Top 10 Highest Paid NFL Players 2024
In 2024, the NFL’s salary cap kept rising at an unprecedented pace and as the 2024 offseason approached teams were shocked by the amount of money they had to spend. Between the 2023 and ‘24 NFL seasons, the salary cap increased a stunning $30 million to a team-by-team annual account of $255.4 million each. With that in mind, each team is using this to attempt to build Super Bowl contenders with hundreds of millions being handed out to players.
The NFL’s competitiveness has created an always increasing market, especially at quarterback. The next big deal usually breaks the previous record thereby creating a new group of highest paid players league-wide. Four different quarterbacks in 2023 claimed the title “the highest-paid player in NFL.” Firstly, it was Jalen Hurts who took this position after only few days; followed by Lamar Jackson who replaced him several days later; Justin Herbert took over from Jackson three months afterwards and finally Joe Burrow signed five-year contract which made him his the most paid player in National Football League (NFL). By now, he still remains the top earner in NFL although there are many other young and talented quarterbacks trying to catch up with him.
Burrow, Patrick Mahomes Jr. Herbert, Lamar Jackson III and Jalen Hurts are all earning more than $50 million in 2024 so it may well be that another quarterback such as Dak Prescott is about to be added on that list. In any case, expect lots of cash going around during the 2024 NFL off-season. This will result into much change from what used to be on top ten list for highest earning players in National Football League (NFL) by end of year 2023 through till date. Let us consider them based on their salary cap charge and see who makes it among Highest Paid NFL Players 2024?
- Deshaun Watson, QB, Cleveland Browns – $63.77 million
Contained in this NFL contracts’ update is Deshaun Watson’s unprecedented five-year $230 million dollar deal with the Browns which is fully guaranteed. Since then, teams have been trying to water down other quarterbacks’ demands for full guarantees in contracts throughout the league.
Watson’s cap hit of $63.77 shows that revenues in the NFL are growing and therefore contracts will continue to go up exponentially. The investment by Browns into DeShaun Watson despite the controversy around him about his character is a mark of his performance level and potential. It signifies what kind of financial moves need to be made by teams to get top players.
2. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys – $55.45 million
The name Dak Prescott on this list is another indication of how much money can be made at the quarterback position in today’s market place. In his eighth season with Dallas, Prescott enters the final year of his deal carrying a monstrous load of 55.45 million dollars against the salary cap. The Cowboys are working on negotiating a long-term deal but for now, Prescott has the second highest cap hit among all NFL players.
The story behind Dak Prescott’s rise from being a fourth-round pick to one of the highest-paid players in football offers great inspiration. His lucrative contract can be justified based off both his play on and off field nonetheless it exerts pressure upon management at Dallas in terms of balancing economic sustainability with success on-field.
Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams – $49.5 million
The third highest paid player in 2024 is Matthew Stafford following his four-year extension worth 160 million dollars signed with rams last year. Stafford’s contract underlines their commitment towards getting an experienced quarterback who can lead them to victory regardless what happens.Despite being injury-prone, Stafford remains an invaluable asset for Rams as demonstrated by his high earnings.
Stafford’s $49.5 million cap hit this season is a big sum of money to be spent on an aging quarterback as rams tries to find a way of building around him. His value to the Rams is justified by how well he performs when fit making him an important part of their game plan.
Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals – $49.11 million
Kyler Murray is believed by the Cardinals to be a young quarterback with great potential; this is evidenced by his five-year contract worth $230.5 million that was agreed upon in 2022. The contract of Murray indicates that for at least the next few seasons he will figure prominently into the plans of the franchise in spite of setbacks from injuries and rebuilding efforts undertaken at team level It is necessary to mention that the total amount paid for him makes him get ranked as fourth highest earner in NFL with a cap hit of 49.11million dollars.
The Arizona Cardinals have faith that there franchise quarterback can make a difference and they are hopeful about another rebuilding season centered around their star signal-caller, who could be considered as an asset due to his dynamic playing style and scope for development. Certainly, this contract represents an enormous vote of confidence on behalf of his team towards leading them forward in future.
