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NFL · 2016 SEASON

NFL salaries in 2016

$734,137,910 paid to 228 players in the 2016 season, ranked. Joe Flacco took $29,000,000 of it.

One season rather than a career, which produces a different list: a signing bonus lands in the year the pen moved, so a player on a rookie deal can outrank a nine-figure career for a single year and never appear near the top again. The 2016 payroll was 70.7% up on 2015, which paid $429,993,726.

PAID IN 2016 $734.1m
BIGGEST PAYDAY $29.0m
PLAYERS PAID 228
AVERAGE $3.2m
SHARE OF ALL TIME 1.7%

The twenty biggest paydays of 2016

Money paid in the season, not across a career

Top twenty hold 44.5%

Joe Flacco $29m Von Miller $25m Kirk Cousins $20m Jared Goff $19m Carson Wentz $18m Matthew Stafford $17m Ezekiel Elliott $17m Tyrann Mathieu $17m Jalen Ramsey $16m Darius Slay $16m Harrison Smith $15m Keenan Allen $15m Joey Bosa $15m Trent Williams $15m Ronnie Stanley $14m Aaron Rodgers $13m Russell Wilson $12m DeForest Buckner $12m Terron Armstead $12m Lane Johnson $12m

The twenty names above took 44.5% of the 2016 payroll between them, out of 228 players paid. A season chart is steeper than a career chart every time, because the thing at the top of it is usually one cheque rather than a decade of them.

