The highest paid NFL players by team 2026 list starts with the usual names at the top and a few surprises lower down.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes leads every franchise with a $64 million average annual salary. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott follows at $60 million. Several other quarterbacks sit at $55 million or higher, but not every team’s biggest contract belongs to the player under center.
Houston’s Will Anderson Jr., Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt are among the non-quarterbacks who rank as their team’s highest-paid player. The numbers show how different franchises choose to spend.
Here is the complete look at the highest paid NFL players by team 2026.
Highest Paid NFL Players by Team 2026
- Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes, QB — $64 million
- Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott, QB — $60 million
- Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB — $55 million
- Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen, QB — $55 million
- Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love, QB — $55 million
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB — $55 million
- Los Angeles Rams: Matthew Stafford, QB — $55 million
- Detroit Lions: Jared Goff, QB — $53 million
- San Francisco 49ers: Brock Purdy, QB — $53 million
- Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert, QB — $52.5 million
- Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson, QB — $52 million
- Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Hurts, QB — $51 million
- Houston Texans: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE — $50 million
- Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson, QB — $46 million
- Indianapolis Colts: Daniel Jones, QB — $44 million
- Seattle Seahawks: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR — $42.2 million
- Pittsburgh Steelers: T.J. Watt, EDGE — $41 million
- Las Vegas Raiders: Maxx Crosby, EDGE — $35.5 million
- Atlanta Falcons: Drake London, WR — $35.3 million
- Tennessee Titans: Jeffery Simmons, DL — $35.3 million
- Minnesota Vikings: Justin Jefferson, WR — $35 million
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield, QB — $33.3 million
- New York Jets: Garrett Wilson, WR — $32.5 million
- New England Patriots: A.J. Brown, WR — $32 million
- New Orleans Saints: Chris Olave, WR — $31 million
- Washington Commanders: Laremy Tunsil, OL — $30.1 million
- Carolina Panthers: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE — $30 million
- Chicago Bears: Darnell Wright, OL — $29 million
- Denver Broncos: Jaylen Waddle, WR — $28.3 million
- New York Giants: Brian Burns, EDGE — $28.2 million
- Miami Dolphins: Malik Willis, QB — $22.5 million
- Arizona Cardinals: Josh Sweat, EDGE — $19.1 million
Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott Salary Lead the Way
Patrick Mahomes holds the top spot at $64 million. Dak Prescott salary numbers put him second at $60 million.
Those two figures sit well clear of the rest of the NFL team salary leaders 2026. Six more quarterbacks land at $55 million, showing how heavily most franchises still invest in the position.
Non-Quarterbacks Who Lead Their Teams
Will Anderson Jr. is the highest-paid non-quarterback on the list at $50 million with the Texans. Jaxon Smith-Njigba follows at $42.2 million in Seattle. T.J. Watt ranks next at $41 million in Pittsburgh.
Maxx Crosby, Drake London, Jeffery Simmons and Justin Jefferson also rank as the highest paid player on each NFL team for their respective clubs. Those contracts prove some organizations are willing to build their salary structure around elite talent at other positions.
Quarterbacks Still Dominate Most Rosters
Most of the highest paid NFL players by team 2026 are quarterbacks. From Mahomes and Prescott through the group at $55 million and the next tier of Goff, Purdy, Herbert, Jackson and Hurts, the position continues to command the biggest checks.
Teams with established starters have locked in long-term deals that shape the rest of their payroll. Franchises with younger or less expensive quarterbacks have more room to spend elsewhere.
The Biggest Gaps Across the League
The difference between the top and bottom of the list is substantial. Mahomes leads at $64 million. Josh Sweat sits at the low end among team leaders at $19.1 million with Arizona. That creates a gap of nearly $45 million between the highest and lowest figures on the board.
NFL highest-paid players by team 2026 rankings highlight how differently front offices approach their biggest contracts. Some load the money at quarterback. Others spread it to pass rushers, receivers and offensive linemen.
The highest paid NFL players by team 2026 list will keep shifting as new deals land. For now Mahomes and Prescott sit at the top, while a growing group of non-quarterbacks prove that elite play at other positions can still command the biggest check on a roster.
FAQ
Who is the highest paid player on each NFL team in 2026?
Patrick Mahomes leads the highest paid NFL players by team 2026 rankings at $64 million with the Chiefs.
How much is the Dak Prescott salary?
Dak Prescott earns an average annual salary of $60 million with the Dallas Cowboys.
Which non-quarterback ranks highest?
Will Anderson Jr. of the Houston Texans sits at $50 million, the highest among non-QBs.
How many quarterbacks lead their teams?
The majority of the 32 team leaders are quarterbacks, including the top 12 overall.
What is the lowest figure among team leaders?
Josh Sweat of the Arizona Cardinals ranks lowest on the list at $19.1 million.
