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NFL's highest-paid linebackers: See the top salaries for LBs for 2023 season
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- NFL's highest-paid linebackers: See the top salaries for LBs for 2023 season
A midseason trade from the Chicago Bears to the Baltimore Ravens worked out quite well for Roquan Smith .
Smith escaped Chicago , an NFC North doormat, for a team that regularly contends for the playoffs. In January, the Ravens awarded Smith with a contract extension that made him the league's highest-paid linebacker. Smith, a classic downhill thumper, was the NFL's third-leading tackler last season and was voted the team MVP despite playing only nine games for the Ravens.
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Smith's extension slightly edged the contract that the Indianapolis Colts gave Shaquille Leonard in 2021 . Smith and Leonard are among five linebackers who will make $17 million or more this season.
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Who is the highest-paid linebacker in the NFL?
In the extension signed in January, Smith received a five-year, $100 million contract from the Ravens, with $45 million in guarantees.
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith reacts after a play against the Indianapolis Colts at M&T Bank Stadium on Sept. 24, 2023.
2023 NFL linebacker salary rankings
Here are the linebacker salary rankings based on average annual value, according to Over The Cap .
1. Roquan Smith , Baltimore Ravens : $20 million (5 years, $100 million)
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2. Shaquille Leonard , Indianapolis Colts : $19.7 million (5 years, $98.5 million)
3. Fred Warner , San Francisco 49ers : $19.04 million (5 years, $95.22 million)
4. Tremaine Edmunds , Chicago Bears : $18 million (4 years, $72 million)
5. C.J. Mosley , New York Jets : $17 million (5 years, $85 million)
6. Foyesade Oluokun , Jacksonville Jaguars : $15 million (3 years, $45 million)
7. Matt Milano , Buffalo Bills : $14.16 million (2 years, $28.33 million)
8. Jerome Baker , Miami Dolphins : $12.5 million (3 years, $37.5 million)
9 (tie). Bobby Okereke , New York Giants : $10 million (4 years, $40 million)
9 (tie). De'Vondre Campbell, Green Bay Packers : $10 million (5 years, $50 million)
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11. Demario Davis , New Orleans Saints : $9.33 million (3 years, $28 million)
12. Dre Greenlaw , San Francisco 49ers: $8.2 million (2 years, $16.4 million)
13. Devin White , Tampa Bay Buccaneers : $7.32 million (4 years, $29.31 million)
14. Kaden Elliss , Atlanta Falcons : $7.16 million (3 years, $31.5 million)
15. Germaine Pratt , Cincinnati Bengals : $6.75 million (3 years, $20.25 million)
16. Ja'Whaun Bentley, New England Patriots : $6.7 million (2 years, $13.4 million)
17. Eric Kendricks , Los Angeles Chargers : $6.62 million (2 years, $13.25 million)
18. T.J. Edwards , Chicago Bears: $6.5 million (3 years, $19.5 million)
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19. Shaq Thompson , Carolina Panthers : $6.3 million (2 years, $12.6 million)
20. Alex Anzalone , Detroit Lions : $6.25 million (3 years, $18.75 million)
21 (tie). Cole Holcomb , Pittsburgh Steelers : $6 million (3 years, $18 million)
21 (tie). Alex Singleton , Denver Broncos : $6 million (3 years, $18 million)
21 (tie). Quincy Williams , New York Jets: $6 million (3 years, $18 million)
24. Josey Powell, Denver Broncos: $5.5 million (2 years, $11 million)
25. Bobby Wagner , Seattle Seahawks : $5.5 million (1 year, $5.5 million)
26. Isaiah Simmons , Arizona Cardinals : $5.16 million (4 years, $20.66 million)
27 (tie). David Long Jr. , Miami Dolphins: $5 million (2 years, $10 million)
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27 (tie). Kyzir White , Arizona Cardinals: $5 million (2 years, $10 million)
27 (tie). Christian Kirksey , Houston Texans : $5 million (2 years, $10 million)
27 (tie). Azeez Al-Shaair , Tennessee Titans : $5 million (1 year, $5 million)
31 (tie). Frankie Luvu , Carolina Panthers: $4.5 million (2 years, $9 million)
31 (tie). Lavonte David , Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $4.5 million (1 year, $4.5 million)
33. Micah Parsons , Dallas Cowboys : $4.26 million (4 years, $17.07 million)
34 (tie). Leighton Vander Esch , Dallas Cowboys: $4 million (2 years, $8 million)
34 (tie). E.J. Speed , Indianapolis Colts: $4 million (2 years, $8 million)
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36. Leighton Vander Esch, Dallas Cowboys: $4 million (2 years, $8 million)
37. Jack Campbell , Detroit Lions: $3.68 million (4 years, $14.7 million)
38. Zaven Collins , Arizona Cardinals: $3.67 million (4 years, $14.69 million)
39 (tie). Cody Barton , Washington Commanders : $3.5 million (1 year, $3.5 million)
39 (tie). Jordan Hicks , Minnesota Vikings : $3.5 million (1 year, $3.5 million)
39 (tie). Elandon Roberts , Pittsburgh Steelers: $3.5 million (2 years, $7 million)
39 (tie). Robert Spillane , Las Vegas Raiders : $3.5 million (2 years, $7 million)
39 (tie). Devin Bush , Seattle Seahawks: $3.5 million (1 year, $3.5 million)
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Here's the highest-paid list for all the positions
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Highest-paid NFL linebackers: Top-paid LBs in 2023 salary rankings
