​One of the NFL’s brightest young offensive stars is undoubtedly Arizona Cardinals tackle Paris Johnson Jr. Since the Cardinals selected him in 2023, Johnson has blossomed into one of the league’s premier left tackles. While the Cardinals face a number of questions about their future, Johnson isn’t among them. The main unknown surrounding him is how costly his contract extension will be once he signs it. His fifth-year option for 2027 is priced at $19 million, but Johnson’s mindset is to command twice that amount. He spoke on the PHNX Arizona Cardinals Podcast, outlining his approach.
When I watch tape, when I go to practice, and when I step onto the field for a game, my mindset is to be the $40 million man. When I review my tape, I ask myself, “Would you pay this guy $40 million?” That’s how I evaluate my performance. That’s how I approach practice. That’s how I play. Because the opponent in front of me, if he’s worth something, he’s worth at least $35 to $50 million.
Johnson makes a compelling point. Following Will Anderson Jr.’s contract record with the Houston Texans, the current salary range for the NFL’s elite edge rushers mirrors that ceiling. Johnson understands that if anyone has a shot at resetting the market for offensive tackles, it starts with his own performance. Ultimately, his play will determine what he earns.
After allowing eight sacks as a rookie, Johnson reduced that total during the 2024 season and yielded only a handful in 2025. While there is still room for improvement, he remains one of the league’s premier players at a position that protects the quarterback’s blind side. In 2026, he is expected to anchor Jacoby Brissett’s protection.
Per Spotrac, Johnson’s current market value sits at roughly $23.5 million per year. That figure aligns with the average annual value of the contract Dan Moore Jr. signed with the Tennessee Titans last offseason. Johnson’s ceiling, however, appears higher. If he aims to push into the conversation as the NFL’s highest-paid tackle, he’ll need to elevate his play to the level of Laremy Tunsil.
Could Johnson become the NFL’s first $40 million offensive tackle? He certainly has the talent and the trajectory to make a compelling case. As he continues to prove himself on the field, the negotiations and the market will respond to the level of performance he delivers. The question now is whether Johnson can maintain, or even elevate, the standard needed to join the absolute top tier and command a historic contract in the process.