NFL power rankings: 30 richest active players

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Sep 25, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Julius Peppers (56) rushes around Detroit Lions guard Larry Warford (75) during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

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