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NFL power rankings: 30 richest active players

By Brad Weiss

Jan 8, 2017; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) drops back to pass against the Green Bay Packers during the first half in the NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2017; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) drops back to pass against the Green Bay Packers during the first half in the NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) rushes against the Indianapolis Colts in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Colts win 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports.
Dec 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) rushes against the Indianapolis Colts in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Colts win 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports. /

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.

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