Highest-paid non-QB players in the NFL: Where does Aaron Donald rank after contract extension with Rams?
While quarterbacks are regularly the highest-paid players in the NFL, there are many other players across the league who have signed massive contracts as well. The 2022 NFL offseason alone has featured several mega-contracts, including players from positions other than quarterbacks.
The top 40 highest-paid players in the league all have contracts worth, at least, $20 million in AAV, including the top two highest-paid who all have contracts with, at least, $25 million in AAV. Here are the top five highest-paid non-quarterbacks by AAV entering the 2022 NFL season.
5 highest-paid non-QBs by AAV entering the 2022 NFL season
#5 - DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals - $27.25 million
DeAndre Hopkins set a new standard across the league when he signed a massive contract with the Arizona Cardinals after they acquired him via trade with the Houston Texans. He became the highest-paid wide receiver by AAV ever at the time he signed it, including being the first non-quarterback to eclipse $25 million.
A lot of ways to slice the numbers on DeAndre Hopkins' new contract, but for the #Cardinals, they now have one of the NFL's best receivers for five years and $95 million -- a fair price if he keeps producing. @nflnetwork https://t.co/vzo6etrPYM
Hopkins' contract with the Cardinals included more than $60 million in guaranteed money. He still has three years remaining on the deal as he is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2025 season.
#4 - Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders - $28 million
The Green Bay Packers placed the franchise tag on Davante Adams during the 2022 NFL offseason. Adams informed the Packers that he would refuse to play the 2022 season without a new contract, so the organization traded him to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Immediately following the trade, he signed a record-breaking contract extension worth $140 million over the next five years. While it only lasted a couple of weeks, he became the highest paid wide receiver of all time by AAV when he signed the deal.