NFL players make a ton of money nowadays, as they currently play in the most popular sport in America. Here are the 30 richest active players in the NFL.
The National Football League is big business, with earning potential that has never been seen before. Today’s NFL superstars have the opportunity to earn money that stars of the past could have never dreamed about. As we begin to look towards the 2017 NFL Free Agency period, there are certain to be a bunch of big name players who are going to add a few commas to their bank accounts.
With that being said, here are the top 30 active players who have earned the most money during their playing careers.
Contract information courtesy of spotrac.com.
30. Trent Williams – $74,578,684
Since drafting Trent Williams with the fourth overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins have made the big left tackle a very rich man. Williams begins our list of the top-30 richest active players in the game right now and is one of three offensive linemen on the list. The former Oklahoma Sooner has been a mainstay on the Redskins offensive line since his rookie season, and he should have a lot of good football left in him.
After being drafted, Williams signed a six-year, $60 million deal, which had over $36 million dollars guaranteed. That contract ran until 2015, when he signed another big contract to stay with the team until 2021. His latest contract was a five-year, $68 million deal, with over $41 million of that guaranteed. He has done a nice job of making sure his money is guaranteed, and in a league where contracts can be very deceiving, he has made good on most of his money.
Thanks to Williams, the Washington Redskins have one of the better offensive units in the NFC. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has emerged as a legitimate starter in the league, and the five-time Pro Bowler is a big reason why. Williams will only be in his early-30s when his current contract expires, meaning he could be well into the nine-figure range by the time he decides to hang up his cleats for good.
29. DeAngelo Hall – $75,381,624
Incredibly, DeAngelo Hall has been roaming the defensive secondary in the NFL for over 12 years now, as the former Atlanta Falcons star has put together quite a career. The Falcons drafted Hall with the eighth overall selection in the 2004 NFL Draft out of Virginia Tech, and since then, he has been one of the more decorated defensive backs in the game. At 33 years old, Hall’s days of being an elite player are in the rear-view mirror, but he has definitely put enough money in the bank to be set for life.
Hall’s first contract was signed after he was drafted, as the Falcons gave him a five-year, $14.75 million rookie deal. In 2008, Hall was traded to the Oakland Raiders, who proceeded to give him a gaudy seven-year, $70 million deal. However, Hall lasted only eight months with the team, as the Silver and Black released him in November of that same year. He would go on to sign a 6yr/$55 million dollar deal with the Washington Redskins prior to the 2009 season, and he has been with the team ever since.
Throughout his career, Hall has been an interception machine, and currently is the active leader with 43 picks. The three-time Pro Bowler has had to deal with injuries the past few seasons, playing in only three games in two of the last three years. Still, his impact on the game cannot be understated, and when he does finally retire, he will be considered one of the more productive cornerbacks in the history of the NFL.
28. Haloti Ngata – $79,853,125
Haloti Ngata has been a dominating force in the NFL ever since he was taken with the twelfth overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. The former Oregon Duck began his career with the Baltimore Ravens, where he was a five-time Pro Bowl player on a very good defensive team. Ngata was a big reason why the Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII, where they defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 34-31.
From 2009-13, Ngata went to five straight Pro Bowls, establishing himself as one of the better defensive lineman in all of football. A two-time First Team All-Pro, Ngata has been steady racking up the dollars since signing a five-year, $14 million rookie contract in 2006. In 2011, Ngata played under the franchise tag for the Ravens, earning $12.5 million , before signing a four-year, $48 million in September of that same year. He was traded to Detroit in March of 2015, and has been a member of their defensive line ever since.
Ngata has not been as productive late in his career as he was early, failing to make the Pro Bowl since 2013. Still, he is a big presence on the defensive line for the Lions, helping the team make the playoffs as a Wild Card in 2016. The 33-year-old will earn $5.5 million dollars in 2017, before becoming an unrestricted free agent after the season. There could still be some money left to earn for Ngata, who looks to have a few good seasons left in him.
27. Matt Schaub – $82,555,000
It has been a roller coaster career for Matt Schaub, who went from a third-round selection out of Virginia, to make a boatload of money with the Houston Texans. After three seasons with the Falcons, the team traded him to the Texans, who then released former starter David Carr. With the Texans, Schaub would have his best years, leading the NFL in passing yards during the 2009 NFL season.
