Super Bowl LVIII is set: The Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will face off in Las Vegas. It’s the first time the Super Bowl is ever being played in Sin City, and it’s also the first time Taylor Swift will be in attendance (as far as we know, at least). You’d need to fork over nearly $7,000 just to get into the festivities, so we don’t blame you for wanting to watch at home instead.
Of course, the players on the Chiefs and Niners already have an invite to the game. But even if they wanted to watch, they’d have no trouble forking up the cash. Here’s a look at the ten highest-paid players in the Super Bowl, from the league’s most popular quarterback to offensive and defensive linemen doing work in the trenches.
One note before we dive in: NFL players can make money from their teams in several ways. They have their base salary but can also receive signing bonuses, roster bonuses, restructured deals from previous seasons, and additional incentives. We’re basing the numbers below off the total cash each player made during the 2023 season.
Top Earners in Super Bowl LVIII
The financial stakes are high for the players participating in Super Bowl LVIII. The list of top earners showcases the immense value these athletes bring to their teams. Understanding the pay structure in the NFL can illuminate why some players make more than others, and how contracts can vary significantly from player to player.
Patrick Mahomes: The Highest-Paid NFL Player
Patrick Mahomes is the owner of the largest contract in NFL history. So perhaps it’s no surprise that he’s the highest earner in the Super Bowl. He’s proven to be quite valuable to the Chiefs, winning two MVP awards and leading the Chiefs to two Super Bowl victories. Kansas City is now in its fourth Super Bowl appearance, looking to become the first team to win back-to-back championships since the Patriots won in 2003 and 2004.
While Mahomes will be the highest-paid player in this game, his quarterback counterpart is making considerably less. Brock Purdy is still on his rookie deal, and as the last player drafted in 2022 — aka Mr. Irrelevant — he’ll end this season with $870,000.
Nick Bosa: A Defensive Powerhouse
Shortly after the first game of the season, 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa signed a deal that made him the highest-paid defensive player in the entire NFL. Technically, his salary is only $1,010,000, but he’s making a whopping $50 million as a signing bonus. Bosa had a career-high 53 tackles this season, though his 10.5 sacks are the fewest he’s had in three seasons.
Javon Hargrave: A Solid Addition to the 49ers
Javon Hargrave signed a four-year, $84 million contract last offseason to join the 49ers. He put up solid numbers as a defensive tackle, getting his second Pro Bowl nod. Hargrave is on a bit of a Super Bowl hot streak, too – he reached last year’s game as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. He (and Niners fans) are hoping this year has a better result.
Key Players Making Their Mark
As the Super Bowl approaches, other key players are also making headlines with their impressive salaries. Each of these athletes has made significant contributions to their teams and has proven their worth on the field. Let’s dive into some of these remarkable players.
Chris Jones: The Chiefs' Top Defender
The Chiefs’ top-paid defender skipped out on training camp and missed the team’s first game against the Detroit Lions, a game Kansas City lost 21-20. Jones and the Chiefs came to an agreement on a one-year deal a few days later, and he’s appeared in every game for the rest of the season.
Trent Williams: An Offensive Lineman's Journey
Trent Williams spent the first ten seasons of his career in Washington before the team traded him to the 49ers in 2020. Since joining the Niners, Williams has seen his career trend upward. He was a regular Pro Bowl nominee, but over the past three seasons, he’s also been named to the All-Pro First Team.
Jawaan Taylor: A Season of Penalties
Jawaan Taylor has been a solid offensive lineman this year, but there’s a bigger issue at play here. Taylor started this season as the most penalized player in the entire NFL. And, well…he finished it the same way, too. Taylor was penalized 20 times this season — eight more than any other player — accounting for 21.7% of the team’s penalties for the season. That’s an absurd amount of penalties for anyone, let alone someone who just signed a new contract for $80 million.
Defensive Standouts and Rising Stars
Defensive players often play a crucial role in determining the outcome of a game, especially in the high-stakes environment of a Super Bowl. Recognizing their contributions is essential for understanding the dynamics of the matchup.
Joe Thuney: A Veteran Guard
Despite his name being pronounced the same as the Canadian “Toonie” coin, Thuney is earning a lot more than two dollars. The guard previously played under Bill Belichick in New England and signed with the Chiefs in 2023. He’s in the third of a five-year deal worth $80 million and is looking for his fourth Super Bowl title since entering the league in 2016.
Charvarius Ward: Career-High Performances
Our first member of the secondary on the list, Charvarius Ward had the best season of his career this year. He recorded a career-high five interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. The league took note, too: Ward made his debut Pro Bowl appearance and was named second-team All-Pro for the first time.
Linebackers Shining Bright
Linebackers are often the heart of a defense, providing both leadership and playmaking ability. Highlighting the best linebackers in the Super Bowl gives insight into the defensive strategies at play.
Fred Warner: A Pillar of Strength
The 49ers drafted Fred Warner in 2018, and the linebacker has been with the team his whole career. That means this is his second trip to the Super Bowl — and second game against the Chiefs. Warner played well the first time these two teams met, notching seven tackles and an interception. This season, Warner totaled 132 tackles and posted career highs in pass deflections (11), interceptions (4), and forced fumbles (4). He also received his third Pro Bowl nomination and made first-team All-Pro for the third time.
Arik Armstead: Transparency in Pay
San Francisco defensive end Arik Armstead rounds out our top ten list. Earlier this season, Armstead posted a series of videos to social media to offer a transparent look at NFL paychecks. While salaries are public knowledge, we don’t often see just how much of that money gets lost to taxes. Armstead’s videos helped shine a light on what players owe Uncle Sam. It’s quite a bit!
One other notable name is missing from this list: Travis Kelce, or, as newer fans may know him, Taylor Swift’s love interest. Kelce is the 12th highest-paid player in the Super Bowl, earning $12,161,755 this year. He’s just behind George Kittle, who’s 11th with $12,220,576.
We should be in store for a terrific Super Bowl. Who ya got: Chiefs or 49ers?
