Highest Paid NFL Player at Every Position After Sauce Gardner's Historic Jets Contract

New York Jets star cornerback Sauce Gardner joined an exclusive group of NFL players on Tuesday.

Gardner reportedly agreed to a four-year, $120.4 million contract extension with the Jets, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history with an average salary of $30.1 million.

Being the highest-paid player at a position is a special honor in the NFL, and Gardner has certainly earned his way to that distinction.

Here's a look at the highest-paid NFL player at every position based on average annual salary, per Spotrac:

• Quarterback- Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: $60 million
• Running Back- Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles: $20.6 million
• Fullback- C.J. Ham, Minnesota Vikings: $4.4 million
• Wide Receiver- Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals: $40.3 million
• Tight End- George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers: $19.1 million
• Left Tackle- Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $28.1 million
• Right Tackle- Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions: $28 million
• Guard- Trey Smith, Kansas City Chiefs: $23.5 million
• Center- Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs: $18 million
• Defensive End- Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns: $40 million
• Defensive Tackle- Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs: $31.8 million
• Outside Linebacker- Joshua Hines-Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars: $28.3 million
• Inside Linebacker- Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers: $21 million
• Cornerback- Sauce Gardner, New York Jets: $30.1 million
• Free Safety- Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $21 million
• Strong Safety- Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers: $19.1 million
• Kicker- Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs: $6.4 milliion
• Punter- Michael Dickson, Seattle Seahawks: $4.1 million
• Long Snapper- Michael Winchester, Kansas City Chiefs: $1.7 million

Gardner's extension surpassed the $30 million average given to Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. earlier this offseason. He also landed $85.6 million in guarantees, tops among all cornerbacks.

Despite the constant tumult that surrounds the New York Jets, Gardner quickly established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the league, earning back-to-back first-team All-Pro selections and Pro Bowl appearances in his first two years in the NFL. He was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, and he's now one of the faces of the franchise.

While the 2024 season was a down year for Gardner, he's expected to return to form under new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn. The 24-year-old should be motivated to prove that he's worthy of being the NFL's highest-paid cornerback.