American Football quarterbacks command some of the biggest contracts in professional sports. With NFL salaries rising, the league’s elite players can now earn more than $60 million per season. These huge contracts reflect their performances, leadership, and importance to their respective franchises.
In this guide, we ranked the top 10 highest-paid NFL players in 2026, based on average annual value. From young stars such as Brock Purdy and Justin Herbert to established champions like Patrick Mahomes, we look at the biggest NFL contracts and the players earning the most money.
10. Justin Herbert – Los Angeles Chargers — $52.5m
Justin Herbert kicks off our list of the highest-paid NFL players. The LA Chargers quarterback arrived at SoFi Stadium in 2020 as the 6th overall draft pick from Oregon. Herbert immediately became LA’s starting quarterback and had huge boots to fill after 8x Pro Bowler Philip Rivers finished his 15-year career as QB1 for the Chargers.
Herbert quickly established himself as one of the league’s most talented young quarterbacks. He won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2020 after throwing for 4,336 yards and 31 touchdowns. His combination of arm strength, accuracy, and athleticism has made him one of the Chargers’ most important players. Herbert’s postseason record has room for improvement, but at 28, there is still plenty of hope that he can win the Chargers their first Super Bowl ring in NFL history.
9. Brock Purdy – San Francisco 49ers — $53m
Brock Purdy has enjoyed one of the most remarkable rises in recent NFL history. Selected with the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, Purdy was famously labelled “Mr Irrelevant” before quickly becoming the 49ers’ starting quarterback. His unlikely journey from the final selection to franchise quarterback has made him one of the league’s most recognisable young stars.
Purdy helped San Francisco reach the NFC Championship Game during his first season as a starter. He then guided the 49ers to Super Bowl LVIII in the following campaign, establishing himself as a reliable leader within Kyle Shanahan’s offence. His ability to make accurate throws, read defences, and remain composed under pressure has continued to impress. Now one of the highest-paid players in the NFL, Purdy’s $53 million average annual value reflects his importance. The 49ers are backing their young quarterback to remain a central figure as they pursue another Super Bowl.
8. Jared Goff – Detroit Lions — $53m
Jared Goff has rebuilt his reputation since joining the Detroit Lions in 2021. The Los Angeles Rams originally selected the quarterback as the first overall draft pick in 2016. He helped the Rams reach Super Bowl LIII before being traded to Detroit, where he has enjoyed a career resurgence.
Goff has since become the leader of one of the NFL’s most dangerous offences. He helped the Lions win the NFC North in consecutive seasons and reach the NFC Championship Game in 2023. His accuracy, consistency and experience have made him a key part of Detroit’s success.
The veteran quarterback has also provided stability at the most important position on the field. His leadership has helped establish Detroit as a serious contender in the NFC. Goff’s $53 million average annual value reflects his standing as one of the NFL’s highest-paid quarterbacks and demonstrates how highly the Lions value his role. With Goff under centre, Detroit has a proven QB capable of leading the team deep into the postseason.
7. Matthew Stafford – Los Angeles Rams — $55m
Matthew Stafford is one of the most experienced quarterbacks on this list. The Rams quarterback entered the NFL as the first overall pick in the 2009 Draft. He spent 12 seasons with the Detroit Lions before joining Los Angeles in 2021, bringing extensive experience to Sean McVay’s offence.
The move immediately paid off, with Stafford leading the Rams to victory in Super Bowl LVI during his first season. He has also earned multiple Pro Bowl selections and ranks among the league’s leading passers. His experience and proven ability to perform under pressure put him among the NFL’s elite quarterbacks.
Stafford has built a reputation for his arm strength, toughness, and ability to make difficult throws. His arrival in Los Angeles gave the Rams another level of experience when it mattered most. Now earning $55 million annually, Stafford is one of the highest-paid NFL players. His contract reflects the value of an accomplished veteran who has already demonstrated he can deliver on the biggest stage. Many American Football predictions have the Rams as favourites to win the Super Bowl this year, and Stafford looks primed for another huge season in Los Angeles.
6. Josh Allen – Buffalo Bills — $55m
Josh Allen is one of the NFL’s most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks. The Buffalo Bills selected him seventh overall in the 2018 NFL Draft after his college career at Wyoming. Allen initially faced questions about his accuracy, but he has developed into one of the league’s most complete offensive players.
The quarterback has regularly ranked among the NFL leaders in passing and rushing touchdowns while earning multiple Pro Bowl selections. His ability to make plays with both his arm and legs makes him extremely difficult for opposing defences to contain. Allen has also become the undisputed leader of a Buffalo team that consistently competes at the top of the AFC.
His combination of size, athleticism, and mobility has made him a nightmare matchup. Allen’s $55 million average annual value reflects his importance to the Bills and his status among the league’s elite quarterbacks. Buffalo will continue to rely heavily on Allen as it searches for the franchise’s first Super Bowl championship. His individual brilliance makes him one of the NFL’s biggest stars.
