The Stagnation of Off-Ball Linebacker Salaries
Despite other positions experiencing sharp salary increases, the compensation for off-ball linebackers remains nearly unchanged.
Fred Warner recently became the first off-ball linebacker to secure a contract exceeding $20 million annually with a three-year, $63 million deal averaging $21 million per year. This deal is lauded as a significant achievement in a generally stagnant market for this role, which has a much slower growth rate in contrast to other positions.
Warner previously had two years remaining on his contract worth an average of $19.045 million annually, indicating that a renewal was not urgently needed. The San Francisco 49ers wield considerable salary cap space, thereby allowing them to align Warner’s compensation without drastic adjustments. Yet, the broader market for off-ball linebackers stagnates significantly; Warner’s new contract represents only a 5% increase, a minor shift compared to the multi-million dollar extensions seen in other player positions.
While the NFL’s salary cap grew approximately 41% from 2020 to today, the top of the off-ball linebacker market has only increased by about 17%. This limited growth emphasizes the ongoing underappreciation of the position in the league’s overall salary structure.
Comparable Position Salary Developments
In stark contrast, the cornerback market has nearly doubled, demonstrating the potential for growth as teams scramble to re-sign top-tier talent. For example, the top cornerback salary has risen from $15 million per year to $30 million for Derek Stingley Jr., while the wide receiver market skyrocketed by nearly 83%. This reflects a cultural shift where teams increasingly prioritize offense-oriented positions over off-ball linebackers, resulting in a notable pay gap within the league.
Future Outlook for Off-Ball Linebackers
The upcoming years may see other off-ball linebackers like Roquan Smith potentially threatening Warner’s newly established salary threshold. However, significant competition exists, especially with the pressure from contracts for high-performing quarterbacks.
The trend of declining market conditions for off-ball linebackers, along with underwhelming performances in preceding years, indicates a challenging financial landscape ahead.
