15 Highest Paid Safety in the NFL

Safety is one of the most crucial positions in football because it ensures that the offence does not make large, explosive plays.

As part of their skill set, safeties must cover slot receivers and be fast enough to catch running backs across the field. Safeties have the bulk and strength of linebackers, but their quickness and speed make them mistaken for cornerbacks. It’s a true hybrid position that may be deployed in various defensive scenarios.

As such, the highest-paid safety earns as much as $15 million per year.

This article will showcase the 15 highest-paid safeties in the NFL, their responsibilities and salaries, and frequently asked questions about the position.

Is safety a safe position in football?
The role of safeties in football
What is the average salary for NFL safeties?
How is safety played in football?
- Strong Safety
- Free Safety
25 highest-paid Safety in the NFL
Here are some other highest-paid safety in the NFL
FAQs on Highest Paid Safety In The NFL
Conclusion
References
Recommendations

Is safety a safe position in football?

Safety is an essential and flexible position on the football field that is performed by a member of the defense. It is one of the more vital positions on defense, as it helps to stop both the run and the pass.

The safeties, also known as defensive backs, are the last line of defense, lining up ten to fifteen yards behind the line of scrimmage and playing a key part in pass defense, so it is relatively safe.

The role of safeties in football

As the name implies, safety is the last line of defense for the defense. The safety’s role is to ensure no offensive players score by running or catching the ball. On the defensive side of the ball, they are the deepest player.

Here are some of the roles of safety:

As a member of the defense, the primary responsibility of the safety is to prevent the offense from scoring at all costs.
He needs to assist with run support, the safety will serve as a fourth linebacker in run support in obvious running situations.
He needs to stop big passing plays, the primary goal of safety on a passing play is to keep the ball in front of him.

What is the average salary for NFL safeties?

Aside from the position, a few additional elements influence the compensation in the NFL. Some are skills, league average, signing bonus, salary cap, and average salary range.

Quarterbacks and defensive tackles are thought to earn the most money, followed by running backs and linebackers, and finally, safeties and tight ends.

According to the NFL Players Association, a player on the active roster earns a minimum base wage of USD 400,000 to USD 435,000. For the players, this money is guaranteed. They also receive bonuses and privileges at the end of each season.

With more experience, the compensation rises every year. An average salary of USD 700,000 to USD 750,000 would be earned after a half-decade of expertise.

With ten years of expertise, you can earn up to USD 990,000.

How is safety played in football?

In the game of football, there are two “safety” positions on the defense. Their responsibilities may occasionally overlap, although they are frequently assigned entirely different roles in the defense.

Defensive backs are a bigger position group that includes them (DB). The safety positions are strong safety (SS) and free safety (FS).

Safeties usually line up 10-15 yards behind the line of scrimmage, and their responsibilities vary depending on the defensive system.

Strong Safety

In general, strong safety is better adapted to the running game. He is a linebacker with a safeties speed who must cover receivers while still being a force on the running play.

Strong safety is usually found near the middle of the field, on the formation’s strong side.

These defenders typically stay near the line of scrimmage and assist in stopping the run and guarding the tight end on passing plays.

Free Safety

On the other side, free safety is the final line of defense on the football field. He’s a pass-oriented defender who sits back, surveys, and attacks when necessary.

However, given the intricacy of some offenses, he will almost certainly be required to fill on running plays, as he is frequently the only one unblocked.

Because of their position on the field, safeties can significantly impact the outcome of games.

25 highest-paid Safety in the NFL

These are the Highest Paid Safety In The NFL;

1. Justin Simmons (age:27) pos: FS

The Denver Broncos signed Justin Simmons to a four-year, $61 million contract with a $15 million signing bonus, $35 million in guaranteed money, and an average annual salary of $15,250,000.

Simmons will be paid a base salary of $2 million and a signing bonus of $15 million in 2022.

2. Budda Baker (age:25) pos: S

Budda Baker signed a four-year, $59 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals, which included a $10 million signing bonus, $33,100,000 in guaranteed money, and a $14,750,000 average yearly salary.

Baker will receive a $4,000,000 base salary and a $7,100,000 signing bonus in 2022.

3. Eddie Jackson(age:28) pos: FS

Eddie Jackson agreed to a four-year, $58,400,000 contract with the Chicago Bears. This includes a $12 million signing bonus, $33 million in guaranteed money, and a $14,600,000 average annual pay.

Jackson will earn $990,000 in base salary, $7,960,000 in restructuring bonus, and $100,000 in workout bonus in 2022.