A two-time Pro Bowler with the Texans, Schaub’s first contract with the team was a six-year, $48 million deal, which made him one of the higher paid quarterbacks in the league. In 2012, Schaub signed a five-year, $66.15 million extension with the team, but after a stellar 2012 season, his best years with the team were behind him. The team traded him to Oakland prior to the 2014 season, and the Raiders expected him to be the starter, though that certainly did not happen.
David Carr’s younger brother, Derek, would be named the starter for the Raiders, and Schaub’s days of being an NFL starter were over. After spending the 2015 season with Baltimore, Schaub would go on to sign with the Atlanta Falcons on a one-year deal prior to last season, serving as the backup to NFL MVP Matt Ryan. Schaub did make it to the Super Bowl as Ryan’s backup, though the Falcons would lose a heartbreaker to the New England Patriots in overtime.
Schaub has made an incredible amount of money in his career, and with the lack of quality arms in the league, he could stay on as a backup for a few more years.
26. Gerald McCoy – $84,613,033
With the third overall selection in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Gerald McCoy out of Oklahoma. Since that day, McCoy has established himself as one of the better defensive tackles in the game, earning five Pro Bowl nods during his time with the team. At 28 years old, McCoy has a bunch of good football left in him, and the Buccaneers made sure to lock him up for the foreseeable future.
McCoy’s rookie contract was a good one, as the former Sooner signed a five-year, $55 million deal before stepping foot on an NFL field. In 2014, McCoy once again inked a big-time deal, agreeing to a six-year, $95.2 million extension with the team. Of that $95.2 million, $51 million of it is guaranteed, and the contract will make sure McCoy is in a Buccaneers uniform until at least 2022.
By the time McCoy’s current contract is over, he will only be 34-years old, which means he could be in line for another small contract before his career is over. The Tampa Bay Bucs have begun to turn their franchise around, and McCoy has been a big reason why the team is on the brink of being a playoff team for years to come.
McCoy is currently entering his prime with the team, and if he continues to develop as a player, he could be enshrined in Canton, Ohio one day.
25. Chris Long – $87,071,160
When the St. Louis Rams selected Chris Long with the second overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft, he became the highest drafted son of a former Hall of Fame player. Long’s father is Howie Long, who was a devastating player for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders back in the 1980s and early 90s. Long put together a decent career as a member of the Rams, with his best seasons coming from 2011-13, where he registered a total of 33 sacks.
After being drafted, Long signed a five-year, $55.025 million contract before his first NFL game. In 2012, Long received a four-year, $60.31 million extension with the team, though, throughout his time in St. Louis, he restructured his contract on numerous occasions. Long was very dedicated to the team winning, making his contract more cap friendly, but his time with the team ended in 2016 when he was released before the team played a game in Los Angeles.
Prior to the 2016 season, Long signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots, where the 31-year old would go on to win his first Super Bowl ring. While there are no guarantees Long re-signs with the Pats, he was a big part of the winning in New England last season, and provides great veteran leadership. The Pats may be able to get him on the cheap this offseason, but if they cannot make a deal work, Long will likely be able to latch on with someone else prior to the 2017 NFL season.
24. Jason Peters – $87,471,983
The career of Jason Peters began with him being an undrafted player out of Arkansas as a tight end. Fast forward to today, and Peters is a nine-time Pro Bowler as an offensive tackle. The 35-year-old Peters has spent 13 seasons in the NFL, and as a three-time First Team All-Pro, you have to think he could wind up being in the Hall of Fame one day.
Despite the fact that he has made nearly $90 million in his career, Peters first contract was actually very small compared to the kind of money he makes nowadays. Peters signed a 2yr/$560k contract with the Bills after earning a spot on the team, and by the time the contract was over, the team made a big financial investment in him. Prior to the 2006 NFL season, Peters signed a 5yr/$15 million dollar deal with the Bills, setting the stage for him to become one of the better offensive lineman in the game.
In 2009, the Bills traded Peters to the Philadelphia Eagles, who quickly extended his deal to a four-year, $51.4 million contract. Of that $51.4 million, $24.4 of it was guaranteed, but that was not the only big deal he would get from the Birds. Philly locked him up for four more years in 2014, as the two sides agreed to a deal worth $41.3 million, $15.75 million of which was guaranteed. Peters may be coming to the end of his career, but few offensive lineman have been able to make the kind of money he has in his illustrious career.
23. DeMarcus Ware – $89,993,750
In 2005, the Dallas Cowboys made DeMarcus Ware the 11th-overall selection in the NFL Draft. An incredible physical specimen out of Troy, Ware quickly made an impact on the team, and the team quickly knew they needed to lock him up. Ware signed a five-year, $3.04 million rookie contract, which would take him up to the 2009 season. In 2009, Ware signed a monster contract with the team, signing a seven-year, $79 million deal.
