Who Is The Highest-Paid NFL Player?
The highest-paid NFL player for the 2019 season is wide receiver Mike Evans, who signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March. Evans’ average annual salary of $16.5 million tops the list of NFL players’ salaries for the 2019 season.
Introduction
In professional football, the average career lasts just over three years. So it’s no surprise that players are looking to maximize their earnings while they can. And with television contracts and endorsement deals driving up the price of admission to the NFL, players are being paid more than ever before.
The question is: who is the highest-paid NFL player? The answer may surprise you.
Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson is the highest-paid NFL player, with an annual salary of $26 million. He is followed by Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who makes $25 million per year. Wilson has been with the Seahawks since 2012 and led them to a Super Bowl victory in 2014.
Ben Roethlisberger
Ben Roethlisberger is the highest-paid player in the NFL. He signed a four-year, $87.4 million extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015 that included a $37 million signing bonus. His average salary of $21.85 million per year makes him the highest-paid player in the NFL by average annual salary.
Aaron Rodgers
As of 2019, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the highest-paid player in the NFL, with an annual salary of $33.5 million. Rodgers’ total compensation, which includes signing and performance bonuses, is $103.75 million over four years. He is followed by Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who is making $31 million per year.
Kirk Cousins
QB Kirk Cousins will earn $33 million in fully guaranteed money from the Minnesota Vikings in 2018, making him the highest-paid player in the NFL. He will make $84 million over the course of his three-year contract with the team.
Conclusion
The highest-paid NFL player is currently Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who makes an average of $35 million per year in salary and endorsements. However, this figure could change soon, as Wilson is in the midst of negotiating a new contract that could make him the first NFL player to earn $40 million per year.
