Highest-paid NFL players in 2019, ranked
Who is the top-paid NFL player in 2019?
From superstar quarterbacks to record-breaking defensive players, these are the NFL ballers with the biggest paychecks — based on total cash earned in 2019 — per Spotrac.
Fletcher Cox inked a six-year, $102.6 million extension with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016. The four-time Pro Bowler is under contract through 2022.
49. Antonio Brown: $15.63 million
Traded in the offseason to the Oakland Raiders, Antonio Brown scored a three-year, $50.1 million extension with Oakland that included $30.1 million guaranteed. The former Steelers receiver is eligible to hit free agency in 2022.
48. Tyrann Mathieu: $15.8 million
In the offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Tyrann Mathieu to a three-year, $42 million deal with $26.8 million guaranteed.
47. Landon Collins: $15.83 million
In free agency, the former New York Giants Pro Bowl safety signed a six-year, $84 million deal with the Washington Redskins.
46. Jadeveon Clowney: $15.97 million
Unable to reach an agreement on a long-term contract, the Houston Texans used the franchise tag on Jadeveon Clowney for the 2019 season. He's set to earn nearly $16 million this year.
44 (tie). Philip Rivers: $16 million
Philip Rivers is in the final season of a four-year, $83.3 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers.
44 (tie). Anthony Barr: $16 million
In free agency, Anthony Barr agreed to a contract with the New York Jets before having second thoughts and re-signing with the Vikings. The four-time Pro Bowler inked a five-year, $67.5 million extension that included $15.9 million guaranteed.
43. Andy Dalton: $16.2 million
Andy Dalton is in the penultimate season of a six-year, $96 million pact with the Cincinnati Bengals.
42. Chandler Jones: $16.5 million
The Cardinals pass rusher is in the third season of a five-year, $82.5 million deal with the Arizona Cardinals.
41. Cam Newton: $16.7 million
In 2015, Cam Newton scored a five-year, $103.8 million contract extension with the Carolina Panthers. The 2015 NFL MVP will hit the free-agent market after the 2020 campaign.
40. Quinnen Williams: $16.8 million
The third pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Quinnen Williams signed a four-year, $32.5 million deal with the New York Jets.
35 (tie). Ja'Wuan James: $17 million
In the offseason, the Denver Broncos signed the former Miami Dolphins offensive lineman to a four-year, $51 million pact. The deal includes $32 million guaranteed.
35 (tie). Melvin Ingram: $17 million
The Los Angeles Chargers pass rusher is in the third season of a four-year, $64 million deal.
35 (tie). Cameron Jordan: $17 million
Cameron Jordan is in the first season of a three-year, $52.5 million extension with the New Orleans Saints. The pact includes more than $42 million guaranteed.
35 (tie). Odell Beckham: $17 million
After signing a five-year, $90 million extension with the New York Giants in 2018, Beckham was then dealt to the Cleveland Browns in the offseason. Beckham is under contract with the Browns through the 2023 campaign
35 (tie). Eli Manning: $17 million
Like his former teammate Odell Beckham, Eli Manning also pockets $17 million in 2019.
34. Carson Wentz: $17.1 million
Carson Wentz is in the first season of a four-year, $128 million extension with the Philadelphia Eagles. The deal includes nearly $108 million in guarantees.
33. Daniel Jones: $17.2 million
Selected sixth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, Daniel Jones scored a four-year, $25.7 million pact with the New York Giants.
32. Von Miller: $17.5 million
The second pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Von Miller inked a six-year, $114.1 million deal in 2016. The Super Bowl 50 MVP is under contract through the 2021 campaign.
31. Frank Clark: $17.8 million
Traded to the Chiefs before the season, Frank Clark secured a five-year, $104 million pact with Kansas City. The contract includes $62.3 million guaranteed.
30. Jimmy Garoppolo: $17.9 million
The San Francisco 49ers signed Jimmy Garoppolo to a five-year, $137.5 million extension in 2018. Coming off a torn ACL, he'll will pocket nearly $18 million this season.
29. Preston Smith: $18 million
The former Washington Redskins pass rusher signed a four-year, $52 million pact with the Green Bay Packers in the offseason.
28. Joe Flacco: $18.5 million
After being dealt to the Denver Broncos, Joe Flacco is set to earn nearly $19 million this season.