Throughout that contract, Ware would restructure a couple of times to enable the Cowboys to bring in more talent under the salary cap. In 2014, Ware was released by the team, though he would quickly be picked up by the Denver Broncos. The Broncos gave Ware a very lucrative contract, as the outside linebacker was given a three-year, $30 million deal with $20 million of guaranteed money included.
The addition of Ware paid off big time for the Broncos, whose elite defense led them to Super Bowl 50. In that game, the Ware-led defense was able to stifle Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, leading to the Broncos 24-10 victory. Ware heads into the 2017 NFL free agency period as one of the more highly sought after players on the defensive side of the ball, and despite being 34-years old, he should have one more decent contract left in him.
22. Alex Smith – $93,175,000
During his time at the University of Utah, Alex Smith played so well that the San Francisco 49ers made him the first overall selection in the 2005 NFL Draft. Once drafted, the 49ers quickly locked the signal-caller up on a long-term deal, signing Smith to a six-year, $49.5 million contract. The two sides would restructure the deal in 2009, as they agreed to a new two-year deal worth $6.5 million.
In 2011, Smith signed a one-year deal with the team for $11 million, before signing a three-year deal the next year. His 3yr/$27.775 million dollar deal prior to the 2012 season would be his final contract with the 49ers, who traded him to Kansas City after Smith lost his starting job to Colin Kaepernick during the 2012 season. After the 2014 season, Kansas City made a big-time investment in Smith, giving him a four-year, $68 million contract with $45 million of guaranteed money.
During his time with the team, Smith has been a winner during the regular season, though Chiefs fans are worried about him being able to win the big game. He will be an unrestricted free agent in 2019, and many believed that he will not be brought back at that time. He will be only 34 years old in 2019, and with the weakness at the quarterback position in the NFL, he could be in for another decent payday.
Smith was a Pro Bowl player in 2016, and with a 157-91 TD/INT ratio during his career, somebody is going to give him a contract once his time in Kansas City is done. With a new deal, Smith will likely enter the nine-figure club, making him one of the richest quarterbacks in the history of the NFL.
21. Adrian Peterson – $94,706,471
Throughout his illustrious NFL career, Adrian Peterson has established himself as one of the best running backs we have seen in a long time. A seventh-overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft, Peterson burst onto the scene in his first season out of Oklahoma. A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, Peterson owns the NFL’s single-game rushing record, after rushing for 296 yards against the then-San Diego Chargers back in 2007.
Thanks to his incredibly productive career, Peterson is the only running back on our list of the top-30 richest players in the NFL. After signing a $40.5 million contract as a rookie in 2007, Peterson agreed to a contract extension during the 2011 campaign, raking in another $86.28 million. In 2015, Peterson restructured his contract to be a bit more cap friendly, inking a $42 million deal with $20 million guaranteed.
Heading into the 2017 season, Peterson’s time in Minnesota may be coming to an end. He will cost the Vikings $18 million against the cap next season, and the team has until March 8 to lock him up for next season. The former 2012 NFL MVP is now 31 years old, and his days as an elite back may be in the rear view mirror. He can still produce in spurts, and if he is healthy heading into next season, some team is bound to take a flier on him.
20. Sam Bradford – $96,058,119
With the first overall selection in the 2010 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams selected quarterback Sam Bradford out of Oklahoma. The idea was that Bradford would lead their team for the next 15 years, though he fell way short of those expectations. After winning the NFL Rookie of the Year Award, Bradford’s time in St. Louis was mostly a dud, and the team traded him in 2015 in exchange for Nick Foles to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Incredibly, Bradford has made nearly $100 million dollars in his career, mostly due to teams hoping he will ever reach his full potential. His rookie contract with the Rams as a six-year, $78 million deal, and after the 2015 NFL season, the Eagles gave him a two-year, $35 million deal with $22 million guaranteed. Due to an injury to Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, the Eagles dealt Bradford to the Vikes prior to the 2016 season, clearing the way for Carson Wentz to take over in Philadelphia as the team’s starter.
While Bradford really has not lived up to his potential during his NFL career, he has shown flashes of brilliance. He currently holds the single-season record for completion percentage (71.6), and at only 29-years old, he may have some good football left in him. The Vikings played well in spurts in 2016, and with a healthy Bradford back for the 2017 NFL season, they may actually be able to make a run to the playoffs.
