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Cam Newton and The 32 Biggest Bargains In The NFL

Joel Anderson
·9 min read
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Steven Senne/AP/Shutterstock (10965600a)New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton scrambles against the Denver Broncos in the first half of an NFL football game, in Foxborough, MassPatriots Football, Foxborough, United States - 18 Oct 2020.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Steven Senne/AP/Shutterstock (10965600a)New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton scrambles against the Denver Broncos in the first half of an NFL football game, in Foxborough, MassPatriots Football, Foxborough, United States - 18 Oct 2020.

Cam Newton?s arrival in New England was bizarre even by the standards of sports in 2020. It was odd enough that the 2011 No. 1 draft pick and 2015 League MVP was still on the free-agency market at all in July, considering the Panthers released him in March. Then the real shock came when Newton signed with the recently Tom-Bradyless Patriots, which was followed by even more head-scratching when the details of his contract were revealed.

Belichick and Co.?s acquisition of Cam Newton stands out as the year?s biggest NFL bargain. Newton signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with a base salary of just $1.05 million, the minimum for a veteran with his number of years in the league. He?s guaranteed only $550,000, but when all possible incentives are included, he could earn as much as $7.5 million. To earn that he?d have to play a lot and win deep into the postseason, which seems unlikely with the Patriots at 2-4 for the year and Newton?s position as starting quarterback tenuous. For context, Newton collected $19 million from the Panthers in 2019 alone, which makes him one of the most underpaid players in the NFL ? and he?s hardly the only one.

That much should be clear in this new GOBankingRates study of some of the league?s most underpaid players. Each of these players earns less than the average cap hit ? the portion of the salary that counts against the league?s salary cap ? and either led the team in a statistical category last season or were voted to the Pro Bowl.

So, here?s a closer look at which player on your favorite team is due for a big raise once their current contract is up.

Last updated: Oct. 30, 2020

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Sean Brown/CSM/Shutterstock (10511799h)Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (32) reacts to a big defensive play during a game between the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WANFL Cardinals vs Seahawks, Seattle, USA - 22 Dec 2019.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Sean Brown/CSM/Shutterstock (10511799h)Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (32) reacts to a big defensive play during a game between the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WANFL Cardinals vs Seahawks, Seattle, USA - 22 Dec 2019.

Arizona Cardinals

Underpaid player: Budda Baker

  • Position: Safety

  • Age: 24

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $1,707,501

  • Guaranteed: $3,882,732

  • Expires: 2021

  • Base salary: $1,396,364

  • Signing bonus: $776,820

  • Cap hit: $2,173,184

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Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jeff Haynes/AP/Shutterstock (10513278gc)Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (76) watches a kick against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, in Atlanta.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jeff Haynes/AP/Shutterstock (10513278gc)Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (76) watches a kick against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, in Atlanta.

Atlanta Falcons

Underpaid player: Kaleb McGary

  • Position: Offensive tackle

  • Age: 25

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $2,566,436

  • Guaranteed: $8,700,437

  • Expires: 2024

  • Base salary: $961,625

  • Signing bonus: $1,371,498

  • Cap hit: $2,333,123

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Phelan M Ebenhack/AP/Shutterstock (10541735i)LPGA Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Phelan M Ebenhack/AP/Shutterstock (10541735i)LPGA Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions.

Baltimore Ravens

Underpaid player: Mark Andrews

  • Position: Tight end

  • Age: 23

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $863,290

  • Guaranteed: $836,660

  • Expires: 2022

  • Base salary: $750,000

  • Signing bonus: $209,165

  • Cap hit: $959,165

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Adrian Kraus/AP/Shutterstock (10484813b)Buffalo Bills wide receiver Andre Roberts (18) warms up before playing against the Denver Broncos in an NFL football game, in Orchard Park, N.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Adrian Kraus/AP/Shutterstock (10484813b)Buffalo Bills wide receiver Andre Roberts (18) warms up before playing against the Denver Broncos in an NFL football game, in Orchard Park, N.

