Highest-Paid NFL Players of All Time
Tom Brady has made over $212 million in his NFL career.If you don’t believe quarterbacks are the Hope Diamond of pro sports. just check out the all-time NFL money list. No fewer than 17 of the top 25 career breadwinners have played behind center.
You see some all-time greats. And sometimes great. Even rarely great. Would you believe never, ever great?
That’s because, in the pass-crazy game of today, coaches, general managers and club owners will go above and way, way beyond to sign or keep a so-called franchise quarterback even if he's past his prime.
Here are the all-time NFL leaders in career earnings.
Note: Statistics include the 2018 season with Approximate Values courtesy of Pro Football Reference.
25. Gerald McCoy, Defensive Tackle
Gerald McCoy with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2017.Years: 2010-present (9 seasons)
Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers
Career earnings: $110.1 million
Career statistics/16 games: 38.5 tackles, 7.1 sacks, 0.5 fumble recoveries
Approximate Value/16 games: 9.9
Bottom line: The big lug could put heat on the passer, all right, but the Buccaneers ranked better than 15th in rush yards allowed only twice in his nine seasons there.
His $13 million salary became so cumbersome, the front office finally cut the cord after he refused to restructure the enormous six-year, $95.2 million deal, and it could find no takers in trade.
So how much do you suppose "Mean" Joe Greene would be worth nowadays?
24. Calvin Johnson, Wide Receiver
Calvin Johnson made $113.8 million in nine seasons with the Detroit Lions.Years: 2007-15 (9 seasons)
Team: Detroit Lions
Career earnings: $113.8 million
Career statistics/16 games: 86.6 pass receptions, 15.9 yards per pass reception, 9.8 pass touchdowns
Approximate Value/16 games: 11.0
Bottom line: When Megabucks, er, Megatron retired in the prime of his career, he left four years and $67.7 million on the table.
Not only that, but team management demanded that he pay back $3.2 million in bonus money, and the two sides have feuded ever since.
Hey, when you’ve been with the Lions that long, that seems like a small price for freedom.
23. Mario Williams, Defensive End
Mario Williams has over 120 million reasons to smile.Years: 2006-16 (11 seasons)
Teams: Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
Career earnings: $120.4 million
Career statistics/16 games: 40.4 tackles, 9.9 sacks, 0.5 fumble recoveries
Approximate Value/16 games: 9.3
Bottom line: $uper Mario is Matt Stafford on the other side of the ball — a guy who puts up good numbers with crummy teams that have to overpay somebody.
22. Jay Cutler, Quarterback
Jay Cutler played 153 career NFL games.Years: 2006-17 (12 seasons)
Teams: Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins
Career earnings: $122.2 million
Career statistics/16 games: .620 pass completion percentage, 3,674.0 pass yards, 23.7 pass touchdowns
Approximate Value/16 games: 11.4
Bottom line: This mope raked in millions to be the definition of mediocre (Bears record: 51-51-0) then went home to his wife Kristin Cavallari every night. Not that you’re jealous or anything. OK, you are jealous.
Gen. Cutler fun fact: Mr. Personality never had an endorsement deal in his Chicago career, because as he put it, "I think you know my salary."
21. Joe Thomas, Offensive Tackle
Joe Thomas earned the most money of any offensive lineman in NFL history.Years: 2007-17 (11 seasons)
Team: Cleveland Browns
Career earnings: $122.85 million
Career statistics/16 games: 1.0 fumble recoveries
Approximate Value/16 games: 11.7
Bottom line: While you slept on the Browns all those years, the highest-paid offensive lineman in pro football history quietly earned $8 million or more in every season of his career.
20. Darrelle Revis, Cornerback
Darrelle Revis could buy his own island if he wanted.Years: 2007-17 (11 seasons)
Teams: New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs
Career earnings: $124.2 million
Career statistics/16 games: 3.2 interceptions, 1.3 fumble recoveries, 0.2 sacks
Approximate Value/16 games: 11.7
Bottom line: Revis Island stands alone at the position on the all-time money list, but if not for a torn ACL early in the 2012 season, he no doubt would have done even better.
