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2022 biggest NFL contracts by position and highest-paid players

By Sayre Bedinger

NFL Contracts 2022; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws the ball during AFC practice at the Las Vegas Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
NFL Contracts 2022; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws the ball during AFC practice at the Las Vegas Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL Contracts: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a first down during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 31, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Biggest NFL contracts at the running back position

Total Money: Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys (6 years, $90 million)

Highest guarantee: Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys ($50.052M guaranteed)

Ezekiel Elliott sure gets paid a lot of money for a guy that has barely been able to crack 1,000 rushing yards over the last two seasons while averaging 4.1 yards per carry.

Elliott’s play has diminished to the point that some people were saying they preferred Tony Pollard last season…

At six years, $90 million in total money, this is easily one of the worst contracts in the NFL but it’s even more embarrassing for the Cowboys that they paid Elliott over $50 million in guaranteed money.

At his best, Elliott topped 1,700 yards from scrimmage three times in his first four NFL seasons. To be fair to the former first-round pick out of Ohio State, he did have 12 touchdowns this past season and has not missed many games in recent years.

We need the “feed Zeke” version of this player back ASAP.

Average annual value: Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers ($16.015M per year)

Speaking of bad return on investment in contracts, the Carolina Panthers paying Christian McCaffrey a higher AAV than a player like George Kittle (spoiler alert) is staggering.

There have been some rumors in the 2022 offseason that McCaffrey could be traded but his contract and recent injury history might make that impossible.

He’s played in just 10 games since 2019.

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