Buffalo Bills

Underpaid player: Andre Roberts

  • Position: Wide receiver

  • Age: 32

  • Contract terms: 2 years

  • Average salary: $2,300,000

  • Guaranteed: $3,000,000

  • Expires: 2021

  • Base salary: $1,300,000

  • Signing bonus: $500,000

  • Cap hit: $2,000,000

Look: Which Athletes Earn the Most Per Hour?

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Scott Kinser/CSM/Shutterstock (10464725bd)Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) is all smiles after beating Tennessee Titans 30-20 in the NFL matchup at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NCNFL Football: Tennesse at Carolina, Charlotte, USA - 03 Nov 2019.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Scott Kinser/CSM/Shutterstock (10464725bd)Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) is all smiles after beating Tennessee Titans 30-20 in the NFL matchup at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NCNFL Football: Tennesse at Carolina, Charlotte, USA - 03 Nov 2019.

Carolina Panthers

Underpaid player: Donte Jackson

  • Position: Cornerback

  • Age: 24

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $1,203,131

  • Guaranteed: $2,278,768

  • Expires: 2022

  • Base salary: $917,502

  • Signing bonus: $395,004

  • Cap hit: $1,312,506

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Andy Clayton-King/AP/Shutterstock (10516678r)Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery runs up field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, in MinneapolisBears Vikings Football, Minneapolis, USA - 29 Dec 2019.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Andy Clayton-King/AP/Shutterstock (10516678r)Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery runs up field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, in MinneapolisBears Vikings Football, Minneapolis, USA - 29 Dec 2019.

Chicago Bears

Underpaid player: David Montgomery

  • Position: Running back

  • Age: 22

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $1,003,845

  • Guaranteed: $1,046,180

  • Expires: 2023

  • Base salary: $684,136

  • Signing bonus: $261,545

  • Cap hit: $945,681

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Dorn Byg/CSM/Shutterstock (10514600y)Joe Mixon (28) of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates his touchdown during a game between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on , in Cincinnati, OHNFL Browns vs Bengals, Cincinnati, USA - 29 Dec 2019.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Dorn Byg/CSM/Shutterstock (10514600y)Joe Mixon (28) of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates his touchdown during a game between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on , in Cincinnati, OHNFL Browns vs Bengals, Cincinnati, USA - 29 Dec 2019.

Cincinnati Bengals

Underpaid player: Joe Mixon

  • Position: Running back

  • Age: 23

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $1,362,544

  • Guaranteed: $2,816,498

  • Expires: 2021

  • Base salary: $1,208,206

  • Signing bonus: $525,943

  • Cap hit: $1,734,149

Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Richard/AP/Shutterstock (10501810b)Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, in Cleveland.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Richard/AP/Shutterstock (10501810b)Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, in Cleveland.

Cleveland Browns

Underpaid player: Nick Chubb

  • Position: Running back

  • Age: 24

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $1,845,774

  • Guaranteed: $5,896,309

  • Expires: 2022

  • Base salary: $1,151,190

  • Signing bonus: $862,381

  • Cap hit: $2,013,571

Dallas Cowboys, wide receiver, Michael Gallup
Dallas Cowboys, wide receiver, Michael Gallup

Dallas Cowboys

Underpaid player: Michael Gallup

  • Position: Wide receiver

  • Age: 24

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $880,995

  • Guaranteed: $889,980

  • Expires: 2022

  • Base salary: $750,000

  • Signing bonus: $222,495

  • Cap hit: $972,495

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Reed Hoffmann/AP/Shutterstock (10508212dh)Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay (30) takes a direct snap during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, MoColts Chiefs Football, Kansas City, USA - 15 Dec 2019.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Reed Hoffmann/AP/Shutterstock (10508212dh)Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay (30) takes a direct snap during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, MoColts Chiefs Football, Kansas City, USA - 15 Dec 2019.