The four-time All-Pro went on to sign long-term deals with the Buccaneers and Jets, only to be released after one season each time.
19. Michael Vick, Quarterback
Michael Vick played 13 seasons in the NFL.Years: 2001-06, 2009-15 (13 seasons)
Teams: Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers
Career earnings: $124.8 million
Career statistics/16 games: .562 completion percentage, 2,513 pass yards, 14.9 pass touchdowns
Approximate Value/16 games: 12.6
Bottom line: For sheer entertainment value, the four-time Pro Bowler was worth every stinkin' dollar.
For consistent quarterback play, he was overpaid by a mile and a half.
Or roughly the distance between some of his passes and the intended receiver.
18. Tony Romo, Quarterback
Tony Romo never won a Super Bowl in his career.Years: 2004-16 (13 seasons)
Teams: Dallas Cowboys
Career earnings: $127.4 million
Career statistics/16 games: .653 pass completion percentage, 3,505.9 pass yards, 25.4 pass touchdowns
Approximate Value/16 games: 11.9
Bottom line: If there’s a consistently more overhyped, overcompensated position in all of pro sports than that of Dallas Cowboys quarterback, it escapes me at the moment.
This one made his fortune off good looks and four Pro Bowl seasons, not a 2-4 postseason record.
17. Sam Bradford, Quarterback
Sam Bradford did not live up to the hype.Years: 2010-18 (9 seasons)
Teams: St. Louis Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals
Career earnings: $130.0 million
Career statistics/16 games: .625 pass completion percentage, 3,749 pass yards, 19.9 pass touchdowns
Approximate Value/16 games: 9.4
Bottom line: Sam the Scam was the last quarterback to cash in hugely on the last collective bargaining agreement — six years, $78 million, $50 million guaranteed.
Had he been drafted one year later, he would have been handed only $22 million over four years.
In other words, he would have went from historically bad, make-me-wanna-puke overpaid to merely overpaid.
16. Brett Favre, Quarterback
Brett Favre won a Super Bowl and three MVPs in his career.Years: 1991-2010 (20 seasons)
Teams: Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings
Career earnings: $137.8 million
Career statistics/16 games: .620 pass completion percentage, 3,806.0 pass yards, 26.9 pass touchdowns
Approximate Value/16 games: 13.5
Bottom line: From the moment the second-rounder signed a three-year, $1.38-million deal as a rookie, he played from behind.
The 11-time Pro Bowler was never paid more than $13.6 mill until his maybe-I-really-mean-it-this-time farewell season.
At age 41.
15. Ndamukong Suh, Defensive Tackle
Ndamukong Suh is on his fourth team in 10 NFL seasons.Years: 2010-present (nine seasons)
Teams: Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Career earnings: $138.7 million
Career statistics/16 games: 54.2 tackles, 6.3 sacks, 0.5 fumble recoveries
Approximate Value/16 games: 11.0
Bottom line: Personnel wonks who are blinded by the past regret it later. Just ask the Dolphins, who shelled out $60 million for the one-time hell-raiser to be above average for three seasons.
Since then, the highest-paid defensive tackle ever signed a pair of one-year deals, which were more in line with his age (now 32) and production level (just OK).
14. Alex Smith, Quarterback
Alex Smith has made over $145 million in his career.Years: 2005-07, 2009-present (13 seasons)
Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins
Career earnings: $146.5 million
Career statistics/16 games: .624 pass completion percentage, 3,283.7 pass yards, 18.6 pass touchdowns
Approximate Value/16 games: 11.4
Bottom line: The 35-year-old hopes to return from a very scary leg injury that put his career on hold in the 2018 season.
Whether the veteran plays another down or not, he’s guaranteed to receive $31 million over the next two years.
Not a bad parting gift, huh?
