Jefferson quickly climbed to the highest level of the NFL’s non-quarterback salary list.
In 2022, the wide receiver market had an unheard-of pay explosion. At the conclusion of the 2021 season, four wide receivers had contracts worth an average of $20 million annually or more. In just a few months, the Tennessee Titans released wide receiver Julio Jones, yet the group of wide receivers earning $20 million annually grew to 14.
Depending on how one interprets it, three or four wide receivers will reach the $25 million annual threshold in 2022. In theory, Tyreek Hill became the first non-quarterback in the NFL to earn $30 million annually. In March 2022, he signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension, worth $30 million annually, as part of his trade to the Miami Dolphins from the Kansas City Chiefs.
There is $72.2 million in the extension.
Hill’s contract extension was larger than Davante Adams’. When Adams was traded by the Green Bay Packers a few days prior, the ink was barely dry on the five-year, $140 million contract he had signed with the Las Vegas Raiders after being named a franchise player. Of the $65.67 million in guarantees associated with this contract, $42.75 million were completely guaranteed at the time of signing. Adams’ deal has a maximum value of $141.25 million due to an annual Pro Bowl bonus of $250,000.
