'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings - $40 million
Kirk Cousins is one of only five players set to make at least $40 million during the 2022-23 NFL season. While quarterbacks are the highest paid players in the league by far, the Minnesota Vikings may be overpaying a bit for Cousins.
While Kirk Cousins has been statistically solid, it hasn't translated into much team success for the Vikings.
They have made the playoffs just once in his three years as the starting quarterback, while posting an average 33-29-1 record. The biggest knock on Cousins is that his record in primetime games is 8-17.
A quarterback paid as much as Cousins is should be able to produce more wins, especially in the big games.
#2 Leonard Williams, New York Giants - $19 million
Leonard Williams is one of the 50 highest-paid NFL players in terms of total value for the 2022-23 season. What makes his contract particularly bad from a Giants point of view is that he's one of the 10 highest-paid players based on a 2022 cap hit at &27.3 million. That ranks him in the top five among defensive players.
While Williams is a solid defensive lineman, he's not a dominant pass rusher to command such a high salary. He has recorded just 36 sacks across seven NFL seasons while eclipsing 10 sacks in a single season once.
#1 Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars - $22.5 million
In a shocking move during the 2022 NFL offseason, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Christian Kirk to a massive four-year contract worth $72 million. The deal included more than half in fully guaranteed money.
The Jaguars were determined to upgrade their offense, but probably overpaid for the relatively unproven wide receiver.
Kirk has never exceeded 1,000 receiving yards in a season. He has also never been ranked in the top 20 for receptions, yards, or touchdowns in any given year. His contract is the highest in NFL history for a wide receiver who has never eclipsed 1,000 yards in a season.
