These NFL stars just changed the market - find out who tops each position

Two NFL players just made history by becoming the highest-paid at their respective positions: New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner and Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard Trey Smith.

Gardner just signed a four-year, $120.4 million contract with the Jets for an average annual salary of $30.1 million, just barely surpassing Houston Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr., who’s earning an average annual salary of $30 million.

Smith signed a four-year, $94 million deal with the Chiefs for an average of $23.5 million a year, beating out Philadelphia Eagles guard Landon Dickerson, who’s earning $21 million heading into 2025.

Smith and Gardner join a group of record-breaking players who all reset the bar for NFL contracts in the future. Here are all the highest-paid NFL players at their respective positions

Position by position: Here are the NFL’s highest-paid players

The Chiefs have more players with record-setting NFL contracts than any other team, with four players boasting the title of “highest-paid”. It’s constantly changing, but for now, here are the top-paid players by position (based on their annual average salary) as we get ready to head into the 2025 season.

Quarterback: Dak Prescott = $60 million per year

• Dallas Cowboys
• Contract:
  • 4 years, $240 million
  • Signed in: 2024
  • Signed through: 2028

Running Back: Saquon Barkley = $20.6 million per year

• Philadelphia Eagles
• Contract:
  • 2 years, $41.2 million
  • Signed in: 2025
  • Signed through: 2028

Fullback: C.J. Ham = $4.325 million per year

• Minnesota Vikings
• Contract:
  • 2 years, $8.65 million
  • Signed in: 2023
  • Signed through: 2029

Wide Receiver: Ja’Marr Chase = $40.25 million per year

• Cincinnati Bengals
• Contract
  • 4 years, $161 million
  • Signed in: 2025
  • Signed through: 2029

Tight End: George Kittle = $19.1 million per year

• San Francisco 49ers
• Contract:
  •  4 years, $76.4 million
  • Signed in: 2025
  • Signed through: 2029

Offensive Tackle: Tristan Wirfs = $28.12 million per year

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Contract: 
  • 5 years, $140.6 million
  • Signed in: 2024
  • Signed through: 2029

Offensive Guard: Trey Smith = $23.5 million per year

• Kansas City Chiefs
• Contract:
  • 4 years, $94 million
  • Signed in: 2025
  • Signed through: 2028

Center: Creed Humphrey = $18 million per year

• Kansas City Chiefs
• Contract:
  • 4 years, $72 million
  • Signed in: 2024
  • Signed through: 2028

EDGE: Myles Garrett = $40 million per year

• Cleveland Browns
• Contract:
  • 4 years, $160 million
  • Signed in: 2025
  • Signed through: 2030

Defensive Line: Chris Jones = $31.75 million per year

• Kansas City Chiefs
• Contract:
  •  5 years, $158.75 million
  • Signed in: 2024
  • Signed through: 2-28

Linebacker: Fred Warner = $21 million per year

• San Francisco 49ers
• Contract:
  • 3 years, $63 million
  • Signed in: 2025  
  • Signed through: 2029

Cornerback: Sauce Gardner = $30.1 million per year

• New York Jets
• Contract:
  • 4 years, $120.4 million
  • Signed in: 2025
  • Signed through: 2030

Safety: Kerby Joseph = $21.5 million per year

• Detroit Lions
• Contract:
  • 4 years, $86 million
  • Signed in: 2025
  • Signed through: 2029

Kicker: Harrison Butker = $6.4 million per year

• Kansas City Chiefs
• Contract:
  • 4 years, $25.6 million
  • Signed in: 2024
  • Signed through: 2028

Punter: Michael Dickson = $4.05 million per year

• Seattle Seahawks
• Contract:
  • 4 years, $16.2 million
  • Signed in: 2025
  • Signed through: 2029

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