NFL power rankings: 30 richest active players

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.