NFL’s Highest-Paid Players by Position in 2026: Who’s Making the Most Money?

The NFL offseason is winding down, and the league has already delivered its usual share of blockbuster moves. With free agency complete, the draft in the books and training camp right around the corner, the return of football suddenly feels close enough to touch.

That anticipation arrives alongside a familiar reality: the NFL remains one of the most powerful revenue engines in sports. Money flows in from every direction, including merchandise, advertising, streaming rights and ticket sales. Just as often, finances become the source of tension between teams and players, fueling holdouts, contract disputes and headline-grabbing trades.

The league’s salary cap reflects that growth. Over the past decade-plus, it has more than doubled and is now set to top $300 million per team entering the 2026 season. Even so, not every franchise approaches spending the same way. Some are aggressive in chasing talent, while others take a more measured approach when it comes to handing out major deals.

Players, too, make different choices. Some are willing to leave money on the table to stay with a preferred team or preserve a strong roster around them. Others push to reset the market and secure top dollar at their position. That raises the obvious question: who is earning the most?

To answer it, we looked at the NFL’s highest-paid players by position using average annual value, a useful benchmark for understanding where each market currently stands.

QB: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs ($63.4M)

• 2026 |  2033
• 8 years, $504.75 million

At quarterback, Patrick Mahomes moved back to the top this offseason after agreeing to a revised contract that adds two years to his current deal and gives him the highest average annual value at the position. The Kansas City star, a three-time Super Bowl MVP and two-time NFL MVP, also became the first player in league history to sign a contract worth more than $500 million.

RB: Saquon Barkley, Eagles ($20.6M)

•  2025 |  2028
• 2 years, $41.2 million

Saquon Barkley earned his payday after a historic 2024 season, where he not only earned NFL Offensive Player of the Year, an All-Pro honor and was the rushing leader, he also took home a Super Bowl ring. Barkley was pivotal in the Super Bowl run, setting the league record for most rushing yards in a single season (2,504), including playoffs. 

FB: Patrick Ricard, Giants ($3.8M)

•  2026 |  2027
• 2 years, $7.63 million

The 32-year-old went undrafted in 2017 before signing with the Baltimore Ravens. He signed with the Giants this offseason after earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors in 2025.

WR: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks ($42.15M)

•  2026 | Signed through: 2031
•  4 years, $168.8 million

Jaxon Smith-Njigba was essential in the Seahawks’ Super Bowl champion run last season, as the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year. He had 119 receptions and 1,793 receiving yards, a league high, along with 10 touchdowns in the regular season. His breakout year came at the perfect time for Sam Darnold’s offense and he has high expectations as he enters Year 4. 

TE: George Kittle, 49ers ($19.1M)

• Signed in: 2025 | Signed through: 2029
• Total contract: 4 years, $76.4 million

George Kittle is arguably the best tight end in the league right now and it shows in his contract. The seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro has spent his entire career with the 49ers. Kittle started and ended his season with injuries last year. Missing five games due to a hamstring tear suffered in Week 1 and going down with an Achilles injury in their wild card game against the Eagles. He still has goals of a Week 1 return for the 2026 season. 

OT: Laremy Tunsil, Commanders ($30.1M)

• 2026 |  2028
• 2 years, $60.2 million

Laremy Tunsil was the No. 13 overall pick in 2016, selected by the Miami Dolphins. He then went to the Houston Texans before joining the Commanders in 2025. His resume includes five Pro Bowl honors and he has started all 139 games he’s played in.

G: Tyler Smith, Cowboys ($24M)

•  2025 |  2030
• 4 years, $96 million

Tyler Smith beats out last year’s highest-paid offensive guard Trey Smith, who earns an average of $23.5 million per year. The 2022 No. 24 overall pick has become pivotal on the Cowboys’ line and has three Pro Bowls during his time in the league. 

C: Tyler Linderbaum, Raiders ($27M)

•  2026 |  2028
• 3 years, $81 million

Tyler Linderbaum was drafted No. 25 overall in 2022 by the Ravens, where he remained until this offseason when he joined the Raiders. The three-time Pro Bowler took 99% of offensive snaps last season, starting all 17 games. 

EDGE: Will Anderson Jr., Texans ($50M)

•  2026 |  2030
• 3 years, $150 million

Will Anderson Jr. became the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history with his massive three-year, $150 million deal. According to Next Gen Stats, he was seventh in run-stop rate (12.6%), third in run stuffs (13) and second in pressures (85) among defenders with at least 150 run defensive snaps in 2025. His performance put him second in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting. He was named DPOY in 2023.

DT: Chris Jones, Chiefs ($31.75M)

• Signed in: 2024 | Signed through: 2028
• Total contract: 5 years, $158.75 million

Three-time Super Bowl champion Chris Jones is once again the highest-paid player at his position, bringing home an average of $31.75 million a year. The seven-time Pro Bowler has 339 tackles, 87.5 sacks, 39 pass deflections, 13 forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, two interceptions and one touchdown. During the Chiefs’ historic dynasty, Jones has been a reliable leader on the defense. 

LB: Fred Warner, 49ers ($21M)

• Signed in: 2025 | Signed through: 2029
• Total contract: 3 years, $63 million

Fred Warner has spent his entire career with the Niners and the team has him under contract until 2030. He is a four-time first-team All-Pro and a four-time Pro Bowler, starting all 121 regular-season and 12 playoff games he’s appeared in. The defensive leader was limited to six games last season due to an ankle fracture. 

CB: Trent McDuffie, Rams ($31M)

• 2026 |  2030
• 4 years, $124 million

Trent McDuffie will make his Rams debut next season after spending his first four seasons with the Chiefs, where he won two Super Bowls. Since he was selected at No. 21 overall in 2022, he has 246 tackles, 34 pass deflections, eight forced fumbles, 5.5 sacks and three interceptions. 

S: Derwin James, Chargers ($25.2M)

• 2026 |  2029
• 3 years, $75.6 million

Derwin James has played for the Chargers since the team selected him No. 17 overall in 2018. He earned his fifth Pro Bowl and fourth second-team All-Pro honor last season. He had a career-best three interceptions last season, to go with 94 combined tackles, seven passes defended, two sacks and one forced fumble. 

K: Brandon Aubrey, Cowboys ($7M)

•  2026 |  2030
• 4 years, $28 million

This marks the largest deal for a kicker in league history, earned in thanks to Pro Bowls in each of his three seasons in the NFL. Aubrey went undrafted in 2022 and joined the USFL, becoming a two-time champion in the league, before heading to the Cowboys in 2023. He has made 88.2% of field goals attempted and 96.9% of attempted extra points. He has six total field goals over 60 yards, an NFL record.

P: Jordan Stout, Giants ($4.1M)

•  2026 |  2028
• 3 years, $12.3 million

Jordan Stout led the league with a net average of 44.9 yards last season and earned a Pro Bowl spot due to his 2025 performance. 

Breakdown by position