Who are the highest-paid edge rushers in the NFL for the 2026 season?
The position has handed out a lot of money for players in recent years, with 29 edge rushers currently set to make at least $16 million per season in average annual salary, led by an edge rusher who is earning an average of $50 million per season.
There are 22 edge rushers set to make at least $20 million per season.
Here's a look at the top 10 highest-paid edge rushers 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 edge rusher in the NFL?
The Houston Texans' Will Anderson Jr. is currently the highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL, with an average annual salary of $50 million.
His current contract has a total
value of $150 million, with a total guaranteed amount of $134 million.
Which NFL edge rushers will make the most in 2026?
Anderson Jr. has company on the list of the top-paid edge rushers in the NFL.
The Green Bay Packers' Micah Parsons is second, at $46.5 million per season, with the Detroit Lions' Aidan Hutchinson third, at $45 million per season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' T.J. Watt is fourth among the highest-paid NFL edge rushers with an average salary of $41 million per year.
Danielle Hunter of the Houston Texans comes in fifth, with a salary of $40.1 million per season.
NFL's highest-paid edge rushers in 2026 (average salary per year):
- 1. Houston Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr.: $50 million
- 2. Green Bay Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons: $46.5 million
- 3. Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson: $45 million
- 4. Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt: $41 million
- 5. Houston Texans edge rusher Danielle Hunter: $40.1 million
- 6. Los Angeles Rams edge rusher Myles Garrett: $40 million
- 7. Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby: $35.5 million
- 8. San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa: $34 million
- 9. Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Jonathan Greenard: $30 million
- 10. Carolina Panthers edge rusher Jaelan Phillips: $30 million
- Source: overthecap.com
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today. Sign up for azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NFL's highest paid edge rushers for 2026 led by Will Anderson Jr.
