$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
34 NFL quarterbacks make at least $5 million a year in average salary (through March 18, 2021). See who makes what, ranked from highest average salary to lowest. (Source: overthecap.com)
Trevor Ruszkowski, Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
1. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: $45 million
Jeff Roberson, AP
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
2. Cowboys QB Dak Prescott: $40 million
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
3. Texans QB Deshaun Watson: $39 million
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
4. Seahawks QB Russell Wilson: $35 million
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
5. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers: $33.5 million
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
5. Lions QB Jared Goff: $33.5 million
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
7. Vikings QB Kirk Cousins: $33 million
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
8. Colts QB Carson Wentz: $32 million
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
9. Falcons QB Matt Ryan: $30 million
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
10. Titans QB Ryan Tannehill: $29.5 million
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
11. 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo: $27.5 million
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
12. Rams QB Matthew Stafford: $27 million
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
13. Raiders QB Derek Carr: $25 million
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
13. Buccaneers QB Tom Brady: $25 million
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
15. Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater: $21 million
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
16. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger: $14 million
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
17. Bears QB Andy Dalton: $10.5 million
[File/The Associated Press]
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
17. Saints QB Taysom Hill: $10.5 million
Derick E. Hingle / USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
19. Washington QB Ryan Fitzpatrick: $10 million
Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
20. Bengals QB joe Burrow: $9 million
Michael Chow/Arizona Republic
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
21. Raiders QB Marcus Mariota: $8.8 million
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
22. Cardinals QB Kyler Murray: $8.7 million
Rob Schumacher/The Republic
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
23. Browns QB Baker Mayfield: $8.2 million
Ken Blaze, Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
24. Bears QB Nick Foles: $8 million
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
25. Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa: $7.6 million
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
26. Jets QB Sam Darnold: $7.6 million
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
27. Chargers QB Justin Herbert: $6.6 million
Casey Sapio, Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
28. Giants QB Daniel Jones: $6.4 million
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
29. Browns QB Case Keenum: $6 million
James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
30. Saints QB Jameis Winston: $5.5 million
Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
31. Texans QB Tyrod Taylor: $5.5 million
Joseph Maiorana, USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
32. Bills QB Josh Allen: $5.3 million
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
33. Patriots QB Cam Newton: $5.1 million
Elise Amendola, AP
$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
34. Dolphins QB jacoby Brissett: $5 million
Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports
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$5 million men: Ranking NFL quarterbacks by average salary
34 NFL quarterbacks make at least $5 million a year in average salary (through March 18, 2021). See who makes what, ranked from highest average salary to lowest. (Source: overthecap.com)
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 Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, is also the highest paid player in the league, making $45 million per season (yes, $45 million per season in average annual salary).
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins makes $27.3 million per season, making him the highest paid non-quarterback in the league.
MORE HIGHEST PAID NFL PLAYERS
Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher Joey Bosa makes $27 million per season, making him the next highest-paid non quarterback.
Some offensive linemen also make a lot of money, led by the San Francisco 49ers’ Trent Williams at more than $23 million.
Click on each highlighted position for a breakdown of that position’s highest paid players for the 2021 season.
The Arizona Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins is the highest paid non-quarterback in the NFL for the 2021 season. (Photo: Michael Chow/The Republic)
NFL’s highest paid players by position (average annual salary):
- Quarterback: Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes – $45 million
- Wide receiver: Arizona Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins – $27.3 million
- Edge rusher: Los Angeles Chargers’ Joey Bosa – $27 million
- Offensive lineman: San Francisco 49ers’ Trent Williams – $23.01 million
- Interior defensive lineman: Los Angeles Rams’ Aaron Donald- $22.5 million
- Cornerback: Los Angeles Rams’ Jalen Ramsey: $21 million
- Linebacker: Seattle Seahawks;’ Bobby Wagner – $18 million
- Running back: Carolina Panthers’ Christian McCaffrey: $16 million
- Safety: Denver Broncos’ Justin Simmons: $15.25 million
- Tight end: San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle – $15 million
- Fullback: San Francisco 49ers’ Kyle Juszczyk – $5.4 million
- Kicker: Baltimore Ravens’ Justin Tucker – $5 million
- Punter: Los Angeles Rams’ Johnny Hekker – $3.75 million
- Long snapper: Pittsburgh Steelers’ Cameron Canaday – $1.21 million
– Source: overthecap.com
What changed?: NFL’s highest paid players by position rankings for 2020 season