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The $60 Million Man: Ranking The 10 Highest-Paid NFL Players By AAV In 2025

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As of December 2025, the title of the NFL's highest-paid player by Average Annual Value (AAV) belongs to Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. His landmark contract extension has reset the market, making him the first player in league history to command an average salary of $60 million per year. This massive deal underscores the relentless inflation of the quarterback market, pushing the ceiling for all future franchise signal-callers and solidifying his position as the league's top earner.

The financial landscape of the National Football League (NFL) continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, with quarterback contracts consistently shattering previous records. This article delves into the current top earners for the 2025 season, detailing the monumental contracts that define the elite tier of professional football, focusing on the key metrics of AAV, total contract value, and guaranteed money.

The New King of the NFL Salary Cap: Dak Prescott's Record Deal

The Dallas Cowboys made a definitive statement about their commitment to their franchise quarterback, Dak Prescott, by signing him to a contract that instantly vaulted him to the top of the NFL's salary rankings.

Prescott’s new deal is a financial masterpiece, reflecting his status as a top-tier performer and the scarcity of elite quarterback talent.

  • Player: Dak Prescott, Quarterback (QB)
  • Team: Dallas Cowboys
  • Average Annual Value (AAV): $60 Million
  • Total Contract Value: $240 Million (4 years)
  • Guaranteed Money: $231 Million
  • Signing Bonus: $80 Million

The guaranteed money figure of $231 million is particularly staggering, ensuring that Prescott will receive a vast majority of the contract regardless of injury or performance. This massive guarantee is the true measure of a team's long-term commitment and is the primary factor driving the escalating market for elite quarterbacks. The deal’s structure also gives the Cowboys some flexibility with the salary cap, but the sheer size of the AAV has created a new benchmark for players like Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, and others whose contracts are due for renegotiation.

The Elite $55 Million Club: Quarterbacks Driving Market Inflation

While Dak Prescott now sits alone at the peak, the next echelon of the highest-paid players is a highly exclusive group of Super Bowl contenders and former MVPs who command an AAV of $55 million. The contracts for these players were the previous gold standard before Prescott's deal.

This group highlights the league's recognition that securing a top-five quarterback is the single most critical investment for a Super Bowl window.

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs ($55 Million AAV)

The two-time MVP and multi-time Super Bowl champion, Patrick Mahomes, was the first player to sign a half-billion-dollar contract in the NFL. Although his total contract value is an unprecedented $450 million over ten years, his $55 million AAV now ties him with other elite QBs.

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills ($55 Million AAV)

Josh Allen, the dynamic Buffalo Bills quarterback, also commands an AAV of $55 million. His six-year, $330 million extension, signed after his 2024 NFL MVP award, cemented his place among the league's highest earners and ensured the Bills' competitive future.

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals ($55 Million AAV)

The Cincinnati Bengals star, Joe Burrow, is another member of the $55 million club. His deal was a critical step for the franchise, locking up the quarterback who led them to a Super Bowl appearance. His contract is a testament to the value of a young, proven talent in the AFC.

The Top 10 Highest-Paid NFL Players by AAV in 2025

The list of the top earners is heavily skewed toward quarterbacks, who occupy nearly every spot in the top 10. The Average Annual Value (AAV) is the most common metric used to compare contract sizes across the league.

Here is a snapshot of the top 10 highest-paid players in the NFL for the 2025 season based on Average Annual Value:

  1. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys: $60.0 Million
  2. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs: $55.0 Million
  3. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills: $55.0 Million
  4. Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals: $55.0 Million
  5. Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers: $52.5 Million
  6. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens: $52.0 Million
  7. Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles: $51.0 Million
  8. Russell Wilson, QB, Denver Broncos: $48.5 Million
  9. Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals: $46.1 Million
  10. Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Detroit Lions: $45.0 Million

This list illustrates a clear hierarchy: the elite quarterback market is in a category of its own, with a significant financial gap separating the top signal-callers from even the best players at other positions.

Breaking the Bank: Highest Paid Non-Quarterbacks

While quarterbacks dominate the overall AAV rankings, the market for elite defensive players and wide receivers is also rapidly inflating, with several players resetting the salary floor for their respective positions.

The Edge Rusher Market

The pass-rushing position is the most lucrative non-quarterback spot on the defensive side of the ball. The most recent record-setting deal belongs to Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions, whose $45 million AAV extension makes him the highest-paid defensive player and the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league.

Other defensive stars who have reset the market include T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers, an elite edge rusher who signed a deal with an AAV over $41 million. The market for defensive ends and edge rushers like Micah Parsons is expected to continue its upward trajectory as teams prioritize disrupting opposing quarterbacks.

The Wide Receiver Market

Wide receivers have also seen their market dramatically increase, with the most elite pass-catchers now earning more than many starting quarterbacks. The Cincinnati Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase signed a contract with an AAV of $40.25 million, making him the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. This deal surpassed the previous record held by other star receivers, reflecting the growing importance of top-tier receiving talent in modern, pass-heavy offenses.

Other Top Non-QB Earners

The cornerback position also saw a record-setting contract for Sauce Gardner, who became the highest-paid player at his position. These contracts across defense and offense show that while the quarterback remains the most valuable asset, the salary cap continues to expand, allowing star players at every position to command unprecedented compensation.

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