Every player paid in 2016

The 200 biggest, ranked

228 players paid

# Player Position Franchise Base Signing Paid in 2016
001 Joe Flacco Delaware Quarterback Baltimore Ravens $4.0m $25.0m $29,000,000$29.0m
002 Von Miller Texas A&M Defensive End Denver Broncos $2.0m $17.0m $25,100,000$25.1m
003 Kirk Cousins Michigan State Quarterback Washington Commanders $20.0m $19,953,000$20.0m
004 Jared Goff California Quarterback Los Angeles Rams $450k $18.5m $18,968,308$19.0m
005 Carson Wentz North Dakota State Quarterback Philadelphia Eagles $450k $17.6m $18,050,973$18.1m
006 Matthew Stafford Georgia Quarterback Detroit Lions $17.0m $17,000,000$17.0m
007 Ezekiel Elliott Ohio State Running Back Dallas Cowboys $450k $16.4m $16,800,066$16.8m
008 Tyrann Mathieu Louisiana State Safety Arizona Cardinals $1000k $15.5m $16,671,407$16.7m
009 Jalen Ramsey Florida State Cornerback Jacksonville Jaguars $450k $15.2m $15,632,546$15.6m
010 Darius Slay Mississippi State Cornerback Detroit Lions $1000k $14.5m $15,631,250$15.6m
011 Harrison Smith Notre Dame Safety Minnesota Vikings $5.3m $10.0m $15,278,000$15.3m
012 Keenan Allen California Wide Receiver Los Angeles Chargers $1.7m $9.5m $15,171,000$15.2m
013 Joey Bosa Ohio State Outside Linebacker Los Angeles Chargers $450k $14.5m $14,914,642$14.9m
014 Trent Williams Oklahoma Left Tackle Washington Commanders $5.2m $14,909,914$14.9m
015 Ronnie Stanley Notre Dame Left Tackle Baltimore Ravens $450k $13.1m $13,547,695$13.5m
016 Aaron Rodgers California Quarterback Green Bay Packers $11.5m $12,600,000$12.6m
017 Russell Wilson Wisconsin Quarterback Seattle Seahawks $12.3m $12,342,000$12.3m
018 DeForest Buckner Oregon Defensive Tackle San Francisco 49ers $450k $11.4m $11,879,814$11.9m
019 Terron Armstead Arkansas-Pine Bluff Left Tackle Miami Dolphins $680k $11.0m $11,721,000$11.7m
020 Lane Johnson Oklahoma Right Tackle Philadelphia Eagles $278k $8.8m $11,538,712$11.5m
021 Stephon Gilmore South Carolina Cornerback Buffalo Bills $11.1m $11,082,000$11.1m
022 Andy Dalton Texas Christian Quarterback Cincinnati Bengals $10.5m $10,700,000$10.7m
023 Jerry Hughes Texas Christian Defensive End Buffalo Bills $4.5m $10,675,000$10.7m
024 Travis Kelce Cincinnati Tight End Kansas City Chiefs $675k $9.8m $10,646,000$10.6m
025 Jack Conklin Michigan State Right Tackle Tennessee Titans $450k $9.8m $10,211,933$10.2m
026 Leonard Floyd Georgia Defensive End Chicago Bears $450k $9.7m $10,128,444$10.1m
027 Lavonte David Nebraska Inside Linebacker Tampa Bay Buccaneers $10.0m $10,000,000$10.0m
028 Tyron Smith Southern California Left Tackle Dallas Cowboys $1000k $10,000,000$10.0m
029 Calais Campbell Miami (FL) Defensive End Arizona Cardinals $9.5m $9,750,000$9.7m
030 Cameron Jordan California Defensive End Two clubs $765k $9,600,000$9.6m
031 Tyrod Taylor Virginia Tech Quarterback Buffalo Bills $2.6m $3.4m $9,506,240$9.5m
032 Zach Ertz Stanford Tight End Philadelphia Eagles $1.1m $8.0m $9,138,527$9.1m
033 Rodney McLeod Virginia Safety Philadelphia Eagles $1000k $8.0m $9,000,000$9.0m
034 Kevin Zeitler Wisconsin Guard Cincinnati Bengals $8.1m $8,070,000$8.1m
035 Cameron Heyward Ohio State Defensive End Pittsburgh Steelers $3.0m $8,000,000$8.0m
036 Justin Tucker Texas Kicker Baltimore Ravens $2.0m $6.0m $8,000,000$8.0m
037 Sheldon Rankins Louisville Defensive Tackle Two clubs $450k $7.5m $7,960,289$8.0m
038 Laremy Tunsil Mississippi Left Tackle Miami Dolphins $450k $7.3m $7,710,109$7.7m
039 Bobby Wagner Utah State Inside Linebacker Seattle Seahawks $3.0m $7,500,000$7.5m
040 Tashaun Gipson Wyoming Safety Jacksonville Jaguars $3.0m $4.0m $7,500,000$7.5m
041 Jameis Winston Florida State Quarterback Tampa Bay Buccaneers $525k $5.8m $7,431,383$7.4m
042 Taylor Decker Ohio State Left Tackle Detroit Lions $450k $6.2m $6,625,985$6.6m
043 Ryan Kelly Alabama Center Indianapolis Colts $450k $5.8m $6,250,715$6.3m
044 Linval Joseph East Carolina Defensive Tackle Minnesota Vikings $5.7m $5,750,000$5.8m
045 Kenny Clark California-Los Angeles Defensive Tackle Green Bay Packers $450k $5.0m $5,458,470$5.5m
