How Much Do Kickers Make in the NFL?
We all love it when the quarterback throws a long pass and the receiver catches the ball in the end zone. It’s a moment to remember, especially when the game is on the line. The extra efforts by the players, the sweat and the strength that these guys find to do spectacular moves after an hour of physical clash.
However, games are often won by tactics and brains, rather than force. Just like in life, we must appreciate the little things that make the difference, and in the NFL, the kicker might make a significant difference that will make or break the game.
Matches are often won by a single-point difference, and the kicker is the person who makes this difference. As you probably already know, the kicker adds an extra point after a touchdown or three points if the team decides to kick a field goal without scoring a touchdown.
Why are Kickers Important?
When the game is on the line and the last seconds are crucial, you want a kicker that will be precise. All kickers practice for that particular moment and how to stay calm under pressure. In the last seconds and the overtime, a kicker makes a huge difference. Check out how long NFL games last and why the final moments are so important.
Because of this fact, all teams will do their best to find a kicker that they can rely on. Although these guys spend less than a few seconds on the field, they are crucial for the team and they are also very well paid. How much you will ask? Let’s find out.
How Much are Kickers Paid
You might think that kickers play for peanuts, but they are treated just like any other player in the NFL. The average NFL kicker’s salary is around $1.5 million annually, but this number may vary due to the player’s experience, success, and many other factors.
For example, rookie kickers in the NFL get the minimum salary that every other player will receive as a rookie, which is $750,000. They usually sign a 4-year deal. These guys can rarely negotiate for more, but after the first year and their success, they can aim for more.
Veteran kickers may earn between 4 and 6 million US dollars, a significant difference from the youngsters. Thinking about the fact that they will spend only a few seconds per game and earn this kind of money is insane for someone, but when you consider the fact that they are the ones that often decide who wins and who loses, it’s entirely normal to be paid so much.
What is the Highest Paid Kicker in the NFL?
As of 2023, the highest-paid kicker in the NFL is Harrison Butker. He received a $25.6 million deal for playing four years with the Kansas City Chiefs. The winning team from Kansas City didn’t spare money on this player, knowing that he could be the turning point in some of the most critical games of the season and the playoffs.
Butker received this deal because of his efforts and stunning statistics over the last few years playing for the Chiefs. He is one of the best kickers to play in the NFL, and this deal is expected.
However, in 2019, the famous Justin Tucker signed his own 4-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens for $24 million. Although this is a lower number than the one we mentioned for Butker, Tucker’s overall earnings are higher as he’s paid a $6 million yearly salary and had a guaranteed $17.5 million. He resigned a similar deal in 2022, which is an extension to his previous one, ensuring he will be a Raven for a long time.
How much does an NFL kicker make a year?
If you want to know how much do kickers make in the NFL and not just the ones that are on the top or those entering the league as rookies, you must go from team to team and search for every particular kicker to learn about the exact numbers.
Every team has its franchise kicker, which is usually paid around $5.5 million. These are among the best-paid or top-paid kickers in the NFL. Although not in the best shape of their lives, veteran kickers will still receive between one and three million, while rookie and backup kickers settle for around one million or less but never under $750,000. This amount is the minimum salary in the NFL.
Conclusion
In conclusion, NFL kickers are highly valuable for their role on the field. Although they will not interact with opponent players most of the time, they are still part of the team as any other player and are paid well for their contribution.