A random observation about the NFL’s top contracts

As June came to end, a report trickled across my computer monitor: Saints sign RT Ryan Ramczyk to record extension (I’m paraphrasing the headline).

I thought, “Meh, why do I care?”

After all, aside from the fact that us 12s are officially / unofficially / semi-officially (?) on “the Jamal Adams watch” in anticipation of what is expected to be another record contract ... what the Saints chose to do with one of their offensive linemen really didn’t move the needle for me, interest-wise.

Then, about 5 minutes later, I got curious.

I’m not going to tell what I was curious about yet though ... in part, because I’m curious if anyone else will notice what I did once I allowed myself to indulge my curiosity.

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The NFL’s top contracts, by position

Based solely on their average annual value / average per year (APY), here are the NFL’s top contracts, by position, as of June 30th.

Note: Numbers are from OTC. Ramczyk’s contract details aren’t on the site yet, but we know the overall terms so he is included on this list.

Top Offensive Contracts

Quarterback

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

$45M APY | 10 years, $450M

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Running Back

Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers

$16M APY | 4 years, $64M

* Note: Overthecap officially lists his APY at $16,015,853 and the total value of his contract at $64,063,412.

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Fullback

Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers

$5.4M APY | 5 years, $27M

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Wide Receiver

DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals

$27.25M APY | 2 years, $54.5M

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Tight End

George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

$15M APY | 5 years, $75M

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Left Tackle

Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers

$23,010,000 APY | 6 years, $138.1M

* Note: The $10,000 matters; the Packers’ David Bakhtiari is #2 at an even $23M APY.

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Right Tackle

Ryan Ramczyk, New Orleans Saints

$19.2M APY | 5 years, $96M

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Left Guard

Joe Thuney, Kansas City Chiefs

$16M APY | 5 years, $80M

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Right Guard

Brandon Scherff, Washington Football Team

$18,036,000 APY | Franchise tag

* Note: Brandon Brooks is currently #2 with an APY of $14.05M; Scherff should be #1 even if he signs an extension with an APY lower than the tag amount.

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Center

Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions

$13.5M APY | 4 years, $54M

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Top Defensive Contracts

Defensive Tackle / Interior Defensive Line

Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams

$22.5M APY | 6 years, $135M

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Defensive End / EDGE

Joey Bosa, Los Angeles Chargers

$27M APY | 5 years, $135M

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Linebacker

Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks

$18M APY | 3 years, $54M

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Cornerback

Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams

$20M APY | 5 years, $100M

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Safety

Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos

$15.25M APY | 4 years, $61M

* Note: Simmons was franchise-tagged twice before signing this deal.

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Top Special Teams Contracts

Kicker

Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens

$5M APY | 4 years, $20M

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Punter

Johnny Hekker, Los Angeles Rams

$3.75M APY | 5 years, $18.75M

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Long Snapper

Reid Ferguson, Buffalo Bills

$1,333,333 APY | 3 years, $4M

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One more for the tie

Did anyone else notice how many of the top contracts belong to NFC West teams?

On offense, it’s 4 of the 10.

• San Francisco fullback Kyle Juszczyk
• Arizona wideout DeAndre Hopkins
• SF tight end George Kittle
• 9ers LT Trent Williams

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On defense, it’s 3 of the 5 - and should soon be 4 of the 5 once Jamal Adams signs the extension that we’re (almost) all expecting.

• Rams DT (slash Seahawks nemesis) Aaron Donald
• Seattle linebacker (slash QB-D) Bobby Wagner
• LAR cornerback Jalen Ramsey

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On special team, it’s 1 of the 3 - Rams punter Johnny Hekker

Add it all up and 8 of the 18 highest contracts by position belong to players on NFC West teams. WOW!

To put that in perspective, here is the breakdown by division:

• NFC West: 8
• AFC West: 4
• NFC South: 2
• AFC East: 1
• AFC North: 1
• NFC East: 1
• NFC North: 1
• AFC South: 0

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By conference, the totals are:

• NFC: 12
• AFC: 6

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And, again, the Jamal Adams contract is (almost certainly) going to tilt the equation even further toward the NFC West.

In fact, if everything else remains the same, Adams topping the safety market would make it a 50/50 split with the NFC West on one side and every other division on the other side.

That is INSANE!

And also very likely to (maybe probably) happen.

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Enjoy the rest of your day!

Go ‘Hawks!