2022 has been the year of the wide receiver. Money, money and more money! It’s been a great off-season of spending on those whose job it is to catch the football. Now, more than ever the WR has become a marquee position. The NFL these days is all about the passing game. QB’s have always got paid, but now the guys who receive passes are now getting in on the big payday.

Cooper Kupp, the best receiver in the NFL all year, capped his historic season with a dominant display in the playoffs. He averaged 139 yards per game in the Rams’ final three games and scored five touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with 1:25 remaining in the Super Bowl. His exploits resulted in a Super Bowl MVP as he become only the second wide receiver to win the award since 2010. Earlier this offseason, Kupp was given an extension, rewarding him with the most guaranteed money and the fourth largest contract by average dollars per year given to a wide receiver. He signed a three-year extension worth up to $80 million with the Rams.

The trend of WR’s dominated the season, so naturally, they are now dominating the offseason. Davante Adams was traded to Las Vegas and immediately given the largest contract ever given to a wide receiver by average salary per year. Adams signed a five-year, $141.25 million contract.

Tyreek Hill was traded to Miami and immediately given the largest contract ever given to a wide receiver, usurping Adams’ contract. Hill signed a massive four-year extension worth $120 million with $72.2 million guaranteed

On NFL draft night, A.J. Brown was traded to Philadelphia and immediately given what is now the fifth largest contract ever given to a wide receiver. Brown agreed to a four-year extension worth $100 million with $57 million guaranteed shortly after being traded to the Eagles.

More deals followed for WR’s, Stefon Diggs agreed to a four-year, $96 million contract extension with the Buffalo Bills, Deebo Samuel agreed to a three-year, $73.5 million contract extension with the 49ers, Terry McLaurin signed a three-year extension worth up to $70 million with the Washington Commanders and D.J. Moore signed a three-year extension worth $61.9M with the Carolina Panthers.

Photo courtsey of The Analyst

Young WR’s, Justin Jefferson-Vikings, Ja’Marr Chase-Bengals, Ceedee Lamb-Cowboys, and DeVonta Smith-Eagles all could be looking at cashing in on their own payday in the near future.

This only the beginning of WR’s getting the big money.

Photo courtsey of The Analyst

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