Safety Secures Top Spot: Antoine Winfield Jr. Becomes Highest-Paid Defensive Back in NFL History
In the ever-evolving landscape of NFL salaries, a remarkable shift has occurred in 2023. For the first time in the salary cap era, which began in 1994, a safety has ascended to the pinnacle of defensive back compensation. Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Antoine Winfield Jr. now holds the distinction of being the highest-paid defensive back in the league.
Winfield's Groundbreaking Contract
Securing a lucrative four-year, $84.1 million contract in May, Winfield has not only become the top-paid defensive back but has also set a new precedent for safety salaries. With an average annual value of $21.025 million, his deal represents a significant milestone in the valuation of safety positions within the NFL’s salary hierarchy. Before committing to this monumental contract, Winfield was designated as a franchise player for $17.123 million.
His contract includes $45 million in guarantees, all fully guaranteed at signing, underscoring the franchise's confidence in his ability to anchor their defensive unit.
A Historical Context
Prior to Winfield’s momentous contract, Jaire Alexander held the title of highest-paid defensive back since 2022. Alexander's four-year, $84 million contract, which averages $21 million per year, set the benchmark that Winfield has now surpassed. Additionally, cornerback Jalen Ramsey's five-year, $100 million deal with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 included $43.703 million fully guaranteed at signing and $71.203 million in total guarantees, marking significant milestones in defensive back contracts.
Denzel Ward also made headlines in 2022 with a substantial five-year, $100.5 million extension with $71.25 million in guarantees, $44.5 million of which was fully guaranteed at signing. These benchmark deals signify the escalating value placed on top-tier defensive talents in the NFL.
Rising Tide for Safety Salaries
Winfield’s contract signals a dramatic increase in the valuation of safety positions. Since the end of the 2020 regular season, safety salaries have soared by an astounding 42.54%. This surge highlights a growing recognition of the importance of safeties in modern defensive schemes, reflecting their critical role in both pass coverage and run support.
However, the cornerback market has not experienced the same rapid growth. The top tier of cornerback salaries has grown by only 5% since 2020, further emphasizing the seismic shift in the valuation of the safety position.
Key Contracts of Defenders
Trevon Diggs secured a five-year, $97 million extension in 2023, including $42.304 million in guarantees and $33.304 million fully guaranteed at signing. Despite these impressive figures, Diggs' contract further illustrates the slower rate of growth at the top for cornerbacks compared to safeties.
Cornerback Marshon Lattimore also remains a highly compensated player with a five-year extension signed in 2021 worth $19.4 million per year. Meanwhile, Jaylon Johnson's 2023 performance has validated his $19.802 million franchise tag and subsequent four-year, $76 million contract. His impeccable defense, allowing opposing quarterbacks a mere 46.3% completion rate when targeting him and recording a career-high four interceptions, accentuates his value to his team.
In recent moves, L'Jarius Sneed was tagged by the Kansas City Chiefs and traded to the Tennessee Titans for future draft picks, displaying the complex strategic considerations within the league for defensive backs.
Emerging Stars and Future Projections
Sauce Gardner's remarkable season earned him the title of the 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, and the Denver Broncos have locked down Patrick Surtain II with a fully guaranteed fifth-year option for 2025, ensuring their young defensive star remains an integral part of their long-term plans.
As the league continues to evolve, the aggressive valuation of safeties like Antoine Winfield Jr. will likely impact future negotiations and contracts for both safeties and cornerbacks. This shift underscores the dynamic nature of the NFL labor market and the constant reappraisal of positional value within the game.