated the safety market, securing him the top financial spot for the position and underscoring his versatile impact.
8. **Offensive Guard:** Trey Smith (Chiefs), **$23.5 million AAV**. By signing a four-year, $94 million contract, Smith became the league’s top-paid guard, demonstrating the increasing value of dominant interior offensive linemen.
9. **Linebacker (off-ball):** Fred Warner (49ers), **$19.045 million AAV.** Warner continues to be the benchmark for off-ball linebackers, with his contract reflecting his importance as the quarterback of the 49ers’ defense.
10. **Running Back:** Saquon Barkley (Eagles), **$20.6 million AAV**. Barkley’s contract places him atop the running back pay scale, a significant achievement in a market that has recently seen depressed values.
11. **Tight End:** George Kittle (49ers), **$19.1 million AAV**. Following his extension in April 2025, Kittle reclaimed the title of highest-paid tight end, a testament to his dual-threat ability as a blocker and receiver.
12. **Center:** Creed Humphrey (Chiefs), **$18 million AAV**. Humphrey’s deal established a new ceiling for the center market, proving that elite talent at the heart of the offensive line is a premium commodity.
13. **Kicker:** Harrison Butker (Chiefs), **$6.4 million AAV**. Butker ranks as the top-paid kicker by average salary, demonstrating that reliable specialists remain a valuable investment.
14. **Punter:** Michael Dickson (Seahawks), **$3.7 million AAV**. As the highest-paid punter, Dickson’s contract highlights the importance of field position in the modern game.
This ranking makes one thing clear: old-school positional value is no longer the primary driver of NFL contracts. Today, teams pay for game-changing traits and proven impact, regardless of where a player lines up. The AAV figures listed here not only determine a player’s wealth but also define who is truly untouchable and dictate how general managers build their rosters from the ground up.