NFL
Top 10 Highest-Paid NFL Middle Linebackers In 2025
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Get to know Dan Girolamo betterPublished05 Mar 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles are re-signing Zack Baun to a lucrative contract extension. Where does Baun’s salary rank among the best at his position? View the list of the top 10 highest-paid NFL middle linebackers below.
Zack Baun Will Return To Eagles
Breaking: Eagles are re-signing All-Pro LB Zack Baun to a three-year, $51 million contract, including $34 million guaranteed at signing and additional $1.5 million in incentives and escalators, per sources. The contract instantly makes Baun one of the highest-paid LBs in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/n7zkzIgwcD
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 5, 2025
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Baun and the Eagles have agreed to a three-year, $51 million contract extension, including $34 million guaranteed at signing and an additional $1.5 million in incentives and escalators.
After spending his first four seasons in New Orleans, Baun signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Eagles last offseason.
Baun was expected to play the majority of his snaps on special teams.
However, Baun quickly became the Eagles’ best linebacker and one of the best at his position in the NFL.
Baun recorded 151 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, one interception, and four passes defensed.
Baun was named a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro.
The 28-year-old anchored an Eagles’ defense that dominated the Kansas City Chiefs in a 40-22 victory in Super Bowl LIX.
Highest-Paid NFL Middle Linebackers
Player
Team
Annual Salary
Roquan Smith
BAL
$20 million
Fred Warner
SF
$19.045 million
Tremaine Edmunds
CHI
$18 million
Zack Baun
PHI
$17 million
Matt Milano
BUF
$14.165 million
Patrick Queen
PIT
$13.66 million
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
CLE
$12.5 million
Areez Al-Shaair
HOU
$11.33 million
Zaire Franklin
IND
$10.42 million
Foyesade Oluokun
JAX
$10 million
Via OverTheCap.com
After his extension, Baun is now the fourth-highest-paid middle linebacker at $17 million annually.
Baltimore’s Roquan Smith is the highest-paid middle linebacker in the NFL, with an average annual salary of $20 million.
San Francisco’s Fred Warner ($19.045 million), Chicago’s Tremaine Edmunds ($18 million), and Buffalo’s Matt Milano ($14.165 million) round out the top five.