Daniel Jones, QB, New York Giants – $47.85 million
Daniel Jones comes fifth on this list because he signed a four-year deal worth 160milion US dollars with the Giants after guiding them to playoffs in 2022 hence ending up being placed fifth on this list (source). However, following a serious ACL injury last year, this next season seems crucial because it will determine whether or not he deserves anything more than his current deal since it has an out after this year (source). At $47.85 million cap hit signifies massive investment made by the Giants in their Quarterback’s potential.
Jones’ future rests on how well he delivers during this campaign which would prove pivotal if future aspirations of recovery after suffering major injuries are anything to go by thereby helping New York achieve considerable success which will define if he continues serving with us or not especially as far as his big money career defining contract should be regarded.
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs – $37 million
The value of Mahomes’ contract is the highest ever in terms of the entire career earnings as a quarterback, but this year he will be sixth-highest-paid player based on overall salary for one season which will amount to 37 million (source). The team has won several Super Bowls on the back of his consistent play and leadership qualities, hence making him worth all those bucks.
Mahomes’ contract is perfectly balanced between keeping financial flexibility and locking down a franchise-caliber signal caller. His status as a linchpin within Chiefs blueprints for forthcoming years remains intact because his performance over time guarantees that he stays in that role forever.
Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens – $32.4 million
Lamar Jackson’s deal with Ravens signed long after negotiations is worth five years and amounts to 260million dollars; it positions him as seventh with cap hit reaching 32.4m (source). This massive investment can be justified by his dynamic playing style that transforms the offense of the Ravens.
Being crowned AFC number one seed while ending up with 13-4 records last year when led by Jackson made everyone understand his significance (source). But in order to make sure he fully justifies his contract even more by leading them to a Lombardi Trophy win there still have been questions about where would they be headed afterwards regarding playoffs record?
Trent Williams the OT of San Francisco 49ers is earning $31.56 million.
In 2024, Trent Williams will be a cap hit of $31.56 million which makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in this list. His six-year contract worth $138.06 million he signed in 2021 proves his worth as one of the best players in offensive line positions in the league today. Williams has been an outstanding performer and leader for the niners since joining their roster.
The financial importance of having quality personnel outside the QB itself becomes apparent when looking at William’s deal. He needs to shield the quarterback and be on every snap for a successful niners campaign, which therefore necessitates him being given such a huge sum of money for his services.
Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins – $31.32 million
Tyreek Hill’s contract with Dolphins that earns him $31.32 million in 2024 is enough to make him one of the highest paid wide receivers in football league history till now. His huge pay cheque reflects his role as a playmaker and vital cog in Miami’s offense.
Hill’s contract underlines why it is important to get elite talent at Wide receiver position though it may come at a premium price tag.The dolphins have invested greatly on Hill because he consistently performs well and impacts games positively.
Maxx Crosby, DE, Las Vegas Raiders – $30.48 million
Maxx Crosby is last on our list but at an annual salary of $30.48 million for next year alone he remains far ahead at number ten while standing out as the highest paid defensive player. Two weeks before the start date of this season Crosby inked a four-year extension valued at $95m showing how much he means to Gruden’s defense unit. He is valuable asset as an edge rusher for any team that has him.
Crosby reminds us the importance of having top-tier talent on your defense. The Raiders’ substantial financial commitment to him had been justified by his ability to get at the quarterback and deliver impactful hits.
Conclusion
The highest-paid players in 2024 NFL reflect a developing landscape where top-tier talents are highly valued. The list is dominated by quarterbacks, illustrating their critical roles within today’s NFL; however, other impact players in different positions like offensive tackle, wide receiver or defensive end also command huge salaries as teams adopt varied strategies for building competitive rosters.
These contracts reflect the fine balancing act between acquiring top talent and maintaining cap flexibility. With rising salary caps and changing markets among elite free agents, the list of the NFL’s highest earners will continue to change over time as well.
