Highest-paid non-QBs in NFL: How Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase set market for other positions image

The Bengals signed wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase to a four-year, $161 million extension Sunday, making him the highest-paid wide receiver and highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL in the process.

Chase was drafted with the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The pick didn’t come without scrutiny, as many wondered whether they should draft an offensive lineman instead of a wide receiver that season. Cincinnati went with Chase, and he has consistently shown that it was a good decision.

The former LSU star has played in 82 regular season games, posting 5,425 career receiving yards and 46 touchdowns. Chase is one of the best wide receivers in the league, winning the wide receiver triple crown last year, and this deal links him and quarterback Joe Burrow for four more years.

Here’s how Chase’s new contract compares to other non-quarterbacks.

MORE NFL OFFSEASON NEWS:

Which non-QB has the highest salary in the NFL?

Here is where Chase ranks among all non-quarterbacks for average salary.

Rank Player Position Team Avg. Salary
1. Ja’Marr Chase WR Bengals $40,250,000
2. Myles Garrett DE Browns $40,000,000
3. Maxx Crosby DE Raiders $35,500,000
4. Justin Jefferson WR Vikings $35,000,000
5. Nick Bosa DE 49ers $34,000,000
CeeDee Lamb WR Cowboys $34,000,000
7. D.K. Metcalf WR Steelers $33,000,000
8. A.J. Brown WR Eagles $32,000,000
9. Chris Jones DT Chiefs $31,750,000
10. Amon-Ra St. Brown WR Lions $30,002,500

MORE: Ja’Marr Chase contract details

Which non-QB makes the most guaranteed money in the NFL?

Here is where Chase ranks among non-QBs for the most guaranteed money in his contract.

Rank Player Position Team Guaranteed Money
1. Ja’Marr Chase WR Bengals $112,000,000
2. Myles Garrett DE Browns $88,800,000
3. Justin Jefferson WR Vikings $88,743,000
4. Nick Bosa DE 49ers $88,00,000
5. T.J. Watt OLB Steelers $80,000,000
6. Joshua Hines-Allen OLB Jaguars $76,500,000
7. Brian Burns OLB Giants $76,000,000
8. CeeDee Lamb WR Cowboys $67,000,000
Andrew Thomas LT Giants $67,000,000
10. Maxx Crosby DE Raiders $62,500,000

Which non-QB has the largest overall contract in the NFL?

Here is where Chase ranks among the largest overall contracts for non-quarterbacks.

Rank Player Position Team Overall Money
1. Nick Bosa DE 49ers $170,000,000
2. Ja’Marr Chase WR Bengals $161,00,000
3. Myles Garrett DE Browns $160,000,000
4. Chris Jones DT Chiefs $158,750,000
5. Joshua Hines-Allen OLB Jaguars $141,250,000
6. Brian Burns OLB Giants $141,000,000
7. Tristan Wirfs LT Buccaneers $140,600,000
8. Justin Jefferson WR Vikings $140,000,000
9. CeeDee Lamb WR Cowboys $136,000,000
10. D.K. Metcalf WR Steelers $132,000,000

Teddy Ricketson

Teddy Ricketson is a Digital Content Producer at The Sporting News. He joined the team in 2024 after spending the last three years writing for Vox Media as part of its DK Nation/Network team. Teddy does his best to support the South Carolina Gamecocks and Carolina Panthers, but tends to have more fun cheering on the Atlanta Braves. In his free time, he loves spending time with his wife, Brooke, and their two dogs, Bo and Hootie.