13. Joe Flacco, Quarterback
Joe Flacco won one Super Bowl in 11 seasons with the Ravens before being traded to the Broncos.Years: present (14 seasons)
Teams: Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos
Career earnings: $147.8 million
Career statistics/16 games: .617 pass completion, 3,754.1 pass yards, 20.8 pass touchdowns
Approximate Value/16 games: 11.1
Bottom line: In 11 seasons, the veteran has never lead the league in any category. Not a one.
Yet Raven maniacs would tell you that he was worth every cent on his magical 2012 postseason run alone.
Joe Cool fun fact: He owns as many postseason wins (10) as Hall of Famers Dan Fouts, Warren Moon, Joe Namath and Norm Van Brocklin put together.
12. Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver
Larry Fitzgerald has over 1,300 receptions in his career,Years: 2004-present (15 seasons)
Team: Arizona Cardinals
Career earnings: $163.3 million
Career statistics/16 games: 89.1 pass receptions, 12.5 yards per pass reception, 7.9 pass touchdowns
Approximate Value/16 games: 8.6
Bottom line: Hey, look, people — a wide receiver! Hey, look again — a wide receiver who’s not a prima donna!
Sure, there have been better players at the position, but what price do you put on class, consistency of performance and brand enhancement?
(By the way, GOAT favorite Jerry Rice checks in at a mere $42.4 million for his career.)
11. Julius Peppers, Defensive End
Julius Peppers has been a model of his consistency in his career.Years: 2002-present (17 seasons)
Teams: Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers
Career earnings: $165.0 million
Career statistics/16 statistics: 43.5 tackles, 9.6 sacks, 1.3 fumble recoveries
Approximate Value/16 games: 11.0
Bottom line: The highest-paid lineman in football history has never led the league in sacks.
Rather, it’s remarkable consistency and longevity that have allowed the nine-time Pro Bowler to make his fortune.
He ranks No. 4 on the all-time sack list.
10. Carson Palmer, Quarterback
Carson Palmer went to three Pro Bowls in 14 NFL seasons.Years: 2004-17 (14 seasons)
Teams: Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland Raiders, Arizona Cardinals
Career earnings: $174.1 million
Career statistics/16 statistics: .625 pass completion percentage, 4,065.7 pass yards, 25.8 pass touchdowns
Approximate Value/16 games: 12.5
Bottom line: The No. 1 pick of the 2003 draft wasn’t quite the same after a then-legal hit to the legs took him out on his first postseason pass attempt.
Still, the quarterback did pretty well for someone with a 92-88-1 career record.
He has a $2 million luxury car collection to play with in retirement.
9. Matt Stafford, Quarterback
Matt Stafford was the No. 1 overall pick in 2009.Years: 2009-present (10 seasons)
Team: Detroit Lions
Career earnings: $178.3 million
Career statistics/16 games: .624 pass completion percentage, 4,371.7 pass yards, 26.9 pass touchdowns
Approximate Value/16 games: 12.5
Bottom line: There was a brief time not long ago when Matt Stafford was the highest-paid quarterback ever. Despite sub-.500 records in the regular season (66-75) and postseason (0-3).
We can debate whether it’s wise for a non-contender to invest so much in one player in the salary-cap era, but it sure can pay to be the biggest fish in a pond of seaweed.
8. Matt Ryan, Quarterback
Matt Ryan has thrown for over 46,000 yards in his career.Years: 2008-present (11 seasons)
Team: Atlanta Falcons
Career earnings: $178.7 million
Career statistics/16 games: .653 pass completion percentage, 4,296.1 pass yards, 27.1 pass touchdowns
Approximate Value/16 games: 15.3
Bottom line: Raise your hand if you had Matty Ice in the first $30 million-per-year salary pool.
The quarterback remains in search of an elusive Lombard Trophy, and the front office has bet a guaranteed $100 million that he’ll do it by the time he turns 37 years old.
That’s when his current five-year deal is set to expire.
7. Ben Roethlisberger, Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger has won two Super Bowls with the Steelers.Years: 2004-present (15 seasons)
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Career earnings: $187.3 million
Career statistics/16 games: .644 pass completion percentage, 4,162.5 pass yards, 26.9 pass touchdowns
Approximate Value/16 games: 13.7
Bottom line: Big Ben has been a comparative bargain throughout his career.
He, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are the only quarterbacks with multiple Super Bowl rings on this list.
But now that Le’Veon Bell and especially Antonio Brown aren’t around, will his salary become an albatross? Discuss.
6. Philip Rivers, Quarterback
Will Philip Rivers win a Super Bowl?Years: 2004-present (15 seasons)
Team: San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
Career earnings: $202.9 million
Career statistics/16 games: .645 pass completion percentage, 4,125.0 pass yards, 28.2 pass touchdowns
Approximate Value/16 games: 14.4
Bottom line: Who says old man Rivers isn’t a money player? Consistency and durability have allowed him to cash in often despite a lack of championship pedigree.
The 37-year-old is in the final year of his current deal, but another extension appears to be imminent.
As team owner Dean Spanos said prior to the 2018 season, "As long as he wants to be here, we want him here."
5. Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers was a first-round pick in the 2005 NFL draft.Years: 2005-present (14 seasons)
Team: Green Bay Packers
Career earnings: $204.0 million
Career statistics/16 games: .648 pass completion percentage, 4,164.3 pass yards, 32.8 pass touchdowns
Approximate Value/16 games: 16.5
Bottom line: If the Super Bowl 45 MVP plays into his 40s as planned, he could become the No. 1 moneymaker before long.
Oh, and don’t forget his minority share of the Milwaukee Bucks and $9 million in endorsements and multiple mansions and extensive car collection.
4. Tom Brady, Quarterback
Tom Brady six Super Bowls rings, more than any player in NFL history.Years: 2000-present (19 seasons)
Team: New England Patriots
Career earnings: $212.2 million
Career statistics/16 games: .640 pass completion percentage, 4,194.1 pass yards, 30.8 pass touchdowns
Approximate Value/16 games: 16.0
Bottom line: The six-time Super Bowl champion has been underpaid by industry standards, but call off the telethons.
His supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen has a $400 million net worth, you know.
Really, don’t you just hate him madly?
3. Drew Brees, quarterback
Drew Brees has won one Super Bowl.Years: 2001-present (18 seasons)
Team: San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints
Career earnings: $221.7 million
Career statistics/16 games: .673 pass completion percentage, 4,511.3 pass yards, 31.5 pass touchdowns
Approximate Value/16 games: 15.5
Bottom line: The Super Bowl 44 MVP is the most successful and recognizable athlete in New Orleans history — and he has the portfolio to prove it.
His other teams: Nike, Pepsi, Procter & Gamble, Verizon and Wrangler.
2. Eli Manning, quarterback
Eli Manning had a 116-114 record as a starting quarterback in his first 15 NFL seasons.Years: 2004-present (15 seasons)
Team: New York Giants
Career earnings: $235.3 million
Career statistics/16 games: .603 pass completion percentage, 3,860.8 pass yards, 24.8 pass touchdowns
Approximate Value/16 games: 11.2
Bottom line: The other Manning never led the league in a major category except interceptions.
He barely won more than half his games. Yet he made a huge fortune off two Super Bowl victories, a chummy relationship with team ownership and his name, not necessarily in that order.
The quarterback also rakes in upward of $10 mill from Citizen, DirecTV, Kraft, Reebok, Samsung and Toyota, among others.
1. Peyton Manning, quarterback
Peyton Manning won two Super Bowls and was a five-time MVP.Years: 1998-2010, 2012-15 (17 seasons)
Teams: Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos
Career earnings: $248.7 million
Career statistics/16 games: .653 pass completion percentage, 4,327.2 pass yards, 32.4 pass touchdowns
Approximate Value/16 games: 16.3
Bottom line: The most marketable athlete in football history didn’t beat Tom Brady very often, but he could sell ice cubes in the Arctic.
He also made an estimated $157 million in pocket change with DirecTV, Gatorade, Nationwide, Nike, Papa John’s.