Highest Paid NFL Player Right Now
The highest paid NFL player right now is quarterback Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles, who signed a five year extension in 2024 with an average annual value above 33 million dollars and a total deal value near 255 million dollars, making him the top earner in the league by current contract terms source.
Jalen Hurts earned a base salary of roughly 33 million dollars for the 2024 season, with the contract including significant guarantees and a structure that places him ahead of other elite quarterbacks and wide receivers in terms of average annual value and total guaranteed money source.
Contract Breakdown and Salary Structure
Base Salary and Guarantees
Hurts deal features a large signing bonus, a substantial base salary in the first year, and escalating annual payouts, with the contract including a high percentage of guaranteed money that protects him against injury or performance declines source.
Cap Hits and Team Salary Context
The Eagles cap hit for Hurts ranks among the highest in the NFL, with the structure designed to balance cap flexibility while keeping the franchise quarterback under contract through the mid 2020s source.
Comparison With Other Top Earners
Other top earners in the NFL include quarterback Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, wide receiver Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings, and quarterback Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys, all of whom have contracts with average annual values above 30 million dollars but below Hurts current deal source.
In terms of total contract value, Hurts ranks at the top among active players, with his deal surpassing previous record contracts signed by players such as Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes in terms of average annual value when adjusted for the current salary cap environment source.