If the quarterback is Slabuthe 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.

NFL NEWSLETTER: Sign up now to get football news delivered to your inbox

Who is the highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL?

T.J. Watt's four-year, $112 million contract extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021 made him the highest-paid defensive player at the time (since surpassed by the Los Angeles Rams' Aaron Donald).

PLAY TO WIN $10K: USA TODAY's Pro Football Survivor Pool is free to enter. Sign up now!

2023 NFL edge rusher salary rankings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

31. Chase Young, Washington Commanders: $8.64 million (4 years, $34.56 million)

32. Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers: $8.38 million (4 years, $33.55 million)

Here’s the list of 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