American football is one of the most lucrative sports in the world, and the NFL has turned its stars into veritable millionaires over the years. With ever-increasing contracts and multi-million dollar endorsement deals, some players have amassed impressive fortunes.
Here are the 12 players who have earned the most in their careers, including salaries, bonuses and endorsements:
The 12 highest-earning players in NFL history
Tom Brady - $450 million
Drew Brees - $270 million
Aaron Rodgers - $315 million
Peyton Manning - $248 million
Russell Wilson - $238 million
Matt Ryan - $267 million
Matthew Stafford - $300 million
Ben Roethlisberger - $267 million
Eli Manning - $252 million
Philip Rivers - $244 million
Kirk Cousins ​​- $231 million
Patrick Mahomes - $210 million (with a contract projected to exceed $500 million)
Drew Brees, the millionaire who continues to earn money
One of the most striking cases is that of Drew Brees, who retired in 2021 after a legendary career with the New Orleans Saints. However, the former quarterback will still receive a bonus in 2025, the product of financial agreements structured in his last contract. These types of deferred payments are not unusual in the NFL, allowing players to continue getting paid years after their retirement.
With the salary cap constantly growing and guaranteed contracts on the rise, the league's future stars could even surpass these record figures in the coming years.