From Brady, Brees, and Big Ben to Peyton and Eli, who are the highest-paid NFL players in history? You have questions about salary and earnings, Boardroom has answers.
For the 2021 season, answering the question as to who was the highest-paid NFL player was a matter of interpretation. If you’re going by both total contract value or average annual value, Patrick Mahomes dominated the competition. Meanwhile, the single highest salary belonged to Dak Prescott, whose signing bonus structure landed him an incredible single-season windfall of $75 million.
This year, quarterbacks are dominating the cash compensation rankings thanks to a flurry of new deals signed by the likes of Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson, and Kyler Murray. But it all got us thinking — who tops the list of the NFL’s highest-paid players in history?
So, who does round out the rest of the list of the biggest earners in the history of the Association? You have questions, Boardroom has answers — check out the master list of highest-paid NFL players of all time.
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Highest-paid NFL Players in History
All dollar figures via Spotrac. Reflects total cash salary compensation through the 2022 NFL season.
1. QB Tom Brady: $332,962,392
- Career: 2000-2022
- NFL seasons: 23
- Click here to read Boardroom’s breakdown of Tom Brady’s final NFL contract with the Buccaneers.
2. Jets QB Aaron Rodgers: $305,608,010
- Career: 2005-present
- NFL seasons: 18
- Click here to read Boardroom’s breakdown of Aaron Rodgers’ current contract with the Jets.
3. Rams QB Matthew Stafford: $300,806,037
- Career: 2009-present
- NFL seasons: 14
- Click here for a deep dive on Stafford’s contract extension with the Rams.
4. QB Matt Ryan: $291,713,631
- Career: 2008-present
- NFL seasons: 15
5. QB Drew Brees: $269,710,422
- Career: 2001-20
- NFL seasons: 20
6. QB Ben Roethlisberger: $267,286,864
- Career: 2004-21
- NFL seasons: 18
7. QB Eli Manning: $252,280,004
- Career: 2004-19
- NFL seasons: 16
8. QB Peyton Manning: $248,732,000
- Career: 1998-15
- NFL seasons: 18
9. QB Philip Rivers: $243,944,322
- Career: 2004-20
- NFL seasons: 17
10. Broncos QB Russell Wilson: $238,362,520
- Career: 2012-present
- NFL seasons: 11
- Click here to read Boardroom’s breakdown of Russell Wilson’s current contract.
11. Vikings QB Kirk Cousins: $201,669,486
- Career: 2012-present
- NFL seasons: 11
- Click here for the full details on the Vikings’ Kirk Cousins contract.
12. QB Alex Smith: $189,725,000
- Career: 2005-20
- NFL seasons: 16
13. WR Larry Fitzgerald: $180,757,239
- Career: 2004-20
- NFL seasons: 17
14. Jets QB Joe Flacco: $174,383,819
- Career: 2008-present
- NFL seasons: 15
15. QB Carson Palmer: $164,973,786
- Career: 2003-17
- NFL seasons: 15
16. Titans QB Ryan Tannehill: $168,975,979
- Career: 2012-present
- NFL seasons: 10
17. DT Ndamukong Suh: $168,165,157
- Career: 2010-present
- NFL seasons: 13
18. DE Julius Peppers: $164,973,786
- Career: 2002-18
- NFL seasons: 17
19. Bills OLB Von Miller: $164,385,534
- Career: 2011-present
- NFL seasons: 12
20. 49ers OT Trent Williams: $148,540,970
- Career: 2010-present
- NFL seasons: 13
21. Buccaneers WR Julio Jones: $148,125,821
- Career: 2011-present
- NFL seasons: 12
22. QB Brett Favre: $137,829,000
- Career: 1991-2010
- NFL seasons: 20
23. Saints QB Derek Carr: $135,666,395
- Career: 2014-present
- NFL seasons: 9
- Click here for Boardroom’s deep dive on Derek Carr’s contract.
24. Lions QB Jared Goff: $135,041,068
- Career: 2016-present
- NFL seasons: 7
25. Ravens DE Calais Campbell: $134,591,393
- Career: 2008-present
- NFL seasons: 15
Other Notable Career NFL Earners
26. Cowboys QB Tony Romo: $127,422,458
34. QB Michael Vick: $115,952,908
36. DE J.J. Watt: $129,748,000
38. Lions WR Calvin Johnson: $112,216,086
42. Colts QB Andrew Luck: $109,107,998
48. RB Adrian Peterson: $103,215,972
49. CB Champ Bailey: $102,807,025
55. QB Donovan McNabb: $99,689,735
57. OLB Dwight Freeney: $98,394,175
59. CB/SS Charles Woodson: $97,899,369
62. Rams DT Aaron Donald: $$128,614,238
66. Ravens LB Ray Lewis: $95,725,000
87. CB Richard Sherman: $83,860,115
89. OLB Clay Matthews: $83,505,252
92. WR Isaac Bruce: $50,716,865
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