Denver Broncos

Underpaid player: Phillip Lindsay

  • Position: Running back

  • Age: 25

  • Contract terms: 3 years

  • Average salary: $575,000

  • Guaranteed: $15,000

  • Expires: 2021

  • Base salary: $750,000

  • Signing bonus: $5,000

  • Cap hit: $755,000

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Paul Sancya/AP/Shutterstock (10457743kv)Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay smiles during an NFL football game against the New York Giants in DetroitGiants Lions Football, Detroit, USA - 27 Oct 2019.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Paul Sancya/AP/Shutterstock (10457743kv)Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay smiles during an NFL football game against the New York Giants in DetroitGiants Lions Football, Detroit, USA - 27 Oct 2019.

Detroit Lions

Underpaid player: Kenny Golladay

  • Position: Wide receiver

  • Age: 26

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $799,081

  • Guaranteed: $718,824

  • Expires: 2021

  • Base salary: $2,133,000

  • Signing bonus: $179,706

  • Cap hit: $2,312,706

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Tony Avelar/AP/Shutterstock (10530453br)Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of the NFL NFC Championship football game, in Santa Clara, CalifNFC Championship Packers 49ers Football, Santa Clara, USA - 19 Jan 2020.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Tony Avelar/AP/Shutterstock (10530453br)Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of the NFL NFC Championship football game, in Santa Clara, CalifNFC Championship Packers 49ers Football, Santa Clara, USA - 19 Jan 2020.

Green Bay Packers

Underpaid player: Aaron Jones

  • Position: Running back

  • Age: 25

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $650,484

  • Guaranteed: $201,937

  • Expires: 2021

  • Base salary: $2,133,000

  • Signing bonus: $50,487

  • Cap hit: $2,183,487

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Eric Christian Smith/AP/Shutterstock (10457816js)Houston Texans inside linebacker Zach Cunningham (41) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, in HoustonRaiders Texans Football, Houston, USA - 27 Oct 2019.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Eric Christian Smith/AP/Shutterstock (10457816js)Houston Texans inside linebacker Zach Cunningham (41) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, in HoustonRaiders Texans Football, Houston, USA - 27 Oct 2019.

Houston Texans

Underpaid player: Zach Cunningham

  • Position: Inside linebacker

  • Age: 25

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $1,117,936

  • Guaranteed: $2,060,439

  • Expires: 2021

  • Base salary: $1,074,783

  • Signing bonus: $348,046

  • Cap hit: $1,422,829

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Romeo Guzman/CSM/Shutterstock (10514614u)Jacksonville, FL, U.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Romeo Guzman/CSM/Shutterstock (10514614u)Jacksonville, FL, U.

Indianapolis Colts

Underpaid player: Darius Leonard

  • Position: Linebacker

  • Age: 24

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $1,811,951

  • Guaranteed: $4,160,577

  • Expires: 2022

  • Base salary: $1,138,891

  • Signing bonus: $837,782

  • Cap hit: $1,976,673

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Phelan M Ebenhack/AP/Shutterstock (10516685b)Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, in Jacksonville, FlaJaguars Football, Jacksonville, USA - 29 Dec 2019.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Phelan M Ebenhack/AP/Shutterstock (10516685b)Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, in Jacksonville, FlaJaguars Football, Jacksonville, USA - 29 Dec 2019.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Underpaid player: Gardner Minshew

  • Position: Quarterback

  • Age: 24

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $677,721

  • Guaranteed: $190,884

  • Expires: 2023

  • Base salary: $675,000

  • Signing bonus: $47,721

  • Cap hit: $722,721

Mandatory Credit: Photo by David J Phillip/AP/Shutterstock (10546401eq)Kansas City Chiefs running back Damien Williams celebrates after a run against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game, in Miami Gardens, Fla49ers Chiefs Super Bowl Football, Miami Gardens, USA - 02 Feb 2020.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David J Phillip/AP/Shutterstock (10546401eq)Kansas City Chiefs running back Damien Williams celebrates after a run against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game, in Miami Gardens, Fla49ers Chiefs Super Bowl Football, Miami Gardens, USA - 02 Feb 2020.

Kansas City Chiefs

Underpaid player: Damien Williams

  • Position: Running back

  • Age: 28

  • Contract terms: 2 years

  • Average salary: $2,550,000

  • Guaranteed: $1,600,000

  • Expires: 2021

  • Base salary: $1,850,000

  • Signing bonus: $533,334

  • Cap hit: $2,708,334

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Seth Wenig/AP/Shutterstock (10484323a)Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, in East Rutherford, N.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Seth Wenig/AP/Shutterstock (10484323a)Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, in East Rutherford, N.

Las Vegas Raiders

Underpaid player: Josh Jacobs

  • Position: Running back

  • Age: 22

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $2,983,350

  • Guaranteed: $11,933,398

  • Expires: 2024

  • Base salary: $1,037,427

  • Signing bonus: $1,674,709

  • Cap hit: $2,712,136

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charlie Neibergall/AP/Shutterstock (10460912lt)A.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charlie Neibergall/AP/Shutterstock (10460912lt)A.

Los Angeles Chargers

Underpaid player: Drue Tranquill

  • Position: Linebacker

  • Age: 24

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $794,702

  • Guaranteed: $658,808

  • Expires: 2023

  • Base salary: $675,000

  • Signing bonus: $164,702

  • Cap hit: $839,702

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Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Baus/CSM/Shutterstock (10495064h)Los Angeles Rams running back Malcolm Brown (34) carries the ball and scores a touchdown during the NFL game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CaliforniaNFL Seahawks vs Rams, Los Angeles, USA - 08 Dec 2019.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Baus/CSM/Shutterstock (10495064h)Los Angeles Rams running back Malcolm Brown (34) carries the ball and scores a touchdown during the NFL game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CaliforniaNFL Seahawks vs Rams, Los Angeles, USA - 08 Dec 2019.

Los Angeles Rams

Underpaid player: Malcolm Brown

  • Position: Running back

  • Age: 27

  • Contract terms: 2 years

  • Average salary: $1,650,000

  • Guaranteed: $2,100,000

  • Expires: 2021

  • Base salary: $1,000,000

  • Signing bonus: $50,000

  • Cap hit: $1,312,500

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Duncan Williams/CSM/Shutterstock (10494946b), 2019, East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA: Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Jerome Baker (55) during warm up prior to a NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Duncan Williams/CSM/Shutterstock (10494946b), 2019, East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA: Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Jerome Baker (55) during warm up prior to a NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Miami Dolphins

Underpaid player: Jerome Baker

  • Position: Outside linebacker

  • Age: 23

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $952,300

  • Guaranteed: $975,200

  • Expires: 2022

  • Base salary: $810,000

  • Signing bonus: $243,800

  • Cap hit: $1,053,800

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/AP/Shutterstock (10494805cx)Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook sits on the bench during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, in MinneapolisLions Vikings Football, Minneapolis, USA - 08 Dec 2019.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/AP/Shutterstock (10494805cx)Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook sits on the bench during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, in MinneapolisLions Vikings Football, Minneapolis, USA - 08 Dec 2019.

Minnesota Vikings

Underpaid player: Dalvin Cook

  • Position: Running back

  • Age: 24

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $1,588,334

  • Guaranteed: $3,514,395

  • Expires: 2021

  • Base salary: $1,331,364

  • Signing bonus: $690,154

  • Cap hit: $2,021,518

Editorial Use OnlyMandatory Credit: Photo by Dave Shopland/BPI/Shutterstock (10516566aa)Jarrett Stidham, Quarterback of the New England Patriots (23), throws the ballTennessee Titans v New England Patriots, NFL, American Football, Wild Card Playoff, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA - 04 Jan 2020.
Editorial Use OnlyMandatory Credit: Photo by Dave Shopland/BPI/Shutterstock (10516566aa)Jarrett Stidham, Quarterback of the New England Patriots (23), throws the ballTennessee Titans v New England Patriots, NFL, American Football, Wild Card Playoff, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA - 04 Jan 2020.

