Alabama Roots: 15 $10 million NFL players in 2022

Alabama Roots: 15 $10 million NFL players in 2022

The NFL’s 2022 season concluded on Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in Super Bowl LVII. During the league’s 2022 business year, teams paid 201 players at least $10 million.

Fifteen of those players came from Alabama high schools and colleges. Six were selected for the Pro Bowl Games, two made the All-Pro team and six missed at least four games apiece.

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The players with Alabama football roots who were paid at least $10 million by an NFL team in 2022 include (with salary figures from the sports-financial website spotrac.com):

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill: $26,885,000

After joining the Dolphins in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs on March 24, the former West Alabama standout signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension with Miami that included a signing bonus of $25.5 million. In 2022, Hill had 119 receptions for 1,710 yards and seven touchdowns. He broke the franchise single-season records for receptions and receiving yards. Hill was chosen for the Pro Bowl Games and named All-Pro by The Associated Press and All-NFL by the Pro Football Writers of America.

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick: $22,124,235

The former Alabama All-American signed a four-year, $73.6 million contract extension in June that included a $17.5 million signing bonus. In 2022, Fitzpatrick tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions and made 96 tackles in 15 games. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl Games and named All-Pro by The Associated Press and the NFL Players Association and All-NFL by the Pro Football Writers of America.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper: $20,000,000

The five-year, $100 million contract that the former Alabama All-American signed with Dallas in 2020 seemed to be a major reason for the Cowboys trading Cooper to the Browns on March 16 after he had 68 receptions for 865 yards and eight touchdowns in the 2021 season. In 2022, Cooper had 78 receptions for 1,160 yards and nine touchdowns. Cooper had the fifth-most receiving yards in one season in Cleveland history.

Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Cam Robinson: $17,617,638

After playing under the franchise tag in 2021, the former Alabama All-American was tagged again by the Jaguars in 2022. But this time, the team and player worked out a three-year, $54 million contract extension that included a $15 million signing bonus. Robinson handled left tackle through Jacksonville’s first 14 games of the season, but a meniscus injury in his right knee caused him to miss the final three games of the regular season and the Jaguars’ two playoff contests.

New York Jets middle linebacker C.J. Mosley: $16,000,000

Under the five-year, $85 million contract the former Theodore High School and Alabama standout signed to move from the Baltimore Ravens to the Jets in 2019, he was due a $16 million base salary this season. New York restructured the contract in 2022 to reduce the salary-cap hit by turning that money into a $1.12 million base salary and a $14.88 million signing bonus – the same amount of money in a different way. Mosley made 158 tackles to finish ninth in the NFL in 2022. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl Games and made The Associated Press All-Pro second team.

New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal: $15,740,460

The seventh player picked in the 2022 NFL Draft, the former Alabama All-American signed a four-year, $24.551 million contract that included a signing bonus of $15,035,460. A knee injury caused Neal to miss four games in the middle of the season, but he returned to right tackle for the Giants’ final six regular-season games and two playoff contests.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston: $15,200,000

After the Saints’ pursuit of Deshaun Watson failed to result in a trade for the Houston Texans quarterback last offseason, New Orleans signed the former Hueytown High School star to a two-year, $28 million contract that included a $14 million signing bonus. Winston resumed the starting spot under center for the Saints that he had held in 2021 until an injury caused him to miss the final 10 games of the season. Winston started New Orleans’ first three games of 2022 before injuries forced him off the field again. When Winston returned to health, the Saints continued to use his replacement, Andy Dalton, at quarterback, and Winston did not play over the final 14 games of the season.

New York Jets defensive end Carl Lawson: $15,000,000

The former Auburn standout left the Cincinnati Bengals for the Jets for a three-year, $45 million contract as a free agent in 2021. But a ruptured Achilles tendon caused Lawson to miss the entire 2021 season. He returned in 2022 to record seven sacks and 24 quarterback hits while starting every game for New York.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis: $14,882,356

The Buccaneers kept the former Auburn standout out of free agency last season with a three-year, $44.5 million contract that included a $10 million signing bonus. During his fifth season in Tampa Bay’s secondary, Davis missed four games, including the final two of the regular season, but he was able to return for the Bucs’ playoff appearance. Davis intercepted one pass, broke up 12 and recorded 65 tackles in 2022.

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry: $14,500,000

The Titans restructured the four-year, $50 million contract that Henry signed in 2020 during last offseason, which resulted in a $2 million bump in pay for the former Alabama All-American in 2022, even though he missed nine games in 2021 with a fractured foot. In 2022, Henry ran for 1,538 yards and 13 touchdowns on 349 carries and caught 33 passes for 398 yards. Henry finished second in the NFL in rushing yards and yards from scrimmage, led the league in rushing attempts and was chosen for the Pro Bowl Games.

Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith: $12,323,520

After a back ailment limited Smith to one game with the Green Bay Packers in 2021, the Greenville High School alumnus changed teams in the NFC North in free agency last offseason. Smith signed a three-year, $42 million contract that included a $5 million signing bonus. Smith earned another $3 million last season through incentive bonuses as he started 16 games and recorded 10 sacks and 24 quarterback hits. Smith was chosen for the Pro Bowl Games.

Chicago Bears safety Eddie Jackson: $11,100,000

After Jackson’s third season, the Bears moved to keep the former Alabama standout from reaching free agency after his fourth by signing Jackson to a four-year, $58.4 million contract. That deal called for an $11 million base salary and a $100,000 workout bonus for the 2022 season. Jackson intercepted four passes and made 80 tackles in 12 games this season. A foot injury caused him to miss the final five games.

Arizona Cardinals center Rodney Hudson: $10,850,000

The three-time All-Pro ran into knee problems in training camp for his 12th NFL season. Hudson started the first four games of the season, but the former B.C. Rain High School star couldn’t keep playing and missed the rest of the campaign. Hudson has a season remaining on his three-year, $30 million contract.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams: $10,584,484

As the 11th player picked in the 2022 NFL Draft, Williams signed a four-year, $17,461,790 contract that included a $9,879,484 signing bonus. The Lions traded up to draft Williams even though they knew his NFL debut would be delayed because of a knee injury sustained in the CFP national championship game, Williams’ final game for Alabama. Williams played 78 offensive snaps in six games as a rookie. His two touches were a 41-yard touchdown reception and a 40-yard run.

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey: $10,250,000

The Ravens signed Humphrey to a five-year, $97.5 million contract extension during the 2020 season to head off free agency for the former Hoover High School and Alabama standout. Although the contract was restructured in 2022 to provide Baltimore with some salary-cap space, Humphrey still received the same pay this season as he would have under the original deal. In 2022, Humphrey had three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and 71 tackles while starting every game. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl Games.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.