For each player below, their total cash earned for the year is broken down, starting with base salary and other bonuses the player has signed for.
Each player's cap hit is also listed, but does not count towards the specific amount of money they will make.
10. Jalen Hurts - Philadelphia Eagles
The reigning Super Bowl MVP quarterback starts off the list at number 10! Hurts has a base salary this upcoming season of $1.17 million, but with an option bonus of $41.33 million, bringing his cash total to $42.5 million for 2025.
Hurts ranks 49th in cap hit this season with just over $21.8 million.
9. Lamar Jackson - Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore's franchise QB Lamar Jackson comes in at number nine on the highest-paid players of the 2025 season list, bringing in $42.75 million in cash - $22.5 million in an option bonus and $20.25 million in base salary, the highest of anyone on the list.
Jackson also carries the fourth-largest cap hit ($43.5 million) among all players across the league.
8. T.J. Watt - Pittsburgh Steelers
Watt is the only defensive player in the top 10 heading into the 2025 season. The four-time All-Pro is set to make $44 million in cash this season with $4 million in base salary and $40 million in signing bonus money.
Watt carries a $23.36 million cap hit for the season, ranking 39th in the NFL and 13th among defensive players.
7. Matthew Stafford - Los Angeles Rams
That's right, Stafford and Watt will both be bringing in $44 million in cash for the 2025 season. However, his money is divided up a little differently. Stafford has a $16 million base salary alongside a $4 million roster bonus and $24 million option bonus.
The Super Bowl-winning quarterback carries the second-highest cap hit of any other player this upcoming season with $47.66 million.
(*Note: Only put Stafford ahead of Watt because of a bigger base salary.)
6. Deshaun Watson - Cleveland Browns
Yes, the Browns are still paying him. No, he's not playing this season due to an Achilles injury. That being said, Watson is still owed $46 million this upcoming season with $1.255 million in base salary and $44.745 million in restructure bonus money.
Watson's $39.5 million cap hit this upcoming season also ranks 12th-highest in the NFL.
5. Dak Prescott - Dallas Cowboys
With $2 million in base salary and $45.75 million in restructure bonus money, Dak Prescott sits at number five on the list of highest-paid players of the 2025 NFL season.
Prescott also ranks first among all players across the NFL with the heaviest cap hit - a whopping $50.5 million.
4. Patrick Mahomes - Kansas City Chiefs
Mahomes places fourth on this list as he's set to make $50 million in cash that is split between $1.225 million in base salary, $1 million in workout bonus, and $47.745 million in restructure bonus.
Shockingly, the future Hall of Famer ranks 16th in cap hit this season with $28.06 million.
3. Tua Tagovailoa - Miami Dolphins
Tua comes in at third on this list as he will be making a total of $51.046 million in cash - $25.046 million is in base salary, while $25 million is from an option bonus, $750,000 from a roster bonus, and $250,00 from a workout bonus.
The Dolphins franchise QB carries a cap hit this season slightly over $39.1 million - eighth highest in the NFL.
2. Josh Allen - Buffalo Bills
The reigning MVP has just a $1.255 million base salary this season, but has the fifth-highest signing bonus in the league with $56.745 million - landing Allen second on this list with $58 million in cash for the 2025 season.
Allen carries the 11th-highest cap hit (just over $36.3 million) across the league - 10th among quarterbacks.
1. Justin Herbert - Los Angeles Chargers
Surprise, it's Justin Herbert! With a $15 million base salary and a $45 million option bonus, Herbert will be making a whopping $60 million in cash this upcoming season.
He ranks just ahead of Allen with a cap hit slightly over $37.3 million this season - 10th highest in the NFL.
(All contract details are credited to Spotrac.)