The NFL running back market has changed in recent years, to say the least. Teams no longer want to hand out large contracts to running backs, who have some of the shortest shelf lives in the game. Still, if you’re a high-end running back, you can expect a decent payday.
Here’s a look at the top 10 highest-paid running backs in the NFL after Kyren Williams’ contract extension with the Los Angeles Rams.
Highest-Paid Running Backs in the NFL
Note: We’re using average annual salary (AAV) to determine these rankings, with all salary figures provided by Spotrac.
10) James Conner, Arizona Cardinals | AAV: $9.5 million
Although he was scheduled to hit free agency in 2025, the Arizona Cardinals locked up RB James Conner well ahead of free agency, signing the bell cow back to a two-year, $19 million extension in November 2024.
With $8.25 million guaranteed at signing, Conner will hit free agency in 2027.
9) Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings | AAV: $10 million
Aaron Jones signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, but he far exceeded expectations. The veteran running back rushed for 1,138 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games, averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
He also had 51 receptions for 408 yards and two receiving touchdowns. Based on his performance, the Vikings rewarded Jones with a two-year, $20 million contract extension in March 2025.
Jones will be a huge help for young quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who is set to start for the Vikings after missing his rookie season due to injuries. Hopefully, the 30-year-old running back will stay healthy and prove that he deserved the contract extension despite his age.
8) Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams | AAV: $11 million
Ahead of the first week of 2025 NFL preseason games, the Los Angeles Rams signed Kyren Williams to a three-year, $33 million contract extension.
Just in: Rams RB Kyren Williams reached agreement on a three-year, 33 million extension, including $23 million guaranteed. per Drew and Jason Rosenhaus. pic.twitter.com/mn9S8XR2eK
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 5, 2025
Williams, a fifth-round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft, has become a massive part of the Rams’ offense. He has rushed for over 1,100 yards in each of the last two seasons and has averaged 4.5 yards per carry in his career.
Williams has scored 31 total touchdowns in the last two seasons. He has earned the trust of head coach Sean McVay, and if the Rams want to live up to their full potential, they’ll need their star running back to stay healthy and continue to perform at the same level.
T-7) Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers | AAV: $12 million
The Green Bay Packers made headlines this offseason by signing Josh Jacobs. Jacobs spent the first five seasons of his career with the Las Vegas Raiders. He landed a four-year, $48 million contract with a $12.5 million signing bonus.
Jacobs is scheduled to hit free agency in 2028.
T-7) James Cook, Buffalo Bills | AAV: $12 million
The Buffalo Bills continued their heavy-spending offseason by securing a long-term extension with star running back James Cook. The two-time Pro Bowler signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the Bills on August 13, 2025.
Terms: James Cook is signing a four-year, $48 million extension that includes $30 million guaranteed. “James could only envision himself as a Buffalo Bill,” said agent Zac Hiller of LAA, who negotiated the deal. “We are extremely thankful to the entire Bills organization and glad… https://t.co/aTsy2DAIQW
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 13, 2025
Cook is a highly valuable player for the Bills’ offense, and having him under contract until 2030 will help NFL MVP Josh Allen.
5) Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints | AAV: $12.25 million
Alvin Kamara was scheduled to hit free agency in 2026, but he signed a two-year extension worth $24.5 million to keep him with the New Orleans Saints through the 2026 season.
The deal frees up around $18 million in cap space for next season and means Kamara is now scheduled to hit free agency in 2027.
4) Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts | AAV: $14 million
Jonathan Taylor’s contract standoff with the Indianapolis Colts ended in October 2023 when the team gave a three-year, $42 million extension to its franchise running back. Taylor’s contract includes $19.34 million in total guarantees, but his cap hits will eclipse $15.5 million in 2025 and 2026.
Taylor is scheduled to hit free agency in 2027.
3) Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens | AAV: $15 million
After a stellar first season with the Baltimore Ravens, Derrick Henry signed a two-year, $30 million extension in May 2025. In 17 regular-season games, the five-time Pro Bowler rushed for 1,921 yards and 16 touchdowns, averaging his career-best 5.9 yards per carry.
Henry will be under contract till 2027, and gives the Lamar Jackson-led Ravens a huge opportunity to win the Super Bowl.
2) Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers | AAV: $19 million
Christian McCaffrey, who was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 2022, signed a new deal with the club in June 2024. The Niners ripped up the two existing years on CMC’s contract, extending him through the 2027 season while upping his AAV to $19 million.
McCaffrey had $24.2 million remaining over his previous two years. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year will receive $38 million in new money on top of that total, including $24 million in new guarantees.
The 49ers paid CMC a $14.29 million signing bonus in 2024, allowing them to spread that money out over multiple seasons and keep his cap charge relatively low with option bonuses in 2025 ($14.245 million) and 2026 ($10.55 million).
1) Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles | AAV: $20.6 million
After joining the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2024 offseason, Saquon Barkley dominated the NFL, rushing for 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns. He ran for an additional 499 yards and 17 touchdowns in the postseason and broke the single-season record for rushing yards in a season, including the postseason, set by Terrell Davis.
As a reward, the Eagles and Barkley agreed to a two-year, $41.2 million extension that makes the 2024 Offensive Player of the Year the highest-paid RB in the league. The extension includes $36 million guaranteed at signing and up to $15 million in incentives.
Barkley is now scheduled to hit free agency in 2029.