046 Kelvin Beachum Southern Methodist Right Tackle Jacksonville Jaguars $2.5m $4,937,500$4.9m
047 Demario Davis Arkansas State Inside Linebacker Cleveland Browns $2.1m $2.0m $4,200,000$4.2m
048 Brandon Graham Michigan Outside Linebacker Philadelphia Eagles $4.0m $4,000,000$4.0m
049 Marcedes Lewis California-Los Angeles Tight End Jacksonville Jaguars $4.0m $4,000,000$4.0m
050 Case Keenum Houston Quarterback Los Angeles Rams $3.6m $3,635,000$3.6m
051 Thomas Morstead Southern Methodist Punter Two clubs $900k $3,500,000$3.5m
052 Emmanuel Ogbah Oklahoma State Defensive End Cleveland Browns $450k $3.0m $3,457,012$3.5m
053 Matt Prater Central Florida Kicker Detroit Lions $2.3m $3,300,000$3.3m
054 Hunter Henry Arkansas Tight End Los Angeles Chargers $450k $2.8m $3,290,223$3.3m
055 Chris Jones Mississippi State Defensive Tackle Kansas City Chiefs $450k $2.7m $3,181,801$3.2m
056 Sam Martin Appalachian State Punter Detroit Lions $675k $2.5m $3,175,000$3.2m
057 Graham Gano Florida State Kicker Carolina Panthers $3.1m $3,100,000$3.1m
058 Austin Johnson Penn State Defensive Tackle Tennessee Titans $450k $2.3m $2,767,985$2.8m
059 Nick Folk Arizona Kicker New York Jets $2.8m $2,750,000$2.8m
060 Jihad Ward Illinois Outside Linebacker Las Vegas Raiders $450k $2.2m $2,678,945$2.7m
061 Derrick Henry Alabama Running Back Tennessee Titans $450k $2.1m $2,583,038$2.6m
062 A'Shawn Robinson Alabama Defensive End Detroit Lions $450k $2.0m $2,456,280$2.5m
063 Jadeveon Clowney South Carolina Outside Linebacker Houston Texans $600k $2,444,818$2.4m
064 Johnny Hekker Oregon State Punter Los Angeles Rams $2.2m $2,222,222$2.2m
065 Jarran Reed Alabama Defensive Tackle Seattle Seahawks $450k $1.8m $2,206,099$2.2m
066 Khalil Mack Buffalo Outside Linebacker Las Vegas Raiders $600k $2,117,909$2.1m
067 Jake Matthews Texas A&M Left Tackle Atlanta Falcons $600k $1,913,591$1.9m
068 Tress Way Oklahoma Punter Washington Commanders $600k $1.3m $1,850,000$1.8m
069 Vonn Bell Ohio State Safety Two clubs $450k $1.1m $1,782,164$1.8m
070 Mike Evans Texas A&M Wide Receiver Tampa Bay Buccaneers $600k $1,750,137$1.8m
071 Bryan Anger California Punter Tampa Bay Buccaneers $1000k $1,750,000$1.8m
072 Tyler Boyd Pittsburgh Wide Receiver Cincinnati Bengals $450k $1.3m $1,747,432$1.7m
073 Cody Whitehair Kansas State Center Chicago Bears $450k $1.3m $1,722,412$1.7m
074 William Gholston Michigan State Defensive End Tampa Bay Buccaneers $1.7m $1,671,000$1.7m
075 J.J. Jansen Notre Dame Long Snapper Carolina Panthers $885k $700k $1,585,000$1.6m
076 Marcus Mariota Oregon Quarterback Tennessee Titans $525k $1,535,635$1.5m
077 James Bradberry Samford Cornerback Carolina Panthers $450k $1.1m $1,530,608$1.5m
078 Joe Thuney North Carolina State Guard New England Patriots $450k $773k $1,528,634$1.5m
079 Dante Fowler Jr. Florida Defensive End Jacksonville Jaguars $1.5m $1,502,739$1.5m
080 Morgan Cox Tennessee Long Snapper Baltimore Ravens $800k $700k $1,500,000$1.5m
081 Amari Cooper Alabama Wide Receiver Las Vegas Raiders $525k $1,465,142$1.5m
082 DeAndre Hopkins Clemson Wide Receiver Houston Texans $1000k $1,445,005$1.4m
083 Cordarrelle Patterson Tennessee Running Back Minnesota Vikings $1.0m $1,443,322$1.4m
084 Brandon Scherff Iowa Guard Washington Commanders $525k $1,399,347$1.4m
085 Odell Beckham, Jr. Louisiana State Wide Receiver New York Giants $1.4m $1,366,018$1.4m
086 Kevin Byard Middle Tennessee State Safety Tennessee Titans $450k $897k $1,347,060
087 Maliek Collins Nebraska Defensive Tackle Dallas Cowboys $450k $881k $1,331,152
088 Kendall Fuller Virginia Tech Cornerback Washington Commanders $450k $718k $1,302,246
089 Leonard Williams Southern California Defensive End New York Jets $525k $1,281,858
090 Jonathan Bullard Florida Defensive End Chicago Bears $450k $827k $1,276,520
091 Greg Zuerlein Missouri Western State Kicker Los Angeles Rams $850k $400k $1,250,000
092 Brandin Cooks Oregon State Wide Receiver Two clubs $1.2m $1,239,182
093 Zack Martin Notre Dame Guard Dallas Cowboys $1.2m $1,235,255
094 Austin Hooper Stanford Tight End Atlanta Falcons $450k $773k $1,223,428
