Highest-paid players at every NFL position: Steelers’ T.J. Watt, Jets’ Sauce Gardner latest to make history

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The New York Jets were determined to spend money this week, signing wide receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner to lucrative contract extensions on consecutive days. Wilson’s $130 million deal ties him to New York through 2030, making him one of the NFL’s top 10 highest-paid pass catchers. Gardner’s $120.4 million agreement is equally massive, making him the league’s highest-paid cover man in terms of average annual value ($30.1 million) going into the 2025 season.

Then on Thursday, the Steelers locked down star pass rusher T.J. Watt by giving him a three-year, $123 million deal — making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history in terms of annual average value ($41 million).

There are all kinds of ways to evaluate NFL contracts. Guaranteed money often means much more than surface-level extension numbers, given that teams often terminate or renegotiate deals early. And only new-money averages tend to be factored into widespread conversations around “highest-paid players,” even though existing portions of contracts are factored into how players are actually paid over the life of their respective deals.

Even so, we can get a general sense of each position’s market by examining the latest per-year averages in free-agent contracts and actual extensions. So here’s a look at the highest-paid players according to that metric:

Note: Contract figures are courtesy of Over the Cap and Spotrac.

QB: Dak Prescott ($60 million per year)

Signed in: 2024 | Signed through: 2028Total contract: 4 years, $240 million

Signed in: 2025 | Signed through: 2028Total contract: 2 years, $41.2 millionFB: C.J. Ham ($4.325 million)

Signed in: 2023 | Signed through: 2029Total contract: 2 years, $8.65 million

Signed in: 2025 | Signed through: 2029Total contract: 4 years, $161 million

Signed in: 2025 | Signed through: 2029Total contract: 4 years, $76.4 million

Signed in: 2024 | Signed through: 2029Total contract: 5 years, $140.6 million

Signed in: 2025 | Signed through: 2028Total contract: 4 years, $94 million

Chiefs make Trey Smith highest-paid offensive guard in NFL with four-year, $94 million extension

Jordan Dajani

Signed in: 2024 | Signed through: 2028Total contract: 4 years, $72 millionEDGE: T.J. Watt ($41 million)

Signed in: 2025 | Signed through: 2028Total contract: 3 years, $123 million

Steelers, T.J. Watt agree to contract extension that makes him highest-paid non QB in NFL history, per report

Bryan DeArdo

Signed in: 2024 | Signed through: 2028Total contract: 5 years, $158.75 million

Signed in: 2025 | Signed through: 2029Total contract: 3 years, $63 millionCB: Sauce Gardner ($30.1 million)

Signed in: 2025 | Signed through: 2030Total contract: 4 years, $120.4 million

Jets make Sauce Gardner highest-paid cornerback in NFL history with $120.4 million extension, per report

Jordan Dajani

Signed in: 2025 | Signed through: 2029Total contract: 4 years, $86 million

Signed in: 2024 | Signed through: 2028Total contract: 4 years, $25.6 million

Signed in: 2025 | Signed through: 2029Total contract: 4 years, $16.2 millionBreakdown by position

1

QB

$60M

2

WR

$40.25M

3

EDGE

$40M

4

DL

$31.75M

5

CB

$30.1M

6

OT

$28.12M

7

OG

$23.5M

8

S

$21.5M

9

LB

$21M

10

RB

$20.6M

11

TE

$19.1M

12

C

$18M

13

K

$6.4M

14

FB

$4.325M

15

P

$4.05M

Breakdown by team