Four highest paid defensive ends in 2026 NFL free agency

Odafe Oweh (Facebook)

National Football League free agency officially commenced on Monday. Here are four defensive ends who switched teams. It should be noted that defensive ends are some of the richest players in NFL free agency.

Odafe Oweh

The native of Hackensack, New Jersey signed a four-year contract worth $100 million with the Washington Commanders. He spent his first four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and shared last year with the Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers. In 2025, Oweh had 38 combined tackles (20 solo tackles and 18 assisted tackles), 18 quarterback hits, nine tackles for a loss, and 7.5 sacks.

Boye Mafe

The native of Golden Valley, Minnesota signed a three-year deal worth $60 million with the Cincinnati Bengals. Mafe is coming a Super Bowl title in Seattle where he played the last four years. In 2025, Mafe had 31 combined tackles (20 assisted tackles and 11 solo tackles), four quarterback hits, four tackles for a loss, five pass deflections, two sacks and one forced fumble.  The first sack came in a 44-22 Seahawks win over the Arizona Cardinals on November 9 and the second sack came in a 27-10 Seahawks win over the Carolina Panthers on December 28. The forced fumble came in a 26-0 Seahawks win over the Minnesota Vikings on November 30.

Kwity Paye

The native of Guinea signed a three-year contract worth $48 million with the Las Vegas Raiders. Paye has spent the last five seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. In 17 games this past season, he had 39 combined tackles (24 assisted tackles and 15 solo tackles), nine quarterback hits, six tackles for a loss, four sacks and one pass deflection.

Arden Key

The native of Atlanta, Georgia signed a two-year contract worth $20 million with the Indianapolis Colts. Key is joining his fifth NFL team after three seasons with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2018 to 2020), one season with the San Francisco 49ers (2021), one season with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2022), and three seasons with the Tennessee Titans (2023 and 2024). In 2025, Key had 22 combined tackles (13 assisted tackles and nine solo tackles), 11 quarterback hits, six tackles for a loss and four sacks.