Based on his age, Bradford should no doubt be a nine-figure player by the time his career is over.
19. Terrell Suggs – $97,210,000
To think about the Baltimore Ravens, is to think about Terrell Suggs, who has been patrolling the linebacker position for the team since being selected tenth overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. A product of Arizona State University, Suggs would win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2003, and eight years later, he would be named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. A Super Bowl champion, Suggs has been the face of the Ravens for 14 years, and has cashed some big checks along the way.
Suggs first deal was a five-year contract, good for a little over $10 million. After signing a one-year deal in 2008 for $8.475 million, Suggs would earn a huge payday the following season. Baltimore locked Suggs up for the next six years, giving the star linebacker $62.5 million to stay with the team. He restructured the deal in 2014, agreeing to a four-year, $20.7 million deal to clear some cap room, and $16 million of that money was guaranteed.
A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Suggs is a borderline Hall of Famer, who was a big reason why the Baltimore Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. He will finish up his career with the Ravens, becoming one of those rare superstars who actually spend their entire career with one team. The Ravens have spent a lot of money on him through the years, and Suggs has definitely been worth the investment.
18. Dwight Freeney – $97,645,940
Since being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the 11th-overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft, Dwight Freeney has been quite the headaches for the opposing quarterbacks. A sack machine, Freeney still is a productive player today, helping lead the Atlanta Falcons to a berth in Super Bowl LI this past February. Many believed Freeney would be an excellent player during his days at Syracuse, but few could possibly see what has become a Hall of Fame career.
The Colts locked Freeney up to a long-term deal during his rookie season, giving him a rookie contract that would span the next seven years. While that contract was only for $13.5 million, the Colts would give the defensive end his big payday with the next deal. In 2007, Freeney signed a six-year extension with the team, earning $72 million. Since leaving the Colts in 2013, Freeney has bounced around between the San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, and the Falcons, collecting big checks along the way.
A seven-time Pro Bowler, Freeney led the Colts defense that would shut down the Rex Grossman-led Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI. A three-time First Team All-Pro, Freeney was the 2005 AFC Defensive Player of the Year, and he will go down in history as one of the best sack masters the game has ever seen. His deal with Atlanta was only a one-year deal, which could mean the end of the line for the 37-year old, but what a career it has been.
17. Ndamukong Suh – $104,215,157
A star at the University of Nebraska, Ndamukong Suh would be drafted with the No. 2 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Once drafted, the Detroit Lions wasted no time locking him up to a long-term deal, giving the big defensive tackle a five-year, $65.39 million contract. Suh would go on to be named the Defensive Rookie of the Year that first season, which would be a precursor to him becoming one of the best in the league at his position.
Once his team was up in Detroit, Suh left the Lions, taking his talents to South Beach to play for the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins gave Suh an extraordinarily huge deal, as he signed a six-year, $114.375 million contract with the team. Of that money, over $59 million of it was guaranteed, making Suh and his family quite comfortable for the rest of their lives.
The deal with Miami will take Suh to the 2021 season, where he is likely go get another decent sized contract. A five-time Pro Bowler, Suh has been named a First Team All-Pro on four different occasions, though he has become more known for his wacky antics on the field. Suh has had his fair share of fines during his career, which takes a chunk out of his career earnings, but at 30 years old, it is fair to say Suh has cashed in on his talent in a major way.
16. Joe Thomas – $108,350,000
Incredibly, a member of the Cleveland Browns has been the best player at his position during his NFL career. Joe Thomas has not missed a game for the Browns since the team took him with the third overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft, earning ten Pro Bowl nods in the process. While his team has been absolutely terrible, Thomas has been a constant in the lineup, and should find himself in Canton, Ohio one day.
After the Browns made him the No. 3 pick, they quickly signed what was expected to be the cornerstone of the offensive line for years to come. While Thomas as been all that and more, the team has not put talent around him, making him one of the more frustrated superstars in the game. Still, Thomas has been loyal to the Browns, and in 2011, he signed a contract extension with the team that was good for seven years at $80.5 million. Of that money, $28.5 million of it was guaranteed, making him the highest paid offensive lineman on our list.
While Thomas is certain to be in the Hall of Fame one day, you have to wonder if he is eventually going to get tired of all the losing in Cleveland. Thomas is a seven-time First Team All-Pro, and it will be interesting to see what he does when his contract is up in 2019. It is possible he hangs them up for good at that time, and if he does, he will go down in history as one of the best offensive tackles we have ever seen.