New England Patriots

Underpaid player: Jarrett Stidham

  • Position: Quarterback

  • Age: 23

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $788,423

  • Guaranteed: $633,692

  • Expires: 2023

  • Base salary: $675,000

  • Signing bonus: $158,423

  • Cap hit: $833,423

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Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Rex Arbogast/AP/Shutterstock (10453014b)New Orleans Saints' Deonte Harris carries the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in ChicagoSaints Bears Football, Chicago, USA - 20 Oct 2019.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Rex Arbogast/AP/Shutterstock (10453014b)New Orleans Saints' Deonte Harris carries the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in ChicagoSaints Bears Football, Chicago, USA - 20 Oct 2019.

New Orleans Saints

Underpaid player: Deonte Harris

  • Position: Wide receiver

  • Age: 22

  • Contract terms: 3 years

  • Average salary: $588,333

  • Guaranteed: $25,000

  • Expires: 2022

  • Base salary: $675,000

  • Signing bonus: $3,333

  • Cap hit: $678,333

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Adam Hunger/AP/Shutterstock (10492579b)New York Giants' Darius Slayton during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, in East Rutherford, N.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Adam Hunger/AP/Shutterstock (10492579b)New York Giants' Darius Slayton during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, in East Rutherford, N.

New York Giants

Underpaid player: Darius Slayton

  • Position: Wide receiver

  • Age: 23

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $688,497

  • Guaranteed: $233,988

  • Expires: 2023

  • Base salary: $675,000

  • Signing bonus: $58,497

  • Cap hit: $733,497

Mandatory Credit: Photo by John Amis/AP/Shutterstock (10362894cp)New York Jets outside linebacker James Burgess (58) sits on the bench during the second half an NFL preseason football game against the Atlanta Falcons, in AtlantaJets Falcons Football, Atlanta, USA - 15 Aug 2019.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by John Amis/AP/Shutterstock (10362894cp)New York Jets outside linebacker James Burgess (58) sits on the bench during the second half an NFL preseason football game against the Atlanta Falcons, in AtlantaJets Falcons Football, Atlanta, USA - 15 Aug 2019.

New York Jets

Underpaid player: James Burgess

  • Position: Inside linebacker

  • Age: 26

  • Contract terms: 1 year

  • Average salary: $925,000

  • Guaranteed: $100,000

  • Expires: 2021

  • Base salary: $825,000

  • Signing bonus: $50,000

  • Cap hit: $875,000

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Julio Cortez/AP/Shutterstock (10521222ea)Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders runs with the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, in Philadelphia.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Julio Cortez/AP/Shutterstock (10521222ea)Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders runs with the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Eagles

Underpaid player: Miles Sanders

  • Position: Running back

  • Age: 23

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $1,337,544

  • Guaranteed: $2,649,226

  • Expires: 2023

  • Base salary: $738,647

  • Signing bonus: $477,759

  • Cap hit: $1,216,406

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Adam Hunger/AP/Shutterstock (10511639cx)Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner (30) warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, in East Rutherford, N.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Adam Hunger/AP/Shutterstock (10511639cx)Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner (30) warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, in East Rutherford, N.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Underpaid player: James Conner

  • Position: Running back

  • Age: 25

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $790,381

  • Guaranteed: $706,288

  • Expires: 2021

  • Base salary: $825,000

  • Signing bonus: $176,572

  • Cap hit: $1,001,572

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Gregory Payan/AP/Shutterstock (10547374eq)San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) is seen against the Kansas City Chiefs at Super Bowl 54, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Gregory Payan/AP/Shutterstock (10547374eq)San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) is seen against the Kansas City Chiefs at Super Bowl 54, in Miami Gardens, Fla.

