NFL's 2024 Highest Paid Players

In 1994, the NFL introduced its salary cap, which is a rule that sets a limit on the amount of money that each team can use towards its players' salaries. For the 2024 season, the salary cap is set at $255.4 M per team.  This  gives each team the flexibility to determine individual player salaries as long as they stay within the cap limit. Each player that is on the teams roster during the season will typically earn a base salary divided up into 18 installments, covering the 17-game schedule and the bye week.

Earning $55 M per year, Joe Burrow is the top-paid quarterback and overall player in the NFL. Burrow has played all four of his NFL seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and will continue to do so for the next 5 years after agreeing to a contract in 2023. Burrow was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft and currently leads the NFL’s all-time completion percentage at 67.97. He also holds many of the team's single-season records, including passing attempts, completions, touchdown passes, and passing yards.

Nine-time Pro Bowler Travis Kelce is the highest-paid tight end, earning $17.7 M annually. Kelce has been the Kansas City Chiefs' star tight end since 2013 and helped lead the team to three Super Bowl victories.

Another top-paid player from the Kansas City Chiefs is defensive tackle Chris Jones who makes $31.8 M per year. Jones recently re-signed with the Chiefs and will enter his ninth season with them this year. Jones has been selected to the Pro Bowl after the 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 seasons.

With an annual salary of $34 M, we have the highest paid defensive end, Nick Bosa. Bosa was selected 2nd overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2019 draft. In 2022 Bosa led the league in most sacks and was NFL defensive player of the year. In 2023, Bosa and the 49ers agreed to terms on a 5-year contract.

Teammate to Bosa is Christian McCaffery who earns $19 M per year making him the highest-earning running back in the leauge. McCaffery is entering his 3rd season with the 49ers. McCaffery recently signed a 4-year contract with the 49ers. McCaffery also holds the most single-season touchdowns in franchise history.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver, Justin Jefferson is currently the top-paid wide receiver in the league with an annual salary of $35 M. Jefferson signed a 4-year contract with the Vikings this year. In 2022, Jefferson broke the Vikings' single-season receptions and yardage record.

Earning $21 M a year, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Antoine Winfield Jr. is the highest-paid safety. A second-round pick in the 2020 draft, Winfield Jr. was tied for the most forced fumbles in the 2023 season.

Also with the Buccaneers, Tristan Wirfs, who earns the most among offensive tackles in the league, making $28.1 M annually. Under contract with the Buccaneers until 2029, Wirfs was selected in the first round of the 2020 draft and has been chosen for three consecutive Pro Bowl games.

Currently in the middle of his 4-year contract, Jaire Alexander is the highest-paid cornerback with annual earnings of $21 M. Alexander has been with the Green Bay Packers since 2018 when he was selected in the first round. Alexander led the Packers in passes defensed in the 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022 seasons.

Roquan Smith, who joined the Baltimore Ravens in 2022 after five seasons with the Chicago Bear, currently earns $20 M, making him the highest-paid linebacker in the league. In 2023, Smith recorded a team-high 158 tackles and was the Butkus Award recipient as the NFL’s top LB in 2022.

Entering his fourth season with the Philadelphia Eagles is guard Landon Dickerson who earns $21 M per year. With one Super Bowl appearance and two Pro Bowl appearances, Dickerson recently agreed to a 4-year contract with the Eagles.

As each franchise and the league continue to develop over time, so will the cap limit and players contracts, however this season each team will expect these players to reflect their pay by showing off their skills on the field.

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