15. Matthew Stafford – $110,778,969
Matthew Stafford has been one of the more prolific passers in the NFL since being selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. The former Georgia Bulldog spent the better part of his career throwing to one of the best wide receivers of his generation in Calvin Johnson, but may have had his best season without him. The Lions were expected to take a step back when Johnson retired after the 2015 NFL season, but Stafford led his team to the Wild Card instead.
The 29-year-old Stafford has earned a boatload of money during his career, and it started pretty early for the signal-caller. Stafford inked a six-year, $72 million rookie contract with the Lions, of which $41.7 million of it was guaranteed. In 2013, Stafford signed a three-year contract extension with the team, which will bring him through the 2017 NFL season. Stafford is likely in for another big payday from the Lions, which could bring him closer to the top of our list when we decide to revisit it.
Stafford’s current contract will pay him $53 million, which includes guaranteed money of $41.5 million. Stafford is just starting to come into his prime, and he already has over 30,000 passing yards in his career. A 2014 Pro Bowl selection, Stafford has proven to be a solid player throughout his career, and he and the Lions will be looking to take the next step forward next season. Detroit has made a big investment in Stafford, and despite the team not winning playoff games, he certainly has held up his side of the bargain.
14. Jay Cutler – $112,196,087
Jay Cutler has been one of the more frustrating players in recent memory, possessing ungodly skills and a terrible attitude to go with it. Time and time again, teams have thrown a ton of money at him, hoping he would finally reach his full potential. At 33 years old, his best football may be behind him, and it looks like his days as the franchise quarterback in Chicago are certainly over.
Cutler’s career started in Denver, where the Broncos selected him with the 11th overall selection in the 2006 NFL Draft. A product of Vanderbilt University, Cutler was given a 6yr/$48 million dollar rookie contract, as the team expected him to be their next John Elway. That did not work out, and in 2009, he was traded to the Chicago Bears for Kyle Orton. The Bears wasted no time signing him to a long-term deal, giving Cutler a five-year, $50.37 million deal with $20 million in guaranteed money.
In 2014, the Bears doubled down on their investment in Cutler, giving him a contract extension of over $126 million dollars. The seven-year deal included $54 million in guaranteed money, though he will likely not be in Chicago to earn the full $126 million. Cutler has made only one Pro Bowl during his career, back in 2008 with the Broncos, and you have to scratch your head as to why he never fully reached his potential despite the fact that he was given so many chances.
13. Joe Flacco – $114,800,000
Joe Flacco took a chance on himself, and it paid off in a big way. Flacco was the 18th overall selection of the 2008 NFL Draft, as the Baltimore Ravens selected the big-time arm from the University of Delaware. Nine years later, Flacco has led his organization to a Super Bowl title, and he is certain to go down in history as one of the best players to ever play the quarterback position for Baltimore.
Flacco’s entry level contract was a five-year, $30 million deal, and he led the Ravens to an 11-5 record during his rookie season. In 2013, Flacco signed a big extension with Baltimore, as the team rewarded him with a six-year, $120.6 million deal. Of that $120.6 million, $29 million was guaranteed, and in 2016, he signed another extension with the team. That deal will bring him to the 2021 NFL season and will include another $66.4 million dollars with $44 million guaranteed.
The MVP of Super Bowl XLVII, Flacco has been a quiet warrior for the Ravens throughout his career. He has been one of the more steady arms in the league, and has missed only six starts during his nine-year career. The Ravens and Flacco have been a perfect marriage, and if the team can put some talent around him, they could be right in the mix for a playoff spot in 2017. Flacco and company have not been in the playoffs since 2014, but with his talent, that will likely change soon.
12. Darrelle Revis – $118,211,130
Darrelle Revis has lived by one motto since joining the NFL, and that motto has been “show me the money.” Revis has been the most elite cornerback in the NFL during his time in the league, though his skills have diminished over the past few seasons. Still, he signed a huge deal to return to the New York Jets in 2015, and should finish his career with a ton of bread in his pocket.
The New York Jets made Revis the 14th-overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft, selecting the cover corner out of the University of Pittsburgh. During his time with the team, Revis invented “Revis Island,” which as a place that quarterbacks just did not throw to. His entry-level contract with the Jets was for $30 million, though that would just be the tip of the iceberg as to the kind of money he would make throughout his career.
