If the quarterback is the most important position in the game of football, then it stands to reason that those tasked with preventing quarterbacks from being successful would be tremendously vital.

A dominant pass rusher can dramatically alter a game, enhancing his defense's ability to prevent the forward passing game. A good edge rusher demands multiple blockers in order to keep the quarterback upright, thus freeing up teammates to make plays. A quarterback under pressure is also susceptible to errant throws and, even better, turnovers.

Edge rushers can either be a defensive end or an outside linebacker, with a primary objective to seek and destroy.

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Who is the highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL?

T.J. Watt's four-year, $112 million contract extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021 made him the highest-paid defensive player at the time (since surpassed by the Los Angeles Rams' Aaron Donald).

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2023 NFL edge rusher salary rankings

Here are the edge rusher salary rankings based on average annual value, according to Over The Cap.

1. T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers: $28 million (4 years, $112 million)

2. Joey Bosa, Los Angeles Chargers: $27 million (5 years, $135 million)

3. Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns: $25 million (5 years, $125 million)

4 (tie). Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers: $23.5 million (6 years, $141 million)

4 (tie). Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders: $23.5 million (4 years, $94 million)

6. Bradley Chubb, Miami Dolphins: $22 million (5 years, $110 million)

7. Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals: $21 million (1 year, $21 million)

8. Von Miller, Buffalo Bills: $20 million (6 years, $120 million)

9 (tie). Cameron Jordan, New Orleans Saints: $17.5 million (3 years, $52.5 million)

9 (tie). Harold Landry, Tennessee Titans: $17.5 million (5 years, $87.5 million)

11 (tie). Shaquil Barrett, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $17 million (4 years, $68 million)

11 (tie). Chandler Jones, Las Vegas Raiders: $17 million (3 years, $51 million)

11 (tie). Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings: $17 million (1 year, $17 million)

11 (tie). Alex Highsmith, Pittsburgh Steelers: $17 million (4 years, $68 million)

15. Emmanuel Ogbah, Miami Dolphins: $16.35 million (4 years, $65.4 million)

16 (tie). Uchenna Nwosu, Seattle Seahawks: $15 million (3 years, $45 million)

16 (tie). Haason Reddick, Philadelphia Eagles: $15 million (3 years, $45 million)

18. Randy Gregory, Denver Broncos: $13.9 million (5 years, $69.5 million)

19. John Franklin-Myers, New York Jets: $13.75 million (4 years, $55 million)

20. Matt Judon, New England Patriots: $13.62 million (4 years, $54.5 million)

21 (tie). Demarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys: $13.33 million (3 years, $40 million)

21 (tie). Josh Sweat, Philadelphia Eagles: $13.33 million (3 years, $40 million)

23 (tie). Preston Smith, Green Bay Packers: $13 million (4 years, $52 million)

23 (tie). Marcus Davenport, Minnesota Vikings: $13 million (1 year, $13 million)

25. Za'Darius Smith, Cleveland Browns: $11.67 million (1 year, $11.67 million)

26. Sam Hubbard, Cincinnati Bengals: $10 million (4 years, $40 million)

27. Travon Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars: $9.34 million (4 years, $37.37 million)

28. Carl Lawson, New York Jets: $9 million (1 year, $9 million)

29. Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions: $8.92 million (4 years, $35.71 million)

30. Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans: $8.8 million (4 years, $35.21 million)

31. Chase Young, Washington Commanders: $8.64 million (4 years, $34.56 million)

32. Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers: $8.38 million (4 years, $33.55 million)

Here’s the list of all the positions

• Highest-paid NFL players
• Quarterbacks
• Running back
• Receivers
• Tight ends
• Offensive tackles
• Offensive guards
• Centers
• Interior defensive linemen
• Linebackers
• Cornerbacks
• Safeties
• Kickers
• Punters