Highest-paid non-QB players in the NFL: Where does Aaron Donald rank after contract extension with Rams?

5 NFL non-QBs with the highest-paid contracts by AAV entering the 2022 season

#3 - TJ Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers - $28.00275 million

Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher TJ Watt

Prior to being surpassed during the 2022 offseason, TJ Watt held the title as the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history by AAV. He signed a massive contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers worth more than $112 million over four seasons, with $80 million in fully guaranteed money.

Watt's four-year extension with the Steelers officially kicks in for the start of the 2022 NFL season, with guaranteed money stretching out until the conclusion of the 2025 season. He would become an unrestricted free agent during the 2026 offseason.

#2 - Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins - $30 million

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill

Tyreek Hill surpassed Davante Adams during the 2022 offseason to become the highest-paid wide receiver of all time by AAV. Hill took over the title just weeks after Adams signed his deal while becoming the first non-quarterback ever to earn $30 million by AAV.

Hill was acquired by the Miami Dolphins via trade from the Kansas City Chiefs in one of the most shocking moves of the 2022 NFL offseason. The Dolphins quickly rewarded him $120 million over the next four years with a massive $72.2 million in guaranteed money.

#1 - Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams - $31.6 million

Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald

Aaron Donald set a new standard for defensive players and all non-quarterbacks when he restructured his contract with the Los Angeles Rams during the 2022 offseason. His record-setting deal is worth $95 million over the next three seasons.

Donald reportedly contemplated retirement during the 2022 offseason; instead, he chose to take a massive raise to continue his career with the Rams. No non-quarterback in NFL history is worth more by AAV than Donald, who is the first to ever exceed $30 million, surpassing Tyreek Hill during a record-breaking 2022 offseason.