4. Kevin Byard(age:27) pos: FS

Kevin Byard signed a five-year, $70 million contract with the Tennessee Titans. This includes a $9 million signing bonus, $31 million in guaranteed money, and a $14 million average yearly salary.

Byard will be paid a base salary of $11,200,000 in 2022 and a roster bonus of $500,000.

5. Tyrann, Mathieu(age:29) pos: FS

Tyrann Mathieu agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, which included a $14,800,000 signing bonus, $26,800,000 in guaranteed money, and a $14 million average yearly salary.

Mathieu will earn $14,550,000 base salary and a $250,000 workout bonus in 2022.

6. Landon Collins(age:27) pos: SS

Landon Collins agreed to a six-year, $84 million contract with the Washington Redskins. This includes a $15 million signing bonus, $44,500,000 in guaranteed money, and a $14 million average yearly salary.

Collins will receive a $12,500,000 base salary and a $205,877 roster bonus in 2022.

7. Devin McCourty(age:33) pos: FS

The New England Patriots signed Devin McCourty to a two-year, $23 million contract with a $10,750,000 signing bonus, $17 million guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $11,500,000.

McCourty will receive an $8 million basic salary and a $1 million roster bonus in 2022.

8. John Johnson(age:25) pos: SS

The Cleveland Browns signed John Johnson to a three-year, $33,750,000 contract. This includes a $12 million signing bonus, $24 million in guaranteed money, and an average annual salary of $11,250,000.

Johnson will be paid a base salary of $1,250,000 in 2022 and a signing bonus of $12 million.

9. Marcus Maye(age:27) pos: FS

Marcus Maye signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets worth $10,612,000, with $10,612,000 guaranteed and an average of $10,612,000 annual pay.

Maye will receive a base salary of $10,612,000 in 2022.

10. Marcus Williams(age:24) pos: FS

Marcus Williams agreed to a one-year deal worth $10,612,000 with the New Orleans Saints, with $10,612,000 guaranteed and a $10,612,000 average annual salary. Williams will be paid a base salary of $10,612,000 in 2022.

11. Harrison Smith(age:32) pos: SS

The Minnesota Vikings signed Harrison Smith to a five-year, $51,250,000 contract. This includes a $10 million signing bonus, $28,578,000 in guaranteed money, and a $10,250,000 average annual salary.

In 2022, Smith will earn a base salary of $9,850,000 and a $400,000 workout bonus.

12. Jordan Poyer(age:30) pos: SS

Jordan Poyer agreed to a two-year, $19,500,000 contract with the Buffalo Bills, which included a $3 million signing bonus, $13,300,000 in guarantee money, and a $9,750,000 average annual salary.

Poyer will make $6,275,000 in base salary, $400,000 in roster bonus, and $200,000 in workout bonus in 2022.

13. Micah Hyde(age:30) pos: SS

Micah Hyde agreed to a two-year, $19,250,000 contract with the Buffalo Bills, which included a $7,500,000 signing bonus, $13,300,000 in guaranteed money, and a $9,625,000 average annual salary.

Hyde will receive $2,100,000 in base salary, $7,500,000 in signing bonus, $264,706 in roster bonus, and $100,000 in workout bonus in 2022.

14. Jimmie Ward (age:30) pos: FS

The San Francisco 49ers signed Jimmie Ward to a three-year, $28,500,000 contract, including an $8,000,000 signing bonus, $16,500,000 in guaranteed money, and a $9,500,000 average annual pay. Ward will get $8,400,000 in basic salary, $411,754 in roster bonus, and $100,000 in workout bonus in 2022.

15. Adrian Amos (age:28) pos: FS

Adrian Amos signed a four-year, $36 million contract with the Green Bay Packers, which included an $11 million signing bonus, $12 million guaranteed, and a $9 million average yearly salary.

Amos will earn $990,000 in basic pay, $400,000 in roster bonus, $2,664,000 in restructuring bonus, and $5000 in workout bonus in 2022.

Here are some other highest-paid safety in the NFL

16. Rayshawn Jenkins(age:27) pos: S

Rayshawn Jenkins signed a four-year, $35 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, which included an $8 million signing bonus, $16 million in guaranteed money, and an $8,750,000 average yearly salary.

Jenkins will be paid a basic salary of $1,000,000 in 2022, an $8,000,000 signing bonus, a roster bonus of $468,750, and a workout bonus of $500,000.

17. Malcolm Jenkins (age:33) pos: FS

Malcolm Jenkins signed a four-year, $32 million contract with the New Orleans Saints, which included a $9 million signing bonus, $16,250,000 in guaranteed money, and an $8 million average annual salary.

Jenkins will make $1,100,000 in base pay and $5,100,000 in restructuring bonus in 2022.

