The running back position has long been one of the most undervalued in the NFL when it comes to contract dollars. But that narrative is slowly changing. As of 2025, a handful of elite tailbacks are finally cashing in on massive deals — driven by record-breaking seasons and Super Bowl glory. Whether you’re a fantasy football fanatic, a salary cap nerd, or just an NFL fan who loves the game, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about the highest paid RBs in the NFL right now.
Why Running Back Salaries Are Finally Rising
For years, running backs were told they were replaceable. Teams avoided long-term, big-money deals at the position, preferring to cycle through cheaper options. As of 2025, only nine running backs earn an Average Annual Value (AAV) of $10 million or more — compared to 24 quarterbacks and 37 wide receivers at that same threshold. However, dominant performances from players like Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Josh Jacobs are forcing teams to rethink the value of a true workhorse back. Historic rushing seasons, Super Bowl wins, and the explosion of dual-threat backs are slowly resetting the market at the position.
Top 10 Highest Paid Running Backs in the NFL (2025)
Here is a comprehensive look at the top 10 highest paid RBs in the NFL for the 2025 season, ranked by Average Annual Value (AAV):
| Rank | Player | Team | Contract | AAV | Guaranteed Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saquon Barkley | Philadelphia Eagles | 2-year, $41.2M extension | $20.6M | $36M |
| 2 | Christian McCaffrey | San Francisco 49ers | 2-year, $38M extension | $19M | $24M |
| 3 | Jonathan Taylor | Indianapolis Colts | 2-year, $30M extension | $15M | $24M |
| 4 | Derrick Henry | Baltimore Ravens | Multi-year deal | $15M | — |
| 5 | Alvin Kamara | New Orleans Saints | Existing deal | $12.3M | — |
| 6 | Josh Jacobs | Green Bay Packers | 4-year, $48M deal | $12M | $12.5M |
| 7 | Bijan Robinson | Atlanta Falcons | Rookie/extension | ~$12M | — |
| 8 | Ashton Jeanty | Las Vegas Raiders | 4-year, $35.9M (rookie) | ~$8.97M | $35.9M (fully guaranteed) |
| 9 | De’Von Achane | Miami Dolphins | Rookie deal | — | — |
| 10 | D’Andre Swift | Chicago Bears | Extension | ~$7.4M | — |
Salaries per Spotrac and OverTheCap (April 2025)
Player-by-Player Breakdown
1. Saquon Barkley — Philadelphia Eagles | $20.6M AAV
Saquon Barkley is, without question, the highest paid running back in NFL history as of 2025. After one of the most legendary seasons any running back has ever had, Barkley earned every dollar. Following the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX championship, the team rewarded him with a two-year, $41.2 million extension — the richest deal ever handed to an RB in league history.
Barkley put together a jaw-dropping 2024 season, finishing with the most rush yards (2,504) and scrimmage yards (2,857) in a single season including playoffs, breaking records previously held by Hall of Famers. He joined legends Terrell Davis (1998) and Emmitt Smith as the only players to win the rushing title and the Super Bowl in the same season. His extension includes a stunning $36 million in guaranteed money — nearly as much as his entire previous contract was worth in total value.
- Contract: 2-year, $41.2M extension (signed March 2025)
- AAV: $20.6M
- Guaranteed: $36M
2. Christian McCaffrey — San Francisco 49ers | $19M AAV
Christian McCaffrey remains one of the most complete offensive weapons the NFL has ever seen. A devastating dual-threat who can both run the ball and line up as a wide receiver, CMC signed a two-year, $38 million extension in 2024, making him the second-highest paid running back in the league.
McCaffrey is widely regarded as a Pro Bowl-caliber talent year in and year out. Even with the injury concerns that have followed him throughout his career, the 49ers have repeatedly invested in keeping him in San Francisco. His ability to impact the game through rushing, receiving, and blocking gives him elite value in any offensive scheme.