Revis signed a 4yr/$46 million dollar contract with the team back in 2010, but he was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2014. The Bucs gave him an absurd six-year, $96 million deal, though he would only make one year of that salary. The team released him the following season, and after a Super Bowl winning stint in New England, Revis came back to the Jets on a five-year, $70 million deal. Revis has made an incredible amount of money during his career, and based on his play, he could be enshrined in Canton, Ohio in the near future.
11. Aaron Rodgers – $123,832,029
Incredibly, Aaron Rodgers was drafted with the 24th-overall selection in the 2005 NFL Draft. Since that day, Rodgers has gone on to become one of the best quarterbacks the NFL has ever seen, and teams have to be scratching their heads for passing over him 12 years ago. A two-time NFL MVP, Rodgers would have to earn his place among the immortals of the game, and should finish his career as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Rodgers’ first contract with the Packers was a tiny one, as the team locked him up for only $7.7 million over five years. After taking over for Brett Favre, Rodgers proved that he was one of the game’s elite, and the Packers paid him as such. In 2008, Rodgers signed a six-year, $63.52 million contract with the team, with $20 million dollars guaranteed. In 2013, Rodgers would ink a deal for $110 million, and is not under contract with Green Bay into the 2020 NFL season.
Rodgers was the MVP of Super Bowl XLV, where he led the Packers to a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. While the Packers have not one since, it has not been because of Rodgers, who has put up historic numbers despite not having a running back to speak of. Throughout his career, Rodgers has proven to be the exact opposite of the player he took over for, throwing only 72 interceptions against 297 touchdowns in 12 seasons. A six-time Pro Bowler, Rodgers has earned every penny during his illustrious career.
10. Tony Romo – $127,422,458
Tony Romo was undrafted out of Eastern Illinois, though he showed the Dallas Cowboys enough to ink him to a two-year deal during his rookie season. That deal was only for $540,000, which would end up being just a drop in the bucket of his career earnings. Romo came out of nowhere to be a legitimate star for the Cowboys, and while his time with the team is likely over, his contributions to the franchise cannot be forgotten.
Once his rookie contract was up, the Cowboys again made a small investment to keep him around. His second contract was only for $1.8 million over two years, and after signing a one-year deal for $3.9 million in 2006, the time had come for Romo to start getting paid. Romo’s first big deal with the team was a six-year, $67.5 million contract, and in 2013, he would sign an extension for over $100 million.
The emergence of Dak Prescott at quarterback has made Romo expendable in Dallas, though they would still be on the hook for his contract if they release him. At 36 years old, Romo’s best days might be behind him, as injuries have taken their toll over the past few seasons. Still, Romo was a four-time Pro Bowl player during his time with America’s Team, and while he never led them to the Promised Land, you have to think that Romo gave his heart and soul to earn every penny from team owner Jerry Jones.
9. Matt Ryan – $133,707,925
The 2016 NFL season was a special one to say the least for Matt Ryan, who shook off his tag of not being able to win the big game. “Matty Ice” led the Atlanta Falcons to Super Bowl LI, and in the process, picked up his first NFL Most Valuable Player Award. The Falcons are in very good shape to be a contender once again in 2017, and Ryan looks to just be coming into his prime as the team’s starting quarterback.
The Falcons selected Ryan with the third overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, selecting the former Boston College Eagle. His first contract with the team was a six-year,$67.5 million deal which included $34.75 million of guaranteed money. In 2013, Ryan would sign a contract extension for over $100 million, as the team locked him up until 2019 NFL season. At that time, Ryan will only be 33 years old, and with the weakness at the quarterback position in the NFL, he may be in for another pay day.
A four-time Pro Bowler, Ryan was not only the NFL’s Most Valuable Player last season, but also the NFL Offensive Player of the Year. Ryan threw for nearly 5,000 yards on the season, finishing the year with an incredible quarterback rating of 117.1 The 2008 NFL Rookie of the Year, Ryan has been as solid as they come throughout his career, and he may just be beginning to reach his potential for a Falcons organization that is definitely trending upwards.
8. Larry Fitzgerald – $140,296,387
Larry Fitzgerald will likely be one of those rare NFL superstars who plays his entire career with one organization. The Arizona Cardinals made Fitzgerald the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, selecting the smooth wide receiver from the University of Pittsburgh. Since that time, Fitzgerald has established himself as one of the best wideouts in the game, and he will likely be immortalized in Canton, Ohio one day.
