Top 10 Highest-Paid NFL Punters: Salary Rankings

Punters are people, too. Punters aren’t highly paid people, however, at least in the context of NFL salaries and the highest-paid NFL players.

NFL punters aren’t teetering on the edge of poverty – 23 punters are scheduled to make at least $1 million in 2022 – but they’re also not making at least high seven figures like the majority of players who touch the football with regularity. And they are rarely a factor in NFL betting circles.

By total cash, here are the highest-paid NFL punters for 2022:

Highest-Paid NFL Punters: Salary Rankings, 2022

1. Jake Bailey, New England Patriots

Jake Bailey, the second of two total punters selected in the 2019 NFL Draft, signed a four-year, $13.5-million contract extension before the 2022 preseason that includes $6.5 million guaranteed.

Jake Bailey career earnings: $2,412,171

2. Bryan Anger, Dallas Cowboys

Bryan Anger is in the first year of a three-year, $9-million contract with a $2.4 million signing bonus, comprising approximately 60% of his total cash for 2022. The remaining $1.4 million is base salary.

Anger’s teammate Ezekiel Elliott is the highest-paid NFL running back.

Bryan Anger career earnings: $16,712,768

3. Johnny Hekker, Carolina Panthers

After earning more than $23 million over 10 seasons with the Rams, whom he signed with as an undrafted free agent in 2012, Johnny Hekker signed a three-year, $7.6-million deal with the Panthers.

Johnny Hekker career earnings: $24,431,316

4. Michael Dickson, Seattle Seahawks

A former fifth-round pick from Texas, Michael Dickson is in the first year of a four-year, $14.7-million contract signed in 2021. The deal runs through 2025 and includes $7.5 million guaranteed.

Dickson’s teammate Jason Myers is the fourth-highest-paid NFL kicker for 2022.

Michael Dickson career earnings: $9,590,151

5. Cameron Johnston, Houston Texans

Cameron Johnson made fewer than $2 million total over three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles after signing as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He made $3 million in 2021, his first year with the Houston Texans, and will make another $2.5 million in both 2022 and 2023.

Cameron Johnson career earnings: $4,815,000

6. Tress Way, Washington Commanders

Tress Way is in the second year of a four-year, $13.7-million extension signed in late 2019, days before the end of his sixth season with Washington. His total cash amount increases to $2.9 million in 2023 and $3.2 million in 2024.

Tress Way career earnings: $13,934,100

7. Rigoberto Sanchez, Indianapolis Colts

Rigoberto Sanchez is in the penultimate year of a four-year, $11.6-million contract signed in 2019. He’s made at least $2 million in each of the last three seasons and will make another $2.3 million in 2022 and $2.9 million in 2023.

Rigoberto Sanchez career earnings: $8,092,505

8. Sam Martin, Denver Broncos

A former fifth-round pick by the Denver Broncos in 2013, Sam Martin has made more than $15 million since 2016, the first of six consecutive years with a total cash number of at least $1.8 million.

He’s in the final year of a three-year, $7.1-million deal.

Sam Martin career earnings: $16,756,366

9. Brett Kern, Tennessee Titans

Vince Young was the Titans’ quarterback when Brett Kern arrived in Nashville in 2009, his first of 13 seasons with the franchise after signing with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent from Toledo in 2008.

Kern is in the final year of a four-year, $12.7-million contract. His teammate Ryan Tannehill is among the highest-paid NFL quarterbacks.

Brett Kern career earnings: $27,922,924

10. Pat O’Donnell, Green Bay Packers

Another year, another punter for the inept Packers’ special teams unit.

After moving on from Corey Bojorquez after one season, the Packers signed former longtime Chicago Bears’ punter Pat O’Donnell to a two-year, $4-million contract.

Pat O’Donnell career earnings: $9,205,685