I can see paying your best player, but not league wide. I don't think a Von Miller, JJ Watt, whatever elite defensive stud in flavor that year (Revis back before Tampa trade comes to mind) shouldn't be the #1 paid player in the league. Only a handful of teams will have that elite QB, if you don't then a Von Miller makes sense as your top paid player, but not -the- top paid player.

Like Broncos paying Miller makes sense because Sanchez is cheap, Siemian is essentially free, and Lynch is cheap for the next 4 years with a decent contract for the 5th if he works out. Paying Miller the big bucks there makes sense. However like the Raiders have a comparable player in Khalil Mack, but that contract (plus interest over year or two) doesn't make as much sense because securing Derek Carr for life is way more important imo. Ideally both get paid, but I think QB wins out in the scenario.