095 C.J. Mosley Alabama Inside Linebacker Baltimore Ravens $1.2m $1,218,910
096 Isaac Seumalo Oregon State Guard Philadelphia Eagles $450k $764k $1,213,864
097 John Jenkins Georgia Defensive Tackle Seattle Seahawks $885k $318k $1,208,294
098 Le'Raven Clark Texas Tech Right Tackle Indianapolis Colts $450k $734k $1,183,732
099 Dak Prescott Mississippi State Quarterback Dallas Cowboys $450k $383k $1,176,937
100 Javon Hargrave South Carolina State Defensive Tackle Pittsburgh Steelers $450k $693k $1,143,256
101 Nick Bellore Central Michigan Fullback San Francisco 49ers $760k $1,115,000
102 Nick Vannett Ohio State Tight End Seattle Seahawks $450k $657k $1,106,880
103 David Onyemata Manitoba Defensive Tackle Two clubs $450k $542k $1,104,903
104 Graham Glasgow Michigan Guard Detroit Lions $450k $645k $1,095,420
105 Justin Simmons Boston College Safety Denver Broncos $450k $645k $1,095,420
106 Geno Smith West Virginia Quarterback New York Jets $675k $1,089,491
107 Jacoby Brissett North Carolina State Quarterback New England Patriots $361k $681k $1,082,461
108 Robert Woods Southern California Wide Receiver Buffalo Bills $1.0m $1,068,650
109 Jimmie Ward Northern Illinois Safety San Francisco 49ers $1.1m $1,066,594
110 Eric Murray Minnesota Safety Kansas City Chiefs $450k $600k $1,049,803
111 Chris Moore Cincinnati Wide Receiver Baltimore Ravens $450k $596k $1,046,360
112 Tyler Higbee Western Kentucky Tight End Los Angeles Rams $450k $581k $1,030,860
113 Miles Killebrew Southern Utah Safety Detroit Lions $450k $579k $1,028,564
114 Andrus Peat Stanford Guard Las Vegas Raiders $953k $1,016,528
115 De'Vondre Campbell Minnesota Outside Linebacker Atlanta Falcons $450k $566k $1,015,528
116 Demarcus Robinson Florida Wide Receiver Kansas City Chiefs $450k $517k $967,172
117 Johnathan Hankins Ohio State Defensive Tackle New York Giants $955k $954,639
118 David Andrews Georgia Center New England Patriots $525k $951,343
119 Adam Thielen Minnesota-Mankato Wide Receiver Minnesota Vikings $600k $939,639
120 MyCole Pruitt Southern Illinois Tight End Minnesota Vikings $93k $278k $929,088
121 Joel Bitonio Nevada Guard Cleveland Browns $917k $916,518
122 Derek Carr Fresno State Quarterback Las Vegas Raiders $733k $908,346
123 Josh Johnson San Diego Quarterback New York Giants $885k $885,000
124 Arik Armstead Oregon Defensive End San Francisco 49ers $882k $882,392
125 Morgan Moses Virginia Right Tackle Washington Commanders $680k $877,971
126 Jordan Matthews Vanderbilt Wide Receiver Philadelphia Eagles $870k $869,934
127 Andrew Billings Baylor Defensive Tackle Cincinnati Bengals $333k $536k $868,845
128 Nelson Agholor Southern California Wide Receiver Philadelphia Eagles $861k $861,244
129 Bud Dupree Kentucky Outside Linebacker Pittsburgh Steelers $854k $854,195
130 Shaq Thompson Washington Inside Linebacker Carolina Panthers $835k $835,397
131 Dean Lowry Northwestern Defensive End Green Bay Packers $450k $383k $833,393
132 Jon Weeks Baylor Long Snapper Houston Texans $825k $825,000
133 D.J. Reader Clemson Defensive Tackle Houston Texans $450k $215k $824,380
134 Laken Tomlinson Duke Guard Detroit Lions $824k $823,648
135 Eric Kendricks California-Los Angeles Inside Linebacker Minnesota Vikings $669k $818,637
136 Shaq Mason Georgia Tech Guard New England Patriots $525k $802,474
137 Preston Smith Mississippi State Defensive End Washington Commanders $698k $793,225
138 Davante Adams Fresno State Wide Receiver Green Bay Packers $778k $777,582
139 Jimmy Garoppolo Eastern Illinois Quarterback New England Patriots $687k $761,458
140 Josh Harris Auburn Long Snapper Atlanta Falcons $760k $760,000
141 Stefon Diggs Maryland Wide Receiver Minnesota Vikings $525k $749,226
142 Jamison Crowder Duke Wide Receiver Washington Commanders $525k $716,529
143 Danielle Hunter Louisiana State Defensive End Minnesota Vikings $536k $715,144
144 Mario Edwards Florida State Defensive Tackle Las Vegas Raiders $709k $708,508
145 Matt Judon Grand Valley State Outside Linebacker Baltimore Ravens $450k $256k $705,736
146 DeMarcus Lawrence Boise State Defensive End Dallas Cowboys $704k $703,992
