Top 10 Highest-Paid Running Backs In The NFL

Updated –Jun 4, 2024

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San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has reset the market after another contract extension. After McCaffrey’s extension, here are the top 10 highest-paid running backs in the NFL.

Christian McCaffrey Signs Two-Year Extension

Full breakdown here: https://t.co/0HWvsTNSrq

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 4, 2024

On June 4, the San Francisco 49ers and Christian McCaffrey agreed to a two-year, $38 million extension (per Pro Football Talk). The new deal will keep McCaffrey in San Francisco through the 2027 season.

McCaffrey, 27, originally signed a contract with the Carolina Panthers in 2020, making him the highest-paid running back in the NFL with an annual salary of $16.015 million. McCaffrey had two years left on his deal, worth $11.8 million in base salary in 2024 and $12 million in 2025.

With the extension, McCaffrey will earn $62.2 million over the next four years, including $24 million in fully guaranteed money, for an average of $15.55 million annually. McCaffrey will earn $16 million in 2024 and $16.205 million in 2025.

McCaffey is the reigning Offensive Player of the Year after leading the league in rushing with 1,459 yards to go along with 14 touchdowns. The dynamic running back added 57 catches for 564 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

Top 10 Highest-Paid Running Backs In The NFL

Player/Position	Team	APY*
Christian McCaffrey, RB	San Francisco 49ers	$19 million
Alvin Kamara, RB	New Orleans Saints	$15 million
Jonathan Taylor, RB	Indianapolis Colts	$14 million
Saquon Barkley, RB	Philadelphia Eagles	$12.583 million
Josh Jacobs, RB	Green Bay Packers	$12 million
Joe Mixon, RB	Houston Texans	$9.875 million
D’Andre Swift, RB	Chicago Bears	$8 million
Derrick Henry, RB	Baltimore Ravens	$8 million
Tony Pollard, RB	Tennessee Titans	$7.25 million
James Conner, RB	Arizona Cardinals	$7 million

McCaffrey remains the highest-paid running back in the NFL, as the extension boasts an average per year (APY) of $19 million.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara is second at $15 million annually, with Indianapolis’s Jonathan Taylor right behind him at $14 million.

After spending his first six seasons with the New York Giants, Saquon Barkley signed a three-year, $37.75 million ($12.583 annually) contract with the Philadelphia Eagles this past offseason.

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs rounds out the top five with an APY of $12 million.

*APY = average per year. All figures are taken from Overthecap.com.