What NFL Team Has the Highest Payroll in 2021?
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The NFL is a league of big spenders, and that is especially true when it comes to player salaries. So, which team has the highest payroll in 2021?
The NFL’s Highest-Paid Players
As the 2021 season approaches, many NFL fans are wondering which team has the highest payroll. The answer may surprise you. The team with the highest payroll is actually the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers have a total payroll of $247 million.
The Top Ten Highest-Paid NFL Players
1. QB Russell Wilson, Seahawks – $35M
2. QB Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers – $34M
3. QB Aaron Rodgers, Packers – $33.5M
4. QB Kirk Cousins, Vikings – $33M
5. DE Khalil Mack, Bears – $32.5M
6. QB Matt Ryan, Falcons – $30M
7. DT Aaron Donald, Rams – $22.5M
8. WR Mike Evans, Buccaneers – $18M
9. DT Fletcher Cox, Eagles – $17 on tag
10. C Ryan Kalil, Jets -$17 million
The Highest-Paid NFL Player by Position
When it comes to NFL salaries, some positions stand out above the rest. Here’s a look at the highest-paid player at each position for the 2021 season.
Quarterback: Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
Wilson is set to earn $35 million in 2021, making him the highest-paid player in the NFL. He signed a four-year, $140 million extension with the Seahawks in 2019 that made him the highest-paid player in NFL history at the time.
Running back: Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
Henry will make $10.2 million in 2021, which makes him the highest-paid running back in the NFL. He signed a four-year, $50 million extension with the Titans in 2020 after winning back-to-back rushing titles.
Wide receiver: DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals
Hopkins will make $27.25 million in 2021, which makes him the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. He was traded to the Cardinals from the Houston Texans in 2020 and signed a two-year, $54.5 million extension with his new team.
Tight end: George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
Kittle will make $15 million in 2021, which makes him the highest-paid tight end in the NFL. He signed a five-year, $75 million extension with the 49ers in 2020 that made him one of the highest-paid players at his position.
Offensive line: Laremy Tunsil, Houston Texans
Tunsil will make $22 million in 2021, which makes him the highest-paid offensive lineman He was traded to the Texans from the Miami Dolphins in 2019 and signed a three-year, $66 million extension with his new team. The 2021 season will be His final year under that contract.
The NFL’s Highest-Paid Teams
The NFL is a league where the teams with the deepest pockets usually have the most success. That’s why it’s no surprise that the team with the highest payroll in 2021 is also the favorite to win the Super Bowl. Here’s a look at the NFL’s highest-paid teams.
The Five Highest-Paid NFL Teams
As the NFL season comes to a close, many fans are wondering which teams have the highest-paid rosters. Here is a look at the five most expensive squads in the league, according to Spotrac.com.
1. Seattle Seahawks: $181,850,813
2. Philadelphia Eagles: $178,893,905
3. Dallas Cowboys: $169,004,716
4. New England Patriots: $164,728,397
5. Green Bay Packers: $163,650,664
As you can see, the Seahawks and Eagles top the list with nearly identical payrolls. The Cowboys and Patriots round out the top four, while the Packers come in at fifth. It should be noted that these figures do not include signing bonuses or other guaranteed money that may be paid to players.
The Highest-Paid NFL Team by Position
The following table lists the NFL teams with the highest average player salary in 2021, according to Spotrac. The data includes all active NFL players, including those on reserve/injured lists.
Quarterback | $33.3 million
Offensive line | $22.6 million
Defensive line | $20.5 million
Linebacker | $17.1 million
Secondary | $15.9 million
How NFL Player Salaries Have Changed Over Time
In 2021, the average NFL player salary is $2.7 million. This is a significant increase from the $1.9 million average salary in 2009. The NFL salary cap has increased significantly over the years, and this has allowed teams to spend more money on their players. The salary cap is the amount of money that each NFL team can spend on their players’ salaries.
The NFL’s Highest-Paid Players in 2021
While the average NFL salary has increased over time, so have the salaries of the highest-paid players in the league. In 2001, the average salary for an NFL player was $1.17 million. By 2011, it had increased to $2.07 million. In 2021, the average salary is $2.7 million.
But it’s not just the average player who is seeing a raise. The highest-paid player in the NFL now makes $45 million per year, compared to $13 million in 2001. The increase is due to a combination of factors, including an increase in the league’s revenue and changes to the collective bargaining agreement that have resulted in a higher percentage of that revenue going to players.
The following list includes the top 10 highest-paid NFL players for the 2021 season, according to Spotrac:
1. Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks: $45 million
2. Carson Wentz, QB, Philadelphia Eagles: $32.5 million
3. Jared Goff, QB, Los Angeles Rams: $32 million
4. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys: $31.4 million
5 Bailed Out Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh Steelers: $31 million
6 Kirk Cousins Minnesota Vikings :$30 million
7 Deshaun Watson Houston Texans :$29 million
8 Jimmy Garoppolo San Francisco 49ers :$28.5 million
9 Matt Ryan Atlanta Falcons :$28 million
The NFL’s Highest-Paid Players in 2020
USA Today released its annual list of the NFL’s highest-paid players in 2020, and there were some major changes from last year. The biggest drop wasティーランド・ホリデー quarterback Cam Newton, who fell from fourth to 22nd after signing a one-year, $7.5 million deal with the New England Patriots. Newton was replaced in the top four by his former Carolina Panthers teammate, linebacker Luke Kuechly, who signed a two-year extension worth $34 million in 2019.
Offensive linemen made a strong showing on the list, with six players crackING the top 10. Los Angeles Rams’ left tackle Andrew Whitworth was the highest-paid offensive lineman at No. 3 overall with a yearly salary of $15 million.
Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins was the highest-paid player in 2019 and 2020 but was leapfrogged this year by Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who takes over the top spot with an annual salary of $33.5 million. Rodgers’ new contract includes a $6.8 million signing bonus and a no-trade clause that gives him complete control over where he plays.
The NFL’s Highest-Paid Players in 2019
In 2019, the NFL’s highest-paid player is quarterback Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks, who makes an average of $35 million per year in salary and endorsements. Wilson is followed by Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whoAverage Salary: $33.5 million per year. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees rounds out the top three with an average salary of $25 million per year.
These are the top 10 highest-paid NFL players in 2019, according to Forbes:
1. Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks – $35 million
2. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers – $33.5 million
3. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints – $25 million
4. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers – $23.2 million
5. Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions – $22 million
6. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots – $20.5 million
7. Carson Wentz, QB, Philadelphia Eagles – $18.4 million
8. Kirk Cousins, QB ($) Minnesota Vikings – $28 million
9 Jimmy Garoppolo ($27) San Francisco 49ers
10 Derek Carr ($25) Oakland Raiders