NFL's highest-paid players by position heading into 2021 season as Seahawks safety Jamal Adams joins list
A look at the players with the biggest deals heading into 2021

NFL players are getting paid, and many are breaking league records with their offseason deals.
On Tuesday, Seahawks Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams signed a record four-year, $70 million deal with Seattle, making him the highest-paid safety in the league.
Last year, Patrick Mahomes dethroned Russell Wilson as the highest-paid quarterback -- and player -- in the league with a new contract from the Kansas City Chiefs. The 10-year deal worth up to $503 million with incentives is the biggest deal in sports history and the first signing over half a billion dollars and heading into this year he remains the highest-paid at his position.
San Francisco 49ers tight end and defending NFC champion George Kittle became the highest-paid player in his position after a five-year extension worth $75 million.
Another player seeing dollar signs last season was Christian McCaffrey, who signed a four-year, $64 million contract extension with the Carolina Panthers and is taking home an average of $16 million a year, with $38 million guaranteed. The dual threat remains the highest-paid running back.
Here is a complete breakdown of the highest-paid players by position by average salary in the NFL:
Quarterback
- Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
- Average annual salary: $45 million
- Guaranteed: $141.428 million
Running back
- Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
- Average annual salary: $16 million
- Guaranteed: $38 million
Wide receiver
- DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals
- Average annual salary: $27.25 million
- Guaranteed: $60 million
Tight end
- George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
- Average annual salary: $15 million
- Guaranteed: $40 million
Offensive lineman
- Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers
- Average annual salary: $23 million
- Guaranteed: $55 million
Defensive lineman
- Joey Bosa, Los Angeles Chargers
- Average annual salary: $7 million
- Guaranteed: $102 million
Linebacker
- Khalil Mack, outside linebacker, Chicago Bears
- Average annual salary: $23.5 million
- Guaranteed: $90 million
Safety
- Jamal Adams, Seattle Seahawks
- Average annual salary: $17.5 million
- Guaranteed: $38 million
Cornerback
- Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams
- Average annual salary: $20 million
- Guaranteed: $71 million
Kicker
- Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens
- Average annual salary: $5 million
- Guaranteed: $12.5 million