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 $64 million per season (yes, $64 million per season in average annual salary).
Houston Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. now makes $50 million per season, making him the highest-paid defender in the league.
The highest-paid offensive player in the NFL who is not a quarterback? That's Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who makes $42.15 million per season.
Click on each highlighted position for a breakdown of that position's highest-paid players for the 2026
season. Salary information courtesy of overthecap.com (through Aug. 30, 2026).
NFL's highest-paid players by position in 2026 (average salary per year):
- Quarterback: Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes - $64 million
- Edge rusher: Houston Texans' Will Anderson Jr. - $50 million
- Wide receiver: Seattle Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba - $42.15 million
- Defensive lineman: Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Carter - $38 million
- Cornerback: Seattle Seahawks' Devon Witherspoon - $33 million
- Offensive lineman: Washington Commanders' Laremy Tunsil - $30.1 million
- Safety: Los Angeles Chargers' Derwin James - $25.2 million
- Linebacker: Pittsburgh Steelers' Nick Herbig - $25 million
- Running back: Detroit Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs - $22.5 million
- Tight end: San Francisco 49ers' George Kittle - $19.1 million
- Kicker: Pittsburgh Steelers' Chris Boswell/Dallas Cowboys' Brandon Aubrey - $7 million
- Punter: New York Giants' Jordan Stout - $4.1 million
- Fullback: New York Giants' Patrick Ricard - $3.8 million
- Long snapper: Jacksonville Jaguars' Ross Matiscik - $1.9 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 players by position for 2026 includes Chris Boswell
