NFL training camps are well underway, and not only does that mean that the season is fast approaching, but the paydays are coming in bunches, too, as teams look to lock in their top players long-term. It's no secret that the NFL is a money-making machine: from merchandise, to commercials, streaming services, to tickets and more. Money is often a big hurdle between teams and players, with contract holdouts, hold-ins and trades giving each season plenty of drama on the sidelines.
The NFL salary cap has more than doubled in the last decade-plus and now sits at over $300 million per team heading into the 2026 season. Some teams are known to be more willing to spend money, while others like to be more cautious with the paycheck. Some players choose to take less to be on the team they want or to rebuild a solid core around them, while others demand the highest value at their position.
Just who is taking home the biggest bag? We broke down the highest-paid players by position, based on average annual value, to gauge where the market stands. All values are via Spotrac.
Patrick Mahomes agreed this offseason to terms on a revised contract that adds two years to his existing deal and makes him the highest-paid quarterback in average annual value. The three-time Super Bowl MVP and two-time NFL MVP is the first player in NFL history to sign a contract worth more than $500 million. He passed Dak Prescott, who previously held the title at $60 million per year.
Followed by Mahomes and Prescott are Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, Jordan Love and Matthew Stafford, who all hold $55 million AAV deals, according to Spotrac. Gibbs replaced Bijan Robinson as the highest-paid running back in NFL history after he and the Detroit Lions agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million deal that could be worth up to $75.75 million, sources confirmed to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz. The deal also includes $51.5 million guaranteed.
The 32-year-old went undrafted in 2017 before signing with the Baltimore Ravens. He signed with the Giants this offseason after earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors in 2025. Jaxon Smith-Njigba was essential to the Seahawks' Super Bowl championship run last season and was named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year.
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