Highest paid WRs in the NFL in 2022: Rams' Cooper Kupp enters top 5
Wide receivers have quickly become some of the highest paid players in the NFL. With the focus of the league continually shifting more towards quarterbacks and the passing game, teams are also making it a priority to have elite wide receivers for their quarterbacks to throw to.
The increased emphasis on passing has caused a spike in wide receiver salaries. Several record-breaking contracts have been handed out during the 2022 NFL offseason, including four of the top five largest ever.
Here are the five highest paid wide receivers entering the 2022 NFL season, ranked by AAV (average annual value).
#5 - A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles - $25 million
A.J. Brown was acquired by the Philadelphia Eagles via a trade with the Tennessee Titans during the 2022 NFL Draft. Immediately following the trade, the Eagles rewarded Brown with a four-year contract worth an even 100 million dollars, with more than 57 million dollars in guaranteed money.
The leader in receiving yards and touchdowns among rookies. 👏
The 10 BEST plays from A.J. Brown's 2019 season! @Brown1arthur https://t.co/UZXoaEbKHU
Brown had been negotiating with the Titans on a long-term contract extension during the 2022 offseason, but the two sides were unable to come to an agreement. That ultimately led to him being traded to the Eagles, who paid him what he was looking for.
#4 - Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams - $26.17 million
Cooper Kupp is the most recent wide receiver to continue the trend of earning a massive contract. He signed a new deal with the Los Angeles Rams worth 78.5 million dollars over three years, including a massive 75 million dollars in guaranteed money, almost the entire contract.
@CooperKuppThe Super Bowl MVP got PAID 💰 @CooperKupp https://t.co/qwWTvZ4Nwk
Kupp earned his raise by recording a historic 2021 season. He completed a rare accomplishment of winning the receiving triple crown by leading the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.