27. C.J. Mosley: $19 million
The four-time Pro Bowl linebacker landed a five-year, $85 million deal with the New York Jets in free agency.
26. Mitch Morse: $19.2 million
The former Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman inked a four-year, $44.5 million deal with the Buffalo Bills in the offseason.
25. Matthew Stafford: $19.5 million
Matthew Stafford is in the third season of a five-year, $135 million pact that will pay him $19.5 million in 2019. At the time of his contract extension, Stafford was the highest-paid player in the NFL, on a per-year basis.
24. Devin White: $19.8 million
The fifth pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Devin White signed a four-year, $29.3 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
22 (tie). Mike Evans: $20 million
In 2018, Mike Evans landed a five-year, $82.5 million extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The two-time Pro Bowl receiver's extension includes $38.3 million guaranteed.
22 (tie). Derek Carr: $20 million
The Oakland Raiders' starting quarterback is signed to a five-year, $125 million deal. The Fresno State product is under contract through the 2022 campaign.
20 (tie). Marcus Mariota: $20.9 million
In the final season of his rookie deal, Marcus Mariota will pocket nearly $21 million with the Tennessee Titans.
20 (tie). Jameis Winston: $20.9 million
Jameis Winston will earn $20.9 million in the final year of his contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
19. Dee Ford: $21 million
After trading a 2020 second-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for Dee Ford, the San Francisco 49ers inked the pass rusher to a five-year, $85.5 million deal.
18. Clelin Ferrell: $21.3 million
After being selected fourth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, Clelin Ferrell landed a four-year, $31.4 million pact with the Oakland Raiders.
17. Michael Thomas: $21.6 million
In the offseason, Michael Thomas signed a five-year, $96.3 million extension with the New Orleans Saints. His pact includes more than $60 million guaranteed.
16. Earl Thomas: $22 million
The six-time Pro Bowl safety signed a four-year, $55 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens in the offseason.
15. Za'Darius Smith: $22.3 million
The former Baltimore Ravens pass rusher landed a four-year, $66 million pact with the Green Bay Packers in free agency.
14. Nick Bosa: $22.9 million
The former Ohio State pass rusher scored a four-year, $33.6 million deal with the San Francisco 49ers.
12 (tie). Tom Brady: $23 million
Before the season, Tom Brady signed a one-year, $23 million extension with the New England Patriots. The deal stipulates that the quarterback cannot be franchise tagged in 2020.
12 (tie). Drew Brees: $23 million
Drew Brees is in the final season of a two-year, $50 million pact with the New Orleans Saints.
11. Kyler Murray: $24.1 million
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Kyler Murray is signed to a four-year, $35.2 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals.
9 (tie). Grady Jarrett: $24.5 million
After being designated the Falcons' franchise player, Grady Jarrett landed a four-year, $68 million extension with Atlanta.
9 (tie). Bobby Wagner: $24.5 million
Bobby Wagner is in the first season of a three-year, $54 million extension with the Seattle Seahawks. The four-time All-Pro's deal includes $40.3 million guaranteed.
8. Brandin Cooks: $27.5 million
After acquiring Brandin Cooks in a trade with the New England Patriots in 2018, the Los Angeles Rams signed the wide receiver to a five-year, $81 million extension.
7. Kirk Cousins: $28 million
Kirk Cousins landed a fully guaranteed three-year, $84 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings in 2018. The former Washington Redskins signal caller can hit the free-agent market in 2021.
6. Trey Flowers: $28.9 million
Trey Flowers inked a lucrative five-year, $90 million contract with the Detroit Lions in the offseason.
5. Nick Foles: $30.8 million
The Super Bowl LII MVP signed a four-year, $88 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency.
4. DeMarcus Lawrence: $31.1 million
Designated as the Dallas Cowboys' franchise player in the offseason, Lawrence then signed a whopping five-year, $105 million extension with $48 million in guarantees.
3. Russell Wilson: $35 million
With his self-imposed contract-negotiation deadline looming, Russell Wilson and the Seahawks signed a four-year, $140 million extension with $70 million guaranteed.
2. Matt Ryan: $44.8 million
In 2018, Matt Ryan signed a massive five-year, $150 million extension with the Atlanta Falcons. The 2016 NFL MVP's contract includes $94.5 million guaranteed.
1. Ben Roethlisberger: $45 million
In the offseason, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger scored a two-year, $68 million extension with $37.5 million guaranteed.