147 Eddie Goldman Florida State Defensive Tackle Chicago Bears $693k $693,469
148 Jordan Poyer Oregon State Safety Cleveland Browns $675k $675,000
149 Kyle Juszczyk Harvard Fullback Baltimore Ravens $675k $675,000
150 Elandon Roberts Houston Inside Linebacker New England Patriots $450k $100k $655,701
151 Denzel Perryman Miami (FL) Inside Linebacker Los Angeles Chargers $652k $652,113
152 Mitch Morse Missouri Center Kansas City Chiefs $622k $647,413
153 Ronald Darby Florida State Cornerback Buffalo Bills $593k $642,713
154 Quinton Jefferson Maryland Defensive Tackle Seattle Seahawks $381k $254k $634,993
155 Jordan Phillips Oklahoma Defensive Tackle Miami Dolphins $633k $633,314
156 Jordan Hicks Texas Inside Linebacker Philadelphia Eagles $543k $624,813
157 Ameer Abdullah Nebraska Running Back Detroit Lions $574k $623,915
158 Ted Karras Illinois Center New England Patriots $450k $100k $615,723
159 Rob Havenstein Wisconsin Right Tackle Los Angeles Rams $615k $615,455
160 Joe Cardona Navy Long Snapper New England Patriots $525k $605,335
161 Jonathan Jones Auburn Cornerback New England Patriots $450k $10k $601,237
162 Andrew DePaola Rutgers Long Snapper Tampa Bay Buccaneers $600k $600,000
163 Brent Urban Virginia Defensive End Baltimore Ravens $600k $600,000
164 Cairo Santos Tulane Kicker Kansas City Chiefs $600k $600,000
165 Cornelius Lucas Kansas State Left Tackle Detroit Lions $600k $600,000
166 DaQuan Jones Penn State Defensive Tackle Tennessee Titans $600k $600,000
167 Denico Autry Mississippi State Defensive Tackle Las Vegas Raiders $600k $600,000
168 Dustin Hopkins Florida State Kicker Washington Commanders $600k $600,000
169 Anthony Brown Purdue Cornerback Dallas Cowboys $450k $135k $584,947
170 Wes Schweitzer San Jose State Center Atlanta Falcons $450k $132k $582,381
171 Tyler Lockett Kansas State Wide Receiver Seattle Seahawks $580k $580,000
172 Brandon Allen Arkansas Quarterback Jacksonville Jaguars $450k $124k $574,274
173 Chris Conley Georgia Wide Receiver Kansas City Chiefs $535k $560,000
174 Tyreek Hill West Alabama Wide Receiver Kansas City Chiefs $450k $70k $550,000
175 Riley Dixon Syracuse Punter Denver Broncos $450k $80k $530,009
176 Bradley Pinion Clemson Punter San Francisco 49ers $525k $525,000
177 Charley Hughlett Central Florida Long Snapper Cleveland Browns $525k $525,000
178 Chris Boswell Rice Kicker Pittsburgh Steelers $525k $525,000
179 Grady Jarrett Clemson Defensive Tackle Atlanta Falcons $525k $525,000
180 James Winchester Oklahoma Long Snapper Kansas City Chiefs $525k $525,000
181 Jason Myers Marist Kicker Jacksonville Jaguars $525k $525,000
182 Jon Feliciano Miami (FL) Guard Las Vegas Raiders $525k $525,000
183 Kendall Lamm Appalachian State Right Tackle Houston Texans $525k $525,000
184 Michael Burton Rutgers Fullback Detroit Lions $525k $525,000
185 Neville Hewitt Marshall Inside Linebacker Miami Dolphins $525k $525,000
186 Patrick Scales Utah State Long Snapper Chicago Bears $525k $525,000
187 Quandre Diggs Texas Safety Detroit Lions $525k $525,000
188 Trenton Brown Florida Right Tackle San Francisco 49ers $525k $525,000
189 Za'Darius Smith Kentucky Defensive End Baltimore Ravens $525k $525,000
190 Tyler Matakevich Temple Inside Linebacker Pittsburgh Steelers $450k $63k $513,050
191 Wil Lutz Georgia State Kicker Denver Broncos $450k $7k $508,389
192 George Fant Western Kentucky Right Tackle Seattle Seahawks $450k $20k $470,000
193 Taylor Heinicke Old Dominion Quarterback Minnesota Vikings $463k $462,529
194 Michael Pierce Samford Defensive Tackle Baltimore Ravens $450k $10k $460,000
195 Roy Robertson-Harris Texas El-Paso Defensive Tackle Chicago Bears $450k $7k $457,000
196 Antonio Hamilton South Carolina State Cornerback Las Vegas Raiders $450k $5k $455,500
197 C.J. Goodwin California Cornerback Atlanta Falcons $450k $450,000
198 Casey Kreiter Iowa Long Snapper Denver Broncos $450k $450,000
199 Jeff Driskel Louisiana Tech Quarterback Cincinnati Bengals $450k $113k $450,000
200 Ka'imi Fairbairn California-Los Angeles Kicker Houston Texans $450k $450,000

