The NFL’s highest-paid players on defense in 2023 salary, guaranteed money and total contract value
The NFL’s highest-paying contracts used to belong primarily to quarterbacks and other offensive players, but in recent seasons defensive players have seen their earnings surge.
In the past, $100 million defender contracts were a rarity. Albert Haynesworth signed the first of them on February 27, 2009, and his failed tenure in Washington scared teams away from them.
Slowly but surely, defensive players managed to push contract values back up. Now most of the NFL’s highest-paid defensemen have signed deals worth at least $100 million, with Khalil Mack’s $141 million pact leading the group.
MORE: FA Rankings: Best defensive players available in 2023, from Dalvin Tomlinson to Byron Murphy
Edge rushers and defensive tackles tend to be the players who get compensated at the highest rate, which makes sense since they’re the ones pressuring the ever-valuable quarterbacks. However, some cornerbacks and linebackers are in the top 10 or are pushing for the top 10, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a greater mix of positions in the future.
Here’s a look at the league’s highest-paid defensive players for 2023, with all salary information via Spotrac.com.
This story will be updated when the contracts are signed during the 2023 season.
The NFL’s highest-paid defensive players based on 2023 salary
1. Aaron Donald, DT, Rams
- annual salary: $31.7 million
There was uncertainty as to whether Donald would return for the 2023 NFL season, but the seven-time All-Pro has not yet retired. He’s had a bad year: he’s only played 11 games because of an ankle injury and had a career-low five sacks.
Still, Donald is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and has 103 career sacks, so he’s worth his price tag.
2. TJ Watts, EDGE, Steelers
- annual salary: 28 million dollars
How important was Watt to the Steelers’ success in 2022? In the 10 games he played, the Steelers went 8-2. In the seven he missed, the team was 1-6.
A three-time All-Pro, Watt led the NFL in sacks in both the 2020 and 2021 seasons. In the latter campaign, he set the NFL’s sack record in a single season and was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year as a result.
Watt is certainly worth his $112 million deal and the $80 million guarantees — the most ever given to a defensive player. He should prove a steal for the Steelers if he continues to make such a difference.
3. Joey Bosa, EDGE, Chargers
- annual salary: $27 million
Bosa only played five games for the Chargers last season but still had 2.5 sacks. That was the story of his career.
Bosa has averaged .72 sacks per game during his six-year NFL career, but he has only played a full season twice. He is the NFL’s third-highest paid player in AAV but has the second-highest overall contract value.
MORE: NFL salary cap cuts 2023: Team-by-team tracker of players released
For this reason, Bosa must remain healthy in 2023. Otherwise, the 2016 Defensive Rookie of the Year could become a cap victim.
4. Myles Garrett, EDGE, Browns
- annual salary: 25 million dollars
Garrett has long been one of the most unblockable players in the NFL. He has had double-digit sacks in five straight seasons and has amassed 74.5 sacks in 84 career games since he was the No. 1 pick overall in the 2017 NFL Draft.
It could be argued that Garrett is the NFL’s top pass rusher, and he’s still only 27 years old. All that to say is that he’s worth the $25 million he makes per season.
T-5. Maxx Crosby, EDGE, Raiders
- annual salary: $23.5 million
The Raiders renewed Crosby for the 2022 offseason, and he immediately repaid the trust the team placed in him. He posted a career-high 12.5 sacks last season and led the NFL with 22 lost tackles.
Crosby is an all-around defenseman: He’s great against the run, he’s a top-notch pass rusher, and he’s had 16 pass defenses in four NFL seasons. He’ll be 26 in August, so he should only continue to improve in Season 5.
T-5. Khalil Mack, EDGE, chargers
- annual salary: $23.5 million
It’s a bit ironic that Mack and Crosby get the same amount considering the Raiders traded Mack because he had a big contract.
Mack has long been one of the NFL’s most feared pass rushers, with 84.5 sacks during his nine-year career. He is a three-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler, and was named 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
The 2022 season was Mack’s first with the Chargers, and he did well, collecting eight sacks while playing all 17 games. It was the eighth time in his nine seasons that Mack had posted at least eight sacks; The only time he didn’t was during his 2014 rookie season when he recorded four.
