As of the ranking published August 26, 2026, Raiders center Tyler Linderbaum tops the NFL at a reported average annual value (AAV) of $27 million. Creed Humphrey is second at $18 million. This is a ranking of contract averages—not a ranking of yearly cash payments, salary-cap charges, or on-field performance.
Who is the highest-paid center in the NFL?
Tyler Linderbaum leads the dated 2026 list. The NFL reported that he agreed to a three-year, $81 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders in March 2026, which works out to $27 million per year. The NFL described the deal as resetting the center market and putting Linderbaum $9 million per year above the previous top AAV, Creed Humphrey’s $18 million.
That salary figure is not a standalone measure of playing quality. For context, NFL.com reported that Next Gen Stats gave Linderbaum a 5.9% pressure percentage in the 2025 season, sixth-highest among 21 centers with at least 500 pass-blocking snaps. The statistic is one performance measure, not an overall evaluation of his season. NFL.com’s report on Linderbaum’s contract
Top 10 NFL centers by AAV
The table reproduces the ranking published by Cardinals Wire and republished by AOL on August 26, 2026. AAV means average annual contract value. Where the available sources do not establish total contract value, length, or guarantees for a player, those fields are marked “not stated” rather than inferred.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- RESISTANT: Hikeen rugby blocking pad features a denser foam for added durability and is able to withstand heavy use and abuse, making it a long-lasting training tool. And is less prone to bending or warping over time.
- COMFORTABLE: The handles are comfortable, the softer foam is well-padded for impact and the horizontal handles make it easy to position the dummy.
- ADDITIONAL HOLDING STRAP: The tackle dummies features five additional holding strap that is easy to hold, move, and use, providing extra stability during use.
- WIDE RANGE of USAGE SCENARIOS: Widely used in body pressure/contact training, like football blocking/tackling drills, basketball shooting with defense practice, sparring/karate training, Krav Maga practice, taekwondo training, and hockey/lacrosse tackle dummies.
- STABLE & RELIABLE - Comes with 1 x leather cover, denser foam pads. If you have any problem with the product, we will try our best to solve it for you.
| Rank | Center | Team in August 26, 2026 list | AAV | Total value and length | Guarantees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyler Linderbaum | Las Vegas Raiders | $27 million | $81 million over three years | $60 million fully guaranteed, according to Over The Cap’s table accessed October 7, 2026 |
| 2 | Creed Humphrey | Kansas City Chiefs | $18 million | $72 million over four years | $35 million fully guaranteed, according to Over The Cap’s table accessed October 7, 2026 |
| 3 | Aaron Brewer | Miami Dolphins | $17.5 million | $52.5 million; length not stated in the cited current table | Not stated in the cited current table |
| 4 | Cam Jurgens | Philadelphia Eagles | $17 million | $68 million; length not stated in the cited current table | Not stated in the cited current table |
| 5 | Connor McGovern | Buffalo Bills | $13.1 million | $52.4 million; length not stated in the cited current table | Not stated in the cited current table |
| 6 | Luke Wattenberg | Denver Broncos | $12 million | Not stated | Not stated |
| 7 | Erik McCoy | New Orleans Saints | $12 million | Not stated | Not stated |
| 8 | Sean Rhyan | Green Bay Packers | $11 million | Not stated | Not stated |
| 9 | Tyler Biadasz | Los Angeles Chargers | $10 million | Not stated | Not stated |
| 10 | Hjalte Froholdt | Arizona Cardinals | $10 million | $20 million over two years, as reported August 26, 2026 | Not stated |
The ranking and Froholdt contract context come from the August 26, 2026 Cardinals Wire article republished by AOL. The contract totals and fully guaranteed figures shown where available come from Over The Cap’s live center contract table, accessed October 7, 2026. The table is a dated snapshot: Over The Cap’s live display lists Jurgens with Baltimore, while the August ranking names Philadelphia. Verify team affiliation against a current roster or contract record before relying on it as current.
How to read the AAV ranking
AAV is a contract average, not a season’s paycheck
AAV divides the stated contract value by its length. It offers a convenient way to compare deals with different terms, but it does not say what a player will receive in cash in a particular year. Nor does it show that year’s salary-cap charge. For those questions, contract structure, payment timing, guarantees, and cap accounting matter.
Rank #2
- Multi-Functional Handle: This weight sled has a 5-height adjustable all-around handle for various push/pull angles, with a larger size for better fit with Western body types. Four-corner pull hooks ensure stable dragging without tipping
- Enhanced Comfort and Security: This workout sled features an upgraded, thicker harness with reinforced stitching and sponge padding for better comfort. Adjustable shoulder straps adapt to your needs. Upgraded knob carabiner ensures performance
- Suitable for 1 & 2 in Weight Plates: This fitness sled has 1 and 2 in support bars and double metal sleeves for better load capacity. Fits standard plates. The 2-inch bar allows easy installation, with a lock to hold plates in place
- Premium Materials: This speed training sled is crafted from quality steel for high load capacity of 276.6 lbs/125 kg and outdoor powder coating for durability and corrosion resistance. Fully welded and thicker bolts boost strength and support
- Glides on Various Surfaces: This workout fitness equipment works in gyms, on artificial turf, tracks, and more, easily gliding on any surface for convenient outdoor workouts. It’s compact, easy to disassemble, and transport or store quickly
Ties do not mean the salary figures differ
Wattenberg and McCoy are both listed at $12 million per year; Biadasz and Froholdt are both listed at $10 million. The source places one player ahead of the other in each pair, but does not explain its tie-breaking method. Froholdt’s reported two-year, $20 million extension placed him in the top ten; his AAV ties Biadasz’s even though the displayed ordinal positions differ.
