NFL's highest-paid players by position heading into 2021 season as Seahawks safety Jamal Adams joins list

A look at the players with the biggest deals heading into 2021

By Shanna McCarriston

Aug 17, 2021 at 9:03 pm ET • 1 min read

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NFL players are getting paid, and many are breaking league records with their offseason deals.

On Tuesday, Seahawks Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams signed a record four-year, $70 million deal with Seattle, making him the highest-paid safety in the league.

Last year, Patrick Mahomes dethroned Russell Wilson as the highest-paid quarterback -- and player -- in the league with a new contract from the Kansas City Chiefs. The 10-year deal worth up to $503 million with incentives is the biggest deal in sports history and the first signing over half a billion dollars and heading into this year he remains the highest-paid at his position.

San Francisco 49ers tight end and defending NFC champion George Kittle became the highest-paid player in his position after a five-year extension worth $75 million.

Another player seeing dollar signs last season was Christian McCaffrey, who signed a four-year, $64 million contract extension with the Carolina Panthers and is taking home an average of $16 million a year, with $38 million guaranteed. The dual threat remains the highest-paid running back.

Here is a complete breakdown of the highest-paid players by position by average salary in the NFL: