Paris Johnson Sets $40 Million Benchmark for Future Contract

The Arizona Cardinals exercised a $19 million option to keep left tackle Paris Johnson through the 2027 season. Despite the security of that deal, Johnson told the PHNX Cardinals podcast that his long-term aim is to earn $40 million per year, a figure that would place him well above the current market ceiling for the position.

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Johnson’s existing contract was locked in by the team’s option, but the NFL’s left-tackle market is anchored by Commanders’ Laremy Tunsil, whose average annual salary sits at just over $30 million. Analysts note that the market typically rises by about $1 million for each successive player, leaving a sizable gap between the $30 million benchmark and Johnson’s $40 million target.

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When asked about his salary aspirations, Johnson emphasized that his focus is not on the money itself but on adopting the mental framework of a $40 million player. He said his preparation—film study, practice, and in-game performance—is guided by the question of whether he would merit that contract level.

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Critics point out that even elite pass rushers such as Myles Garrett, whom Johnson will face in 2026, may not be enough to justify a $40 million deal under current market conditions. The disparity between Johnson’s self-valuation and the established salary ceiling suggests that his next contract will hinge on both sustained elite performance and a possible shift in how teams value the tackle position.

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• “My answer was exactly this: when I watch tape, when I go to practice and when I play in a game, my mindset is to be the $40 million man.” — Paris Johnson

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• “The tackle market usually goes up by about one million over the next guy, and that’s just what it is.” — Paris Johnson

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