Special Report

NFL Teams That Are Paying Their Players the Most (and the Least)

Dustin Bradford / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

Decisions made by sports team management often leave fans scratching their heads. Why would they pay so much for a player that hasn’t displayed much talent? Why let an all-star leave because they want $16 million instead of %15 million? At the end of the day, the NFL is a business, and the interests of owners and fans don’t always align. 

Players also range in their demands. Some may take pay cuts to play with other excellent players in the hopes of creating a championship team while others aim to get every dollar that they’re worth. In a sport that’s as brutal as football, careers can be very short and it’s hard to blame anyone trying to cash out while they can. 

As fans we wonder why players would do anything but sacrifice everything to bring our team a championship. And while loyalty and dedication are celebrated by fans, owners and teams will trade or cut players with little to no notice.

To determine the NFL franchises paying their players the most, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from sports business website Spotrac. Teams were ranked based on the salaries being paid to players with active contracts for the 2021 NFL season. Data is accurate as of September 15, 2021.

Player salaries are often influenced by when they’re negotiating new contracts. If a player just had a big injury in a contract year, it can really hurt their salary. However, if they’re coming off a successful season, especially a championship, they have a lot of room to negotiate. 

In 2013, Joe Flacco became the highest paid quarterback at the time, signing a $120 million deal shortly after winning the Super Bowl. He had a great performance and year but he doesn’t even make the list of 30 best quarterbacks of all time.

It can be difficult in a game as complicated as football to understand who is actually worth what and what impact they are having on the field. Technology has revolutionized sports with the introduction of analytics and advanced statistics. However, it also doesn’t hurt to look at who’s had the most success over the years. Check out the players with the most Super Bowl rings.

Click here to see which teams pay their players the highest salaries

Grant Halverson / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

32. Carolina Panthers
> 2021 cap spending: $110,233,896
> Avg. salary value: $2,079,885
> Position group earning the most: Defensive line, $21.6 million

[in-text-ad]

Quinn Harris / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

31. Detroit Lions
> 2021 cap spending: $116,147,968
> Avg. salary value: $2,277,411
> Position group earning the most: Linebackers, $40.1 million

Chris Graythen / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

30. New Orleans Saints
> 2021 cap spending: $117,490,928
> Avg. salary value: $2,216,810
> Position group earning the most: Defensive backs, $27.8 million

Patrick McDermott / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

29. New York Jets
> 2021 cap spending: $127,312,566
> Avg. salary value: $2,546,251
> Position group earning the most: Offensive line, $35.3 million

[in-text-ad-2]

Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

28. Philadelphia Eagles
> 2021 cap spending: $128,992,099
> Avg. salary value: $2,433,813
> Position group earning the most: Defensive line, $36.6 million

Wesley Hitt / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

27. Baltimore Ravens
> 2021 cap spending: $129,372,172
> Avg. salary value: $2,640,248
> Position group earning the most: Defensive line, $30.8 million

[in-text-ad]

Justin K. Aller / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

26. Pittsburgh Steelers
> 2021 cap spending: $132,942,376
> Avg. salary value: $2,508,347
> Position group earning the most: Defensive line, $30.1 million

Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

25. Los Angeles Rams
> 2021 cap spending: $138,005,725
> Avg. salary value: $2,653,956
> Position group earning the most: Defensive line, $25.0 million

Al Bello / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

24. Atlanta Falcons
> 2021 cap spending: $147,624,421
> Avg. salary value: $2,785,366
> Position group earning the most: Quarterbacks, $28.4 million

[in-text-ad-2]

Wesley Hitt / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

23. Tennessee Titans
> 2021 cap spending: $149,088,082
> Avg. salary value: $2,812,983
> Position group earning the most: Offensive line, $41.2 million

Rob Carr / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

22. Washington Football Team
> 2021 cap spending: $149,165,874
> Avg. salary value: $2,868,575
> Position group earning the most: Defensive backs, $43.3 million

[in-text-ad]

