Ranking the highest-paid NFL players: Where does Jaxon Smith-Njigba's contract rank?

[ASFN Admin]

After winning the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year award for 2025, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is set to become the NFL's highest-paid wide receiver.

Smith-Njigba and the Seahawks have agreed to a four-year extension worth $168.6 million, according to multiple reports. The 24-year-old will make $120 million in guarantees as part of the deal.

Smith-Njigba's contract is the latest reset for the league's burgeoning wide receiver market. Cincinnati Bengals star Ja'Marr Chase previously had the most lucrative receiver contract, valued at $40.25 million annually, but Smith-Njigba's average annual value (AAV) of $42.15 million has now surpassed that.

But where does Smith-Njigba's deal rank among all players in the league? While the pact will make him one of the 20 highest-paid players in the league, its value is still, unsurprisingly, lagging behind the ever-growing deals NFL teams are doling out to star quarterbacks.

Here's a look at the NFL's highest-paid players for 2026 in the wake of Smith-Njigba's extension.

Who is the highest-paid NFL player?​

In terms of AAV, Dak Prescott is the NFL's highest-paid quarterback. He is making $60 million per year on the four-year extension he signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024.

The largest overall contract belongs to Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes. He inked a 10-year, $450 million contract in 2020 that has yet to be surpassed.

Highest-paid NFL players: Full list​

Most of the NFL's highest-paid players are quarterbacks. However, a handful of edge rushers and a couple of wide receivers also crack the top 20.

Here's a look at the full list of the NFL's highest-paid players in terms of both AAV and total contract value.

AAV​

• 1. Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys: $60 million
• T-2. Josh Allen, QB, Bills: $55 million
• T-2. Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals: $55 million
• T-2. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars: $55 million
• T-2. Jordan Love, QB, Packers: $55 million
• T-6. Jared Goff, QB, Lions: $53 million
• T-6. Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers: $53 million
• 8. Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers: $52.5 million
• 9. Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens: $52 million
• 10. Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles: $51 million
• 11. Micah Parsons, edge, Packers: $46.5 million
• 12. Deshaun Watson, QB, Browns: $46 million
• T-13. Aidan Hutchinson, edge, Lions: $45 million
• T-13. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs: $45 million
• 15. Daniel Jones, QB, Colts: $44 million
• 16. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks: $42.15 million
• 17. T.J. Watt, edge, Steelers: $41 million
• 18. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Bengals: $40.25 million
• 19. Danielle Hunter, edge, Texans: $40.1 million
• T-20. Myles Garrett, edge, Browns: $40 million
• T-20. Matt Stafford, QB, Rams: $40 million

Total contract value​

• 1. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs: $450 million
• 2. Josh Allen, QB, Bills: $330 million
• T-3. Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals: $275 million
• T-3. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars: $275 million
• 5. Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers: $265 million
• 6. Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers: $262.5 million
• 7. Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens: $260 million
• 8. Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles: $255 million
• 9. Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys: $240 million
• 10. Deshaun Watson, QB, Browns: $230 million
• 11. Jordan Love, QB, Packers: $220 million
• 12. Jared Goff, QB, Lions: $212 million
• 13. Micah Parsons, edge, Packers: $186 million
• 14. Aidan Hutchinson, edge, Lions: $180 million
• 15. Nick Bosa, edge, 49ers: $170 million
• 16. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seahawks: $168.6 million
• 17. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Bengals: $161 million
• 18. Myles Garrett, edge, Browns: $160 million
• 19. Chris Jones, DT, Chiefs: $158.75 million
• 20. Josh Hines-Allen, edge, Jaguars: $141.25 million

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL's highest-paid players: Biggest NFL contracts in 2026

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