The table holds the 200 biggest of the 228 players paid in 2016. Each of them has a page carrying the whole career season by season, and the all-time list ranks all 1,924 of them across every year at once.

What the 2016 money was made of

The season's payroll, split by kind of promise

Base salary 38.8%

  • Base salary 38.8%
  • Signing bonus 49.5%
  • Restructured money 5.3%
  • Roster bonus 2.7%
  • Option bonus 2.8%
  • Workout bonus 0.4%
  • Incentives 0.5%
What the money was What it means Share Paid in 2016
Signing bonus paid up front and guaranteed the moment the contract is signed 49.5% $364,183,668$364.2m
Base salary the weekly paycheque, and the part that stops the day a player is cut 38.8% $285,279,148$285.3m
Restructured money base salary converted to signing money so a deal fits under the cap 5.3% $38,884,383$38.9m
Option bonus paid to take up a season already written into the deal 2.8% $20,529,400$20.5m
Roster bonus paid for being on the roster on a named day of the year 2.7% $19,979,900$20.0m
Incentives paid for hitting a number 0.5% $3,962,286$4.0m
Workout bonus paid for turning up to the offseason programme 0.4% $2,592,637$2.6m

Base salary was only 38.8% of the 2016 payroll, so most of what the league handed over that year was bonus money of one kind or another. Across every season the site holds, base salary runs at 52.9% and signing bonus at 27.6%, so 2016 sits 14.1 points away from the long-run split. Signing bonus and base salary each have a page of their own.

