The $450 Million Man: Unveiling The 10 Highest NFL Contracts And The New $60M AAV King

The landscape of NFL player salaries has been completely reshaped in 2025, with a new wave of record-shattering contracts pushing the average annual value (AAV) ceiling higher than ever before. As of today, December 11, 2025, the league is defined by two monumental figures: the player who holds the record for the largest total contract value in sports history, and the new quarterback who has set the unprecedented benchmark for annual earnings.

The arms race for elite quarterback talent continues to be the primary driver of these massive deals, but star players at premium non-quarterback positions—particularly on the defensive line—are also securing historic paydays. Understanding the "highest NFL contract" requires looking beyond just the total number and examining the AAV and guaranteed money, which truly reflect the player's market value in the current era.

The Absolute Contract Kings: Total Value vs. Average Annual Value (AAV)

In the world of high-stakes NFL contracts, there are two distinct metrics that define a "record-breaking" deal: the total contract value and the average annual value (AAV). While one represents a long-term commitment, the other showcases the player's immediate market worth.

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The Total Value Champion: Patrick Mahomes' Unmatched $450 Million Deal

The gold standard for total contract value remains firmly held by Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. His mammoth 10-year, $450 million contract, signed in 2020, stands as the largest contract in NFL history and arguably in all of professional sports. While the AAV of this deal has been surpassed by more recent contracts due to the league's rising salary cap, the sheer size and duration of the contract make it an extraordinary outlier.

Mahomes' contract, a decade-long commitment, was a unique structure that provided the Chiefs with cap flexibility while rewarding their franchise cornerstone with historic total earnings.

The New AAV King: Dak Prescott's Historic $60 Million Benchmark

In a major offseason move in 2025, the Dallas Cowboys reset the quarterback market by signing Dak Prescott to a new extension that made him the highest-paid player in NFL history by average annual value. Prescott’s new deal reportedly carries an AAV of an astounding $60 million per year, officially breaking the previous ceiling and setting the new benchmark for all future elite quarterback negotiations.

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This $60 million figure reflects the skyrocketing value of top-tier quarterback play and the immense pressure on teams to secure their signal-caller long-term, particularly as the NFL salary cap continues its aggressive ascent.

The Top 10 Highest-Paid NFL Players by Average Annual Value (2025)

Average Annual Value (AAV) is the most accurate measure of a player's current market value. The following list details the highest-paid players in the league based on their AAV, dominated by the quarterback position.

Top 10 NFL Contracts by AAV (2025 Update):

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• 1. Dak Prescott (QB, Dallas Cowboys): $60.0 Million AAV. The new league leader, setting the $60 million standard.
• 2. Jared Goff (QB, Detroit Lions): $53.0 Million AAV. Signed a four-year, $212 million extension in May 2024, briefly holding a top spot before Prescott's deal.
• T-3. Brock Purdy (QB, San Francisco 49ers): $53.0 Million AAV. Purdy’s five-year, $265 million contract extension places him among the elite, reflecting his MVP-caliber play.
• T-3. Joe Burrow (QB, Cincinnati Bengals): $55.0 Million AAV. Burrow’s 2023 extension was a record-setter at the time, totaling $275 million over five years.
• 5. Justin Herbert (QB, Los Angeles Chargers): $52.5 Million AAV. His five-year, $262.5 million deal was a major benchmark in 2023.
• 6. Lamar Jackson (QB, Baltimore Ravens): $52.0 Million AAV. The former MVP's contract reset the market for non-fully guaranteed deals.
• 7. Jalen Hurts (QB, Philadelphia Eagles): $51.0 Million AAV. Hurts' deal was a groundbreaking moment for the young quarterback market.
• 8. Russell Wilson (QB, Pittsburgh Steelers): $48.5 Million AAV. Wilson's previous contract with the Broncos remains a high-water mark.
• 9. Kyler Murray (QB, Arizona Cardinals): $46.1 Million AAV. One of the first major extensions for a young, mobile quarterback.
• 10. Patrick Mahomes (QB, Kansas City Chiefs): $45.0 Million AAV. While his total value is highest, his AAV is now ranked lower due to the contract's length and age.

The clear trend is that the top 10 list is almost entirely composed of quarterbacks, underscoring the positional value in the modern NFL.

The Non-Quarterback Revolution: Highest Paid by Position

While quarterbacks dominate the overall AAV rankings, the contracts for elite defensive and offensive linemen are also experiencing exponential growth. These deals showcase the value of "premium positions" outside of the QB slot.

Highest Paid Defensive Players: The EDGE Rushers

The most significant contract revolution outside of the quarterback position is happening at the defensive end/EDGE rusher spot. The ability to pressure the quarterback is now one of the most valuable assets in the league.

• EDGE Rusher: Micah Parsons (Green Bay Packers) - $47.0 Million AAV. Parsons reset the defensive market in 2025, becoming the first defensive player to cross the $45 million AAV threshold, narrowly surpassing the next player.
• EDGE Rusher: Aidan Hutchinson (Detroit Lions) - $45.0 Million AAV. Hutchinson's four-year, $180 million extension with $141 million guaranteed made him the second-highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
• EDGE Rusher: T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers) - $28.0 Million AAV. Watt was a market-setter for the position before the recent 2025 deals.

Highest Paid Non-QB Contracts at Key Positions (2025):

The massive deals extend to other crucial positions, proving that elite talent commands top dollar regardless of position:

• Wide Receiver (WR): The market is highly volatile, with players like Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson expected to command deals well over $30 million AAV in the near future.
• Cornerback (CB): Sauce Gardner of the New York Jets became the highest-paid cornerback in the league in the 2025 offseason, signing a deal worth $130 million over four years.
• Offensive Guard (OG): Trey Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs set a new benchmark for interior offensive linemen, with a reported $23.4 million AAV.
• Running Back (RB): The running back market remains depressed compared to other positions, but Saquon Barkley’s $20.6 million AAV deal with the Eagles in 2025 was a significant win for the position.

The Future of NFL Contracts: Guaranteed Money and Cap Implications

The conversation around the "highest NFL contract" is increasingly shifting to guaranteed money. While total value and AAV are headline-grabbing, guaranteed money is the true measure of a team's commitment and a player's security. Deals with massive amounts of fully guaranteed money—like those seen in the NBA and MLB—are becoming more common, although the NFL remains unique in its structure.

As the NFL salary cap continues to rise, fueled by new media deals and expanded schedules, the $60 million AAV mark set by Dak Prescott is unlikely to last long. Young quarterbacks like C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis are already establishing themselves as future franchise players who will inevitably push the AAV well past the current record, possibly hitting $70 million or more within the next two to three years. The race for the highest NFL contract is a never-ending cycle, fueled by elite performance and a booming league economy.