18. Quandre Diggs(age:28) pos: FS

The Detroit Lions signed Quandre Diggs to a three-year, $18,600,000 contract, including a $4,500,000 signing bonus, $9,557,000 in guaranteed money, and a $6,200,000 average annual salary.

In 2022, Diggs will earn a basic salary of $5,950,000, a roster bonus of $100,000, and a workout bonus of $100,000.

19. Eric Murray(age:27) pos: SS

The Houston Texans signed Eric Murray to a three-year, $18 million contract that included a $4,500,000 signing bonus, $10,750,000 in guaranteed money, and a $6 million average annual salary.

Murray will make $5,000,000 in basic salary, $218,750 in roster bonus, and $750,000 in incentive bonus in 2022.

20. Jalen Mills(age:27) pos: S

Jalen Mills signed a four-year, $24 million contract with the New England Patriots, which included a $2,500,000 signing bonus, $9 million in guaranteed money, and a $6 million average yearly pay.

Mills will make $3,000,000 in base salary, $2,500,000 in signing bonus, and $882,353 in roster bonus in 2022.

21. Vonn Bell(age:26) pos: FS

Vonn Bell agreed to a three-year, $18 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, which included a $3 million signing bonus, $3 million guaranteed, and a $6 million average annual salary.

Bell will get $4,100,000 in basic salary, $200,000 in roster bonus, and $200,000 in workout bonus in 2022.

22. Jamal Adams (age:25) pos: SS

The New York Jets signed Jamal Adams to a four-year, $22,258,738 contract that included a $14,328,154 signing bonus, $22,258,738 guaranteed, and a $5,564,685 estimated yearly salary.

In 2022, Adams will earn a base salary of $9,860,000.

23. Eric Rowe (age:28) pos: SS

The Miami Dolphins signed Eric Rowe to a three-year, $16,150,000 contract, including a $2,100,000 signing bonus, $6,575,000 in guaranteed money, and an average annual salary of $5,383,333. Rowe will make $3,500,000 in basic salary, $2,000,000 in roster bonus, and $25,000 in workout bonus in 2022.

24. Chuck Clark (age:26) pos: SS

Chuck Clark agreed to a three-year, $15,300,000 deal with the Baltimore Ravens, which included a $5,500,000 signing bonus, $10,000,000 in guaranteed money, and a $5,100,000 average annual pay.

Clark will receive a base salary of $2,500,000 in 2022.

25. Kareem Jackson (age:33) pos: SS

Kareem Jackson agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract with the Denver Broncos, with $4,750,000 guaranteed and a $5 million average annual pay. Jackson will make $4,750,000 in base salary and a $250k roster bonus in 2022.

FAQs on Highest Paid Safety In The NFL

Is it preferable to play cornerback or safety?

A team may deploy a Strong Safety who is faster and quicker, like a Cornerback, against a passing offence. A team may deploy an extra Cornerback instead of a Strong Safety against an attack with many receivers. Free Safety is the player who is farthest away from the ball.

In football, why is it called safety?

The team may down the ball in its end zone rather than risking a fumble or having to punt from the end zone and risking a blocked punt. The ball would then be moved to the 25-yard line, from which it would be punted. It was dubbed a safety since it was considered a risk-free method.

After a safety, what happens next?

Following a safety, the conceded team must put the ball in play with a free-kick (punt, dropkick, or placekick) from its 20-yard line.

What is the value of safety in terms of points?

Two points are awarded for successful safety.

Is a touchdown better than a safety?

Even if a safety gets you the ball back, it’s still not as valuable as a touchdown. The typical drive is worth 2.1 points, meaning safety is worth around four points on average. Safety is worth around three points less than a touchdown after the post-safety drive.

In the NFL, how common are safeties?

Safeties are the least prevalent manner of scoring in American football. However, they are not uncommon occurrences – a safety has occurred once every 14.31 games in the National Football League (NFL) since 1932, or almost once a week under current scheduling regulations.

Conclusion

Football safeties combine classic cornerback’s speed and coverage skills with traditional linebackers’ power, vision, and tackling abilities to create a unique combination.

As a result, great safeties don’t appear every day.

If you want to be a great safety in football, you must train hard to improve your strength, speed, understanding of offenses, and tackling ability.

These are the Highest Paid Safety In The NFL.

References

www.spotrac.com – NFL Salary Rankings
overthecap.com – Safety Contracts
www.azcentral.com – NFL’s highest paid safeties: Jamal Adams, Harrison Smith, Justin Simmons lead list

15 Highest Paid Safety in the NFL | Best State

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