- Contract: 2-year, $38M extension (signed 2024)
- AAV: $19M
- Guaranteed: $24M
3. Jonathan Taylor — Indianapolis Colts | $15M AAV
Jonathan Taylor secured a two-year, $30 million extension in 2025 after years of being one of the most productive backs in the league. The former Wisconsin Badger is a power-speed hybrid who has consistently produced big numbers for Indianapolis when healthy.
Taylor’s third-place ranking on this list reflects both his talent and the overall market dynamics at the position. At $15 million per year, he sits in a tier just below the truly elite in terms of salary, but his on-field production argues for much more. The Colts made a clear statement that Taylor is a cornerstone of their offense going forward.
- Contract: 2-year, $30M extension (signed 2025)
- AAV: $15M
- Guaranteed: $24M
4. Derrick Henry — Baltimore Ravens | ~$15M AAV
Derrick Henry is a living legend. After joining the Baltimore Ravens on a fresh deal, “King Henry” continued doing what he does best — running over defenders with a punishing, physical style that defies his age. Henry is one of the few running backs in NFL history to command this level of money well into his late career, thanks to his iron-man durability and consistent production.
In a league that rarely rewards backs past their prime, Derrick Henry has proven that elite production demands elite pay — no matter the age.
- Contract: Multi-year deal with Baltimore Ravens
- AAV: ~$15M
- Total Value: $37M (cash earned)
5. Alvin Kamara — New Orleans Saints | $12.3M AAV
Alvin Kamara has been a consistent playmaker for the New Orleans Saints for nearly a decade. Known for his elite pass-catching ability out of the backfield, Kamara is one of the most versatile backs of his generation. His contract carries a salary of $12.3 million per season, placing him firmly in the top tier of paid RBs in the league.
Despite playing through various changes in New Orleans’ offensive scheme and coaching staff, Kamara’s ability to make big plays in critical moments has kept him one of the most valuable backs in the NFL.
- AAV: $12.3M
- Contract Total: ~$35.9M (cash earnings)
6. Josh Jacobs — Green Bay Packers | $12M AAV
Josh Jacobs had a breakout season with the Green Bay Packers after signing a four-year, $48 million deal in 2024. The former Las Vegas Raider proved he was worth the investment, emerging as a key piece of Jordan Love’s offense. Jacobs brings a between-the-tackles power style combined with reliable hands as a receiver, making him a complete back.
His signing with Green Bay represented one of the bigger free agent moves for a running back in recent memory and has largely paid dividends for the Packers’ offense.
- Contract: 4-year, $48M (signed 2024)
- AAV: $12M
- Guaranteed: $12.5M
7. Bijan Robinson — Atlanta Falcons | ~$12M AAV
Bijan Robinson is quickly becoming one of the most exciting young backs in the NFL. The Atlanta Falcons’ first-round pick has been phenomenal since entering the league, recording 5,648 scrimmage yards, 34 touchdowns, and multiple Pro Bowl appearances in his first three seasons. In 2025, he posted an elite dual-threat campaign: 1,478 rushing yards and 79 receptions for 820 receiving yards.
Robinson is eligible for a contract extension and is already being projected as a potential $20M+ per year player when he signs his next deal. He’s widely expected to reset the running back market when his extension comes through.
- Current AAV: ~$12M (on rookie/current deal)
- Future Projection: $22-23M AAV (extension expected)
8. Ashton Jeanty — Las Vegas Raiders | $8.97M AAV (Fully Guaranteed)
Ashton Jeanty is the newest name on this list and arguably the most fascinating story. The Las Vegas Raiders made him the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after he posted one of the greatest college football seasons in history at Boise State — 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024, finishing as the Heisman Trophy runner-up.
His four-year, $35.9 million fully guaranteed rookie contract instantly makes him the second-highest-paid running back by guaranteed money in NFL history, trailing only Saquon Barkley. Before playing a single NFL snap, Jeanty secured more guaranteed money than Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, or Christian McCaffrey. He represents the new generation of premium investment at the position.
