12 Highest Paid NFL Players Net Worth

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Ever wondered who the richest NFL players are? Want to find out whose net worth ranks above whom? Well, you have come to just the right place. In this article, we take a look at the 12 highest paid NFL players net north.

NFL players have bagged lucrative contracts during their playing days and beyond.

NFL earnings.
NFL earnings.

Furthermore, with other business avenues and endorsement deals, their net worth skyrockets to multi-millions.

Without further ado, let’s dive deep into the 12 highest paid NFL players net worth.

12 Highest Paid NFL Players Net Worth

The following list is compiled from various trusted sources such as Forbes and Celebrity Net Worth.  Please note that the following list contains current as well as former NFL players.

Before diving into the specifics, let’s take a sneak peek into the 12 highest paid NFL players net worth.

Players Name Net Worth
12. Ben Roethlisberger $100 Million
11. Joe Montana $100 Million
10. Brett Favre  $100 million
9. Aaron Rodgers  $120 million
8. Russell Wilson $135 million
7. John Elway $145 million
6. Eli Manning $150 Million
5. Drew Brees $160 million
4. Steve Young $200 million
3. Tom Brady $250 million
2. Peyton Manning $250 million
1. Roger Staubach $600 million

12. Ben Roethlisberger

Starting off our list, Benjamin Todd Roethlisberger Sr. is an American quarterback who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nicknamed “Big Ben,” Roethlisberger has spent 17 seasons with the Steelers.

Like his nickname, Big Ben also sports a ‘big’ net worth of $100 million. What’s more, the 42-year-old ranks 91st in the Forbes list of the world’s highest-paid athletes.

Ben-Roethlisberger-highest-paid-nfl-player-net-worth
Ben Roethlisberger, Washington Football Team vs. Pittsburgh Steelers. (Source: commons.wikimedia.org)

After renewing his contract with the Steelers in 2019, Ben earns a lucrative annual salary of $23 million, with an additional signing bonus of $37 million.

Furthermore, the Steelers’ quarterback has endorsement deals with Nike, Sprint, Panini, Fanatics, and Upper Deck, which make up $1 million to $3 million annually.

Additionally, Roethlisberger has also invested almost $11 million in a medical device company called NeoLight. The company develops phototherapy beds to cure jaundice in preterm and full-term babies.

To cap it all off, the 6 ft 5 inches athlete currently resides in a $2 million custom mansion and has a diverse car collection worth $4 million.

11. Joe Montana

Joseph Clifford Montana Jr., or Joe Montana, is a former American quarterback who played in the NFL for 16 seasons. Moreover, nicknamed “Joe Cool” and “The Comeback Kid,” Joe spent most of his career with the San Francisco 49ers.

Currently a venture capitalist, the retired NFL pro has a stellar net worth of $100 million.

Surprisingly. Joe’s salary earnings in the NFL were limited to a paltry total of $25.5 million. However, considering the time value of money, the former quarterback’s salary earnings of $25.5 million would amount to $53 million today.

On the other hand, The Comeback Kid bagged attractive endorsement deals during and after his playing career. Furthermore, Joe has been a regular on-screen feature for Guinness, Schick, Papa Johns, Mastercard, AT&T, etc.

What’s more, the 67-year-old made smart decisions after he retired from the NFL.  Moreover, after launching his venture capitalist career, Joe is currently one of the co-founders/general partners in the venture capital firm Liquid2 Ventures.

Also, Joe has invested in successful companies such as Pinterest, Airbnb, Robinhood, and Gitlab.

10. Brett Favre

Born in Gulfport, Mississippi, Brett Lorenzo Favre is a former American quarterback who played in the NFL for 20 seasons.

During his time in the NFL, Favre enjoyed a vastly successful career representing the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, and Minnesota Vikings.

Favre’s current net worth stands at a sizable figure of $100 million. Moreover, a key figure during his playing career, the former quarterback earned $140 million in salary itself.

Related: Brittany Favre: Early Life, Father, Brett Favre, Attorney & Wedding

Favre had his highest single-season salary in 2010, where he bagged a lucrative $12 million in base salary. Along with that, the NFL maestro also pocketed $4.4 million in signing bonus, taking the total to $16.4 million for a single season.

On the other hand, Favre enjoyed millions from his endorsements during and after his playing career. His endorsement partners include Nike, Wrangler Jeans, MasterCard, Prilosec, and Foot Locker.

What’s more, the Mississippi-born former athlete used to earn $7-9 million per year from endorsements alone. Coupled that with his salary, Favre relished with a total annual income of $15-18 million at his peak.

