Highest Paid Edge Rushers in 2026 NFL Free Agency: Panthers OLB Jaelan Phillips, Ravens DE Trey Hendrickson, Commanders DE Odafe Oweh

The new league year began on March 11. But several cap-saving moves, player-release announcements, and massive contract signings occurred a few days before the league year, and some are still in progress.

There were blockbuster trades, some of which were even reversed. Nevertheless, every new year comes with new experiences. For those looking to track massive trades that have happened till now, here’s a curated list of the highest-paid edge rushers in 2026 NFL free agency.

Carolina Panthers made Jaelan Phillips highest paid player in 2026 NFL free agency class

The 2021 first-round pick played for the Miami Dolphins for first five seasons till 2025. But then all of a sudden, Phillips was traded midseason to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025. He played nine games for Miami and eight for Philadelphia.

He recorded 205 total tackles [119 solo and 86 assisted], 28.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and one interception in over 63 career games. He amassed 63 pressures in 2025, becoming the 11th-most in the NFL.

What stood out was his pressure-to-sack percentage. It was 12.9% between 2022 and 2024; it is expected to improve to 13% in 2026. This makes the Carolina Panthers happy and hopeful.

So, they signed him to a four-year, $120 million contract with $80 million in guaranteed money, making him the highest-paid outside linebacker/edge rusher in 2026 free agency.

Baltimore’s edge Trey Hendrickson signed $120M contract after Maxx Crosby’s cancellation

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby and Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson were the two best DEs chased by several teams.

Despite signing a massive contract extension just last year, Crosby requested a trade. He was selected by the Lamar Jackson-led Baltimore Ravens in exchange for 2026 and 2027 first-round picks. What shocked everyone was that the trade was cancelled following a failed physical. Enter: Trey Hendrickson.

The Ravens signed the 31-year-old superstar pass rusher to a four-year, $112 million contract, with $60 million in guaranteed money, making him one of the highest-paid DEs in 2026.

Last season, Hendrickson only played for seven games because he underwent core muscle surgery for a serious hip/pelvis injury. But in those seven games, he recorded 16 tackles, 4.0 sacks, one pass defended, and one forced fumble. If he had stayed, he would have shone even brighter.

Washington Commanders sign Los Angeles Chargers DE Odafe Oweh to $100M contract

The 2021 first-round pick played five seasons for the Baltimore Ravens till 2025. But in 2025 mid-season, just like Jaelan Phillips, he was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Penn State alum joined the Justin Herbert-led Chargers in October 2025. He recorded 10 combined tackles, one tackle for loss in five games for Baltimore, and 28 combined tackles, 7.5 sacks, and eight tackles for loss in 12 games for Los Angeles.

According to Spotrac’s calculated market value, he was projected to sign a three-year, $57 million contract, giving him an average annual salary of $19 million.

But the Washington Commanders overturned that projection and gave the 27-year-old edge a four-year, $100 million contract with $68 million in guaranteed money. USA TODAY’s Jacob Camenker calls the deal a gamble because Oweh has had only 27 career starts, and hasn’t held up well against the run during his career.

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