- Contract: 4-year, $35.9M (fully guaranteed, signed May 2025)
- AAV: ~$8.97M
- Signing Bonus: $22.7M
9. De’Von Achane — Miami Dolphins
De’Von Achane is one of the fastest running backs in NFL history and has dazzled Dolphins fans with his explosive speed and big-play ability. Currently on his rookie contract, Achane ranked among the top-rated running backs by PFF in 2025. He is expected to command a massive extension in the coming years as he continues to develop into a premier playmaker.
10. D’Andre Swift — Chicago Bears | ~$7.4M AAV
D’Andre Swift rounds out the top 10 with his contract with the Chicago Bears. Swift has steadily grown into a reliable starting back, offering a blend of vision and receiving ability that fits well in Chicago’s evolving offense. As a Bears back working alongside the young franchise quarterback Caleb Williams, Swift’s role and market value are both trending upward.
What Does This Mean for the Running Back Market?
The RB salary landscape in 2025 tells two different stories. On one hand, the top of the market has never been higher — Saquon Barkley’s $20.6M AAV is a figure that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago. On the other hand, the middle class of running backs continues to struggle, with many solid starters earning far below their market value.
The next wave of extensions — particularly for Bijan Robinson, De’Von Achane, and Jahmyr Gibbs — could further reshape the position’s economics over the next 12–18 months. If Robinson lands the projected $22-23M AAV deal many analysts expect, it would become the new gold standard for running back contracts.
Quick Summary Table
| Player | Team | AAV | Total Deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saquon Barkley | Philadelphia Eagles | $20.6M | $41.2M |
| Christian McCaffrey | San Francisco 49ers | $19M | $38M |
| Jonathan Taylor | Indianapolis Colts | $15M | $30M |
| Derrick Henry | Baltimore Ravens | ~$15M | ~$37M |
| Alvin Kamara | New Orleans Saints | $12.3M | ~$35.9M |
| Josh Jacobs | Green Bay Packers | $12M | $48M |
| Bijan Robinson | Atlanta Falcons | ~$12M | — |
| Ashton Jeanty | Las Vegas Raiders | ~$8.97M | $35.9M |
| De’Von Achane | Miami Dolphins | Rookie deal | — |
| D’Andre Swift | Chicago Bears | ~$7.4M | — |
FAQs: Highest Paid Running Backs in the NFL
Q: Who is the highest paid running back in the NFL in 2025?
A: Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles is the highest paid RB in the NFL in 2025, with an AAV of $20.6 million on a two-year, $41.2 million extension signed in March 2025 following the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX victory.
Q: How much is Christian McCaffrey’s contract worth?
A: Christian McCaffrey signed a two-year, $38 million extension in 2024, making him the second-highest paid running back in the NFL at $19 million per year.
Q: Is Ashton Jeanty one of the highest paid RBs even as a rookie?
A: Yes. Jeanty’s four-year, $35.9 million fully guaranteed rookie contract — signed after being selected 6th overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2025 Draft — makes him the second-highest paid RB by guaranteed money in NFL history, behind only Saquon Barkley.
Q: How many NFL running backs make over $10 million per year?
A: As of the 2025 NFL season, nine running backs earn an AAV of $10 million or more, according to Spotrac. This compares to 24 quarterbacks and 37 wide receivers at the same threshold.
Q: Who is likely to become the next highest paid RB in the NFL?
A: Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons is widely projected to be the next RB to reset the market. Analysts project his extension to be worth $22–23 million per year, which would surpass Barkley’s current record-setting deal.
Q: Is Derrick Henry still one of the highest paid RBs?
A: Yes. Derrick Henry signed with the Baltimore Ravens and remains one of the top-paid running backs in the league, earning approximately $15 million per year — remarkable for a back of his age and career arc.
Q: What is the average NFL running back salary?
A: While the top of the market is booming, the average NFL running back salary remains significantly lower than other skill positions. Most RBs outside the top tier earn between $1 million and $7 million per year.