If defense wins championships, then championships are getting more expensive.
Defensive players across the NFL have set records in recent years with their lucrative contracts. From Defensive Player of the Year winners to consistent Pro Bowlers, top pass-rushers, linebackers and cornerbacks are getting paid big-time money.
Where do the top talents rank among all NFL defensive players when it comes to annual salary?
Who is the NFL's highest-paid defensive player?
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In the midst of another strong season, the Green Bay Packers paid up to keep their star linebacker. Rashan Gary, a 2019 first-round pick, agreed to a four-year, $107 million to put him among the highest-paid defenders in the NFL. He's just outside the top-five below a group of star defensive players.
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa signed a five-year, $170 million deal days before the 2023 season to give him an average annual salary of $34 million -- highest for a defensive player in league history. Just a few days after Bosa's deal, Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones also received a raise for 2023.
Aaron Donald previously led all defensive players in average annual salary at $31.66 million. The Los Angeles Rams gave the three-time Defensive Player of the Year a three-year, $95 million contract in June of 2022.
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Bosa and Donald are the only defensive player with an average salary of at least $30 million, with Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt next at $28 million. Watt secured a four-year, $112 million extension ahead of the 2021 campaign, where he went on to tie Michael Strahan's single-season sack record of 22.5 and win Defensive Player of the Year.
Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa, Nick's brother, is fourth with an average salary of $27 million. The four-time Pro Bowler is in the third season of a five-year, $135 million extension. Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is just behind Bosa at $25 million, putting him fifth on this list.
Here's a full look at the NFL's highest-paid defensive players by average annual salary, according to Spotrac:
1. DE Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers: $34,000,000
2. DT Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams: $31,666,667
3. OLB T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers: $28,002,750
4. DE Joey Bosa, Los Angeles Chargers: $27,000,000
5. DE Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns: $25,000,000
T-6. DT Quinnen Williams, New York Jets: $24,000,000
T-6. OLB Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers: $24,000,000
T-8. DE Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders: $23,500,000
T-8. DT Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans: $23,500,000
T-8. OLB Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers: $23,500,000
11. DT Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs: $23,166,666
12. DT Daron Payne, Washington Commanders: $22,500,000
13. OLB Bradley Chubb, Miami Dolphins: $22,000,000
14. DT Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants: $21,875,000
T-15. DE Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals: $21,000,000
T-15. CB Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers: $21,000,000
T-15. DT DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts: $21,000,000
T-15. DE Leonard Williams, New York Giants: $21,000,000
T-15. DT Javon Hargrave, San Francisco 49ers: $21,000,000
20. CB Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns: $20,100,000
