Editor’s note: This list will change when some NFL players become unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their 2021 player contracts on March 16, 2022, also the day the 2022 NFL league year and NFL free agency begin. Return for updates to this story throughout free agency.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 $45 million per season (yes, $45 million per season in average annual salary).Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt now makes $28 million in average annual salary after agreeing to an extension, making him the highest-paid defender in the league.Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins makes $27.3 million per season, making him the highest paid offensive player who is not a quarterback in the league.Some offensive linemen also make a lot of money, led by the San Francisco 49ers’ Trent Williams at more than $23 million.Click on each highlighted position for a breakdown of that position’s highest paid players for the 2022 season.NFL’s highest paid players in 2022:NFL’s highest paid players by position (average annual salary):
- Quarterback: Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes – $45 million
- Edge rusher: Pittsburgh Steelers’ T.J. Watt – $28 million
- Wide receiver: Arizona Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins – $27.3 million
- Offensive lineman: San Francisco 49ers’ Trent Williams – $23.01 million
- Interior defensive lineman: Los Angeles Rams’ Aaron Donald- $22.5 million
- Cornerback: Los Angeles Rams’ Jalen Ramsey: $20 million
- Linebacker: Indianapolis Colts’ Darius Leonard – $19.7 million
- Safety: Seattle Seahawks’ Jamal Adams: $17 million
- Running back: Carolina Panthers’ Christian McCaffrey: $16 million
- Tight end: San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle – $15 million
- Fullback: San Francisco 49ers’ Kyle Juszczyk – $5.4 million
- Kicker: Baltimore Ravens’ Justin Tucker – $5 million
- Punter: Seattle Seahawks’ Michael Dickson – $3.68 million
- Long snapper: Houston Texans’ Jon Weeks, Tennessee Titans’ Morgan Cox, Cincinnati Bengals’ Clark Harris, Carolina Panthers’ Jeffrey Jansen, Indianapolis Colts’ Luke Rhodes – $1.21 million
– Source: overthecap.comWhat changed?: NFL’s highest paid players by position: Rankings for 2021 NFL seasonTo see the 33 NFL players who make at least $20 million a year in average salary, ranked from highest average salary to lowest, click here.NFL’s highest paid players in 2021Reach Jeremy Cluff at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