Arizona gave Fitzgerald a big rookie contract, and the deal would ensure that he would be in a Cardinals uniform for the next six season. The $60 million rookie contract would be the first of many big contracts for Fitzgerald, who would since an extension of over $100 million in 2011. The past three seasons, Fitzgerald has made $33 million, all of which has been guaranteed money.
Fitzgerald has been well worth the money, helping lead the Cardinals to a Super Bowl during his time with the team. A 10-time Pro Bowl selection, Fitzgerald has racked up over 14,000 receiving yards during his career, as well as hauling in over 100 touchdowns. He has said he would like to continue playing, and with Carson Palmer coming back for 2017, the Cards could find themselves in the playoffs after a one-year hiatus.
7. Julius Peppers – $155,973,786
Back in 2002, the Carolina Panther selected Julius Peppers with the second overall selection in the NFL Draft. Since then, Peppers has been an elite player from his outside linebacker position, proving to be a revolutionary player at the position. A nine-time Pro Bowl player, Peppers, has played 15 seasons in the NFL, being one of the dominant pass rushers the game has ever seen.
The product of the University of North Carolina, who also starred for their basketball team, has made more than his fair share of money throughout his career. Peppers initially signed a seven-year, $46 million entry-level contract with the Panthers, and in 2009, he added another year in Carolina for the price of $16.683 million dollars. In 2010, Peppers made the move to Chicago, and the Bears signing him to a six-year deal worth $84 million. The Bears would release him in 2014, but that would not be the end of the line.
The Green Bay Packers quickly picked up Peppers from their division rivals and signed him to a three-year deal worth $26 million. With $7.5 million of that contract guaranteed, it is likely that Green Bay will be the last stop on a career that could end with Peppers making the Hall of Fame. Peppers was the 2002 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, the 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and his three First Team All-Pro nods definitely prove he has earned his money throughout his career.
6. Carson Palmer – $156,648,722
During his time at USC, Carson Palmer developed enough buzz that it was clear he would be the first overall selection in the NFL Draft once he came out. The Cincinnati Bengals did just that in 2003, selecting the former Trojan with the No. 1 pick of the draft. During his time in Cincinnati, Palmer would show flashes of brilliance, but a terrible knee injury really derailed his career as the Bengals starting quarterback.
Palmer’s first contract with Cincinnati was a six-year, $42.69 million deal, but he was given a bigger investment two years later. The Bengals gave Palmer a 10-year, $119 million deal, ensuring the signal-caller would be under center for the team for the foreseeable future. However, Palmer was traded to the Oakland Raiders in 2011, and the Silver and Black quickly inked him to a new four-year, $43 million deal. He would last only two years in Oakland, and has now spent the last four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.
You have to wonder what might have been had Palmer not had so many issues with his knees. He has put together a very solid career despite the injuries, and all signs point towards him returning for another season in Arizona. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Palmer has thrown for over 44,000 passing yards during his career, and in 2015, he was named the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year. Not bad for a guy who has had two major surgeries on his knee.
5. Ben Roethlisberger – $158,286,864
The 2004 NFL Draft was loaded with star talent at the quarterback position, and guys like Philip Rivers, Eli Manning, and Ben Roethlisberger have certainly lived up to that billing. Big Ben has been an absolute star for the Steelers since the team made him the 11th overall selection in that draft, leading the franchise to two Super Bowl titles. Roethlisberger had been named a Pro Bowler five times, and out of all the talent in that draft class, he was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The Miami (OH) product has made his fair share of money during his career, and it started with the six-year, $22.26 million contract he signed as a rookie. In 2008, the Steelers made him another big offer, signing him to another six-year deal, but this time for over $87 million. In 2014, Roethlisberger would sign another deal upwards of $87 million, as the team now controls his rights until the 2020 season.
Big Ben has already been talking about retirement, so his days of getting big pay days are likely over. Still, the Steelers struck gold at No. 11 during the 2004 draft, and since that day, Roethlisberger has thrown over 300 touchdown passes. He has had his issues off the field, but you have to think the Steelers have gotten their money’s worth each time they have offered the big guy a new contract.
4. Philip Rivers – $173,917,656
Philip Rivers had a very interesting draft day back in 2004, as he was selected by the New York Giants with the fourth overall pick. However, the San Diego Chargers quickly traded the first overall pick, Eli Manning, to the Giants in exchange for Rivers, and the rest is history. Rivers has gone on to be one of the more prolific passers in NFL history, and despite the lack of a Super Bowl ring, the Bolts have to be happy with what they have gotten from him throughout his career.
