The top stars in today's NFL are making absurd amounts of money as the sport continues to grow commercially.
Records for the biggest contracts for NFL superstars are seemingly broken every year. On Monday, the Seattle Seahawks signed star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba to a four-year, $168.6 million contract — the biggest contract for a non-quarterback in league history.
Later that day, Travis Kelce officially marked his return to the Kansas City Chiefs with a three-year, $54.7-million contract. While Kelce's $18.2-million salary doesn't come close to cracking the top-20 highest-paid players in football, we've put together a list of the NFL's most handsomely compensated superstars.
NFL Highest Paid Players in 2026 – 20-11
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10 Jalen Hurts – $51,000,000
Jalen HurtsKirby Lee-Imagn Images
Hurts was drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles after a standout college career at Alabama and Oklahoma. Initially brought in as a backup, he took over as the Eagles’ starting quarterback late in his rookie season and quickly showed flashes of playmaking ability.
His true breakout came in 2022, when he emerged as an MVP candidate. That season, Hurts led the Eagles to a 14–3 record and an appearance in Super Bowl LVII. In the Super Bowl, he delivered an outstanding performance with multiple total touchdowns, despite the team falling just short against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Philly signed their star quarterback to a five-year, $255 million contract in April 2023, and went on to lift the Vince Lombardi trophy in 2024.
9 Lamar Jackson – $52,000,000
Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson is one of the most electrifying and unique quarterbacks in NFL history, redefining the position with his elite rushing ability and dynamic playmaking.
Jackson was selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. He took over as the starting quarterback midway through his rookie season and immediately transformed the Ravens’ offense into one of the most run-heavy and explosive units in the league.
His breakout came in 2019, when he delivered one of the greatest quarterback seasons ever. Jackson threw for over 3,100 yards and 36 touchdowns while also rushing for over 1,200 yards, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to reach that rushing mark in a single season. He was unanimously named NFL MVP and led the Ravens to a 14–2 record, the best in the league that year.
Jackson signed a huge five-year, $260-million extension with the Ravens in April 2023.
8 Justin Herbert – $52,500,000
Justin Herbert Los Angeles Chargers QB-1Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Herbert has established himself as one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL, known for his elite arm strength, accuracy, and high-volume production as the leader of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Herbert was selected sixth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft and unexpectedly became the Chargers’ starting quarterback early in his rookie season. He immediately impressed, throwing for over 4,300 yards and 31 touchdowns, setting multiple rookie records and winning Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The Chargers secured their franchise quarterback to a five-year, $262.5-million contract in July 2023.
Highest Paid NFL Receivers Related
Top 10 Highest Paid NFL Wide Receivers in 2026
Star wide receivers have never been more important in the NFL, and these contracts prove as much.
7 Brock Purdy – $53,000,000
Brock Purdy Mr. Irrelevant 2022Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Brock Purdy was selected with the 262nd overall pick (Mr. Irrelevant) in the 2022 NFL Draft. Initially expected to be a backup, he was thrust into the starting role late in his rookie season due to injuries. He exceeded all expectations, leading the San Francisco 49ers on a winning streak and guiding them to the NFC Championship Game while displaying poise, accuracy, and strong decision-making.
In 2023, Purdy solidified himself as the team’s full-time starter and had a breakout season. He led one of the most efficient offenses in the league, throwing for over 4,000 yards and ranking among the NFL leaders in passer rating and yards per attempt.
Purdy also helped lead the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance (Super Bowl LVIII), further cementing his reputation as a legitimate starting quarterback in the league. In May 2025, the Iowa State product signed a five-year, $265-million extension.
6 Jared Goff – $53,000,000
jared goff wins
Jared Goff was selected 1st overall in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. His rookie season was challenging, but he quickly improved under head coach Sean McVay. During his time with the Rams, Goff developed into a high-level passer, leading the team to multiple playoff appearances and a Super Bowl LIII appearance during the 2018 season.
