We mentioned in a previous article the high salaries paid to NFL referees. What about NFL stars? Do you want to know how much they make?
Which NFL player is the highest-paid? Patrick Mahomes, the highest-paid NFL player, earns up to $45 million annually.
Scott Fujita will give you the exact data in this article. These are the 20 highest-paid football players in NFL. Let’s find out more!
Who is the highest-paid NFL player? Top 20 Highest-Paid NFL Players

1. Patrick Mahomes
- Position: QB.
- Kansas City Chiefs.
- Average annual salary: $45 Million
Patrick Mahomes is the highest-paid football player according to the NFL stats.
ESPN reports that Patrick Mahomes will remain with the Kansas Chiefs through 2031. The star 25-year-old will receive at least $450 million and as much as $ 503 million from the defending NFL champion.
It is the most valuable contract in sports history. Its value exceeds Mike Trout’s record-breaking deal with the Los Angeles Angels for $226.5 million.
A contract was also signed by Boxer Canelo and DANZ streaming service company for a total of 365 million dollars.
2. Josh Allen
- Position: QB.
- Team: Buffalo Bills.
- Average annual salary: $43 Million
Allen and the Buffalo Bills agreed to extend their NFL contract for six years, worth $258 million. According to ESPN analyst Adam Schefter, the NFL record is guaranteed at $150 million.
Josh Allen is the second-highest-paid NFL player, with an average annual worth of $ 43 million. Allen is second only to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Mahomes. Allen is, therefore, the highest-paid player in the Buffalo Bills’ history.
3. Dak Prescott
- Position: QB.
- Team: Dallas Cowboys.
- Average annual salary: $40 Million
Dak Prescott, a two-time Pro Bowler, is the player who escaped a long-term deal twice. For the 2020 season, he signed an $11.4 million franchise tag.
4. Deshaun Watson
- Position: QB.
- Houston Texans.
- Average annual salary: $39 Million
Deshaun Watson has signed a four-year contract extension worth $160 million with the Houston Texans.
Houston traded Watson to take the 12th overall selection in the 2017 draft. In his three first seasons with the Texans, he was present in 38 games and 37 times. After years of difficulties, it gives stability to the midfield.
The 25-year-old led the Texans to the knockout stage of the knockout round. Watson’s three-year career included 9,716 yards passing and 71 touchdowns. He also ran 1,233 yards and scored 14 points.
5. Russell Wilson
- Position: QB.
- Seattle Seahawks are the team.
- The average annual salary is $35 million.
Russell Wilson has a contract with the Seattle Seahawks for his third NFL season. This contract was signed in 2019. This contract is valid for four years and comes with a $140 Million deal.
6. Aaron Rodgers
- Position: QB.
- Green Bay Packers
- Average annual salary: $33.5 Million
Aaron Rodgers is one of the highest-paid NFL players. His 2018 deal with the Green Bay Packers was $134 million. His contract expires in 2023.
7. Jared Goff
- Position: QB.
- Team: Detroit Lions.
- Average annual salary: $33.5 Million
Jared Goff has decided to join Detroit Lions. It was the end of his first five years in the Rams uniform.
Jared Goff was in Los Angeles and won the Pro Bowl berths two times. He is also “credited with” leading the Rams to Super Bowl LIII.
8. Kirk Cousins
- Position: QB.
- Team: Minnesota Vikings.
- Average annual salary: $33 Million
Kirk Cousins signed a 2-year deal with the Vikings in March 2020. The contract’s value includes a $30 million signing bonus.
9. Carson Wentz
- Position: QB.
- Indianapolis Colts.
- Average annual salary $32 million
In June 2019, Carson Wentz signed an extension to his contract. It’s worth $128 million and includes $38M in bonuses for the NFL 2020 season.
Carson Wentz has an extensive endorsement portfolio with NRG, Nike, Amazon, Bose Bank, BlackRidge Bank, and Scheels.
10. Matt Ryan
- Position: QB.