7. Bradley Chubb, EDGE, Dolphins
- annual salary: 22 million dollars
The Dolphins traded a first-round pick to acquire Chubb before the 2022 NFL trade deadline. He had just 2.5 sacks in eight games with Miami, but he will have a chance to improve on those numbers with the Dolphins after signing a five-year extension after the trade.
Chubb had 12 sacks as a rookie but has only averaged 16.5 in four seasons since. He’s missed 24 games in that span, so maybe his sack counts will go up if he stays healthy.
T-8 Leonard Williams, DT, Giants
- annual salary: 21 million dollars
Williams’ career began after being traded from the Jets to the Giants. He enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2020 with 11.5 sacks and has been strong overall for the Giants since then.
In the past two seasons, Williams has totaled 126 tackles, nine sacks and 10 tackles for loss in 29 games. He was Pro Football Focus’ 18th highest-rated center back in 2022 out of 126 qualified players. The Giants should be happy with his 2023 outlook.
T-8 DeForest Buckner, DT, Colts
- annual salary: 21 million dollars
Buckner has become one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL. He creates consistent pressure, having 53 sacks in 112 career games and at least seven sacks in every season since 2018.
The Colts may be heading for a mini-rebuild, but Buckner’s presence will at least give them a quality player in the middle of their defense. Indianapolis is certainly pleased with the results of the 2018 trade, which brought Buckner on to the team in exchange for a first-round pick.
T-8 Jaire Alexander, CB, Packer
- annual salary: 21 million dollars
Alexander took the title of highest-paid cornerback from Jalen Ramsey, and with good reason. The Louisville product has grown into one of the best cover corners in the NFL.
Alenxader has logged 58 pass defenses in 64 career games and had a career-best five overall interceptions during the 2022 season. He’s only played a full season once, that’s the big blow for him.
Still, Alexander makes the money the Packers pay him. He will enter the 2023 season as the team’s top defensive player and should once again attract All-Pro considerations.
The NFL’s highest-paid defensive players with guaranteed money for 2023
Watt’s $80 million in guaranteed money is the most money ever given to a non-quarterback in NFL history, although Bosa’s $78 million is not far behind. Only three NFL defensive players are playing deals that earn them more than $50 million in guarantees, though many see at least $40 million in guaranteed money.
| rank | player | team | total guarantees |
| 1 | TJ Watts | Steeler | 80 million dollars |
| 2 | Joey Bosa | Charger | $78 million |
| 3 | Khalil Mack | Charger | 70 million dollars |
| 4 | Aaron Donald | Aries | $46.5 million |
| T-5 | Roquan Smith | ravens | 45 million dollars |
| T-5 | By Miller | bills | 45 million dollars |
| T-5 | Leonard Williams | Giants | 45 million dollars |
| 8th | Denzel Wart | Brown | $44.5 million |
| 9 | Jalen Ramsey | Aries | $43.7 million |
| 10 | Myles Garrett | Brown | $43.5 million |
The NFL’s highest-paid defensive players by total contract value
The Chargers employ the two highest-paid defensive players by overall value. Khalil Mack’s $141 million deal is the most expensive defensive deal in the NFL, while Joey Bosa checks in just $6 million behind. Nine of the ten defensive stars on this list are in the $100 million club.
| rank | player | team | overall value |
| 1 | Khalil Mack | Charger | $141 million |
| 2 | Joey Bosa | Charger | $135 million |
| 3 | Myles Garrett | Brown | $125 million |
| 4 | By Miller | bills | $120 million |
| 5 | TJ Watts | Steeler | $112 million |
| 6 | Bradley Chubb | dolphins | 110 million dollars |
| 7 | Denzel Wart | Brown | $100.5 million |
| T-8 | Roquan Smith | ravens | 100 million dollars |
| T-8 | Jalen Ramsey | Aries | 100 million dollars |
| 10 | Shaquille Leonard | Foal | $98.5 million |