Ranking highest paid non-QBs in NFL – Trey Hendrickson and Maxx Crosby can’t touch $188m Packers star

Mar 11, 2026 - 16:30

Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson are not allowed on this impressive list.

But Aidan Hutchinson crashed the party after receiving a $180 million payday from the Detroit Lions, while Trey Hendrickson earned a new $112m contract in NFL free agency after the Baltimore Ravens chose him over Maxx Crosby.

Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates after a sack against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter in the game at Allegiant Stadium on October 12, 2025 — Maxx Crosby was heading toward a new contract before his Ravens trade was blocked

Who is highest paid non-QB in 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 and DK Metcalf 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‘ 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. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

When it comes to pure talent, few can top the Vikings’ primary target.

Jefferson is so good that it doesn’t matter who is throwing him the ball.

The former LSU star has more than 500 receptions for 8,000 yards and 40 touchdowns in six seasons.

Sam Darnold‘s departure left a hole at the top in Minnesota and the ex-Viking recently won an emotional Super Bowl.

But Jefferson has continued to impress, even with J.J. McCarthy struggling to stay on the field.

Contract: $140 million total, $35 million average annual value

Justin Jefferson has charisma to match his game-changing talent[/caption]

9. Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It’s not all about quarterbacks, wide receivers and rushers.

Offensive linemen can create the foundation for Super Bowl winners, and Wirfs is paid like an All-Pro.

The former Iowa standout has five Pro Bowl honors and a world championship ring.

His $140 million deal is one of the richest in pro football and edges Jefferson’s by $600,000.

Contract: $140.6m total, $28m AAV

Tristan Wirfs is proof that offensive linemen deserve top dollar[/caption]

8. 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.

View Tweet: https://twitter.com/BTSmithUK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

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

Brian Burns traded his Carolina uniform for Giants gear and was paid big time[/caption]

7. Joshua Hines-Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars

The other Josh Allen has definitely 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.

Contract: $141.2m total, $28.2m AAV

Joshua Hines-Allen is trying to get Jacksonville back to the AFC Championship[/caption]

6. 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.

Contract: $158m total, $31m AAV

Chris Jones is one of the main reasons the Chiefs built a dynasty[/caption]

5. 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 for weekly wins in Cleveland during the 2026 season.

Contract: $160m total, $40m AAV

Myles Garrett declined his own trade request and re-upped with the Browns

4. 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 fourth 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

Ja’Marr Chase waited for his big pay day and finally received it

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

Nick Bosa is trying to muscle his way back to the playoffs

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

Aidan Hutchinson is a defensive force for the Lions

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.

He’s one of the NFL’s best defenders, and definitely the most versatile.

The Pack paid up — Parsons received a new $188m deal by leaving Dallas — but he can lead Green Bay’s defense into the next decade.

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 due to an ACL injury.

Contract: $188m total, $47m AAV

Trey Hendrickson is one of the highest paid non-quarterbacks in the NFL — Trey Hendrickson has a $112m deal but missed the top 10 in this list money list

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