Micah Parsons’ injury problems could force Packers to regret monster $188m contract
Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson are not allowed on this impressive list.
But Super Bowl champion Jaxon Smith-Njigba crashed the party after receiving a $168 million contract extension from the Seattle Seahawks, while Will Anderson was rewarded with a $150m career payday from the Houston Texans.
Who is highest paid non-quarterback in the NFL?
While NFL teams pay their quarterbacks like franchise faces, linebackers, offensive linemen and corner backs are equally important on the long road to the Super Bowl.
CeeDee Lamb, T.J. Watt, Garrett Wilson, DK Metcalf, Tristn Wirfs and Justin Jefferson almost made this list, but their total contract values fell short.
Even with Watt’s three-year, $123 million extension with the Steelers, Aaron Rodgers‘ recent teammate is still missing some cash when it comes to the final big number.
Here is talkSPORT’s inside look at the highest-paid players in the NFL right now — based off total contract value — who aren’t quarterbacks.
10. Brian Burns, New York Giants
The ex-Panther received a huge contract when he joined the Giants.
Burns has 71 sacks in seven seasons, becoming one of the best linebackers in the league.
He spent his initial five years in Carolina after becoming the No. 16 overall pick of the 2019 draft out of Florida State.
Then a trade to New York handed Burns a massive new contract.
Now he gets to tutor first-round pick Abdul Carter while watching Jaxson Dart develop.
Contract: $141m total, $28.2m AAV
9. Joshua Hines-Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars
The other Josh Allen has made his name in Jacksonville.
Despite playing on one of the NFL’s worst teams in 2024, Hines-Allen took the field with one of the richest non-QB contracts in the league.
He averages $28.2 million a year, backing up the big money with two Pro Bowl selections.
The former Kentucky defender has 345 tackles, 61 sacks and 150 QB hits in seven pro seasons.
The Jaguars are also an AFC contender again, thanks to a 13-4 record last season and playoff appearance after capturing the AFC South crown.
Contract: $141.2m total, $28.2m AAV
8. Will Anderson, Houston Texans
The player selected one pick behind C.J. Stroud in the 2023 NFL Draft is now the best overall player on the Texans.
Anderson has earned two Pro Bowl honors, one All-Pro selection and won the Defensive Rookie of the Year.
The 6ft 4in and 243lb defensive end out of Alabama has been perfect for DeMeco Ryans’ defense.
Now Anderson just needs his side of the ball to be properly backed up by the Texans’ offense.
Contract: $150m total, $50m AAV
7. Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs
One of the NFL’s most intense players is paid like a Super Bowl champ.
Jones has three rings, seven Pro Bowl selections and three All-Pro honors.
He’s been the centerpiece of Kansas City’s defense during the Chiefs’ dynasty.
With more than $154 million in career earnings, Jones is still in his prime at 31-years-old.
But can he get back to the Super Bowl in 2026?
Contract: $158m total, $31m AAV
6. Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
Garrett could have left Cleveland behind.
Instead, one of the best defenders in the game went with the money and was paid like a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
The “goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton, it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl,” Garrett said.
He obviously believes that the Browns can win the big game, since he backed off a trade demand and took the money in Cleveland.
Garett eventually could be leaning on Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson for weekly wins in Cleveland during the 2026 season.
Contract: $160m total, $40m AAV
5. Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow got his wish.
The Bengals handed out $276 million in contract extensions in one night, ensuring that Cincy’s top two wide receivers were staying in town.
Chase joins Justin Jefferson as one of the premier wideouts in the NFL — and now the former LSU receivers are both paid like pro stars.
While Tee Higgins received an impressive $115 million extension from Cincinnati, Chase’s $161m contract launched him into fifth place among non-QBs.
His AAV of $40.2m briefly took over the top spot, showing the world how important Chase and Burrow are together for the Bengals.
Contract: $161m total, $40.2m AAV
4. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
Smith-Njigba is another member of the 2023 draft class who should have been selected earlier.
The former Ohio State star already has two Pro Bowl honors, an All-Pro selection and a Super Bowl ring.
He’s also won Offensive Player of the Year and just turned 24-years-old.
After only starting three games as a rookie, JSN topped the NFL in receiving yards (1,793) last season and caught two touchdowns during the playoffs as Sam Darnold’s dream season ended with a world championship.
Contract: $168.6m total, $42.1m AAV
3. Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers
Joey’s brother is paid like a superstar.
Nick Bosa has five Pro Bowl honors, one All-Pro selection and won Defensive Player in the Year in 2022, after winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2019.
Now all Bosa needs is for the 49ers to return to the Super Bowl in 2026.
Contract: $170m total, $34m AAV
2. Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions
The No. 2 overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft is now paid like an All-Pro.
Hutchinson has 43 sacks during his initial 66 games in the pros, and he fully recovered from a midseason leg injury in 2024.
The Michigan standout is perfect for the Lions’ defense and matches the intensity of head coach Dan Campbell.
Some players spend their careers only playing for one team.
That could be Hutchinson in Detroit.
Contract: $180m total, $45m AAV
1. Micah Parsons, Green Bay Packers
Removing the Dallas Cowboys from Parsons’ name and attaching the Green Bay Packers was league-changing.
Jerry Jones might eventually win the biggest NFL trade in decades.
But it will take a franchise QB-type addition or a major injury to change the long-term look of Parsons in green and gold.
Parsons’ Week 1 health status is a concern as he recovers from an ACL injury that he suffered in December.
But the ex-Cowboy is one of the NFL’s best defenders, and definitely the most versatile.
“Micah’s such a — he’s a little bit of a freak,” Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said on SiriusXM. “So I think some of that has taken over, and he’s doing really well, as well.”
Parsons earned All-Pro honors and finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting during his first year as a Packer, despite being limited to 14 games and missing the playoffs.
He needs to get back to full health so he can start wrecking the league, again, and proving Jerry Jones wrong.
Contract: $188m total, $47m AAV
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