- Atlanta Falcons.
- Average annual salary: $30 Million
In 2018, he completed his 5-year contract extension worth $103.8 million. Matt Ryan signed a 5-year extension to his contract worth $150 million, which included a $46.5 million signing bonus.
11. Ryan Tannehill
- Position: QB.
- Tennessee Titans.
- Average annual salary: $29.5 Million
Ryan Tannehill started as a backup to the Tennessee Titans in 2019. After six games, he was able to put on a great show.
He led the Tennessee Titans to the knockout stage and was the top-rated player in the league’s passing rating category.
Ryan Tannehill is worthy of a 4-year deal with the Tennessee Titans. It’s a $ 118 million contract. He was also awarded the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year Award.
12. Jimmy Garoppolo
- Position: QB.
- Team: San Francisco 49ers.
- Average annual salary: $27.5 Million
Jimmy Garoppolo has entered the fourth season of the five-year. His contract with the San Francisco 49ers was worth $137.5 million.
13. DeAndre Hopkins
- Position: WR.
- Team: Arizona Cardinals.
- Average annual salary: $27.25 Million
DeAndre Hopkins is the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL 2022.
His average annual salary was $ 27.25 million.
14. Matthew Stafford
- Position: QB.
- Team: Los Angeles Rams.
- Average annual salary: $27 Million
Stafford currently has a base pay of $9.5M in 2021 and $12.5M in 2021. There is also a roster bonus worth 10M.
15. Joey Bosa
- Position: DE.
- Team: Los Angeles Chargers.
- Average annual salary: $27 Million
Joey Bosa signed a contract with Los Angeles Chargers. The contract’s value is 135 million USD. It will be valid for five years. The $135 million price includes $102 Million guaranteed and a 27M annual average salary.
16. Derek Carr
- Position: QB.
- Las Vegas Raiders: Team
- Average annual salary: $25.005 Million
Derek Carr’s annual average salary is over 25 million dollars.
17. Myles Garrett
- Position: Defensive player.
- Team: Cleveland Browns
- Average annual salary: $25 Million
Myles Garrett, a defensive player, has signed a $125 million contract for five years with the Cleveland Browns.
The 2026 season will be the last year of the contract.
18. Tom Brady
- Position: QB.
- Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Average annual salary: $25 Million
Super Bowl 2021’s highest-paid player earns $25,000,000 per year.
After leaving the New England Patriots, Tom Brady received a raise. He spent his entire career with the Patriots before moving to the Buccaneers in March. Brady made $23 million during the 2019 season.
Under his current two-year contract, Brady makes an average salary of $25,000,000. His salary is different from his other jobs.
Full-back Mahomes was granted a 10-year extension to his contract in July. Starting next season, his average annual salary will be $ 45 million.
Despite being the highest-paid Super Bowl player, Tom Brady is only the eighteenth highest-paid NFL player overall.
19. Khalil Mack
- Position: DE.
- Chicago Bears.
- Average annual salary: $23.5 Million
Khalil Mack signed a $61 million, six-year deal with the Chicago Bears. It includes a signing bonus of $34M, a $90M guarantee, and a 23.5M average annual salary.
20. Trent William
- Position: LT.
- Team: Francisco 49ers.
- Average annual salary: $23.01 Million
Trent Williams has signed a six-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. He will continue his contract with the 49ers by receiving a $ 138.06 million deal.
According to Williams’ agent, the six-year contract includes $55.1M in fully guaranteed funds and a $30.1M signing bonus.
This video provides additional information about the highest-paid NFL players in 2022.
Final Thoughts
Which player is the highest-paid in the NFL? Patrick Mahomes, who earns an average salary of $ 45 million annually in the NFL, is at the top.
Based on many factors, NFL players’ exact earnings can vary from year to year. These factors include the player’s primary contract, NFL salary cap, and bonuses.
This article is only for informational purposes. Please visit the NFL news frequently if you need to know the exact number.