The NFL salary cap has continued to rise over the years even as players continue to see an increase in their values and salaries.
The competitiveness of the NFL over the years has increased the likelihood of players earning a huge salary annually at their respective teams.
That said, players, especially in the quarterback positions, have continued to enjoy an incredible amount of salary compared to other positions in the franchise.
Top 25 highest paid NFL players 2025
1. Dak Prescott (Quarterback, Dallas Cowboys)
Annual salary: $65 million
Dak Prescott is currently the highest-paid player in the NFL franchise ahead of the 2025 season. His move towards becoming the highest-paid player came before the 2024 end of the NFL season.
The Dallas Cowboys handed Prescott a mouthwatering contract that made him the highest-paid player in NFL history.
Dak Prescott's recent contract with the Dallas Cowboys is valid for four years and is worth $260 million, earning him $60 million-plus per year.
Prescott is arguably one of the best NFL players currently. He managed to finish second in MVP voting during the 2023 season.
Statistics show that he completed 69.5 per cent of his passes for 4,516 yards. He recorded a league-high of 36 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.
2. Josh Allen (Quarterback, Buffalo Bills)
Annual salary: $55 million
Josh Allen is the second highest-paid player in the NFL franchise currently. He signed a six-year contract worth $330 million with the Buffalo Bills. The team handed the quarterback a mouthwatering contract that takes him second on the chart.
The Buffalo Bills handed him a new season contract, which wiped out the previous four-year deal left on his contract with the team. Thus, his contract is now up to six seasons, which also comes with this month's watering salary.
Josh Allen is already enjoying a great career with the Buffalo Bills, helping the team to five consecutive AFC East titles. The quarterback won the MVP Award in 2025, his first in his career.
The Bills took a bold step to secure one of their best legs in the league and maintain their competitiveness in the NFL. The team was also prudent to hand him a lucrative salary.
Allen is expected to be one of the leading players in the team. The new contract would keep him with the Buffalo Bills until 2030.
3. Joe Burrow (Quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals)
Annual salary: $55 million
The next player on the list of highest-paid players in the NFL is Joe Burrow, who earns $55 million annually.
Joe Burrow signed a five-year, $275 million contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals prior to the 2023 season. This mouthwatering contract kept him on the list in the last two seasons heading into the third.
Joe Burrow has continued to earn the whopping salary of $55 million and certainly justified the money paid by the team for his services over the years. He won the 2019 Heisman Trophy and was outstanding during the 2024 season despite missing out on the playoffs.
During the 2024 season, he completed 70.6 per cent of passes for 4,918 yards, recorded 43 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
The Cincinnati Bengals have continued to rely on the services of Joe Burrow in his position as a quarterback. The team is also one of the contenders for the Super Bowl in 2025 despite missing out on the previous playoffs.
4. Trevor Lawrence (Quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars)
Annual salary: $55 million
Trevor Lawrence is the next player with a whopping salary in the NFL currently. He signed a five-year, $275 million contract extension with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024. It runs until 2030.
During the 2024 season, Lawrence could only manage 2-8 while starting for the Jaguars, completing 60.6 per cent of passes for 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Ahead of the 2025 campaign, the Trevor Lawrence is expected to be one of the leading players on the team even as the Jacksonville Jaguars aim to record a good season after finishing the 2024 season on a low.
5. Jordan Love (Quarterback, Green Bay Packers)
Annual salary: $55 million
Another whopping salary on the NFL players salary chart is Jordan Love, who earns $55 million annually at the Green Bay Packers.
Jordan Love has a four-year, $220 million extension in July 2024. During the 2024 season, he had a 9-6 record as a starter with a throwing for 3,389 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
As a result of Jordan's fine performance, the Green Bay Packers reached the NFL playoffs. His current contract is valid until 2028.
6. Tua Tagovailoa (Quarterback, Miami Dolphins)
Annual salary: $53.1 million
Tagovailoa is the next player on the list. He is on a four-year, $212.4 million extension with the Miami Dolphins prior to the 2024 season. His salary of $53.1 million makes him one of the highest-paid players in the NFL.
7. Jared Goff (Quarterback Detroit Lions)
Annual salary: $53 million
Jared Goff is the next player with the highest paycheck. He earns $53 million annually. He earned a new contract, a four-year, $212 million deal with the Detroit Lions in 2024.
Goff played a key player in the Detroit Lions in 2024 and was MVP finalist. He is expected to be one of the leading players as the team aim for the Super Bowl.
8. Justin Herbert (Quarterback, Los Angeles Chargers)
Annual salary: $52.5 million
The next player who earns a whopping salary in the NFL is Justin Herbert, receiving $52.5 million annually.
Justin Herbert signed a five-year, $262.5 million extension with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023. The Los Angeles-based franchise took a prudent approach towards solidifying his position in the team.
Herbert was an outstanding player for the Chargers during the 2024 season. He is expected to be one of the main players ahead of the 2025 season as the Chargers aim for a fine season.
