Is the player with the highest salary? Well, most top players get a huge chunk of their money in signing bonuses. Is it the highest average annual salary? Well, that considers the entire deal, and most players never see the end of their contracts. Is it who will be paid the most money this year? That would be biased towards players who signed new contracts this year because so much money is in the signing bonus.
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The NFL's highest-paid players for the 2018 season
Because of the way NFL contracts are structured, there is no easy way to define "highest-paid players."
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Because of this, we have broken up the players by the highest-paid in different categories. Depending on which criteria you use, the answer to "highest-paid" can be entirely different.
You can click through to each category here or scroll down to see all. Data via and other sources.
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The 5 players who will be paid the most in 2018
5. Alex Smith, Washington Redskins — $40.0 million
Position: Quarterback
Contract: 4 years, $94.0 million
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4. Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams — $40.9 million
Position: Defensive end
Contract: 6 years, $135.0 million
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3. Khalil Mack, Chicago Bears — $41.0 million
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Position: Linebacker
Contract: 6 years, $141.0 million
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2. Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers — $42.6 million
Position: Quarterback
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Contract: 5 years, $137.5 million
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1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers — $66.9 million
Position: Quarterback
Contract: 4 years, $134.0 million
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The 5 largest base salaries
5. Calais Campbell, Jacksonville Jaguars — $15.0 million
Position: Defensive end
Contract: 4 years, $60.0 million
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4. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks — $15.5 million
Position: Quarterback
Contract: 4 years, $87.6 million
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t2. DeMarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys — $17.1 million
Position: Defensive end
Contract: 1 year, $17.1 million
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t2.Ezekiel Ansah, Detroit Lions — $17.1 million
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Position: Defensive end
Contract: 1 year, $17.1 million
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1. Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins — $22.5 million
Position: Quarterback
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Contract: 3 years, $84.0 million
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The 5 largest average-annual salaries
5. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions — $27.0 million
Position: Quarterback
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Contract: 5 years, $135.0 million
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4. Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers — $27.5 million
Position: Quarterback
Contract: 5 years, $137.5 million
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3. Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins — $28.0 million
Position: Quarterback
Contract: 3 years, $84.0 million
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2. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons — $30.0 million
Position: Quarterback
Contract: 5 years, $150.0 million
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1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers — $33.5 million
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Position: Quarterback
Contract: 4 years, $134.0 million
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The 5 largest salary-cap hits
5. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts — $24.4 million
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Position: Quarterback
Contract: 5 years, $123.0 million
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4. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens — $24.8 million
Position: Quarterback
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Contract: 3 years, $66.4 million
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3. Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders — $25.0 million
Position: Quarterback
Contract: 5 years, $125.0 million
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2. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions — $26.5 million
Position: Quarterback
Contract: 5 years, $135.0 million
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1. Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers — $37.0 million
Position: Quarterback
Contract: 5 years, $137.5 million
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The 5 largest contracts
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t4. Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams — $135.0 million
Position: Defensive end
Contract: 6 years, $135.0 million
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t4. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions — $135.0 million
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Position: Quarterback
Contract: 5 years, $135.0 million
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3. Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers — $137.5 million
Position: Quarterback
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Contract: 5 years, $137.5 million
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2. Khalil Mack, Chicago Bears — $141.0 million
Position: Linebacker
Contract: 6 years, $141.0 million
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1. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons — $150.0 million
Position: Quarterback
Contract: 5 years, $150.0 million
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The 5 contracts with the most guaranteed money
5. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts — $87.0 million
Position: Quarterback
Contract: 5 years, $123.0 million
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4. Khalil Mack, Chicago Bears — $90.0 million
Position: Linebacker
Contract: 6 years, $141.0 million
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3. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions — $92.0 million
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Position: Quarterback
Contract: 5 years, $135.0 million
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2. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers — $98.7 million
Position: Quarterback
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Contract: 4 years, $134.0 million
One thing to know:
1. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons — $100.0 million
Position: Quarterback
Contract: 5 years, $150.0 million
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Now check out all the new uniforms in college football this season.
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