Rivers’ first contract with San Diego was a six-year, $40.5 million deal, though that would just be the beginning of his big pay days. Rivers signed a contract extension with the team in 2009, agreeing to a new six-year deal worth over $91 million. In 2015, Rivers inked a four-year deal to remain with the team until 2019, and that deal was for $83.2 million. Over $100 million of his contracts have been guaranteed, making him one of the more lucrative stars in NFL history.
Rivers is a six-time Pro Bowl player, and in 2013, he was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He has been a bulldog for the Chargers throughout his career, often playing despite the fact he was seriously injured. Over his career, Rivers has thrown 314 touchdowns and has racked up over 45,000 passing yards. The Bolts will make the move to La La Land in 2017, and having a quality quarterback like Rivers under center should make the transition much easier.
3. Drew Brees – $181,710,411
When the San Diego Chargers selected Drew Brees in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft, nobody could have predicted the kind of career he would go on to have. While his time in San Diego was cut short due to the team going with Philip Rivers at quarterback, Brees would become an icon with the New Orleans Saints, leading the city out of the ruins of Hurricane Katrina. Brees has earned over $180 million in his career, but you cannot put a price on what he has mean to the city of New Orleans.
Brees’ first contract was a drop in the bucket compared to the figures he would get throughout his career, as he was given a rookie contract of four-year, $3.6 million. In 2005, Brees played for the Chargers under the franchise tag, making a little over $8 million. The Bolts traded him to New Orleans prior to the 2006 NFL season, and for Brees, it was the best thing that could have happened to him. Brees signed a six-year, $60 million deal with the Saints, setting the stage for his first $100 million contract.
In 2012, Brees was offered the franchise tag, though the two sides were able to make a deal before the season started. That deal was a five-year, $100 million contract, and in 2016, Brees signed a one-year extension for $24.5 million. Brees has thrown for over 66,000 yards during his NFL career, has been a Super Bowl MVP, and has been named to the Pro Bowl 10 times. He has certainly earned his paychecks, and before his career is over, he will likely be at the top of all the career passing records.
2. Tom Brady – $196,157,208
Tom Brady was selected with the 199th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. The Michigan product was not destined for NFL stardom by any stretch of the imagination, but that is exactly what he accomplished during his career. A five-time Super Bowl champion, Brady is arguably the best quarterback in the history of the NFL, and his story from being a sixth-round pick to a four-time Super Bowl MVP is the stuff of legend.
Brady’s first contract with the Patriots was a tiny one, as team owner Robert Kraft signed him to a 3yr/$866k contract. However, once Brady took over for Drew Bledsoe and started winning rings, it was time for him to get paid. In 2002, Brady got his first pay day, as the Pats and he agreed to a four-year, $30.145 million deal. That would just be the beginning, as the team would commit over $160 million more to him over the next 14 seasons. In 2016, Brady signed a two-year extension with the team, with $28 of the $41 million being guaranteed.
A 12-time Pro Bowl selection, Brady has done everything a quarterback could possibly do during his NFL career. He is a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player and has led the league in touchdowns on four separate occasions. Brady currently sits fourth all-time on the NFL passing yardage list, as he has tallied over 61,000 yards throughout his career.
Brady wants to play well into his 40s and based on his play in 2016, there is no doubt that he is going to make over $200 million in career earnings before all is said and done.
1. Eli Manning – $205,780,004
The San Diego Chargers made Eli Manning the first overall selection in the 2004 NFL Draft, but everybody knew he would never play for them. The Manning clan let it be known before the draft that he would not play in San Diego, which set the wheels in motion for the Chargers to trade him to the New York Giants. Since that fateful day, Manning has led the Giants to two Super Bowl titles, and has made a boatload of money along the way.
The Giants made an immediate investment in Manning, signing him to a rookie contract of six-year, $45 million. In 2009, Manning signed a six-year contract extension to stay with the team, with that deal being for $97.5 million. Currently, Manning is playing on a four-year deal with the Giants, and it is one that will pay him $84 million, $65 million of which is guaranteed money. Manning will likely stay in New York his entire career, and at 36 years old, his big contract days may be behind him.
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Manning has been named to four Pro Bowls, and was the MVP of both of the New York Giants Super Bowl wins against the New England Patriots. He plays his best football with the game on the line, and while the Giants have made an investment in him of over $200 million, that is a fraction of what he has earned the organization over the past 13 seasons.
Manning could wind up in the Hall of Fame one day, and with the Giants making the playoffs in 2016 for the first time in five seasons, he may add a third ring before all is said and done.