Listing the NFL’s highest-paid players is an inexact science. Patrick Mahomes’ record contract with the Chiefs, for example, makes him the league’s highest-paid player … in terms of average annual salary and total dollars attached to the deal.
Some argue total guaranteed money at signing is the only number that matters in an NFL contract, and Mahomes does not lead the league in that category. No current NFL contract features more guaranteed money at signing than the $94.5 million the Falcons promised Matt Ryan in 2018.
33 NFL players now make at least $20 million a season in average annual salary, according to overthecap.com, a site that tracks NFL player contracts (though Aug. 6, 2021):
- The highest paid player in the league is Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
- Mahomes makes $45 million per season in average annual salary with the deal that he signed before the 2020 season.
- The second highest paid player in the league is now Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen, who makes $43 million per season.
- Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, who makes $40 million a season, is next.
- Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, who makes $39 million in average annual salary, is fourth.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who makes $35 million in average annual salary, is fifth. Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers each make $33.5 million per season, to tie for sixth on the list of the highest paid players in the NFL. Quarterbacks dominate the list of the NFL’s highest paid players for 2021, accounting for 14 of the 33 NFL players who make at least $20 million per season.
NFL’s highest paid players regardless of position (average annual salary):
1. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: $45 million
2. Bills QB Josh Allen $43 million
3. Cowboys QB Dak Prescott: $40 million
4. Texans QB Deshaun Watson: $39 million
5. Seahawks QB Russell Wilson: $35 million
6. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers: $33.5 million
6. Rams QB Jared Goff: $33.5 million
8. Vikings QB Kirk Cousins: $33 million
9. Colts QB Carson Wentz: $32 million
10. Falcons QB Matt Ryan: $30 million
11. Titans QB Ryan Tannehill: $29.5 million
12. 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo: $27.5 million
13. Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins: $27.3 million
14. Rams QB Matthew Stafford: $27 million
14. Chargers DE Joey Bosa: $27 million
16. Buccaneers QB Tom Brady: $25 million
16. Browns DE Myles Garrett: $25 million
16. Raiders QB Derek Carr: $25 million
19. Bears OLB Khalil Mack: $23.5 million
20. 49ers OL Trent Williams: $23.01 million
21. Packers OL David Bakhtiari: $23 million
22. Rams DT Aaron Donald: $22.5 million
23. Texans OL Laremy Tunsil: $22 million
23. Falcons WR Julio Jones: $22 million
25. Colts DT DeForest Buckner: $21 million
25. Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater: $21 million
25. Cowboys DE DeMarcus Lawrence: $21 million
25. Giants DE Leonard Williams: $21 million
29. Chiefs DE Frank Clark: $20.8 million
30. Chargers WR Keenan Allen: $20.03 million
31. Rams CB Jalen Ramsey: $20 million
31. Chiefs DT Chris Jones: $20 million
31. Cowboys WR Amari Cooper: $20 million
This is latest salary of the NFL football players as per their ranking in 2021.
