The NFL season is underway and we're already seeing some surprises on the gridiron. Something that isn't a surprise is how well paid many NFL players are. Teams will go out of their way to ensure that their top players remain with their franchise and aren't lured away to their rivals. Of course, every NFL team has a salary cap and must stay under that. However, because of the way contracts are structured in the NFL, there's really no easy way to say, "these are the highest paid NFL players of the year." So, we are taking a look at the 5 NFL players in three categories:
-The 5 NFL Players Who Will Make The Most In 2018
-The 5 Largest Base Salaries
-The 5 Largest Average Annual Salaries
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The 5 players who will be paid the most in 2018
#5. Alex Smith, Washington Redskins — $40.0 million
Position: Quarterback
Contract: 4 years, $94.0 million
#4. Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams — $40.9 million
Position: Defensive end
Contract: 6 years, $135.0 million
#3. Khalil Mack, Chicago Bears — $41.0 million
Position: Linebacker
Contract: 6 years, $141.0 million
#2. Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers — $42.6 million
Position: Quarterback
Contract: 5 years, $137.5 million
#1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers — $66.9 million
Position: Quarterback
Contract: 4 years, $134.0 million
The 5 largest base salaries
#5. Calais Campbell, Jacksonville Jaguars — $15.0 million
Position: Defensive end
Contract: 4 years, $60.0 million
#4. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks — $15.5 million
Position: Quarterback
Contract: 4 years, $87.6 million
#2. (tie) DeMarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys — $17.1 million
Position: Defensive end
Contract: 1 year, $17.1 million
#2. (tie) Ezekiel Ansah, Detroit Lions — $17.1 million
Position: Defensive end
Contract: 1 year, $17.1 million
#1. Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins — $22.5 million
Position: Quarterback
Contract: 3 years, $84.0 million
The 5 largest average-annual salaries
5. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions — $27.0 million
Position: Quarterback
Contract: 5 years, $135.0 million
#4. Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers — $27.5 million
Position: Quarterback
Contract: 5 years, $137.5 million
#3. Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins — $28.0 million
Position: Quarterback
Contract: 3 years, $84.0 million
#2. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons — $30.0 million
Position: Quarterback
Contract: 5 years, $150.0 million
#1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers — $33.5 million
Position: Quarterback
Contract: 4 years, $134.0 million
