Who are the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL? This list is constantly changing, as quite a few wide receivers have gotten huge paydays lately.
We’ve already seen a number of big contracts handed out during the 2024 offseason. Let’s examine the league’s highest-paid WRs.
Who Is the Highest-Paid Wide Receiver in the NFL?
Topping the list of highest-paid wide receivers is Justin Jefferson, the star wideout for the Minnesota Vikings. Jefferson signed the biggest NFL contract for a non-QB with a four-year, $140 million extension with $110 million guaranteed during the 2024 offseason.
Jefferson’s $35 million annual salary tops San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa’s $34 million as the highest for a non-QB in the NFL. Furthermore, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal includes $88.743 million due at signing, the highest non-QB guarantee at signing in NFL history.
Jefferson, the best receiver in football, averaged 98 catches, 1,474 yards, and 7.5 touchdowns over his first four seasons in Minnesota. He’s a three-time Pro Bowler and one-time first-team All-Pro.
Next Highest-Paid Wide Receivers in the NFL
2) CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys | AAV: $34 Million
After holding out throughout OTAs, training camp, and the entirety of the preseason, CeeDee Lamb and the Cowboys were finally able to reach an agreement on a four-year extension worth $136 million. The deal includes $100 million guaranteed, plus a wide-receiver record $38 million signing bonus. Lamb is the second-highest-paid non-QB in NFL history, trailing only Jefferson.
Lamb’s receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown total have improved every year that he’s been in the NFL. Last season, he led all players with 135 receptions and 680 yards after the catch, while also totaling 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns.
3) A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles | AAV: $32 Million
The Eagles and star WR A.J. Brown agreed to terms on a new three-year extension for $96 million during the 2024 offseason. He’s now under contract through 2029.
Before the new deal, Brown was tied for fourth in the league with a $25 million figure for his AAV dating back to an extension signed shortly after he was traded to the Eagles on the first night of the 2022 NFL Draft.
With his new contract, Brown joined a unique club of NFL wide receivers as one of just six with a $100 million tag.
4) Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions | AAV: $30.002 Million
St. Brown signed a four-year extension for just over $120 million with the Lions on April 24, 2024, earning the most guaranteed money of any WR contract in NFL history at the time with $77 million in guarantees, per multiple reports.
MORE: 2024 NFL Wide Receiver Rankings
At an average annual salary of $30,002,500, St. Brown just barely broke the previous record for wide receivers, which belonged to Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill at the time of signing.
St. Brown was initially slated to make just $3.366 million in 2024 base salary in the final year of his rookie contract.
T-5) Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins | AAV: $30 Million
After the Kansas City Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins in 2022, Hill agreed to a four-year, $120 million contract extension that included a $25.5 million signing bonus, $52.535 million guaranteed at signing, and $72.2 million in total guarantees. However, in 2024, the league’s best WR was only set to make $20 million in base salary.
That all changed when the Dolphins wideout agreed to a massive restructured three-year, $90 million deal. The deal includes $65 million in guaranteed money, and the restructuring will cover the three years that were already remaining on Hill’s contract, with no new years added. When combined with his 2023 guarantees, Hill’s $106.5 million in guaranteed money is the most by a WR over a four-year stretch.
MORE: With New Deal and No. 1 Ranking, Tyreek Hill Is Now Racing Father Time
It was a great week for Hill, as the WR was also selected as the best player in the NFL by his peers, ahead of names like Christian McCaffrey and Patrick Mahomes.
T-5) Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers | AAV: $30 Million
After weeks of back and forth, the San Francisco 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk finally agreed on a contract extension — a four-year, $120 million deal to keep the Arizona St. alum in the Bay Area.
The 2020 first-rounder had arguably his best season as a pro in 2023, notching 1,342 receiving yards, seven touchdowns, and nearly 18 yards per reception.
The 49ers keep a key part of their offensive nucleus intact, and they gear up for another run at a Super Bowl. Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and a talented pass-catching group out of the backfield will provide a formidable supporting case for Brock Purdy.
Brandon Aiyuk’s extension is four year, $120 million. https://t.co/WsNjA5w9nB
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 29, 2024
7) Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins | AAV: $28.25 Million
The Dolphins aren’t worried about spending too much cap space on wide receivers. Already paying Hill a hefty sum, Miami agreed to a three-year, $84.75 million extension with Jaylen Waddle in May 2024. Waddle’s new deal includes nearly $36 million in fully guaranteed money, including his $18.873 million signing bonus and his 2024 and 2025 base salaries.
Injuries held Waddle to the least productive season of his career in 2023. But the former first-round pick still eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards and scored four touchdowns on 72 receptions.
8) Davante Adams, New York Jets | AAV: $28 Million
In 2022, Davante Adams signed a five-year contract worth $140 million with the Las Vegas Raiders. Only $22.75 million was guaranteed at signing, with another $42.92 million becoming guaranteed in 2023.
Now, he’s on the move again, joining the New York Jets. After getting traded to New York, Adams agreed to restructure his contract to lower his 2024 cap number from $11.59 million to $3.21 million.
A reworked deal: New Jets WR Davante Adams already has restructured his contract to lower his salary cap number this season to $3.21 million, per sources. Two voidable years were added to the deal, and the two sides now will discuss his future in New York after this season. pic.twitter.com/zjssV0oQwE
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 15, 2024
The Jets added two voidable years to his contract, and “the two sides will discuss his future in New York after this season,” according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
9) DJ Moore, Chicago Bears | AAV: $27.5 Million
After posting career highs in receptions (96), receiving yards (1,364), and touchdowns (nine) during his first season in Chicago, the Bears rewarded Moore with a four-year, $110 million contract extension. The deal includes $82.6 million guaranteed.
KEEP READING: Who Are the Best Wide Receivers in NFL History?
The Bears have spent this offseason trying to put the best supporting cast possible around No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, acquiring Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, D’Andre Swift, and Gerald Everett. Now, the talented 27-year-old Moore is locked up for the foreseeable future too. All eyes will be on Williams and the Bears’ offense this season.
10) Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams | AAV: $26.7 Million
Coming off winning the Super Bowl MVP, Cooper Kupp topped all the other three-year contract extensions signed in 2022. The deal is worth a total of $80.1 million, with $35 million guaranteed at signing and $75 million in total guarantees at the end of the contract.
Incredibly, Kupp’s cap number climbs to $29.78 million in 2024 and is slated for the same figure in 2025 before a slight drop to $27.33 million in 2026, the deal’s final year.
