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Dave breaks down the top 10 highest-paid non-quarterback players currently in the NFL. Who are the highest-paid non-quarterback players in the league right now?
When you think of the highest-paid players in the NFL, your mind probably immediately goes to the quarterback position. That’s understandable, as quarterback is, without a doubt, the most important position in football.
However, other players besides quarterbacks are highly valued by their teams. Have you ever wondered who some of the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in the league are? If so, then today you are in luck, as we will discuss several of the highest-paid non-quarterbacks currently playing in the NFL.
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10.) Amon-Ra St. Brown - WR Detroit Lions - $30.002 million AAV
Detroit hit a home run when they selected St. Brown in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
AMON-RA ST. BROWN TOUCHDOWN
🔵
pic.twitter.com/Yq08WBKjH1— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) January 21, 2024
He produced immediately and posted a 90-912- 5 line as a rookie. St. Brown has since posted three consecutive 100-reception, 1,000-yard seasons from 2022 to 2024. He also scored 28 touchdowns during that time.
St. Brown has firmly established himself as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, so it’s no surprise to see him among the league’s highest-paid players.
9.) Chris Jones - DT Kansas City Chiefs - $31.75 million AAV
Jones has been a force for Kansas City’s defensive line. He brings a unique ability to stop the run as well as rush the quarterback. Jones only registered five sacks this past season, but he led all interior defensive linemen with 88 pressures per PFF.
CHRIS JONES: CEO OF SACK NATION
pic.twitter.com/khUoXis6in— PFF (@PFF) January 30, 2023
The nine-year veteran is arguably the best defensive lineman in the league and has earned every penny of his $31.75 million per year salary. As long as Jones remains with Kansas City, they’ll always be one of the AFC’s top contenders.
8.) A.J. Brown - WR Philadelphia Eagles - $32 million AAV
Brown showed spurts of greatness during his early days with the Tennessee Titans. It wasn’t until he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2022 NFL Draft that we finally saw just how good he could be.
Touchdown A.J. Brown!
📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/T4cq3AFxeZ— NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025
Philadelphia’s WR1 has eclipsed 1,000 yards in all three seasons since joining the team and has scored 25 touchdowns during that time. The Eagles subsequently gave Brown a three-year, $96 million contract. At the time, it made him the highest-paid receiver in NFL history.
It’s easy to see why Philadelphia gave him such a good deal. Brown has unlocked the best version of quarterback Jalen Hurts and has given the offense a bonafide WR1. It ultimately proved to be the correct move, as the Eagles recently defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX to capture their second Lombardi Trophy.
7.) D.K. Metcalf - WR Pittsburgh Steelers - $33 million AAV
Metcalf spent the first six seasons of his career with the Seattle Seahawks. He has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark three times and scored 48 touchdowns during his time with Seattle.
DK Metcalf WIDE OPEN for a 56-yard TD!
📺: #SEAvsNE on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/nLjzMeiUub— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024
Apparently, Metcalf wanted a new contract this offseason. When it didn’t appear that was in the cards, both parties decided a trade would be in their best interest. As a result, Metcalf would be traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where the star receiver was given a brand new four-year, $132 million contract.
Pittsburgh paid up to land the WR1 they have been chasing for the last few years. While Metcalf is a good player, it’s hard to make the argument that he should be so high on this list when you look at his production.
We’ll see how he does in Pittsburgh, but Metcalf will have a hard time living up to this contract unless the Steelers significantly address the quarterback position.
T-5.) CeeDee Lamb - WR Dallas Cowboys - $34 million AAV
Lamb is the first of two players tied for fifth on our list. The former 17th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft has been as advertised since he joined Dallas. Lamb has posted four straight 1,000-yard seasons, eclipsed 100 receptions in the last three years, and scored 38 touchdowns since entering the league.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED??
Dak Prescott escapes and hits CeeDee Lamb for a 92-YARD TOUCHDOWN
THAT’S 16.2 POINTS ON ONE PLAY FOR CEEDEE pic.twitter.com/cDDnC4rmMX
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) December 31, 2023
His play earned him a new four-year, $136 million deal right before the start of the 2024 season. Lamb is only entering his age-26 season in 2025. He should continue to lead the Cowboys' receiving room in the coming years and will remain one of the best players in the league.
