The highest paid linebackers NFL 2026 rankings start with a clear leader in Pittsburgh.
Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig sits at the top with an average annual salary of $25 million. His four-year deal is worth $100 million and includes $42 million in guarantees. That figure puts him ahead of every other player at the position and establishes him as the highest paid linebacker in the NFL.
Fred Warner of the San Francisco 49ers ranks second at $21 million. Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell follows at $20.25 million. The market remains solid, with 27 linebackers scheduled to earn at least $10 million per season and ten players clearing $15 million.
Here is the complete look at the highest paid linebackers NFL 2026 list.
Highest Paid Linebackers NFL 2026 Rankings
- Nick Herbig, Pittsburgh Steelers — $25 million
- Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers — $21 million
- Jack Campbell, Detroit Lions — $20.25 million
- Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens — $20 million
- Azeez Al-Shaair, Houston Texans — $18 million
- Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles — $17 million
- Jordyn Brooks, Miami Dolphins — $16 million
- Devin Lloyd, Carolina Panthers — $15 million (tied)
- Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs — $15 million (tied)
- Jamien Sherwood, New York Jets — $15 million (tied)
Three players share the final spot, which stretches the top group slightly.
Nick Herbig Salary Sets a New Mark
Nick Herbig salary numbers give him a clear edge at the position. The $25 million average annual value sits $4 million above the next closest player. His $100 million total package and $42 million in guarantees reflect the Steelers’ commitment to a young defender who has already shown he can impact every down.
That deal makes him the highest paid linebacker in the NFL and sets a fresh ceiling for the position.
Fred Warner Holds Strong in Second
Fred Warner’s $21 million average annual salary keeps him near the top of the NFL highest-paid linebackers 2026 rankings. The 49ers star continues to play at an elite level in the middle of San Francisco’s defense.
Warner is one of four linebackers earning at least $20 million per year, a group that also includes Jack Campbell and Roquan Smith.
Jack Campbell and Roquan Smith Stay Close
Jack Campbell ranks third at $20.25 million. Roquan Smith sits just behind him at $20 million.
The gap between third and fourth is only $750,000. Both players have earned their places through consistent production and leadership. Campbell has developed into a foundational piece in Detroit. Smith remains one of the most physical and instinctive linebackers in the league.
The Next Tier of NFL Linebacker Salaries 2026
Azeez Al-Shaair ranks fifth at $18 million with the Texans. Zack Baun follows at $17 million in Philadelphia. Jordyn Brooks checks in at $16 million with the Dolphins.
Devin Lloyd, Nick Bolton and Jamien Sherwood share the final three spots at $15 million each. Those deals show the rising floor across the position and the willingness of teams to pay for reliable middle-of-the-field play.
How the Broader Market Looks
Twenty-seven linebackers are scheduled to make at least $10 million per season. Ten of them clear $15 million.
Those figures place the position in a solid middle tier of defensive salaries. The highest paid linebackers NFL 2026 group still trails the top edge rushers and quarterbacks by a wide margin. Will Anderson Jr. leads edge rushers at a much higher figure, while Patrick Mahomes sits far above everyone else at the quarterback position.
Even so, the investment in linebacker play continues to grow. Teams value the ability to cover, tackle and diagnose plays in real time, and the contracts reflect that demand.
Nick Herbig currently owns the top spot among the highest paid linebackers NFL 2026. Warner, Campbell and Smith form a strong second tier. The rest of the list shows depth and continued spending at a position that rarely grabs the biggest headlines but still commands real money.
NFL linebacker salaries 2026 will keep shifting as new deals land. For now the Steelers hold the highest number on the board.
FAQ
Who is the highest paid linebacker in the NFL in 2026?
Nick Herbig of the Pittsburgh Steelers leads the highest paid linebackers NFL 2026 list at $25 million per year.
How much is the Nick Herbig salary package?
His current contract is worth $100 million total with $42 million guaranteed.
Who ranks second among the NFL highest-paid linebackers 2026?
Fred Warner of the San Francisco 49ers sits second at $21 million.
How many linebackers earn at least $15 million?
Ten linebackers are listed at $15 million or more in average annual value.
Which three players are tied at $15 million?
Devin Lloyd, Nick Bolton and Jamien Sherwood share that mark.
