NFL Free Agency 2026: Top 10 Highest Paid Players

Asher Hyre Updated: Mar 10 2026 21:37

NFL free agency has kicked off and most of the league's top free agents have signed to new teams.

We'll break down the largest contracts handed out so far and how each team will used their newest prized possession.

Highest Paid Free Agents - 2026 Free Agency

1. Jaelan Phillips to CAR Panthers (4 yr, $120m, $80m guaranteed)

After playing in his first fully healthy season since 2022, EDGE rusher Jaelan Phillips was rewarded with a massive contract by the Carolina Panthers.

The 26-year-old is now the sixth highest paid EDGE in the league, as his AAV ($30m) is slightly above Nik Bonitto's 4 year, $106m deal ($26.5m AAV) and below T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett, Nick Bosa, Aidan Hutchinson, and Micah Parsons.

Phillips was traded midseason from the Miami Dolphins to the Philadelphia Eagles, and while his sack numbers aren't eye popping (five sacks in 17 games last year), his run defense is terrific and his advanced peripherals suggest he'll be a highly impactful pass-rusher (seventh in the NFL in pressure rate).

Carolina also added top linebacker Devin Lloyd to add to a defense that had plenty of good moments last year and is coordinator by an elite defensive mind in Ejiro Evero.

2. Alec Pierce to IND Colts (4 yr, $114m, $84m guaranteed)

The Indianapolis Colts traded Michael Pittman Jr. and signed Alec Pierce to a massive deal to become their WR1. Pierce has led the league two years in a row in yards per reception is and is one of the premier deep threats in the league.

Pierce's contract makes him the ninth highest paid wideout in the league, ahead of the likes of D.J. Moore, Terry McLaurin, and A.J. Brown, and behind Tee Higgins, Amon-Ra St. Brown and the rest of the upper echelon of receivers.

He's fast, big, athletic, and has tremendous hands - everything a team would want in their X receiver.

The only question mark that remains is if he can handle a bigger workload as he's yet to surpass 47 catches in a single season. Without Pittman Jr., the Colts will need Pierce to make more catches in traffic in the middle of the field. He certainly has the talent to.

3. Odafe Oweh to WAS Commanders (4 yr, $100m, $68m guaranteed)

EDGE rushing Odafe Oweh struggled to begin the season with the Baltimore Ravens, but he was impactful after being traded to the Los Angeles Chargers after five games.

Oweh racked up 7.5 sacks in 12 games with L.A., and the Washington Commanders severely needed some talent on the defensive side of the ball after they were a bottom-five unit last year.

Based on the current EDGE market, the money seems right for Oweh. He's being paid more than Montez Sweat, George Karlaftis, and Jonathan Greenard, but less than Bonitto.

4. Tyler Linderbaum to LV Raiders (3 yr, $81m, $81 guaranteed)

Tyler Linderbaum's contract with the Las Vegas Raiders is pretty excessive for a center. His AAV of $27m is $9m more than the second-highest paid center in the NFL - Creed Humphrey ($18m AAV).

The Raiders infatuation with Linderbaum does make sense, however. They had tons of money to spend and would like to protect projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza the best they can.

Linderbaum is the best center in the NFL and he'll be a big help for Mendoza, but this contract completely blows the door off the typical market for centers.

5. Wan'dale Robinson to TEN Titans (4 yr, $70m, $38m guaranteed)

The Tennessee Titans rightfully believe in Cam Ward and the next step is surrounding him with talent.

Wan'dale Robinson is a great add after he recorded over 1,000 yards with Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants last year.

Robinson will get open quickly, produce after the catch, and hang in there to make tough contested catches down the middle of the field.

His contract is pretty team friendly as well with only $38m guaranteed in case he disappoints or suffers a big injury.

6. Romeo Doubs to NE Patriots (4 yr, $68m, TBD guaranteed)

The former Green Bay Packer, Romeo Doubs, gets a contract similar to Wan'dale Robinson, but each of them drastically differs in their style of play.

Doubs will be a solid target for Drake Maye, especially on those back-shoulder throws that Maye is great at throwing.

With Stefon Diggs being cut, the Patriots desperately needed another receiver to pair with Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins, and they went after another big body target.

Doubs had his most productive year with Green Bay last year, catching 55 balls for 724 yards and six touchdowns.

7. Malik Willis to MIA Dolphins (3 yr, $67m, $45m guaranteed)

The Miami Dolphins have upgraded at quarterback. Tua Tagovailoa and his atrocious contract are out the door, and the Dolphins have someone who can create plays and throw the ball down the field with power and consistency.

Willis is a risk no doubt, but his limited tape in 2025 shows that he still has all the potential in the world. Learning under Matt LaFluer and Jordan Love is a big help for a developing player, and he produced well in his opportunities.

Willis has completed 70 of his last 89 passes for 972 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions. He's also terrific as a runner, ending last year with 123 yards and two touchdowns in 22 carries on the ground.

The quarterback follows Jeff Hafley - the former Packers defensive coordinator that took the head coaching job in Miami a couple months ago.

8. John Franklin-Myers to TEN Titans (3 yr, $63m, $42m guaranteed)

John Franklin-Myers was extremely productive in his two seasons in Denver playing in a slightly limited role with a crowded and talented defensive line.

JFM racked up 14.5 sacks in his last two years, rushing from the three-tech interior defensive lineman spot.

He'll add to an interior pass rush that includes standout defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons.

9. David Edwards to NO Saints (4 yr, $61m, $45m guaranteed)

The Saints are looking to beef up their running game, and they've done exactly that with the pickups of OL David Edwards and running back Travis Etienne.

Between Cesar Ruiz, Dillon Radunz, Taliese Fuaga, Kelvin Banks Jr., and Edwards, the Saints o-line is something serious and will work in favor of second-year QB Tyler Shough.

10. Boye Mafe to CIN Bengals (3 yr, $60m, TBD guaranteed)

The Cincinnati Bengals signed Super Bowl champion EDGE Boye Mafe and Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook as their splash moves to try and shore up a defense that has been poor for much of Joe Burrow's career.

Trey Hendrickson is gone, and in is Mafe. The former Seahawk only recorded two sacks last year, but he had nine in 2023 and just turned 27-years-old. It's a flyer of a signing that could work well for the Cincy defense.