10 Highest-Paid Centers in the NFL, Ranked by AAV

The

NFL

is a league of stars and playmakers, with positions such as quarterback and wide receiver typically dominating headlines. Even on the offensive line, both tackle positions take priority over the interior.

From a contractual standpoint, the center is considered the least valuable position on the offensive line, largely because they often have help and are limited in their true one-on-one assignments.

Nevertheless, center play is important.

For starters, they are often tasked with diagnosing the defense pre-snap and setting protection. Additionally, centers are in charge of snapping the ball, and while this may feel insignificant, a misfire can throw off the rhythm of the play and even result in a fumble.

A center’s impact, though often subtle, is more pronounced than one might think. Here’s a look at the 10 highest-paid centers in the NFL today based on the average annual value (AAV) of their latest contracts.

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1

Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs: $18 million AAV

The Chiefs have made the two-time Pro Bowler the highest-paid center in the NFL

With two Pro Bowl selections and two Super Bowl victories in his first three NFL seasons,

Creed Humphrey

was made the highest-paid center in the league on August 22 when the

Kansas City Chiefs

rewarded his strong play with a four-year, $72 million extension.

Taken by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Oklahoma alum was immediately inserted into the starting lineup and has yet to miss a game in his young career. Humphrey has been solid on all fronts, excelling as both a run blocker and pass protector, which obviously makes him vital to

Patrick Mahomes

and the Chiefs’ offense as a whole.

The deal includes $50 million in guaranteed money and will keep Humphrey in Kansas City through the 2028 season.

2

Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions: $13.5 million AAV

Ragnow has been a staple of Detroit’s line

Frank Ragnow

’s placing on this list should come as no surprise, as he’s been one of the best centers in the league for several years now. Once

Jason Kelce

retired from the

Philadelphia Eagles

, Ragnow bumped up to No. 1 but fell to second once Humphrey signed his extension.

The Arkansas alum signed a four-year, $54 million extension with the

Detroit Lions

in 2021 and has continued playing at a high level throughout his contract. The 28-year-old has three more seasons on his deal before entering free agency after the 2026 season.

Ragnow’s play on the field is valuable enough, but his leadership and experience with the franchise make him a truly indispensable part of Ben Johnson’s operation.

3

Lloyd Cushenberry, Tennessee Titans: $12.5 million AAV

Cushenberry was a premier free agent this offseason

A third-round selection of the

Denver Broncos

in 2020,

Lloyd Cushenberry III

was widely considered the best center to hit free agency this past offseason, and he used that to his advantage, signing a four-year contract with the

Tennessee Titans

worth up to $50 million with $30 million guaranteed.

The Titans made the offensive line a point of emphasis during the offseason and are hoping the acquisition of Cushenberry helps protect second-year quarterback Will Levis from opposing defenses.

4

Ryan Kelly, Indianapolis Colts: $12.5 million AAV

Kelly is going into his final year under contract

Ryan Kelly

is set to enter the final year of a four-year, $50 million extension he signed with the

Indianapolis Colts

in 2020. The contract featured no signing bonus but included $30 million guaranteed.

Although he’s on the wrong side of 30, Kelly has been one of the best centers in football throughout his deal, earning a Pro Bowl selection in three of the last four seasons, making another contract with the Colts entirely possible.

5

Erik McCoy, New Orleans Saints: $12 million AAV

McCoy is a leader on New Orleans’ offensive line

New Orleans Saints

center

Erik McCoy

comes in fifth on the list with an AAV of $12 million from the five-year, $60 million contract he signed in 2022.

Like most Saints deals, McCoy’s contract is backloaded. He carries a cap hit of just over $6.5 million this season before ballooning to over $15 million for each of the final three years. McCoy is slated to enter free agency after the 2027 season, when he’ll be 30.

6

Tyler Biadasz, Washington Commanders: $9.75 million AAV

Biadasz joined the Commanders in free agency

Former

Dallas Cowboys

center

Tyler Biadasz

left America’s Team this offseason to sign with the rival

Washington Commanders

, inking a three-year, $29.25 million deal with $20.7 million guaranteed.

With No. 2 overall pick

Jayden Daniels

joining the squad as the team’s quarterback of the future, offensive line play will be essential, and Biadasz has proven to be a reliable starter, not allowing a single sack in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

7

Austin Corbett, Carolina Panthers: $8.75 million AAV

Corbett is expected to move to center this season

Austin Corbett

is going into the final season of the three-year, $26.25 million contract he signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2022, which included $19.6 million in guarantees.

Corbett has been a guard for the entirety of his professional career, but he’s making the move to center this season due to newcomers

Robert Hunt

and

Damien Lewis

. Corbett only played four games last season and will need to prove he fits well with

Bryce Young

and the rest of the revamped Carolina offense.

8

Andre James, Las Vegas Raiders: $8 million AAV

James has been a solid center for Las Vegas

Signed by the then-

Oakland Raiders

after going undrafted out of UCLA in 2019,

Andre James

inked a three-year extension with Las Vegas this offseason worth $24 million, $15.66 million being guaranteed.

The deal runs through the 2026 season and features an out after the 2025 season that would leave the Raiders with a very manageable $1.72 million in dead cap. Since becoming a full-time starter in 2021, James has been a solid blocker and had arguably the best season of his career in 2023.

9

Connor McGovern, Buffalo Bills: $7.45 million AAV

After years as a guard, McGovern will be making the move to center

After spending the first five years of his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys,

Connor McGovern

joined the

Buffalo Bills

ahead of the 2023 season on a three-year, $22.35 million deal with $11 million guaranteed. After an up-and-down campaign at guard, the position he’s played most since joining the league, he’s expected to move to center for this upcoming season.

While the Penn State product has some experience at the position, he’s never logged more than 100 snaps at center in a given year, making his 2024 performance difficult to project.

10

Aaron Brewer: $7 million AAV

Brewer will look to add a jolt to Miami’s run game

Aaron Brewer left the Tennessee Titans for the

Miami Dolphins

this offseason, signing a three-year deal worth $21 million with around $10.215 million guaranteed. His base salary for this upcoming season is a modest $1.13 million and will jump to nearly $6.5 million in the final two years.

The biggest question regarding Brewer’s game is his pass blocking. He is one of the better run-blocking centers in the league but has been known to surrender pressures on passing downs, which could be problematic given

Tua Tagovailoa

’s injury history.

All stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference and all contract info courtesy of Spotrac unless stated otherwise.

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