9. Lamar Jackson (Quarterback, Baltimore Ravens)
Annual salary: $52 million
Lamar Jackson is the next player who earns a whopping salary of $52 million. He is on a five-year, $260 million contract on draft day in 2023.
The Baltimore Ravens took steps to sign the quarterback. Jackson successfully won his second MVP award in 2023 but could not maintain the same form in the 2024 season after throwing for 4,172 yards, 41 touchdowns, and four interceptions.
Lamar Jackson's current contract with the Baltimore Ravens runs until 2027.
10. Jalen Hurts (Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles)
Annual salary: $51 million
Jalen Hurts signed a five-year, $255 million extension with the Eagles in 2023. He played a crucial role as the Eagles won the Super Bowl and was made the Super Bowl MVP.
Hurts played a key role in the championship journey for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024.
11. Kyler Murray (Quarterback, Arizona Cardinals)
Annual salary: $46.1 million
Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals earns $46.1 million annually.
Kyler Murray signed a five-year, $230.5 million extension in 2022 with the Arizona Cardinals. He has been on the list of the highest-paid players in the NFL over the last couple of seasons.
Murray had a good season during the 2024 campaign with the Arizona Cardinals and had 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Ahead of the 2025 season, the Arizona Cardinals will count on the brilliance of Murray.
12. Deshaun Watson (Quarterback, Cleveland Browns)
Annual salary: $46 million
Deshaun Watson is the next highest-paid player on the list. He earns $46 million annually.
Deshaun Watson's contract includes a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million in 2022.
13. Patrick Mahomes (Quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs)
Annual salary: $45 million
Patrick Mahomes is one of the famous names in the NFL franchise. He earns $45 million annually.
Patrick Mahomes is arguably one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL currently. He is on a 10-year, $450 million extension signed in 2020 with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Mahomes contract with the Kansas City Chiefs was restructured in 2023, which helped him to earn more money upfront. His cap hit is $66.3 million in 2025.
14. Kirk Cousins (Quarterbacks, Atlanta Falcons)
Annual salary: $45 million
Kirk Cousins is the next player on the list with a whopping salary. He earns $45 million annually.
Kirk Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million free-agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024.
15. WR Ja'Marr Chase
Annual salary: $40.25 million
WR Ja'Marr Chase is on a four-year, $161 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. He had 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2024. His contract is valid until the 2029 season.
16. Myles Garrett (DE, Cleveland Browns)
Annual salary: $40 million
Myles Garrett is the next highest-paid player in the NFL. He signed a four-year, $160 million extension. His contract is valid until 2030.
Garrett was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 2023.
17. Matthew Stafford (Quarterback, Los Angeles Rams)
Annual salary: $40 million
Matthew Stafford is the next player on the NFL highest-paid list. He earns $40 million annually.
Matthew Stafford signed a new four-year, $160 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams. He played a key role and won the Super Bowl 56.
18. Derek Carr (Quarterback, New Orleans Saints)
Annual salary: $37.5 million
Derek Carr earns $37.5 million at the New Orleans Saints. He is on a four-year, $150 million contract with the Saints.
Derek Carr is expected to be one of the leading players for the New Orleans Saints in the 2025 season.
19. Maxx Crosby (Defensive End, Las Vegas Raiders)
Annual salary: $35.5 million
Maxx Crosby earns a $35.5 million salary at the Las Vegas Raiders. He is currently the NFL's highest-paid defensive player following his three-year, $106.5 million deal.
The Maxx Crosby contract is valid until 2029 and is expected to be a key player in the 2025 season for the Las Vegas Raiders.
20. Justin Jefferson (WR, Minnesota Vikings)
Annual salary: $35 million
Justin Jefferson is the next player on the list. He earns $35 million.
Jefferson is on a four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings which he signed in 2024. His contract with the Vikings is through 2028.
21. Nick Bosa (Defensive End, San Francisco 49ers)
Annual salary: $34 million
Nick Bosa earns a whopping salary of $34 million annually. He signed a five-year, $170 million extension with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023.
Nick Bosa is a one-time Defensive Player of the Year.
22. CeeDee Lamb (Wide Receiver, Dallas Cowboys)
Annual salary: $34 million
CeeDee Lamb is the next player on the NFL highest paid players chart. He earns $34 million annually.
Lamb agreed to a four-year, $136 million extension with the Dallas Cowboys prior to the start of the 2024 season. His most recent success was in 2023 when he recorded 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns.
23. Baker Mayfield (Quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Annual salary: $33.3 million
Baker Mayfield is on a three-year, $100 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last season, he had a 41-touchdown season in 2024.
24. A.J. Brown (Wide Receiver, Philadelphia Eagles)
Annual salary: $32 million
A.J. Brown signed a three-year, $96 million extension in 2024 with the Philadelphia Eagles. He helped the team to a win in Super Bowl 59.
Brown is one of the NFL's highest-paid receivers in 2025.
25. Chris Jones (DT, Kansas City Chiefs)
Annual salary: $31.75 million
Chris Jones is on a five-year, $158.75 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. The three-time Super Bowl champion has a contract through 2028.