Guaranteed money is a separate comparison
Over The Cap separates total contract value, average per year, total guarantees, fully guaranteed money, and free-agency year. Those categories are not interchangeable: “fully guaranteed” is not necessarily the same figure as total guarantees. The available figures in the table identify fully guaranteed amounts only for Linderbaum and Humphrey; missing guarantee data for other players should not be treated as zero.
Rank #3
- 【YOUTH FOOTBALL BLOCKING PAD FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT】-- Designed specifically for youth football training, middle school practice, and beginner contact drills. This football blocking pad helps young athletes improve proper tackling form, blocking fundamentals, hand placement, and body positioning through controlled contact training sessions
- 【4-INCH THICK IMPACT-ABSORBING FOAM CORE】-- Built with a 10CM high-density soft foam core that absorbs moderate impact while maintaining shape during repeated football tackling drills and basketball contact practice. Ideal for progressive training from light to medium intensity without excessive rebound
- 【5 REINFORCED NON-SLIP HANDLES FOR CONTROLLED DRILLS】-- Five strategically positioned grip handles allow coaches and training partners to adjust pad height and angle easily for football blocking drills, defensive contact training, and martial arts strike practice. Designed to improve stability and reduce arm fatigue during extended sessions
- 【DURABLE PVC TRAINING SURFACE WITH REINFORCED STITCHING】-- Constructed with a tear-resistant PVC outer cover designed for youth practice environments. The wipe-clean surface resists sweat, turf abrasion, and repeated field use while maintaining durability season after season
- 【IDEAL FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL & BEGINNER MARTIAL ARTS】-- Best suited for light to moderate contact training. Recommended for youth players and beginner athletes focusing on skill development and safe progression. Not intended for heavy full-contact adult collision drills
Why Creed Humphrey’s record was surpassed
When the Chiefs agreed to Humphrey’s four-year, $72 million deal in 2024, its $18 million AAV exceeded Jason Kelce’s prior $14.25 million center mark at the time. The NFL’s 2024 report described Humphrey as the highest-paid center in history based on annual average when that deal was signed. Linderbaum’s 2026 contract later moved the benchmark to $27 million per year. NFL.com’s 2024 report on Humphrey’s contract
Contract rankings can change when new deals are signed, and a live database may display updated team or contract information that differs from an older ranking. For historical contract context, Over The Cap’s center contract history tracks measures such as historical APY, signing-year cap share, and guarantees.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- REINFORCED NYLON WEBBING 5 HANDLES Designed as football pads for high-impact drills, this blocking pads uses reinforced nylon webbing running through the entire pad body to structurally reinforce the handles, ensuring even load distribution under repeated impact. Each of the five handles features densely woven, non-slip webbing at the grip area to increase friction, improve control, and reduce hand fatigue.
- VERSATILE SIZE FOR MULTI-SPORT TRAINING APPLICATIONS It adapts easily to football training equipment, basketball pads for training, and basketball training equipment. Suitable for blocking, shielding, and controlled contact drills, martial arts kicks. Like Taekwondo, Karate, Muay Thai, football tackles, basketball defense drills, rugby scrums, and hockey training. It provides ample coverage without sacrificing control for coaches and athletes.
- HIGH-RESILIENCE CUSTOM PURPLE FOAM CORE Built for real contact and collision drills, the high-resilience foam absorbs impact while maintaining firm resistance, delivering consistent performance under repeated impact. Designed for kick shield and kicking pad use, and tackling and blocking drills.
- WATERPROOF PU LEATHER FOR TRAINING & SPORTS It resists sweat, abrasion, and tearing during daily use. Easy to clean and gym-ready, it functions as durable football accessories and a dependable basketball contact pad for high-frequency training environments.
- DESIGNED FOR COACHES, ATHLETES & HIGH-FREQUENCY TRAINING Engineered for youth to adult athletes, it is suitable for both beginner and advanced training programs. It helps reduce arm fatigue for coaches during long sessions, while providing consistent feedback for athletes. Built for indoor and outdoor use, it performs reliably in gyms, training fields, and school programs where high-frequency contact training is required.
Rank #4
- Multi-Functional Handle: This weight sled has two cylindrical handles and a low-push T-handle for various push/pull angles, with a larger size for better fit with Western body types. Four-corner pull hooks ensure stable dragging without tipping
- Enhanced Comfort and Security: This workout sled features an upgraded, thicker harness with reinforced stitching and sponge padding for better comfort. Adjustable shoulder straps adapt to your needs. Upgraded knob carabiner ensures performance
- Suitable for 1 & 2 in Weight Plates: This fitness sled has 1 and 2 in support bars and double metal sleeves for better load capacity. Fits standard plates. The 2-inch bar allows easy installation, with a lock to hold plates in place
- Premium Materials: This speed training sled is crafted from quality steel for high load capacity of 276.6 lbs/125 kg and outdoor powder coating for durability and corrosion resistance. Fully welded and thicker bolts boost strength and support
- Glides on Various Surfaces: This workout fitness equipment works in gyms, on artificial turf, tracks, and more, easily gliding on any surface for convenient outdoor workouts. It’s compact, easy to disassemble, and transport or store quickly
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
