As the NFL free agency approaches, it’s a good time to take a look at every position’s market value. The NFL cap space has jumped to a record $301.2 million, and with a significant increase in 2026, multiple positions will probably see market-resetting contracts. From Bijan Robinson to Puka Nacua, the NFL is set up for a big payday.

With free agency near and anticipated record-setting contracts, who are the highest-paid players per position?

Offense

Quarterback: Dak Prescott, Cowboys

The quarterback is the money position in the NFL, and it’s no surprise that the highest-paid signal caller belongs to the Dallas Cowboys. Dak Prescott is the NFL’s highest-paid signal caller, making $60 million annually.

Prescott’s $60 million is $5 million more than the second-highest paid. Four quarterbacks are tied at second place: Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Jordan Love, and Trevor Lawrence.

The Cowboys quarterback signed his contract in 2024, agreeing to a four-year, $240 million deal. Interestingly, the quarterback held the upper hand in contractual discussions back then: protected by both a no-trade clause and a no-franchise-tag clause, while also benefiting from a thin 2025 free agency market at the position and a less-than-stellar quarterback draft class.

Running Back: Saquon Barkley, Eagles

Running backs fought for their right to be paid, and no one deserved it more than Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. After a historical 2,005-yard season, the Eagles reworked Barkley’s contract to sign him to a two-year, $41.2 million deal.

The All-Pro running back makes $20.6 million per season, and that made him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is the next highest-paid, making $19 million annually. Both backs are far and away the highest-paid, with Derrick Henry being the closest, making $15 million per year.

While Barkley is the highest-paid right now, he is likely to be overtaken this offseason with potential extensions to Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs.

Wide Receiver: Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals‘ Ja’Marr Chase has been one of, if not the best, wide receivers in the NFL since entering the league. Accordingly, the Bengals made Chase the highest-paid wideout in league history, agreeing to a four-year, $161 million contract.

Chase’s contract reset the market. Minnesota Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson was the highest-paid before Chase, making $35 million annually. That’s $5.25 million less than the Bengals receiver’s $40.25 million per season.

While Chase is currently the highest-paid, with the NFL cap increase and a looming extension for Nacua and the Los Angeles Rams, that title of Chase’s might be in jeopardy.

Tight End: George Kittle, 49ers

49ers tight end George Kittle signed a four-year, $76.4 million contract in April 2025. The deal came after a spectacular performance during the 2024 campaign, as he caught a career-high 83% of his targets. Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride held the highest-paid title, but Kittle signed for $100,000 more just 26 days after McBride signed his extension.

There’s a significant jump after McBride, with Travis Kelce being the next highest paid, making $17.13 million.

Kittle will likely remain at the top for a while, as no tight ends are an immediate threat to his nearly $20 million per season cap hit.

Offensive Tackle: Rashawn Slater, Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater is the highest-paid tackle in the NFL, making $28.5 million per season. The deal included a record $92 million guaranteed as well. Slater signed his deal in July of 2025, and his contract left behind 49ers left tackle Trent Williams.

Surprisingly, Slater’s contract at left tackle isn’t significantly bigger than the highest-paid right tackle, Tristan Wirfs. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackle makes $28.12 million per season.

Guard: Tyler Smith, Cowboys

The Cowboys make another appearance on the list, making left guard Tyler Smith the highest-paid guard in the NFL. He signed his contract in September 2025, agreeing to a four-year, $96 million contract, which also included an $81.2 million guarantee.

Smith beats out Buccaneers’ Luke Goedeke as the highest-paid left guard, and Kansas City Chiefs right guard Trey Smith as the highest-paid guard in the NFL.

After the contract was done, coach Brian Schottenheimer was asked whether he really believed Smith was the best guard in football.

“I don’t think I’m overselling him,” Schottenheimer responded. “I really think he is.”

Center: Creed Humphrey, Chiefs

Unlike other offensive linemen, centers haven’t broken $20 million yet. The highest-paid center is Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey, who makes $18 million per season. He signed a four-year, $72 million deal in 2024.

Eagles’ Cam Jurgens is the second-highest-paid center, making $17 million per season. After Jurgens, there’s a noticeable drop, with Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman, who makes $14 million a season.

Free-agent center Tyler Linderbaum has a chance to reset the center market this offseason, with some projections placing him at nearly $20 million per season.

Defense

Cornerback: Sauce Gardner, Colts

The New York Jets made Sauce Gardner the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL last summer before dealing him to the Indianapolis Colts in a blockbuster November trade. Gardner just completed the first season of his four-year, $120.4 million contract.

Gardner signed his extension in July 2025, topping Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.‘s deal by $100,000 per year to make $30.1 million per season.

New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez has been named a candidate to become the next highest-paid cornerback as he awaits an extension.

Safety: Kyle Hamilton, Ravens

Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton is by far the highest-paid safety, agreeing to a four-year, $100.4 million contract, with $82 million guaranteed. Hamilton makes $25.1 million annually.

Hamilton’s contract reset the market. Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph is the next highest-paid, making $21.2 million per year, nearly four million less annually. Safety has been seen as a less valuable position in the league, so Hamilton’s big contract was a big landmark for safeties.

Linebacker: Fred Warner, 49ers

The 49ers make their second appearance on the list, making linebacker Fred Warner the highest-paid in the NFL. Warner signed a three-year, $63 million contract. That included a includes $56.7 million guaranteed.

The All-Pro linebacker makes $21 million per season, $1 million more than the next highest-paid, Roquan Smith.

Warner’s highest-paid title will likely remain with him for a while, as no current linebackers looking for new contracts will be rivaling Warner’s big payday.

EDGE: Micah Parsons, Packers

Linebackers are often called the quarterbacks of the defense, but edge rushers are paid more like it. Micah Parsons is the highest-paid pass rusher in the NFL, making $47 million per season.

Parsons signed a four-year, $188 million extension with the Green Bay Packers after being traded from the Cowboys. The All-Pro pass rusher’s massive contract made him the highest-paid in the NFL, making $1.5 million per season more than Aidan Hutchinson.

After Hutchinson, there is a significant gap to the next-highest-paid pass rusher, with Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt at $41 million per season.

Interior Defensive Line: Chris Jones, Chiefs

The Chiefs make their second appearance on the list, continuing to award their players in the trenches. Chris Jones is the highest-paid interior defensive lineman in the NFL, making $31.75 million per season.

Jones is far and away the highest-paid interior defensive lineman, making $5.75 million more per season than Milton Williams, who makes $26 million per season. Jones has been one of the best pass rushers in the league and was a well-deserved candidate to be the highest-paid.

Special Teams

Kicker: Harrison Butker, Chiefs

The Chiefs have the most highly paid players by position in the NFL, including Harrison Butker. The veteran kicker signed a four-year, $25.6 million contract. Butker’s $6.4 million annually is $400k more than the second-highest-paid kicker, Jake Elliott.

Butker will likely be getting passed up soon, with the Cowboys offering to make Brandon Aubrey the highest-paid in the NFL.

“We want to make him the highest-paid player,” Jerry Jones said on Monday. “We think he’s outstanding. Love his story, love the fact that the story is with the Cowboys.”

Aubrey has been consistently the best kicker in the NFL and will likely pass Butker soon with a significant contract for kickers.

Punter: Michael Dickson, Seahawks

The Super Bowl champs finally make their first appearance on the list, making punter Michael Dickson the highest-paid punter in the NFL. Dickson makes $4.05 million per season.

Dickson became the highest-paid punter after signing a four-year, $16.2 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks. The veteran punter’s new contract makes $50k more than the next highest paid in the Jacksonville Jaguars, punter Logan Cooke.