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10 Highest Paid NFL Players in 2023

Who are the highest paid NFL players in 2023? Like the highest paid NFL coaches, these players are making some serious bread. Kirk Cousins, Derek Carr and Aaron Rodgers have dropped off our list from 2022. We take a look at the highest paid players by taking the average annual salary of their contracts.

10. Dak Prescott – $40 million

After missing most of 2020, Dak Prescott had a career season in 2021 completing nearly 69 percent of his passes and throwing for 37 touchdowns. The 2022 campaign was frustrating though as he missed five games and threw 15 interceptions.

The Cowboys then lost to the 49ers in the divisional round, another playoff loss for Prescott who’s been underwhelming in postseason play. As one of the highest paid NFL players the Cowboys need more from him and are searching for a first Super Bowl since the 1995 season.

9. Josh Allen – $43 million

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen earns $43 million a season and became one of the highest paid NFL players thanks to a $150 million contract extension he signed in the summer of 2021. The Bills paid up for the dual-threat star and his running game is one of the most exciting in the league.

Allen helped steer the Bills to the divisional round last season after finishing the regular season 13-3. Buffalo have never won a Super Bowl but time is on their side as Allen only turned 27 in 2023.

8. Patrick Mahomes – $45 million

Patrick Mahomes is the best player in the NFL and is the eight highest paid player on a deal worth $45 million a season. He’ll earn around $60 million in 2027 and in 2031 will have an annual salary of over $52 million. That figure could rise if Mahomes hits incentives like winning the Super Bowl. 

Mahomes is worth every dollar as he continues to put up incredible numbers, in unworldly ways and with unconventional throws. In his 2018 MVP season he threw for an incredible 50 touchdowns, and the scary thing is he’s only 28 years old. 

7. Deshaun Watson – $46 million

Controversy’s surrounded Deshaun Watson with at least 22 civil lawsuits and 10 criminal accusations of sexual assault and misconduct against him. That didn’t stop the Browns from locking Watson to a five-year, $230 million contract fully guaranteed in 2022 

Off-field dramas aside, Watson’s a true dual-threat quarterback with an incredible arm, accuracy and IQ. Despite his rustiness in the six games he played in 2022, let’s not forget that this is still the same Watson who threw a league-leading 4,823 yards, and 33 touchdowns in 2020.

6. Kyler Murray – $46.1 million

From third highest earner in 2022 to sixth highest, some things have changed since Kyler Murray signed a five-year extension with the Cardinals for a cool $230.5 million in 2022. He’ll earn $46.1 million per season from a contract he signed as a 24 year old.

The Cardinals are a different team without Murray, which we’ve seen in the early part of the 2023 season after he tore his ACL in his knee last season. Murray still needs to prove his worth in postseason play and needs to in order to justify his salary.

5. Russell Wilson – $49 million 

Russell Wilson had a long and successful career in Seattle before being traded to the Denver Broncos during the 2022 offseason. After signing a five-year extension with the Broncos worth $49 million per year in 2022, Wilson went on to have a shocking season.

From missing wide open receivers, to teammates yelling at him, the supposed Broncos savior was anything but. He’ll be on the road to redemption in 2023 under new head coach Sean Payton. 

4. Jalen Hurts – $51 million

For a few days at least, Jalen Hurts was the highest paid NFL player when he signed a five-year deal worth $255 million with the Eagles. The second round pick of the 2020 draft has fast become the best quarterback in the NFC and he led Philadelphia to an appearance in Super Bowl LVII.

Hurts has pinpoint accuracy in his passing game especially when throwing into one-on-one situations. His ability to step up against better teams is proof why Hurts is one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks.

3. Lamar Jackson – $52 million

Lamar Jackson’s five-year, $260 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens made him the highest paid NFL player, albeit only for a few months. He’s a good passer but it’s his dual-threat attacking ability that causes havoc for opposition defenses.

Jackson is one of the most elusive players we’ve ever seen and when he gets going, is the most unstoppable force in the league.

2. Justin Herbert – $52.5 million

In July 2023 Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert agreed to a 5-year, $262.5 million deal with two years remaining on his rookie contract making him the highest paid player at the time.

With rocket arm strength and a deep threat anywhere across the field, Herbert’s production across his first three years has been impressive. The Chargers will look for Herbert to guide the franchise to Super Bowl success on the back of his high football IQ and explosiveness.

1. Joe Burrow – $55 million

Joe Burrow is the highest paid NFL player after signing a five-year, $275 million record contract extension in September 2023. The first pick of the 2020 draft has changed the fortunes of the Bengals franchise leading Cincinnati to Super Bowl LVI, and an AFC Championship game against the Chiefs last season.

The Bengals will be hoping to keep Joe Burrow injury free as he’s had a history which includes a broken hand, sprained MCL, strained calf, and a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee in 2020 which required reconstructive surgery.

Matt Ieriko

Matt Ieriko is a freelance writer who’s evolved his lifelong passion for sport into the creation of WolfgangSport.com in 2020 – an American sports blog covering the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, MLS and more. As an Australian, he’s always been fascinated with the cultural differences and global significance of sports in America.

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