As is the case every year, the NFL’s salary cap rose again in 2018 and is set at $177.2 million. Unlike the NBA, which has a soft cap, and MLB, which has no salary cap, the NFL has a hard cap, which means teams are not permitted to exceed the cap under any circumstances. Yet even with those limitations, players are reaping the rewards like never before, and that is evident by new salary records being set left and right.
The NFL’s salary cap had a $10 million increase from the 2017 season. This gain is in line with previous increases. In fact, the cap has jumped at least $10 million per year every year since the 2014 season — a big change from when the cap was first introduced in the 1994 season. That year, thecap was at $34.6 million, less than what five NFL players will be making this year.
This list, as expected, is quarterback-heavy with 11 signal-callers in the top 25. Seven defensive players make the list as do four rookies (the first four draft picks). The Cleveland Browns and New York Giants are the only teams with three players in the top 25 while 10 players on the list are in their fifth NFL season (as most rookie contracts end after a player’s fourth season).
The numbers are courtesy of Spotrac.com, which has details on every player’s salary and contract. The list is sorted by total cash for the 2018 season: how much each player will make in salary, signing bonus, roster/workout bonus and any other incentive bonuses combined.
Think you know who the NFL’s highest-paid players are? The names that appear on this list may be just as surprising as the names that don’t appear.
Note: All statistics are through Week 8 of the 2018 NFL season.