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NFL's highest-paid edge rushers: See salary rankings at position for 2024 season

jim reineking, usa today
·2 min read

If the quarterback is the most important position in the game of football, then it stands to reason that those tasked with preventing quarterbacks from being successful would be tremendously vital.

A dominant pass rusher can dramatically alter a game, enhancing his defense's ability to disrupt the passing game. A good edge rusher demands multiple blockers in order to keep the quarterback upright, thus freeing up teammates to make plays. A quarterback under pressure is also susceptible to errant throws and, even better for the defense, turnovers.

Edge rushers can either be a defensive end or an outside linebacker, with a primary objective to seek and destroy.

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Who is the highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL?

Nick Bosa's five-year, $170 million contract signed in 2023 with the San Francisco 49ers makes him not only the top-paid edge rusher, but also the NFL's highest-paid defensive player.

Nick Bosa, a four-time Pro Bowl selection in his five NFL seasons, was the 2022 defensive player of the year.
Nick Bosa, a four-time Pro Bowl selection in his five NFL seasons, was the 2022 defensive player of the year.

2024 NFL edge rusher salary rankings

Here are the edge rusher salary rankings based on average annual value, according to Over The Cap:

1. Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers: $34 million (5 years, $170 million)

2. Joshua Hines-Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars: $28.3 million (5 years, $141.3 million)

3. Brian Burns, New York Giants: $28.2 million (5 years, $141 million)

4. T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers: $28 million (4 years, $112 million)

5. Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns: $25 million (5 years, $125 million)

6 (tie). Montez Sweat, Chicago Bears: $24.5 million (4 years, $98 million)

6 (tie). Danielle Hunter, Houston Texans: $24.5 million (2 years, $49 million)

8. Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers: $24 million (4 years, $96 million)

9. Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders: $23.5 million (5 years, $94 million)

10. Bradley Chubb, Miami Dolphins: $22 million (5 years, $110 million)

11. Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals: $21 million (1 year, $21 million)

12. Joey Bosa, Los Angeles Chargers: $20.2 million (2 years, $40.4 million)

13. Von Miller, Buffalo Bills: $19.1 million (4 years, $76.4 million)

14 (tie). Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers: $19 million (1 year, $19 million)

14 (tie). Jonathan Greenard, Minnesota Vikings: $19 million (4 years, $76 million)

16. Harold Landry, Tennessee Titans: $17.5 million (5 years, $87.5 million)

17. Bryce Huff, Philadelphia Eagles: $17.03 million (3 years, $51.1 million)

18. Alex Highsmith, Pittsburgh Steelers: $17 million (4 years, $68 million)

19 (tie). Uchenna Nwosu, Seattle Seahawks: $15 million (3 years, $45 million)

19 (tie). Haason Reddick, New York Jets: $15 million (3 years, $45 million)

Here’s the highest-paid list for all the positions

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Highest paid NFL edge rushers: Top salaries for pass rushers in 2024