Top 10 NFL wide receiver salaries after Jefferson’s extension

Tony Nguyen | Dallas Cowbyoys
June 7, 2024

The latest NFL superstar to receive a market-setting contract extension is Justin Jefferson. The Minnesota Vikings fairly compensated the three-time Pro Bowler with a four-year, $140 million extension, with the agreement being made Monday, a day before most teams were set to start their mandatory minicamps.

The details of the deal have been revealed, and there isn’t much fake money either. It’s four years, added on top of 2024 (runs through 2028) when he was set to play under the fifth-year option for $19.7 million; so the total value of his five remaining years is $159.7 million. Per Pro Football Talk, there’s $88.7 fully guaranteed at signing that includes a $36 million signing bonus. The amount, the most ever given to a non-quarterback, is staggering and has led some to proclaim (as some always do) that no non-quarterback deserves this much money.

Clearly, they haven’t been paying attention. This is exactly in line with what top WRs have been getting paid as the salary cap has increased. Former NFL agent Joey Corry provided the receipts by comparing the percentage of the 2012 salary cap taken up by Detroit Lions’ superstar Calvin Johnson.

Boom.

For years in the middle of last decade, wideouts weren’t being paid at the same level, so tweets like this one from 33rd Team make it appear that things have gone out of whack, but in reality they are just properly realigning.

With that said, here’s a look at the current top-10 receiver average salaries heading into 2024. With Ja’Marr Chase and CeeDee Lamb, stars for the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys, expected to ink new deals before the start of the regular season, they will be joining this club sooner rather than later.

Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson makes a one-handed catch against Bills Cam Lewis to keep a late drive alive.

Total Value: $140,000,000
Fully Guaranteed: $88,743,000

Dec 10, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) fumbles the ball after being tackled by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) in the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Total Value: $96,000,000
Fully Guaranteed: $51,000,000

Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Total Value: $120,010,000
Fully Guaranteed: $34,666,000

Dec 3, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) celebrates in the end zone after catching a touchdown pass against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Total Value: $120,000,000
Fully Guaranteed: $52,535,000

Oct 9, 2022; East Rutherford, N.J., USA;
New York Jets cornerback Michael Carter II (30) is called for pass interference while defending Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Total Value: $84,750,000
Fully Guaranteed: $35,978,546

Nov 13, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) runs the ball against Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kwity Paye (51) and linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) during the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Total Value: $140,000,000
Fully Guaranteed: $22,750,000

Oct 1, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (18) cannot catch a pass while defended by Dallas Cowboys safety Xavier Woods (25) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Total Value: $80,100,000
Fully Guaranteed: $35,000,000

Dec 24, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Nahshon Wright (25) breaks up a pass intended for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) during the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Total Value: $75,000,000
Fully Guaranteed: $33,997,554

Dec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) attempts to make a touchdown reception during the second quarter as Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) defends at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Total Value: $72,750,000
Fully Guaranteed: $32,116,000

Sep 27, 2020; Seattle, Washington, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (27) forces a fumble by Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Total Value: $72,000,000
Fully Guaranteed: $31,000,000

Lamb Chops: Top 10 WR salaries after Justin Jefferson’s new deal

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