Who are the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL for the 2026 season?
The position continues to be among the highest-paid in the league, with 26 wide receivers currently making at least $20 million per season in average annual salary, led by a wide receiver earning an average of $42.2 million per season.
There are 21 WRs set to make at least $25 million a season.
Here's a look at the top 10 highest-paid wide receivers 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 wide receiver in the NFL?
The Seattle Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba is currently the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL, with an average annual salary of $42.2 million.
His current contract has a total value of $168.6
million, with a total guaranteed amount of $120 million.
Which NFL wide receivers will make the most in 2026?
Smith-Njigba has company on the list of the top-paid wide receivers in the NFL.
The Cincinnati Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase is second with an average annual salary of $40.25 million.
The Atlanta Falcons' Drake London is third, at $35.3 million per season.
Baltimore Ravens' Zay Flowers and the Minnesota Vikings' Justin Jefferson are tied for fourth among the highest-paid NFL WRs with an average salary of $35 million per year.
NFL's highest-paid wide receivers in 2026 (average salary per year):
- 1. Seattle Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba: $42.2 million
- 2. Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase: $40.25 million
- 3. Atlanta Falcons WR Drake London: $35.3 million
- 4. Baltimore Ravens WR Zay Flowers: $35 million
- 4. Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson: $35 million
- 6. Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb: $34 million
- 7. Pittsburgh Steelers WR D.K. Metcalf: $32.99 million
- 8. New York Jets WR Garrett Wilson: $32.5 million
- 9. New England Patriots WR A.J. Brown: $32 million
- 10. New Orleans Saints WR Chris Olave: $31 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 wide receivers for 2026 led by Jaxon Smith-Njigba
