In a landmark moment for the NFL salary cap era, which began in 1994, a safety has emerged as the highest-paid defensive back for the first time. This notable milestone belongs to Antoine Winfield Jr. of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who recently signed a lucrative four-year contract worth $84.1 million in May.
Winfield's new deal, which carries an average annual value of $21.025 million, surpasses previous benchmarks set by cornerbacks and other defensive backs. Remarkably, Winfield's agreement comes with $45 million in guarantees, a sum that is fully guaranteed at the signing. Before inking this historic contract, Winfield was designated as a franchise player, translating to a one-year, $17.123 million commitment.
Contract Comparisons
For context, Green Bay Packers' Jaire Alexander set the previous standard for highest-paid defensive back in 2022. Alexander's four-year, $84 million deal boasted an average annual value of $21 million. Similarly, standout cornerback Jalen Ramsey made headlines in 2020 with his five-year, $100 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams. Ramsey's deal was groundbreaking for cornerbacks, incorporating $43.703 million fully guaranteed at signing and an additional $71.203 million in total guarantees.
Denzel Ward, another prominent name in the cornerback market, secured a five-year, $100.5 million extension with $71.25 million in guarantees in 2022. Ward's contract included $44.5 million fully guaranteed at signing, slightly lower than Winfield’s fully guaranteed amount of $45 million.
Growth and Evolution in Safety Salaries
The evolution of the safety market is evident when we consider the significant rise in top-tier deals. Since the end of the 2020 regular season, the ceiling for safety salaries has increased by 42.54%. This sharp increase showcases the growing recognition and importance of safeties within defensive schemes across the NFL.
Throughout this period, the cornerback market has grown more modestly by comparison, with a 5% increase since 2020. For instance, Marshon Lattimore's substantial five-year extension in 2021 came with an average annual value of $19.4 million, marking another pivotal moment within the cornerback ranks.
Notable 2023 Contracts
This year also saw significant movements and high-profile contracts in the cornerback market. Trevon Diggs signed a five-year, $97 million extension, securing $42.304 million in guarantees, of which $33.304 million was fully guaranteed at signing. Similarly, Jaylon Johnson inked a four-year, $76 million deal after receiving a $19.802 million franchise tag. His performance in 2023 included impressive statistics, with opposing quarterbacks completing only 46.3% of passes when targeting him, along with a career-high four interceptions.
Elsewhere, L'Jarius Sneed was tagged by the Kansas City Chiefs and subsequently traded to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for future draft picks. Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos made a forward-looking move by securing Patrick Surtain II with a fully guaranteed fifth-year option for 2025.
Rising Stars and Future Outlook
The pool of talented defensive backs also includes 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Sauce Gardner, who continues to make waves with his on-field performances. As the league continues to evolve, the growing emphasis and financial commitment towards defensive backs, particularly safeties, signal a broader trend in the NFL.
This paradigm shift, highlighted by Winfield's groundbreaking contract, indicates a new era where the roles of defensive backs—and the value placed on them—are expanding. As teams strategize to build solid defensive foundations, it’s clear that both safeties and cornerbacks are pivotal assets, commanding significant investment and recognition.