10 Highest Paid NFL Players in 2023 (Updated)

Who are the highest paid NFL players in 2023? These players made it big and are earning some serious bread like the highest paid NFL coaches.

Kirk Cousins, Derek Carr and Aaron Rodgers have since dropped off the list of highest paid NFL players following the 2022 NFL season. Let's take a look at the highest paid NFL players by taking the average salary for the duration of their contract.

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10. Matthew Stafford - $40 million

Stafford put up great numbers during his career with the Lions, but a trade to the Rams changed everything. He threw for 4900 yards and 41 touchdowns during the 2021 season, leading the Rams to winning Super Bowl LVI.

He was rewarded for his efforts, earning a contract extension for $160 million over four seasons which will take him to 37 years of age by the end of his deal. The Rams and Stafford came back to earth in 2022 with a 5-12 season and they'll be looking to bounce back in 2023.

Super Bowl LVI champion Matthew Stafford is here to stay.

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 19, 2022

9. Dak Prescott - $40 million

Dak Prescott had a career season in 2021 after missing most of 2020 with an ankle injury. He completed nearly 69 percent of his passes for just under 4500 yards and 37 touchdowns. The 2022 campaign was a frustrating one however as he missed five games and threw 15 interceptions with 23 touchdowns to his name.

As good as Prescott is he's been rather underwhelming in the playoffs and that continued in 2022 with a divisional round loss to the 49ers. As one of the highest paid NFL players the Cowboys will be looking for Prescott to prove he's great and not just good.

8. Josh Allen - $43 million

Josh Allen is earning over $43 million per year and is one of the highest paid NFL players thanks to a $150 million contract extension signed in the summer of 2021. Part of the new guard of star quarterbacks, Allen is a dual-threat star and his running game is one of the most exciting of all quarterbacks.

Allen deserves to be one of the highest paid NFL players after helping steer the Bills to the divisional round after a 13-3 regular season in 2022. Buffalo will want to see a Super Bowl win in return on their investment and time is on their side as Allen only turned 27 in 2023.

One year ago, the Bills signed Josh Allen to a 6-year, $258M contract extension through 2028.#BillsMafia #GoBills pic.twitter.com/s5X09lUjsq

— Built in Buffalo (@BuiltInBuffalo_) August 6, 2022

7. Patrick Mahomes - $45 million

Patrick Mahomes is the undisputed best player in the NFL and is the seventh highest paid player. His ability to complete the most unworldly and unconventional throws makes him one of the biggest threats in league history and he's worth every dollar, having led the Chiefs to two Super Bowl victories.

Mahomes has put up incredible numbers over his NFL career and in his 2018 MVP season threw for an incredible 50 touchdowns. Still only 28 years old during the 2023 season he's considered by many to be the best player in the league.

In 2027 Mahomes will earn just under $60 million, and in the last year of his contract in 2031 will have an annual salary of over $52 million. He could earn even more if he hits certain incentives like winning the Super Bowl.

The Kansas City Chiefs pay Mahomes well.

He’s on a 10-year contract for a whopping $503,000,000. It's the richest contract in sports history. pic.twitter.com/TS1WVLu2cq — Andrew Petcash (@AndrewPetcash) November 6, 2022

6. Deshaun Watson - $46 million

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

Off-field dramas aside, Watson is a true dual-threat quarterback with an incredible arm, accuracy and IQ. He was rusty in the six games he featured in during the 2022 season with seven touchdowns and five interceptions. Let's not forget however, this is still the same Watson who threw a league-leading 4,823 yards, and 33 touchdowns in 2020 while at the Texans.

Most guaranteed money on a single contract in NFL history: Deshaun Watson $230 million Aaron Rodgers: $150.7 million Josh Allen: $150 million Patrick Mahomes: $141.5 million Dak Prescott: $126 million@ESPNStatsInfo

— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) March 18, 2022

5. Kyler Murray - $46.1 million

From third highest earner in 2022 to fifth highest, a few 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.

Murray will miss at least the first month of football in the 2023 season following a torn ACL in late 2022. He still has something to prove in postseason play for the Cardinals to be able to justify such a huge part of their salary cap.

Cardinals give Kyler Murray a new contract. WOW! 5 years/$230.5 million with $160 million guaranteed. Lot of money for a guy who has a 22-23-1 career win-loss record. Good QB, but this is a ton of money for a guy who hasn't proven to be an elite QB yet. #NFL

— Dustin Tran (@dustinstran) July 21, 2022

4. Russell Wilson - $49 million

Russell Wilson had a long and successful career with the Seahawks 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, he's dropped from second to fourth highest NFL player remains one of the highest paid NFL players

Wilson had a shocking 2022 season to say the least. From missing wide open receivers to teammates yelling at him, the supposed Broncos savior was anything but. Wilson will be on the road to redemption in 2023 under new head coach Sean Payton.

The #Broncos gave Russell Wilson a $245 million contract to lock him up for 7 years and they're ranked dead last in points per game in the NFL.

They also scarified their future by giving away two 1st round picks, two 2nd round picks and 3 players. This. Is. Bad. — Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 18, 2022

3. 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 shown pinpoint accuracy in his passing game, especially when throwing into one-on-one coverage and even with deep balls. His ability to step up against better teams is proof why Hurts is one of the NFL's elite quarterbacks validating why the Eagles paid so much to keep him in Philadelphia.

2. 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 until Justin Herbert signed an extension with the Chargers.

Jackson is a good passer, but it's his dual-threat attacking ability that has caused havoc for opposition defenses. Are the Ravens paying overs for him? Jackson is one of the most elusive players the NFL has ever seen and when he gets going, is the most unstoppable force in the league.

1. 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 NFL player in 2023. 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 into the future for Herbert to guide the franchise to Super Bowl success on the back of his high football IQ and his explosive abilities.

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Founded in 2020, I turned my lifelong passion for sport into WolfgangSport.com. As an Australian, I've always been fascinated with the cultural differences and global significance of sports in America so I started writing about topics on the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, MLS and more. Beyond these topics my vision with WolfgangSport.com is continuing to innovate by expanding exposure into developing technologies such as Web3 platforms as I explore elevating user experiences for readers.