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The NFL’s highest-paid players for the 2018 season

Because of the way NFL contracts are structured, there is no easy way to define “highest-paid players.”

Is the player with the highest salary? Well, most top players get a huge chunk of their money in signing bonuses. Is it the highest average annual salary? Well, that considers the entire deal, and most players never see the end of their contracts. Is it who will be paid the most money this year? That would be biased towards players who signed new contracts this year because so much money is in the signing bonus.

Because of this, we have broken up the players by the highest-paid in different categories. Depending on which criteria you use, the answer to “highest-paid” can be entirely different.

The 5 players who will be paid the most in 2018

5. Alex Smith, Washington Redskins — $40.0 million

Position: Quarterback

Contract: 4 years, $94.0 million

One thing to know: With the Redskins signing of Smith to replace Kirk Cousins, the team’s cap hit for their starting QB dropped from $24.0 million to a tad over $18 million. Still, with Smith’s $27 million signing bonus, it means Washington has invested $84 million in their quarterback position the last three seasons.

4. Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams — $40.9 million

Position: Defensive end

Contract: 6 years, $135.0 million

One thing to know: When Donald signed his deal, he was the first non-quarterback in NFL history with an average annual salary of over $20 million.

3. Khalil Mack, Chicago Bears — $41.0 million

4. Khalil Mack, Chicago Bears — $90.0 million

Position: Linebacker

Contract: 6 years, $141.0 million

One thing to know: Once Aaron Donald signed his new deal with the Los Angeles Rams, it was clear that Mack’s days in Oakland were numbered. After he was traded to the Bears just before the start of the season, Mack’s new contract makes him the highest-paid defensive players in NFL history.

2. Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers — $42.6 million

Position: Quarterback

Contract: 5 years, $137.5 million

One thing to know: Garoppolo has two years to prove he is the real deal. If the gamble fails, the 49ers would have paid him more than $61 million for slightly more than two seasons and also given up a second-round pick.

1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers — $66.9 million

Position: Quarterback

Contract: 4 years, $134.0 million

One thing to know: The $134 million is new money added on to the two years Rodgers had remaining on his previous contract. With bonuses, Rodgers could make as much as $180 million over the next six seasons.

The 5 largest base salaries

5. Calais Campbell, Jacksonville Jaguars — $15.0 million

Position: Defensive end

Contract: 4 years, $60.0 million

One thing to know: The 2018 free agent turned down his hometown Denver Broncos to sign with the Jaguars. According to Will Brinson, the Jags’ offer was significantly higher.

4. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks — $15.5 million

Position: Quarterback

Contract: 4 years, $87.6 million

One thing to know: It is probably not a coincidence that the Seahawks have started to struggle once Wilson’s cap hits started to soar. In 2014, it was $800,000. In 2015, it was $7.1 million. This year, it tops $23.8 million.

tied 2. DeMarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys — $17.1 million

t2. DeMarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys — $17.1 million

Position: Defensive end

Contract: 1 year, $17.1 million

One thing to know: Lawrence will play the 2018 season under the franchise tag but is hoping “break the bank” next season.

tied 2.Ezekiel Ansah, Detroit Lions — $17.1 million

t2.Ezekiel Ansah, Detroit Lions — $17.1 million

Position: Defensive end

Contract: 1 year, $17.1 million

One thing to know: The Lions seemed content to let Ansah play the 2018 season under the franchise tag considering his recent injuries and age (29).

1. Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins — $22.5 million

Position: Quarterback

Contract: 3 years, $84.0 million

One thing to know: Cousins rejected a bigger offer from the New York Jets to sign with the Vikings. The Jets offered Cousins $90 million over three years.