Highest Paid NFL Player by Base Salary and Cap Hit
The highest paid NFL player by base salary and cap hit in the latest NFL contracts is quarterback Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills, whose 2024 cap number and base salary rank at the top of the league according to Spotrac and OverTheCap, which track NFL salary cap figures and contract details Spotrac.
Allen's new contract extension, signed in the most recent offseason, includes a large guaranteed amount and a salary that pushes his cap hit above other top earners such as Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Jalen Hurts, making him the top earner on standard NFL salary lists OverTheCap.
Largest NFL Contract by Total Value and Guarantees
By total contract value, the largest NFL deal belongs to quarterback Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, whose extension is frequently cited as the biggest in league history, with a high guaranteed amount and a structure that secures his earnings over many seasons Forbes.
Contract Structure and Earnings Breakdown
Mahomes' contract features massive signing bonuses, roster bonuses, and per-game incentives, which inflate the total value while keeping his cap number manageable for the Chiefs in most years, a structure common among the highest paid NFL players SEC filings.
Top Paid NFL Positions and Salary Rankings
Quarterbacks dominate the top of the highest paid NFL player lists, but wide receivers such as Tyreek Hill and Justin Jefferson, along with edge rushers like Myles Garrett, also rank among the top earners due to new contracts and franchise tags Forbes.
Salary rankings shift each offseason as teams use the franchise tag, sign extensions, and create new cap space, so the highest paid NFL player can change quickly, but the latest public data shows Allen, Mahomes, and other elite quarterbacks leading both average annual value and total guarantees OverTheCap.