It may not be the most exciting position in the NFL, but it’s one of the most important: kickers.
When a game is on the line and it comes down to a field goal, it’s always good to have a trusted leg stepping up to the task.
But how much do kickers get paid for their services? Here’s a breakdown of NFL kickers’ salaries ahead of the 2022-23 season, with all data via Spotrac:
Who is the highest-paid kicker in the NFL?
Currently, the highest-paid kicker based on annual average value (AAV) in the NFL is Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens at $6 million a year. The 32-year-old vet has signed a four-year extension through the 2027 season with the Ravens.
Tucker is the NFL’s all-time record holder with a career field goal success rate of 91.1 percent, and he also holds the NFL record for the longest field goal ever when he hit a 66-yard game winner in Detroit last year.
Chris Boswell of the Pittsburgh Steelers holds the spot for the second-highest paid kicker in the league after signing an extension with the Steelers on Aug. 8.
NFL
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo isn’t far off for the third-highest spot. Koo signed a five-year extension worth $24.25 million this past March, good for an average of $4.85 million a year.
Who is the lowest-paid kicker in the NFL?
Out of 44 kickers in the books across 32 teams, the Detroit Lions have both of the lowest-paid kickers. Riley Patterson is the lowest-paid with a one-year deal worth $660,000.
Next is Austin Seibert, who has played for three different teams in four years. He signed a four-year, $2,780,456 contract with the Cleveland Browns after being drafted in the fifth round in 2019. However, despite being waived by the Browns after one year and the Cincinnati Bengals the next, he’s been claimed off waivers every time, so his contract has stayed the same. His average salary is $695,114.
What do NFL kickers make on average in 2022?
In total, the 44 kickers on the books in the NFL for the 2022-23 season make around $110 million combined. That puts the average kicker salary at around $2.5 million.
Who are the highest-paid kickers in the NFL?
As mentioned before, Tucker, Boswell and Koo lead the highest-paid kickers list. Along with them, these are the 10 kickers with the biggest average salaries ahead of the 2022-23 campaign:
1. Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens: $6,000,000
2. Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers: $5,000,000
3. Younghoe Koo, Atlanta Falcons: $4,850,000
4. Graham Gano, New York Giants: $4,666,667
5. Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders: $4,600,000
6. Ka’imi Fairbairn, Houston Texans: $4,412,500
7. Jason Sanders, Miami Dolphins: $4,400,000
T-8. Mason Crosby, Green Bay Packers: $4,300,000
T-8. Brandon McManus, Denver Broncos: $4,300,000
10. Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs: $4,055,000