Bob Levey / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

21. Houston Texans
> 2021 cap spending: $149,440,888
> Avg. salary value: $2,767,424
> Position group earning the most: Defensive backs, $25.8 million

Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

20. Chicago Bears
> 2021 cap spending: $151,505,745
> Avg. salary value: $2,858,599
> Position group earning the most: Linebackers, $41.5 million

Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

19. Las Vegas Raiders
> 2021 cap spending: $152,459,665
> Avg. salary value: $2,823,327
> Position group earning the most: Defensive line, $30.9 million

[in-text-ad-2]

Dustin Bradford / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

18. Denver Broncos
> 2021 cap spending: $152,898,994
> Avg. salary value: $2,884,887
> Position group earning the most: Linebackers, $41.3 million

Kathryn Riley / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

17. New England Patriots
> 2021 cap spending: $152,953,243
> Avg. salary value: $2,941,409
> Position group earning the most: Defensive backs, $38.8 million

[in-text-ad]

Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

16. San Francisco 49ers
> 2021 cap spending: $153,339,920
> Avg. salary value: $3,006,665
> Position group earning the most: Defensive line, $41.4 million

Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

15. Green Bay Packers
> 2021 cap spending: $154,868,292
> Avg. salary value: $2,922,043
> Position group earning the most: Linebackers, $33.3 million

Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

14. Seattle Seahawks
> 2021 cap spending: $155,533,388
> Avg. salary value: $2,880,248
> Position group earning the most: Quarterbacks, $33.8 million

[in-text-ad-2]

James Gilbert / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

13. Jacksonville Jaguars
> 2021 cap spending: $157,636,026
> Avg. salary value: $2,974,265
> Position group earning the most: Offensive line, $50.3 million

Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

12. New York Giants
> 2021 cap spending: $159,140,860
> Avg. salary value: $3,002,658
> Position group earning the most: Defensive backs, $38.7 million

[in-text-ad]

Norm Hall / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

11. Minnesota Vikings
> 2021 cap spending: $160,061,866
> Avg. salary value: $3,020,035
> Position group earning the most: Defensive line, $33.0 million

Norm Hall / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

10. Arizona Cardinals
> 2021 cap spending: $160,189,321
> Avg. salary value: $3,022,440
> Position group earning the most: Linebackers, $49.2 million

Andy Lyons / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

9. Cincinnati Bengals
> 2021 cap spending: $164,086,503
> Avg. salary value: $3,155,510
> Position group earning the most: Defensive line, $42.0 million

[in-text-ad-2]

Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

8. Miami Dolphins
> 2021 cap spending: $164,136,721
> Avg. salary value: $3,156,475
> Position group earning the most: Defensive backs, $50.6 million

Justin Casterline / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

7. Indianapolis Colts
> 2021 cap spending: $166,587,083
> Avg. salary value: $3,143,153
> Position group earning the most: Offensive line, $40.4 million

[in-text-ad]

Dylan Buell / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
> 2021 cap spending: $168,984,955
> Avg. salary value: $3,188,395
> Position group earning the most: Offensive line, $35.5 million

Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

5. Kansas City Chiefs
> 2021 cap spending: $169,003,383
> Avg. salary value: $3,188,743
> Position group earning the most: Defensive line, $46.6 million

Julio Aguilar / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

4. Dallas Cowboys
> 2021 cap spending: $169,680,300
> Avg. salary value: $3,201,515
> Position group earning the most: Defensive line, $36.1 million

[in-text-ad-2]

Rob Carr / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

3. Los Angeles Chargers
> 2021 cap spending: $170,936,812
> Avg. salary value: $3,225,223
> Position group earning the most: Defensive line, $40.6 million

Bryan M. Bennett / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

2. Buffalo Bills
> 2021 cap spending: $173,906,689
> Avg. salary value: $3,281,258
> Position group earning the most: Defensive line, $44.4 million

[in-text-ad]

Justin K. Aller / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

1. Cleveland Browns
> 2021 cap spending: $188,607,682
> Avg. salary value: $3,558,636
> Position group earning the most: Offensive line, $48.8 million

Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.