NFL
Top 10 Highest Paid Edge Rushers In The NFL
Published09 Mar 2025
There were two record-breaking contracts signed by edge rushers around the NFL this past week. On Wednesday, Maxx Crosby became the highest paid non-QB in league history by signing a $106.5 million extension with the Raiders. Then, on Sunday, Myles Garrett took that title from him, as he signed a deal worth $160 million to tie him to the Browns until 2030.
Pass rushers have become arguably the most important position on a football field outside of quarterbacks in recent years. The way to stop the elite QBs from winning games is to stop them before they can make their throws, and no one has been better than Garrett over the past three years. No player in the NFL has more sacks than the 29-year-old over the past three seasons (44).
So who are the highest paid players at the position in the NFL? We take a look at the current top-10:
10 Highest Paid Edge Rushers In The NFL, Based On Annual Value
| Player | Team | Total Contract Value | Annual Value |
| Myles Garrett | Cleveland Browns | $160m | $40m |
| Maxx Crosby | Las Vegas Raiders | $106.5m | $35.5m |
| Nick Bosa | San Francisco 49ers | $170m | $34m |
| Joshua Hines-Allen | Jacksonville Jaguars | $141.2m | $28.25m |
| Brian Burns | New York Giants | $141m | $28.2m |
| TJ Watt | Pittsburgh Steelers | $112m | $28m |
| Danielle Hunter | Houston Texans | $49m | $24.5m |
| Montez Sweat | Chicago Bears | $98m | $24.5m |
| Rashan Gary | Green Bay Packers | $96m | $24m |
| Bradley Chubb | Miami Dolphins | $110m | $22m |
The “new money” of course tops the list. Garrett’s $40 million annual value blows the competition out of the water, as he will make nearly $5 million more than what Crosby’s new contract pays. They both overtake Bosa, who signed his deal with San Francisco before the start of the 2024 season.
Look for the top of the chart to add some new faces within the next year. Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons has been vocal about wanting a new deal, and he will likely use the extensions handed down to Garrett and Crosby as starting points in his negotiations. Trey Hendickson is looking for a payday, and requested that the Bengals trade him if they are unable to come to an agreement on a new deal.
Aiden Hutchenson is coming off of a tough injury but will be looking to join the ranks of highest paid pass rushers soon, and look for TJ Watt to re-up at some point as well.
