Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
16 of 30
Next
Oct 2, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

Home/NFL