One look at the list of the highest paid players in the NFL by position shows the premium that NFL teams put on quarterbacks.
The highest paid player in the league at that position, the Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow, is also the highest paid player in the league, making $55 million per season (yes, $55 million per season in average annual salary).
San Francisco 49ers’ edge rusher Nick Bosa now makes $34 million per season, making him the highest paid defender in the league.
The highest paid offensive player in the NFL that is not a quarterback? That’s Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, who makes $32 million per season.
NFL’s highest paid players by position in 2024 (average salary per year):
- Quarterback: Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow – $55 million
- Edge rusher: San Francisco 49ers’ Nick Bosa – $34 million
- Wide receiver: Philadelphia Eagles’ A.J. Brown – $32 million
- Defensive lineman: Kansas City Chiefs’ Chris Jones – $31.75 million
- Offensive lineman: Detroit Lions’ Penei Sewell – $28 million
- Safety: Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Antoine Winfield, Jr. – $21.03 million
- Cornerback: Green Bay Packers’ Jaire Alexander: $21 million
- Linebacker: Baltimore Ravens’ Roquan Smith – $20 million
- Tight end: Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce – $17.1 million
- Running back: San Francisco 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey: $16 million
- Kicker: Baltimore Ravens’ Justin Tucker, Philadelphia Eagles’ Jake Elliott – $6 million
- Fullback: San Francisco 49ers’ Kyle Juszczyk – $4.6 million
- Punter: Seattle Seahawks’ Michael Dickson – $3.68 million
- Long snapper: Indianapolis Colts’ Luke Rhodes – $1.62 million
– Source: overthecap.com
