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The $60 Million Club: Ranking The 10 Highest-Paid NFL Players By AAV In 2025

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As of December 23, 2025, the financial landscape of the National Football League (NFL) continues its explosive upward trajectory, with contract values reaching unprecedented heights. The benchmark for elite talent is no longer just $50 million per year; it has officially soared into the $60 million club, driven by the ever-increasing salary cap and the premium placed on the quarterback position. This year, the Dallas Cowboys’ signal-caller, Dak Prescott, stands atop the league as the highest-paid player, cementing the quarterback's status as the most valuable asset in professional sports.

The metric for determining the "highest paid" is most accurately measured by the Average Annual Value (AAV) of a contract, which smooths out the massive signing bonuses and varying year-to-year payouts to give a clear picture of a player’s worth. While total contract value and guaranteed money are crucial, AAV is the gold standard for comparison. The 2025 list is dominated by generational quarterbacks, but a new wave of record-setting deals for defensive stars and top-tier skill position players is rapidly closing the gap, proving that elite talent at any position now commands historic compensation.

The $60 Million Man: Who Tops the NFL Salary List?

The quarterback market resets almost annually, and 2025 saw a massive new peak with Dak Prescott’s contract extension. His deal didn't just break the previous record; it established a new, formidable benchmark that future elite quarterbacks will aim to surpass.

Dak Prescott: The New Financial King

Dak Prescott, the star quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, claimed the top spot with a staggering $60 million Average Annual Value (AAV). This contract represents a significant jump from the previous high-water mark and reflects the Cowboys’ commitment to securing their franchise player for the long term. The pressure on Prescott to deliver a Super Bowl title to Dallas is now higher than ever, justifying a contract of this magnitude.

The structure of these mega-deals is designed to manage the team’s salary cap while front-loading or back-loading the cash flow. The true measure of a contract's security, however, lies in its guaranteed money. While Prescott leads in AAV, the guaranteed portion of his deal is a key factor in its overall value, ensuring he receives a substantial payout regardless of future circumstances.

The Elite Quarterback Market: $50M+ is the New Minimum

The top of the AAV list is a testament to the scarcity of elite quarterback talent. The players immediately trailing Prescott are all franchise signal-callers who have signed their deals in the last few years, each pushing the market higher. Patrick Mahomes, the consensus best player in the league, sits just behind the top spot, a reflection of his contract being signed slightly earlier, though it still set a record for total value and guaranteed money at the time.

The Top 10 Highest-Paid NFL Players by Average Annual Value (AAV) in 2025

This list is ranked by the Average Annual Value (AAV) of the player's current contract, which is the most widely accepted metric for comparing NFL salaries.

  • 1. Dak Prescott (QB, Dallas Cowboys): $60,000,000 AAV
  • 2. Patrick Mahomes (QB, Kansas City Chiefs): $55,000,000 AAV
  • 3. Justin Herbert (QB, Los Angeles Chargers): $52,500,000 AAV
  • 4. Lamar Jackson (QB, Baltimore Ravens): $52,000,000 AAV
  • 5. Jalen Hurts (QB, Philadelphia Eagles): $51,000,000 AAV
  • 6. Joe Burrow (QB, Cincinnati Bengals): $50,000,000 AAV
  • 7. Micah Parsons (EDGE, Dallas Cowboys): $47,000,000 AAV
  • 8. Aidan Hutchinson (DE, Detroit Lions): $45,000,000 AAV
  • 9. Ja'Marr Chase (WR, Cincinnati Bengals): $40,250,000 AAV
  • 10. Myles Garrett (DE, Cleveland Browns): $40,000,000 AAV

The Non-QB Revolution: Record Contracts for Defensive and Skill Players

While quarterbacks command the highest salaries, the 2025 season has been defined by a significant financial push for elite players at other premium positions. The market for defensive ends, edge rushers, and top wide receivers is now experiencing a salary spike that mirrors the quarterback inflation. This shift is critical for team building, as franchises must commit massive capital to secure game-changing talent outside of the QB position.

Defensive Dominance: Parsons, Hutchinson, and Garrett

The highest-paid non-quarterbacks in the league are all on the defensive side of the ball, specifically the edge rushers who specialize in pressuring the quarterback. This position is second only to the QB in terms of value, and the contracts reflect that.

  • Micah Parsons and Aidan Hutchinson have set a new financial standard for defensive players. Parsons, the dynamic edge rusher, leads the defensive pack with an AAV of $47 million. Hutchinson’s $45 million AAV deal with the Lions makes him the second-highest-paid non-QB in NFL history, demonstrating the value of a premier pass-rusher.
  • Myles Garrett, another elite defensive end, rounds out the top 10 with a $40 million AAV. These players are not only paid handsomely but also have some of the highest guaranteed money figures in the league, with Parsons and Garrett both seeing over $120 million in guarantees.

The Wide Receiver and Offensive Line Market

The wide receiver position has also seen a dramatic increase in AAV, with the elite few crossing the $30 million and now the $40 million threshold. Ja'Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals is the highest-paid wide receiver, with an AAV of $40.25 million, reflecting his status as a generational playmaker. This deal highlights the rising cost of securing a true WR1 who can consistently change the outcome of a game.

Even the offensive line, the often-unheralded engine of the offense, has seen a market reset. Tyler Smith of the Dallas Cowboys has become one of the highest-paid interior offensive linemen, with an AAV of $24 million. This investment in the trenches shows that teams are willing to pay top dollar to protect their multi-million dollar quarterbacks, a crucial element of modern NFL strategy.

The Future of NFL Contracts and the Salary Cap

The trend of escalating contracts is unlikely to slow down. With the NFL’s salary cap continuing to rise due to massive media rights deals and increased revenue, the AAV for the top players will only continue to grow. Future contract extensions for young star quarterbacks like Trevor Lawrence and C.J. Stroud are expected to challenge Prescott’s $60 million mark, potentially pushing the league's financial ceiling toward $65 million or even $70 million per year in the near future. The continuous market reset ensures that today’s record-breaking contract is merely tomorrow's starting point for the next generation of NFL superstars. The competition for elite talent, both on the field and in the negotiating room, remains fierce.

highest paid nfl player
highest paid nfl player

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