After several successful years in Los Angeles, Goff was traded to the Detroit Lions in 2021 as part of a major deal. Initially viewed as a transitional quarterback, he instead revitalized his career in Detroit.
With the Lions, Goff has helped transform the team into a contender, leading them to playoff appearances and deep postseason runs. The California native put pen to paper on a lucrative four-year, $212-million extension with Detroit in May 2024.
5 Jordan Love – $55,000,000
Packers QB Jordan Love throws pass against Dallas CowboysCredit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Love was selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers as the eventual successor to Aaron Rodgers. He spent his first few seasons learning behind Rodgers, seeing limited playing time while developing his skills and adjusting to the NFL.
In 2023, Love took over as the Packers’ starting quarterback following Rodgers’ departure. After an inconsistent start, he showed significant growth as the season progressed, improving his accuracy, decision-making, and confidence.
As the leader of a young offense, Love has taken on a major role in guiding the Packers through a transition period. The Packers saw enough to offer Love a four-year, $220-million contract in July 2024.
4 Trevor Lawrence – $55,000,000
Trevor Lawrence Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence was selected 1st overall in the 2021 NFL Draft after a dominant college career at Clemson, where he won a national championship and was widely regarded as a generational talent. He entered the NFL with enormous expectations.
In 2022, Lawrence made a major leap under head coach Doug Pederson. He significantly improved his efficiency and decision-making, throwing for over 4,000 yards and leading the Jacksonville Jaguars to a playoff appearance.
Jacksonville secured the former Clemson star to a five-year, $275-million extension in June 2024.
3 Joe Burrow – $55,000,000
Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow throws the ballCredit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Burrow was selected 1st overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2020 NFL Draft after a historic college season at LSU, where he won the Heisman Trophy and led one of the greatest offenses in college football history. He entered the NFL with high expectations and quickly showed franchise-quarterback potential.
His rookie season was cut short by a serious knee injury, but he returned in 2021 and led the Bengals to a remarkable turnaround. That season, Burrow threw for over 4,600 yards and guided Cincinnati to Super Bowl LVI, marking the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance in decades.
Burrow continued to perform at an elite level in the following seasons, consistently ranking among the league leaders in passing yards, completion percentage, and efficiency. Burrow became one of the highest-paid players in the NFL when he signed a five-year, $275-million extension with the Bengals in September 2023.
2 Josh Allen – $55,000,000
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Josh Allen Buffalo Bills playoffs
ORCHARD PARK, NY - JANUARY 21: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills stands on the field prior to the start of the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Highmark Stadium on January 21, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
Credit: Kathryn Riley/Getty Images
Allen was selected seventh overall in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills after playing college football at Wyoming. He entered the league as a raw prospect with tremendous physical tools but needed refinement in accuracy and decision-making. He became the Bills’ starting quarterback early in his rookie season and immediately showcased his dual-threat potential.
Over the next few seasons, Allen made significant improvements, particularly as a passer. His breakout came in 2020, when he threw for over 4,500 yards and 37 touchdowns, leading the Bills to a 13–3 record and the AFC Championship Game.
Throughout his career, Allen has consistently led one of the NFL’s top offenses, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and even being named NFL MVP in 2024. In March 2025, Allen accepted a six-year, $330-million contract offer to stay in Buffalo.
1 Dak Prescott – $60,000,000
Dak Prescott
Prescott was selected in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft and unexpectedly became the Dallas Cowboys’ starting quarterback as a rookie due to injury. He made an immediate impact, leading Dallas to a 13–3 record, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year, and establishing himself as a franchise quarterback.
Prescott has consistently produced strong statistical seasons, often throwing for 4,000+ yards while maintaining solid touchdown-to-interception ratios. Despite strong regular-season success, postseason results have been mixed, which has been a major storyline in his career.
The Cowboys made Prescott the highest-paid player in the NFL when they signed him to a four-year, $240-million extension in September 2024.