Gridiron Gold: The Top 10 Highest Paid NFL Players in the Game
NFL teams spend millions of dollars on players to ensure they recruit the best talents that will lead them to win the Super Bowl. Since the pay cap was increased, NFL contracts have increased in total value, with some players earning mind-blowing amounts. Take Kirk Cousins, for instance, the quarterback whose annual salary is $35 million.
A player’s source of income isn’t limited to their base salary. Advertisements, sponsorships, and deals with big-time companies add to their wealth. Don’t forget that some of these players are not favourites for Best50casino.com online operators, but they garner enough money with their gameplay to be ranked the highest-paid in the National Football League. We’ve mentioned the top 10 in this article.
Here are the Top 10 Richest NFL
Below are the top 10 richest players in the National Football League:
Tom Brady
During his time in the NFL, Tom Brady’s net worth, according to Celebrity Net Worth, was $250 million. By the time he went away to the NFL, he was worth $512 million. This was thanks to the $375 million deal he inked with FOX Sports, which stated he would join the network and become a lead commentator. Tom Brady is one of the NFL’s quarterbacks who has left a mark on American football. He played 23 seasons, 20 with the New England Patriots and three with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He holds almost every major record, from the most career passing yards to the most career quarterback wins.
Aaron Rodgers
Born December 2, 1983, Aaron Rodgers kicked off his professional NFL career in 2005 when the Green Bay Packers drafted him. In 2022, he joined the New York Jets after Aaron penned a heartfelt goodbye to the Packers. He’s regarded as the most talented quarterback, holding the NFL record for the fastest quarterback and the most seasons with 40+ and 45+ touchdowns. His current net worth is estimated at $200 million, most of which comes from his $50 million annual salary with the Parkers.
Roger Staubach
In 1969, at 27, Heisman Trophy winner and Navy veteran Roger Staubach signed with the Dallas Cowboys with a beginning salary of $25,000. This was a far cry from the minimum wage of $610,000 that rookies earn today. After 10 seasons with the Cowboys, two Super Bowl victories, five playoff appearances, and an NFL MVP award, Staubach earned around $160,000 a year by 1979. Staubach, now 81, is one of the wealthiest NFL players in history thanks to the real estate venture he started during his off-seasons. He has a net worth of $600 million.
Russell Wilson
Russell Carrington Wilson currently plays for the Denver Broncos of the NFL. After being selected by Seattle in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draught, he led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory in 2013 and won eight Pro Bowls. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the quarterback has a net worth of $165 million. In 2022, Forbes placed him as the 46th highest-paid athlete in the world. His $238 million salary and investments account for most of his wealth.
Peyton Manning
Former football quarterback Peyton Manning spent 18 years in the NFL (14 with the Indianapolis Colts and 4 with the Denver Broncos). With Manning as quarterback, the Indianapolis Colts won eight division titles, two AFC titles, and Super Bowl XLI. His net worth is estimated to be $250 million. He earns at least $10 million annually after retirement, thanks to his endorsement deals with major brands like Buick, Papa John’s, DirecTV, Sony, ESPN, Master Card, Reebok, and Gatorade.
Drew Brees
Drew Brees, a former football quarterback, signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the San Diego Chargers for his debut season 2005. However, he couldn’t make a profitable deal because he left the team due to an injury. Drew signed a six-year, $60 million contract with the New Orleans Saints the following year, including a $22 million signing bonus. In 20 NFL seasons, the quarterback has earned $250 million from games. He has endorsement deals with Nike, Microsoft, PepsiCo, and Procter & Gamble.
Eli Manning
Brother to Peyton Manning, Eli is another top-ranking NFL player in terms of wealth. Quarterback for the New York Giants for the past 15 years, Eli entered the NFL as the first overall pick in 2004 and was later traded to the Giants from the San Diego Chargers. He amassed his $150 million fortune primarily thanks to his stellar NFL career. He earns an estimated $8–10 million yearly from endorsement deals with major companies like Nike, Toyota, Gatorade, Visa, and DirecTV.
Kirk Cousins
The football quarterback Kirk Cousins, one of the players featured on Netflix’s Docu-Series with the NFL, has a $70 million net worth. 2018 Cousins signed an $84 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings and made $30 million in salary and endorsements between June 2017 and June 2018. The player then signed a two-year, $66 million contract extension in March 2020, which included a $30 million signing bonus, and made over $60 million between June 2019 and June 2020. Some companies he has endorsements with are Bose, Nike, and Panini.
Brett Favre
Thanks to his remarkable 20-year career as one of the top quarterbacks in the league and his endeavours outside of sports, Brett Favre is one of the wealthiest NFL players. Brett Favre’s net worth is $100 million. As a famous player, Brett was highly demanding to endorse products and services for companies like Nike, Sears, Sensodyne, MasterCard, Wrangler jeans, and Bergstrom Automotive. Favre made almost $7 million through these endorsement deals. He invested in the pharmaceutical company Prevacus and owned a restaurant in Wisconsin.
Ben Roethlisberger
Ben, winner of the 2004 AP NFL Rookie of the Year award and the youngest quarterback in NFL history to win a Super Bowl at 23 is regarded as one of the most accomplished players in the league. He is worth $100 million. Since being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2004, Roethlisberger has amassed over $247 million, placing him at 91 on Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes. Nike, Fanatics, Upper Deck, Sprint, and Panini are among the brands he has endorsed. Roethlisberger makes between $1 and $3 million a year from these endorsements.