San Francisco 49ers

Underpaid player: George Kittle

  • Position: Tight end

  • Age: 26

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $674,572

  • Guaranteed: $298,287

  • Expires: 2021

  • Base salary: $2,133,000

  • Signing bonus: $74,574

  • Cap hit: $2,207,574

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Sean Brown/CSM/Shutterstock (10511799o)Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson (32) carries the ball during a game between the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WANFL Cardinals vs Seahawks, Seattle, USA - 22 Dec 2019.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Sean Brown/CSM/Shutterstock (10511799o)Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson (32) carries the ball during a game between the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WANFL Cardinals vs Seahawks, Seattle, USA - 22 Dec 2019.

Seattle Seahawks

Underpaid player: Chris Carson

  • Position: Running back

  • Age: 25

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $616,282

  • Guaranteed: $65,129

  • Expires: 2021

  • Base salary: $2,133,000

  • Signing bonus: $16,283

  • Cap hit: $2,149,283

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jason Behnken/AP/Shutterstock (10495469a)Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (12) runs with the football after a reception against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half of an NFL football game, in Tampa, FlaBuccaneers Football, Tampa, USA - 08 Dec 2019.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jason Behnken/AP/Shutterstock (10495469a)Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (12) runs with the football after a reception against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half of an NFL football game, in Tampa, FlaBuccaneers Football, Tampa, USA - 08 Dec 2019.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Underpaid player: Chris Godwin

  • Position: Wide receiver

  • Age: 24

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $821,041

  • Guaranteed: $792,164

  • Expires: 2021

  • Base salary: $2,133,000

  • Signing bonus: $198,041

  • Cap hit: $2,331,041

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Eric Christian Smith/AP/Shutterstock (10514526ao)Tennessee Titans' A.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Eric Christian Smith/AP/Shutterstock (10514526ao)Tennessee Titans' A.

Tennessee Titans

Underpaid player: A.J. Brown

  • Position: Wide receiver

  • Age: 22

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $1,413,092

  • Guaranteed: $2,882,738

  • Expires: 2023

  • Base salary: $751,926

  • Signing bonus: $532,703

  • Cap hit: $1,284,629

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Cory Royster/CSM/Shutterstock (10477842l)Washington Redskins wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) in the open field the reception in the game between the New York Jets vs.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Cory Royster/CSM/Shutterstock (10477842l)Washington Redskins wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) in the open field the reception in the game between the New York Jets vs.

Washington Redskins

Underpaid player: Terry McLaurin

  • Position: Wide receiver

  • Age: 24

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $961,918

  • Guaranteed: $1,003,220

  • Expires: 2023

  • Base salary: $681,451

  • Signing bonus: $250,805

  • Cap hit: $932,256

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Andrew Lisa contributed to the reporting for this article.

Methodology: To measure each NFL team?s most underpaid player, GOBankingRates first found the following for every active player: (1) contract terms; (2) average salary (contract dollar amount divided over the number of years in the contract); (3) guaranteed salary; (4) base salary for 2020; and (5) player?s cap hit for the 2020 season. Once these data points were collected, GOBankingRates found the average cap hit for each team. Then, the study looked at the players earning below the average cap hit and determined which of those players is the most underpaid. The latter was determined by whether or not the player was voted to the Pro Bowl and/or was a statistical leader for the team in the previous season. All contract data was sourced from Spotrac?s NFL active contracts by team and NFL team salary cap tracker data. All stats were sourced via ESPN?s 2019 stat leader data. Pro Bowl rosters were sourced from NFL.com. All data was collected and is up to date as of June 7, 2020.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Cam Newton and The 32 Biggest Bargains In The NFL