Who are the highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL for the 2026 season?
The position continues to grow in importance in the league, and salaries reflect that, with 36 cornerbacks currently set to make at least $10 million per season in average annual salary, led by a cornerback who is earning an average of $33 million per season.
There are 10 cornerbacks set to make more than $20 million a season in average annual contract salary.
Here's a look at the top 10 highest-paid cornerbacks 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 cornerback in the NFL?
The Seattle Seahawks' Devon Witherspoon is currently the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, with an average annual salary of $33
million.
His current contract has a total value of $132 million, with a total guaranteed amount of $101 million.
Which NFL cornerbacks will make the most in 2026?
Witherspoon has company on the list of the top-paid cornerbacks in the NFL.
The Cleveland Browns' Denzel Ward is second among the highest-paid NFL CBs with an average salary of $31 million per year. He's followed by the Los Angeles Rams' Trent McDuffie, at $31 million.
The Indianapolis Colts' Ahmad Gardner is fourth on the list with an average annual salary of $30.1 million, withDerek Stingley Jr. of the Houston Texans fifth, at $30 million per season.
NFL's highest-paid cornerbacks in 2026 (average salary per year):
- 1. Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon: $33 million
- 2. Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward: $31.1 million
- 3. Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trent McDuffie: $31 million
- 4. Indianapolis Colts cornerback Ahmad Gardner: $30.1 million
- 5. Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.: $30 million
- 6. Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn: $25 million
- 7. Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey: $24.1 million
- 8. Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II: $24 million
- 9. Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland: $22.5 million
- 10. Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell: $20.3 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 cornerbacks for 2026 led by Devon Witherspoon
