Highest paid NFL players in 2026: Mahomes tops every position

Patrick Mahomes sits at the top of the highest paid NFL players board heading into 2026, with CBS Sports reporting that his revised Kansas City Chiefs contract carries an average annual value of about $63 million.

CBS Sports compiled the position-by-position list using Spotrac figures, ranking players by average annual value rather than total contract size. Average annual value, or AAV, is the yearly average of a deal and is often used to compare contracts across different lengths.

The money race arrives with the NFL salary cap above $300 million per team for 2026, according to CBS Sports, after more than doubling over the past decade-plus.

Who are the highest paid NFL players in 2026?

Mahomes leads all quarterbacks after agreeing to a revised eight-year, $504.75 million deal that runs through 2033, according to CBS Sports. The outlet reported that the agreement made him the first NFL player with a contract worth more than $500 million and moved him ahead of Dak Prescott, whose AAV had been $60 million.

At running back, Saquon Barkley tops the market at $20.6 million per year with the Philadelphia Eagles. CBS Sports noted that Barkley’s deal followed a 2024 season in which he won NFL Offensive Player of the Year, earned All-Pro honors, led the league in rushing and helped Philadelphia win the Super Bowl.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads his position at $42.15 million per year after a 2025 season CBS Sports described as central to Seattle’s Super Bowl run. The report credited him with 119 catches, a league-leading 1,793 receiving yards and 10 regular-season touchdowns.

George Kittle remains the top-paid tight end at $19.1 million per year with the San Francisco 49ers, while Laremy Tunsil leads offensive tackles at $30.1 million per year with the Washington Commanders.

Where the biggest contracts are on defense

Will Anderson Jr. owns the richest non-quarterback AAV on the list at $50 million per year with the Houston Texans, according to CBS Sports. Next Gen Stats credited Anderson in 2025 with a 12.6% run-stop rate, 13 run stuffs and 85 pressures among defenders with at least 150 run-defense snaps.

Jalen Carter leads interior defensive linemen at $38 million per year after a four-year, $152 million Eagles extension. CBS Sports reported that the deal includes $106 million guaranteed and does not begin until after the 2027 season.

Fred Warner is the top-paid linebacker at $21 million per year with the 49ers. Trent McDuffie leads cornerbacks at $31 million per year with the Los Angeles Rams, and Derwin James tops safeties at $25.2 million per year with the Los Angeles Chargers.

The full position-by-position pay leaders

• Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs, about $63 million AAV.
• Running back: Saquon Barkley, Eagles, $20.6 million AAV.
• Fullback: Patrick Ricard, Giants, $3.8 million AAV.
• Wide receiver: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks, $42.15 million AAV.
• Tight end: George Kittle, 49ers, $19.1 million AAV.
• Offensive tackle: Laremy Tunsil, Commanders, $30.1 million AAV.
• Guard: Tyler Smith, Cowboys, $24 million AAV.
• Center: Tyler Linderbaum, Raiders, $27 million AAV.
• Edge rusher: Will Anderson Jr., Texans, $50 million AAV.
• Interior defensive line: Jalen Carter, Eagles, $38 million AAV.
• Linebacker: Fred Warner, 49ers, $21 million AAV.
• Cornerback: Trent McDuffie, Rams, $31 million AAV.
• Safety: Derwin James, Chargers, $25.2 million AAV.
• Kicker: Brandon Aubrey, Cowboys, $7 million AAV.
• Punter: Jordan Stout, Giants, $4.1 million AAV.

Special teams also got its payday. CBS Sports reported that Brandon Aubrey’s four-year, $28 million Cowboys contract is the largest for a kicker in league history, while Giants punter Jordan Stout leads his position after posting a 44.9-yard net average last season.

This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.