Who are the highest-paid tight ends in the NFL for the 2026 season?
The position continues to be among the most underpaid in the league, with 16 tight ends currently making at least $10 million per season in average annual salary, led by a tight end who is earning an average of $19.1 million per season.
There are three tight ends set to make at least $17.6 million a season.
Here's a look at the top 10 highest-paid tight ends in the league for 2026, ranked by average annual salary, per overthecap.com, a site that tracks NFL player contracts (through Aug. 30, 2026).
Who is the highest-paid tight end in the NFL?
The San Francisco 49ers' George Kittle is currently the highest-paid tight end in the NFL, with an average annual salary of $19.1 million.
His current contract has a total value of $76.4
million, with a total guaranteed amount of $35 million.
Which NFL tight ends will make the most in 2026?
Kittle has company on the list of the top-paid tight ends in the NFL.
The Arizona Cardinals' Trey McBride is second among the highest-paid NFL TEs with an average salary of $19 million per year. He's followed by the Atlanta Falcons' Kyle Pitts at $17.6 million per season.
Isaiah Likely of the New York Giants is fourth on the list. He makes $13.3 million per season in average annual salary.
The Baltimore Ravens' Mark Andrews is fifth on the list with an average annual salary of $13.1 million.
NFL's highest-paid tight ends in 2026 (average salary per year):
- 1. San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle: $19.1 million
- 2. Arizona Cardinals TE Trey McBride: $19 million
- 3. Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts: $17.6 million
- 4. New York Giants TE Isaiah Likely: $13.3 million
- 5. Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews: $13.1 million
- 6. Houston Texans TE Dalton Schultz: $12.6 million
- 7. Chicago Bears TE Cole Kmet: $12.5 million
- 7. Dallas Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson: $12.5 million
- 9. Pittsburgh Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth: $12.1 million
- 10. Jacksonville Jaguars TE Brenton Strange: $12 million
- 10. Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce: $12 million
- Source: overthecap.com
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NFL's highest paid tight ends for 2026 season led by George Kittle
