These rankings prove it: The NFL is all about quarterbacks and their predators.
The NFL's 25 Highest-Paid Players in 2016
These rankings prove it: The NFL is all about quarterbacks and their predators. QBs, no surprise, claim 14 of the 25 top paychecks in the league for 2016. Their pass-rushing pursuers take another six of the top 25 spots. Vaulting themselves amongst the pigskin-throwing elite and sack specialists are a sprinkling of offensive lineman, whose job it is to keep the quarterback upright, and also back-end defensive players that can help shut down the opposing passing game. These are the players with the fattest paychecks for this season, according to Spotrac.com.
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Running back, Dallas Cowboys
2016 salary and bonuses: $16,800,066
Total four-year contract: $24,956,341*
*All salary data from Spotrac.com.
James D. Smith
Left tackle, Washington Redskins
2016 salary and bonuses: $16,968,750
Total five- year contract: $68 million
Cornerback, New York Jets
2016 salary and bonuses: $17 million
Total five-year contract: $70,121,060
Quarterback, Detroit Lions
2016 salary and bonuses: $17 million
Total three-year contract: $53 million
Quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers
2016 salary and bonuses: $17.75 million
Total four-year contract: $87.4 million
Quarterback, New York Giants
2016 salary and bonuses: $18 million
Total four-year contract: $84 million
Defensive tackle, Jacksonville Jaguars
2016 salary and bonuses: $18 million
Total six-year contract: $85.5 million
Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles
2016 salary and bonuses: $18,050,973
Total four-year contract: $26,676,338
Quarterback, Los Angeles Rams
2016 salary and bonuses: $18,968,308
Total four-year contract: $27,937,673
Left tackle, Buffalo Bills
2016 salary and bonuses: $19 million
Total five-year contract: $60 million
Quarterback, Washington Redskins
2016 salary and bonuses: $19.953 million
Total one-year contract $19.953 million
Wide receiver, Denver Broncos
2016 salary and bonuses: $20 million
Total five-year contract: $70 million
Quarterback, Carolina Panthers
2016 salary and bonuses: $20 million
Total five-year contract: $103.8 million
Quarterback, Arizona Cardinals
2016 salary and bonuses: $20.25 million
Total contract: In August, Palmer signed a one-year, $24.5 million extension on his three-year, $49.5 million deal.
Quarterback, Houston Texans
2016 salary and bonuses: $21 million
Total four-year contract: $72 million
Defensive end, New York Jets
2016 salary and bonuses: $22 million
Total five-year contract: $86 million
Quarterback, San Diego Chargers
2016 salary and bonuses: $22 million
Total four-year contract: $83.25 million
Linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs
2016 salary and bonuses: $23.5 million
Total six-year contract: $101 million
Linebacker, Denver Broncos
2016 salary and bonuses: $25 million
Total six-year contract: $114.5 million
Defensive tackle, Philadelphia Eagles
2016 salary and bonuses: $27,299,000
Total six-year contract: $102.6 million
Quarterback, New England Patriots
2016 salary and bonuses: $28,764,705
Total two-year contract: $41 million
Quarterback, Baltimore Ravens
2016 salary and bonuses: $29 million
Total three-year contract: $66.4 million
Defensive end, New York Giants
2016 salary and bonuses: $29 million
Total five-year contract: $85 million
Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts
2016 salary and bonuses: $30 million
Total five-year contract: $122.97 million
Quarterback, New Orleans Saints
2016 salary and bonuses: $31.25 million
On Sept. 7, Brees agreed to what's essentially a one-year contract extension of his five-year, $100 million deal. His new deal includes $44.25 million in guaranteed money for 2016 and 2017.
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