NFL's Record-Breaking Offseason of Highest-Earning Player in Position History Persists in Astonishing Fashion
The 2024 NFL offseason has been a period of unprecedented financial investment in the league, with several positions seeing record-breaking contract extensions. The trend has particularly emphasized defensive talent and quarterbacks, as teams strive to secure their star players and maintain a competitive edge.
In a historic move, Sauce Gardner of the New York Jets has signed a four-year extension worth $120.4 million, making him the NFL's highest-paid cornerback. With an average annual salary of $30.1 million, Gardner surpasses Derek Stingley Jr., who previously held the title.
Edge rushers have also seen significant pay increases. T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers recently signed a three-year extension worth $123 million, featuring $108 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns also made headlines with a four-year extension worth $160 million.
The wide receiver position, while not seeing any recent record-breaking extensions, boasts Ja'Marr Chase as the current holder of a high average annual salary among non-quarterbacks.
Running backs have yet to see a record-breaking extension during this period. Similarly, tight ends, linebackers, safeties, guards, long snappers, and punters have not had any record-breaking extensions highlighted in the search results.
The New York Jets have made strategic moves to secure their future, locking up three of their first-round picks: Jermaine Johnson, Sauce Gardner, and Garrett Wilson. Additionally, they have ensured a future with two cornerstone players by also signing receiver Garrett Wilson to a four-year, $130 million deal.
Saquon Barkley has become the highest-paid running back in NFL history, while Brock Purdy's five-year extension worth $265 million underscores the continued high compensation for quarterbacks.
The boom for the league's best players is evident, with Sauce Gardner, the 2022 NFL rookie of the year, agreeing to a deal that includes a reported $85.6 million in guaranteed money. Maxx Crosby, who was previously the highest-paid edge rusher and non-QB, was surpassed by Myles Garrett on March 9.
Ja'Marr Chase, on the other hand, has not been content with his current deal, reportedly having issues with head coach Zac Taylor. Despite this, Chase became the NFL's highest-paid receiver and non-quarterback on March 16, signing a deal that averages $40.25 million on an annual average basis.
The NFL has anointed several players as the highest-paid at their position this offseason, including Chase, George Kittle (tight end), Crosby and Garrett (edge rusher), Fred Warner (off-the-ball linebacker), Stingley and then Gardner (cornerback), and Detroit's Kerby Joseph (safety).
As the 2025 NFL season unfolds, the impact of these record-breaking contracts will undoubtedly shape the competitive landscape of the league.
- Despite the trends in defensive talent and quarterbacks, the wide receiver position has not seen any record-breaking contract extensions like Sauce Gardner and Ja'Marr Chase, who are currently the NFL's highest-paid cornerback and receiver, respectively.
- American football, as showcased in the NFL, has witnessed a significant surge in financial investments, with positions like edge rushers, quarterbacks, defensive talent, and receivers securing record-breaking contract extensions, leaving positions such as running backs, tight ends, linebackers, safeties, guards, long snappers, and punters yet to have any highlighted during this period.
