The National Football League (NFL) is the pinnacle of American football. With decades of history, the NFL now represents a cultural phenomenon in the United States of America with an enormous fanbase.
The NFL was founded in 1920 and has grown exponentially, now comprising 32 teams. The teams are divided into two pools called the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC) with 16 teams respectively. Each team battles it out on the field to earn a chance to play in the Super Bowl, the ultimate game that decides the winner of the prestigious Lombardi Trophy.
What sets the NFL apart from other sports is its rare mix of physicality combined with strategy. Beyond the field, the NFL encompasses a rich history entwined with the cultural heritage of the United States. It has grown to be so large that football is no longer considered to be just a sport; it's a way of life that unites millions together.
Aside from the beauty of the game and its cultural impact, the NFL is a hub for monetary inflows and outflows. As of 2022, the NFL generated almost $12 billion in revenue. With such a large viewership and platform, it is only implied that players in the league are paid extremely well. Considering the long training hours, risk of injury and road to stardom, NFL players are paid very high salaries in order to help them increase their value and incentive towards the game.
Statistically, the average salary of NFL players is approximately $860,000. Top-level players can earn up to $35 million to $40 million per year.
Who Has The Highest Salary In The NFL?
As of September 2023, the position for the highest salary in the NFL has been taken by Joe Burrow, the star quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals. The star very recently signed a contract extension with the Bengals. Burrow has steadily been rising in the league as a stellar quarterback, following his appearance in the Super Bowl of the 2022 NFL season. While he was unable to claim the Lombardi trophy, Burrow’s performance throughout the playoffs was inspiring and commendable.
The contract extension spans a 5-year timeframe and is worth a total of $275 million. The contract would see Burrow earning around $55 million on an annual basis. In 2023 alone, Burrow will earn a base salary of $1,010,000 along with a signing bonus of $40 million and a roster bonus of over $4 million. The contract will keep Burrow with the Bengals till 2027 with the option for a potential out of the contract. As per the clause, Burrow becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2030. Given below is his contract breakdown for the upcoming 5 years.
| Year | Base Salary | Cap Hit | Dead Cap | Yearly Cash |
| 2023 | $1,010,000 | $19,515,043 | $174,229,043 | $45,545,018 |
| 2024 | $25,250,000 | $29,714,000 | $154,714,000 | $65,714,000 |
| 2025 | $25,250,000 | $46,250,000 | $105,250,000 | $35,250,000 |
| 2026 | $25,250,000 | $48,250,000 | $49,000,000 | $35,250,000 |
| 2027 | $27,250,000 | $52,250,000 | $28,000,000 | $37,250,000 |
| 2028 | $35,500,000 | $53,500,000 | $15,000,000 | $40,500,000 |
| 2029 | $48,039,000 | $68,539,000 | $2,000,000 | $50,539,000 |
NFL Top Contracts In 2023
Joe Burrow - $275 million - $55 million per year - 5-year contract
Justin Herbert - $262.5 million - $52.5 million per year - 5-year contract
Lamar Jackson - $260 million - $52 million per year - 5-year contract
Jalen Hurts - $255 million - $51 million per year - 5-year contract
Russell Wilson - $242.5 million - $49 million per year - 5-year contract
As the league progresses, the impact of players and rising inflation is bound to result in a further increase in contract values. While many stars have recently signed contract extensions which do not end in the near future, there will be many other free agents entering the market for new contracts in the next NFL season. It will be interesting to see how the players who recently signed mammoth contracts perform and which players are able to sign max contracts in the following season.
FAQs
A. The highest paid NFL player as of September 2023 is Joe Burrow. The quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals signed a 5-year contract extension worth $275 million.
A. As of the 2023 NFL season, the minimum amount that an NFL player can make amounts to around $750,000. This number is also considering rookies in the league who start at a very minimal salary that gradually increases based on their time in the league and their performance.
A. NFL players are paid on a weekly basis during the course of the season. The exact amount of money they earn on a weekly basis would vary based on the terms of their contract, their appearance and performance in games.
A. Statistically, basketball has the highest pay scale across all sports. An NBA player earns an average of $8.5 million which is significantly higher than the average salary of players in other sports.
A. NFL players do not get paid in the offseason. Players typically start their payroll at the start of training camp based on the terms and conditions of their contracts.
