NFL's highest paid players by position, salary rankings for 2024 season.
NFL’s Highest-Paid Players by Position in 2026: Patrick Mahomes Leads as Chris Boswell Shares Kicker Record
NFL teams continue to spend heavily on their biggest stars, and quarterbacks remain far ahead of every other position when it comes to salary.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes leads the NFL in average annual salary at $64 million in 2026. Houston Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. ranks second overall at $50 million and is the league's highest-paid defender.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the highest-paid offensive player outside the quarterback position, earning $42.15 million per year.
The list also includes some surprising names. Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell and Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey are tied at $7 million annually, while New York Giants punter Jordan Stout leads his position at $4.1 million.
Salary figures are based on average annual salary, with information from OverTheCap.com through August 30, 2026.
NFL’s Highest-Paid Players by Position in 2026
Here is the highest-paid player at every listed NFL position for the 2026 season.
Edge rusher: Houston Texans' Will Anderson Jr. - $50 million
Wide receiver: Seattle Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba - $42.15 million
Defensive lineman: Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Carter - $38 million
Cornerback: Seattle Seahawks' Devon Witherspoon - $33 million
Offensive lineman: Washington Commanders' Laremy Tunsil - $30.1 million
Safety: Los Angeles Chargers' Derwin James - $25.2 million
Linebacker: Pittsburgh Steelers' Nick Herbig - $25 million
Running back: Detroit Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs - $22.5 million
Tight end: San Francisco 49ers' George Kittle - $19.1 million
Kicker: Pittsburgh Steelers' Chris Boswell/Dallas Cowboys' Brandon Aubrey - $7 million
Punter: New York Giants' Jordan Stout - $4.1 million
Fullback: New York Giants' Patrick Ricard - $3.8 millionLong snapper: Jacksonville Jaguars' Ross Matiscik - $1.9 million
Patrick Mahomes Remains NFL’s Highest-Paid Player
Patrick Mahomes sits at the top of the NFL salary rankings in 2026.
The Chiefs quarterback has an average annual salary of $64 million, making him the highest-paid player in the league and the highest-paid quarterback.
The gap between Mahomes and the highest-paid player at most other positions remains significant.
Will Anderson Jr. is next overall at $50 million, while Jaxon Smith-Njigba ranks third on the overall list at $42.15 million.
Will Anderson Jr. Leads NFL Defenders
Will Anderson Jr. has become the highest-paid defender in the NFL.
The Houston Texans edge rusher earns $50 million per season based on average annual value.
That puts Anderson ahead of every other defensive player listed.
Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter ranks second among defenders at $38 million, followed by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon at $33 million.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Is the Highest-Paid Non-QB Offensive Player
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the highest-paid offensive player outside the quarterback position.
His average annual salary is $42.15 million.
That figure places him above the highest-paid offensive linemen, running backs and tight ends on the list.
Washington Commanders offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil ranks at $30.1 million, while Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs earns $22.5 million.
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle leads his position at $19.1 million.
Chris Boswell and Brandon Aubrey Share Kicker Lead
The kicker position has a tie at the top.
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell and Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey each have an average annual salary of $7 million.
Their figures are considerably lower than the salaries at the top of the quarterback, edge rusher and wide receiver positions, but both remain the highest-paid kickers in the supplied 2026 data.
Highest-Paid Special Teams Players in 2026
The salary rankings become much lower at the specialist positions.
Boswell and Aubrey lead kickers at $7 million.
Giants punter Jordan Stout leads punters at $4.1 million.
New York Giants fullback Patrick Ricard is listed at $3.8 million.
Jacksonville Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik leads long snappers at $1.9 million.
The figures show the wide salary gap between the NFL's most expensive positions and specialist roles.
Biggest Salary Gap by Position
Patrick Mahomes' $64 million average annual salary is the highest figure in the rankings.
Ross Matiscik's $1.9 million is the lowest.
That creates a $62.1 million difference between the highest and lowest-paid position leaders in the supplied data.
The gap highlights how differently NFL teams value various positions when allocating salary resources.
What the 2026 NFL Salary Rankings Show
Quarterbacks continue to command the largest contracts in the NFL.
Mahomes leads the league at $64 million, while Will Anderson Jr. is the highest-paid defender at $50 million.
Among offensive players outside the quarterback position, Smith-Njigba leads at $42.15 million.
The rankings also show that elite defensive players can command enormous contracts, while specialist positions remain considerably lower on the salary scale.
Full List of NFL's highest paid players by Each Position in 2026 Season
Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers | Tight ends |
Cornerbacks | Safeties | Linebackers | Offensive-linemen |
NFL Highest-Paid Players by Position FAQ
Who is the highest-paid NFL player in 2026?
Patrick Mahomes is the highest-paid player in the supplied 2026 rankings, with an average annual salary of $64 million.
Who is the highest-paid defender in the NFL?
Houston Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. is the highest-paid defender at $50 million per year.
Who is the highest-paid wide receiver in 2026?
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the position at $42.15 million per year.
Who is the highest-paid defensive lineman?
Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter leads the position at $38 million per year.
Who is the highest-paid cornerback?
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is the highest-paid cornerback at $33 million annually.
Who is the highest-paid offensive lineman?
Washington Commanders offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil leads the position at $30.1 million per year.
Who is the highest-paid running back?
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs leads the position at $22.5 million annually.
Who is the highest-paid tight end?
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is the highest-paid tight end at $19.1 million per year.
Who are the highest-paid kickers in 2026?
Chris Boswell of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Brandon Aubrey of the Dallas Cowboys are tied at $7 million per year.
Who is the highest-paid punter?
New York Giants punter Jordan Stout leads the position at $4.1 million annually.
Who is the highest-paid long snapper?
Jacksonville Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik leads the position at $1.9 million per year.
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