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?

Just four days before the San Francisco 49ers were set to start their 2023 season, the team reached a five-year, $170 million extension with Nick Bosa, which made the defensive end the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.

2023 NFL edge rusher salary rankings

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

1. Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers: $34 million (5 years, $170 million)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

24 (tie). Carl Granderson, New Orleans Saints: $13 million (4 years, $52 million)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s the highest-paid list for 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

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Highest paid NFL edge rushers: Top salaries for pass rushers in 2023