What every franchise paid in 2016

The season's outlay, club by club

31 franchises

# Franchise Players paid Biggest single payday Per player Paid in 2016
01 Baltimore Ravens 11 Joe Flacco $5.2m $57,278,701$57.3m
02 Philadelphia Eagles 10 Carson Wentz $5.5m $55,377,477$55.4m
03 Detroit Lions 13 Matthew Stafford $4.1m $53,410,062$53.4m
04 Washington Commanders 9 Kirk Cousins $4.7m $42,402,232$42.4m
05 Jacksonville Jaguars 7 Jalen Ramsey $5.0m $34,672,059$34.7m
06 Los Angeles Chargers 4 Keenan Allen $8.5m $34,027,978$34.0m
07 Buffalo Bills 6 Stephon Gilmore $5.5m $33,036,703$33.0m
08 Dallas Cowboys 9 Ezekiel Elliott $3.6m $32,059,739$32.1m
09 Los Angeles Rams 10 Jared Goff $2.8m $28,254,303$28.3m
10 Denver Broncos 6 Von Miller $4.6m $27,816,168$27.8m
11 Minnesota Vikings 10 Harrison Smith $2.7m $27,189,085$27.2m
12 Arizona Cardinals 2 Tyrann Mathieu $13.2m $26,421,407$26.4m
13 Seattle Seahawks 8 Russell Wilson $3.3m $26,048,266$26.0m
14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6 Lavonte David $3.9m $23,202,520$23.2m
15 Cincinnati Bengals 6 Andy Dalton $3.7m $21,976,657$22.0m
16 Miami Dolphins 4 Terron Armstead $5.1m $20,589,423$20.6m
17 Green Bay Packers 5 Aaron Rodgers $4.0m $19,786,745$19.8m
18 Kansas City Chiefs 10 Travis Kelce $1.9m $19,066,894$19.1m
19 Tennessee Titans 6 Jack Conklin $3.2m $19,045,651$19.0m
20 San Francisco 49ers 10 DeForest Buckner $1.6m $16,066,082$16.1m
21 Chicago Bears 8 Leonard Floyd $1.9m $14,948,432$14.9m
22 Pittsburgh Steelers 5 Cameron Heyward $2.2m $11,035,501$11.0m
23 Las Vegas Raiders 9 Jihad Ward $1.2m $10,475,878$10.5m
24 Cleveland Browns 5 Demario Davis $2.0m $9,773,530$9.8m
25 New England Patriots 12 Joe Thuney $679k $8,149,080$8.1m
26 Indianapolis Colts 3 Ryan Kelly $2.5m $7,540,327$7.5m
27 Carolina Panthers 6 Graham Gano $1.2m $7,464,575$7.5m
28 Houston Texans 7 Jadeveon Clowney $965k $6,752,433$6.8m
29 Atlanta Falcons 7 Jake Matthews $924k $6,469,928$6.5m
30 New York Jets 5 Nick Folk $1.1m $5,407,879$5.4m
31 New York Giants 3 Odell Beckham, Jr. $1.1m $3,205,657$3.2m

Baltimore Ravens paid the most in 2016, $57,278,701 across 11 players. A further $25,186,538 went to players who changed club inside the season, so it belongs to two franchises and is counted against neither.

What every position was paid in 2016

The season's money, by the job on the field

18 positions

Quarterback $168m Defensive End $90m Left Tackle $67m Safety $57m Defensive Tackle $52m Cornerback $48m Wide Receiver $34m Tight End $32m Right Tackle $31m Outside Linebacker $29m Inside Linebacker $28m Running Back $22m Kicker $22m Guard $19m Punter $14m Center $11m Long Snapper $8.3m Fullback $2.4m

Quarterbacks took 22.9% of the 2016 payroll across 21 players, which is $8.0m each against $4.3m for a defensive end.

Every NFL season we hold

What the league paid out, year by year

15 seasons

Frequently asked questions

Who was the highest paid NFL player in 2016?

Joe Flacco, $29,000,000 at Baltimore Ravens. That was 4.0% of everything the league paid out that season.

How much did the NFL pay its players in 2016?

$734,137,910 across 228 players, an average of $3,219,903 each. The 2016 payroll was 70.7% up on 2015, which paid $429,993,726.

Which team spent the most in 2016?

Baltimore Ravens, $57,278,701 across 11 players.

What was the average NFL salary in 2016?

$3,219,903 across the 228 players paid that season, against a middle figure of $1,015,528. The gap between those two is the top of the league: the twenty biggest paydays of 2016 were 44.5% of the whole payroll.

How much of an NFL salary is base pay?

In 2016, 38.8% of it. Signing bonus was 49.5% and the rest was roster, option, workout and incentive money.

Where to next

The seasons either side, and the same money cut another way

The 2017 season · The 2015 season · NFL career earnings · The all-time list · Money under contract · By position · By franchise · By draft round

The biggest earners of 2016

Every season

By franchise

Elsewhere in American football