T-5.) Nick Bosa - DE San Francisco 49ers - $34 million AAV
Bosa checks in tied with CeeDee Lamb for the fifth spot. The 49ers star pass rusher has been nothing short of spectacular since he entered the league in 2019. Bosa has amassed 62.5 sacks during his six years in the NFL and was the 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Look how fast Nick Bosa got the sack 💨😤
(via @49ers)pic.twitter.com/arPOXcKuKY
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 22, 2023
He was forced to play hardball with the 49ers and held out to secure a new contract. However, the team would reward him with a five-year, $170 million deal. Bosa is worth every penny, and San Francisco needs him if they hope to finally win their sixth Lombardi Trophy.
4.) Justin Jefferson - WR Minnesota Vikings - $35 million AAV
Minnesota’s WR1 checks in fourth on our list. What else can you say to describe Jefferson? He burst onto the scene as a rookie and hasn’t looked back.
Sam Darnold ESCAPES THE RUSH AND FINDS JUSTIN JEFFERSON FOR THE 52-YARD TD 😱
WHAT A PLAY 🔥
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/WpPDLExFuJ— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 8, 2024
Jefferson has eclipsed 1,000 yards every year he’s been in the NFL and has surpassed 1,400 receiving yards in all but one season. He’s done so with Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens, and Jaren Hall as his quarterbacks. Jefferson is a great player, and there is no argument against him being ranked this high.
3.) Maxx Crosby - DE Las Vegas Raiders - $35.5 million AAV
Crosby has emerged as one of the best pass rushers in the league. The Raiders selected him in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He was one of the few draft picks that Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden got right. But man, did they hit a home run with this Crosby or what?
Swipe/Rip by Maxx Crosby. Great get off/rush angle as well. Shows off the motor for the sack! #PassRush #Raiders pic.twitter.com/XOHlotrjJd
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) January 8, 2024
He’s sacked the quarterback 59.5 times since entering the NFL and has become the face of the Raiders' defense. Crosby was subsequently rewarded with a brand-new three-year $106.5 million contract extension earlier this year. At the time, it made him the highest-paid non-quarterback. However, as our next two entrants can attest, that status did not last very long.
2.) Myles Garrett - DE Cleveland Browns - $40 million AAV
What an eventful offseason it’s been for Garrett. He demanded a trade, only for the team to deny his request. He then requested a meeting with owner Jimmy Haslam who declined and instead directed him to meet with general manager Andrew Berry. It looks like Garrett read the tea leaves, realized he wouldn’t be traded, and instead signed a new four-year, $160 million contract with the Browns.
9️⃣5️⃣ is staying in the 2️⃣1️⃣6️⃣
We've agreed to terms on a 4-year extension with Myles Garrett!
📰 » https://t.co/jbP3i6GLU4 pic.twitter.com/Uwn01KdaZi
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) March 9, 2025
This was a bit of an unexpected turn of events, but it appears to have worked out for both sides. Giving Garrett more money was a wise move for the Browns, as he is the best pass rusher in the game. Garrett has amassed an amazing 102.5 sacks during his eight years in Cleveland. The Browns rewarded him by making him the highest-paid defender in the league and, at the time of his signing, the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league.
Cleveland took care of one of its own with this deal, but it still has a way to go before it is ready to compete for the Super Bowl trophy that Garrett desperately wants.
1.) Ja’Marr Chase - WR Cincinnati - $40.25 million AAV
Cincinnati paid up in a big way when they signed Chase to a contract extension this past week. The team made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.
BREAKING: #Bengals WRs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins exclusively tell me they’ve agreed to contract extensions with the team.
Ja'Marr gets: 4-years, $161M with $112M guaranteed — making him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history.
Tee gets: 4-years, $115M with the first two… pic.twitter.com/zbdnEDELgz
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 17, 2025
Chase has been remarkable since he entered the league, and 2024 was his best season yet. He won the wide receiver triple crown and led the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1708), and touchdown receptions (17).
JA'MARR CHASE 67-YARD TD!#CINvsBAL on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/WSWDdsiGZP— NFL (@NFL) November 8, 2024
He was handsomely rewarded with a four-year, $161 million contract, including $112 million guaranteed. Chase has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in four straight seasons and has scored 46 touchdowns during that time.
While people will debate over the exact order, Chase and Jefferson are currently the two best receivers in the NFL. It will be fun to watch them continue posting elite numbers for the next several years.
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