Top Paid Safeties In NFL: Who Holds the Top Spot in 2024/2025?
Having a championship-level defense without elite play at the safety position is challenging. Safeties need to be able to make plays at the line of scrimmage and handle pass coverage responsibilities. The ability to deal with pass-catching tight ends in coverage is a key part of the position.
Not all of the top-paid safeties in the NFL are household names. However, opposing offensive coordinators know who they are.
The top 19 contracts handed out to safeties see the star defensive backs averaging at least $10 million per season.
Safeties trail some other defensive positions when it comes to the top-earning positions in the NFL. The safeties leading the way are Tampa Bay’s Antoine Winfield Jr., Derwin James of the Los Angeles Chargers, and L’Jarius Sneed of the Tennessee Titans.
Minkah Fitzpatrick of the Pittsburgh Steelers is among the top-paid strong safeties in the NFL.
Let’s take a closer look at the salaries for NFL safeties and check out who leads the way among the highest-paid NFL safeties. According to the NFL sportsbook online, the teams with the best odds typically have a productive safety or two on the roster.
Breaking Down NFL Safeties’ Salaries
Some top safeties have been on the move in the last season or two. However, Winfield and James are still key players for the teams that drafted them. With both of them considered among the best free safeties in the NFL, it makes sense that their teams are willing to let them walk.
Winfield leads in most categories when it comes to the highest-paid NFL safeties. He is also part of one of the best safety duos in the NFL. Derwin James is responsible for 9.2% of the cap for the Los Angeles Chargers, the highest mark for a safety. The $51.5 million guaranteed money coming L’Jarius Sneed’s way gives him the top spot among safeties.
More big-play performers could join the league with South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori and Georgia’s Malaki Starks as the first two safeties off the board in the NFL Draft. There is always a chance of a cornerback being taken in the first and second round who might be viewed as a safety and not a cornerback by the team picking them.
Plenty of Top Safeties On The Move
Tre’Von Moehrig joined the list of the highest-paid NFL safeties. After spending his first four seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, Moehrig signed with the Carolina Panthers for $51 million over three years.
The Denver Broncos signed San Francisco 49ers’ safety Talanoa Hufanga to a three-year deal worth $45 million.
The Indianapolis Colts looked to bolster the back end of their secondary by agreeing to terms with Camryn Bynum on a $60 million contract over four years.
After signing a three-year contract with the New York Giants, Jevon Holland will also earn $15 million per season.
The Houston Texans traded for C.J. Gardner-Johnson of the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, as the Eagles are turning to players added in the last few drafts.
Not all the top safeties are changing teams. Minnesota brought back Harrison Smith on a one-year, $10.25 million deal, and Theo Jackson signed a two-year extension for $12.615
Who is the highest-paid safety in the NFL going into the 2025 season?
Antoine Winfield Jr. of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is the only safety set to make over $20 million during the 2025 season.
What is the average salary for an NFL safety?
There are 32 teams in the NFL, and the going rate for the 32nd highest-paid NFL safety is $4.5 million per season.
Which safeties signed the biggest deals this season?
Tre’Von Moehrig, Talanoa Hufanga, Camryn Bynum, and Jevon Holland lead the list of safeties, earning huge raises by signing with new teams in the offseason.
How do safety salaries compare to other defensive positions?
Right now, the top four highest-paid defensive players are either defensive ends or defensive tackles, followed by cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. No safeties are among the top 25 highest-paid defensive players.
Which teams are paying the most for top safeties?
Arizona safeties Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson are set to make $30 million between them this season. The Tennessee Titans will be spending more than $29 million and Amani Hooker and L’Jarius Sneed.