5. Jordan Love – Green Bay Packers — $55m
Jordan Love carries the pressure of following two legendary Packers quarterbacks in Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay selected Love 26th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft before giving him time to develop behind Rodgers. That patient approach allowed Love to learn the position without immediately facing the pressure of being a starter.
Love eventually took over as the Packers’ starting quarterback in 2023. He quickly showed why Green Bay had invested in his future, leading the team to the playoffs in his first season as QB1. His strong arm, mobility, and ability to extend plays have made him one of the league’s most exciting young quarterbacks.
Love has continued to develop into a confident leader while operating Matt LaFleur’s offence. His ability to attack downfield and make plays outside the pocket gives Green Bay another dimension. His $55 million average annual value places him among the NFL’s highest-paid players. The Packers are clearly backing Love to become their long-term franchise quarterback and lead the team back to the Super Bowl.
4. Trevor Lawrence – Jacksonville Jaguars — $55m
Trevor Lawrence entered the NFL with enormous expectations after being selected first overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021. The former Clemson star was widely regarded as one of the best quarterback prospects of his generation. His college career included a national championship, helping create huge expectations before he even took an NFL snap.
Lawrence helped transform the Jaguars into a playoff team during his second season. He led Jacksonville to an AFC South title and a dramatic playoff comeback against the Los Angeles Chargers. That performance showcased his composure and ability to deliver when the pressure was at its highest.
The quarterback has since remained the centrepiece of Jacksonville’s offence. His size, arm strength, and ability to make difficult throws have made him a valuable long-term asset for the franchise. Lawrence’s $55 million salary reflects his status as one of the NFL’s highest-paid players. Jacksonville is investing heavily in his potential and expects him to lead the team for many years. If Lawrence can continue developing, he could become one of the league’s defining quarterbacks.
3. Joe Burrow – Cincinnati Bengals — $55m
Joe Burrow has quickly become one of the biggest stars in the NFL. The Cincinnati Bengals selected him first overall in the 2020 NFL Draft after a historic final season at LSU. Burrow led the Tigers to the national championship and won the Heisman Trophy, making him one of the most highly regarded quarterback prospects in recent college football history.
Burrow immediately became the face of the Bengals and helped transform the franchise into a genuine Super Bowl contender. During the 2021 season, he led Cincinnati to the Super Bowl, marking a remarkable turnaround for a team that had struggled in previous years. He has also earned multiple Pro Bowl selections and established a reputation for his accuracy and ability to perform under pressure.
The Bengals’ quarterback is particularly effective when throwing downfield and has developed an excellent connection with star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Their partnership has become one of the most dangerous offensive combinations in the league.
Burrow’s $55 million contract reflects his importance to Cincinnati. The Bengals are relying on their franchise quarterback to lead them back to the Super Bowl and ultimately deliver the team’s first championship.
2. Dak Prescott – Dallas Cowboys — $60m
Dak Prescott has been the driving force behind the Dallas Cowboys’ offence since entering the NFL in 2016. Dallas selected him in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, but he quickly won the starting quarterback job and established himself as one of the league’s most reliable passers.
Prescott has earned multiple Pro Bowl selections and has consistently ranked among the NFL’s leading quarterbacks. His ability to read defences, make accurate throws, and extend plays with his legs has made him an important part of the Cowboys’ offence for almost a decade.
The Dallas quarterback has also become one of the most recognisable players in American football. Playing for the Cowboys brings enormous expectations, and Prescott has handled the pressure while becoming a respected leader inside the locker room.
His $60 million price tag puts him second on our list of the highest-paid NFL players. That figure reflects both his production and his importance to America’s Team. Prescott will be expected to lead Dallas deep into the postseason and compete for the Super Bowl. With his experience and leadership, the Cowboys always have a chance of landing another Super Bowl ring.
1. Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City Chiefs — $63.1m
Patrick Mahomes tops our list of the highest-paid NFL players for 2026. The Kansas City Chiefs selected him 10th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft after he starred at Texas Tech. Mahomes spent his rookie season learning behind veteran quarterback Alex Smith before taking over as Kansas City’s starter in 2018. He immediately announced himself as one of the league’s biggest stars, winning the NFL MVP award in his first season as a full-time starter.
Mahomes has since established himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks of his generation. He has led the Chiefs to multiple Super Bowl victories and has collected Super Bowl MVP and regular-season MVP awards during his career. His remarkable ability to throw from different angles and make accurate passes under pressure has made him one of the most difficult players in the NFL to defend.
The Chiefs quarterback has also become the face of the modern NFL. His rivalry with other elite quarterbacks has produced some of the league’s most memorable games, while his success has turned Kansas City into a perennial Super Bowl contender.
Mahomes’ $63.1 million annual salary makes him the highest-paid player on our list. That enormous figure reflects his production, consistency and importance to Kansas City. With Mahomes leading the offence, the Chiefs will continue to expect deep playoff runs and another chance to compete for football’s biggest prize. His combination of talent, leadership and big-game experience makes him a worthy No. 1.