9. Aaron Rodgers

Moving up the list, Aaron Charles Rodgers is an American quarterback who plays for the Green Bay Packers. Moreover, the 40-year-old is considered one of the best athletes in the NFL.

Rodgers’ current net worth stands at a massive $120 million. An intelligent operator on and off the pitch, the Packers-quarterback earned $90 million from salary and endorsements between June 2018 and June 2019.

Rodgers has been the perfect specimen for companies to promote their brands. Furthermore, with an estimated $2-3 million deal with State Farm Insurance, the mighty talented quarterback earned himself one of the wealthiest endorsement deals in the NFL.

Along with State Farm Insurance, Rodgers also has endorsement deals with industry titans such as AdidasPizza Hut, Prevea Healthcare, Bergstrom Automotive, Sharpie, and IZOD.

8. Russell Wilson

Another quarterback on our list, Russell Carrington Wilson, is an American NFL pro who plays for the Seattle Seahawks

Wilson sits at a whopping net worth of $135 million. Like Rodgers, Wilson also earned $90 million from different endeavors during June 2018 and June 2019.

In addition, with his base salary of $35 million, the 35-year-old is the highest-paid quarterback in terms of per-season earnings.

Russell-Wilson-NFL
Russell Wilson vs. Vikings. (Source: commons.wikimedia.org)

Furthermore, Wilson has always managed to bag lucrative salary contracts in his career.

To highlight some, the Seattle Seahawks signed Wilson to a four-year contract extension valued at $87.6 million on July 31, 2015. The contract also housed a signing bonus of $31 million, with $60 million of his total extension guaranteed.

As his career advanced further, so did his salary. For the 2016 season, his base raised up to $12.34 million. Similarly, his base upped to $12.6 million in 2017, $15.5 million in 2018, and $17 million in 2019.

On April 16, 2019, Russell signed a mammoth four-year $140 million contract extension with the Seahawks. Furthermore, the versatile quarterback pocketed the richest deal in NFL history with a mind-blowing $65 million signing bonus.

Not to mention, Wilson will receive a whopping $107 million in guaranteed money.

7. John Elway

John Albert Elway Jr. is a retired American quarterback who played for 16 seasons in the NFL. He is currently the President of Football Operations for the Denver Broncos.

The 63-year-old has a tremendous net worth of $145 million. Furthermore, an extremely successful quarterback in his playing days, Elway earned a total of $47 million in salary alone.

During his career, John had multiple endorsement deals, including Nestle, Neptune Krill Oil, Sprint, Chevrolet, and Shriners HospitalsNestle, Neptune Krill Oil, Sprint Chevrolet, and Shriners Hospitals.

What’s more, Elway owned several car dealerships during the 90s, and he sold some of them to AutoNation Inc. in 1997 for $82.5 million.

He still has a few more dealerships under his name, including two Toyota Scion, one Chevrolet, a Chrysler Jeep, and a Cadillac franchise.

6. Eli Manning

Elisha Nelson Manning, or Eli Manning, is an American former quarterback who played in the NFL for 16 seasons. Manning represented the New York Giants for the entirety of his 16-year-long career in the NFL.

Eli Manning currently has a staggering net worth of $150 million. Additionally, Manning became the highest-earning player in league history with career earnings of $252 million in salary alone.

Eli-Manning-highest-paid-nfl-player-net-worth
Eli Manning, Giants vs. Redskins. (Source: commons.wikimedia.org)

Manning was one of the hottest prospects for endorsement deals. Furthermore, the two-time Superbowl winner had endorsement deals with Gatorade, DirecTV, Toyota, Reebok, Kraft, Citizen, and Samsung.

By endorsing such heavyweight companies, Manning consistently earned north of $10 million annually from endorsements alone.

5. Drew Brees

Coming in at number five, Drew Christopher Brees is an American former quarterback who played in the NFL for 20 years. Widely known for his time with the New Orleans Saints, Brees has set numerous records in the NFL.

Drew Brees currently has an imposing net worth of $160 million.

Drew earned a massive $250 million just from his salary during his 20-year-long playing career. Likewise, he makes an average of $15 million from endorsements each year.

For more, the Texas-born athlete earned $50 million in salary, bonuses, and endorsements between June 2016 and June 2017. Following that, Brees bagged $43 million between June 2017 and June 2018.

Similarly, he earned another $40 million between 2018 and 2019. In addition, the former quarterback went on to pocket $45 million between 2019 and 2020.

Get all the details about Drew Brees Net Worth: Cars, Contract & Endorsements.

4. Steve Young

Jon Steven Young is an American former quarterback who played in the NFL for 15 seasons. Diversifying his career roles, Young ventured into being a sports commentator and is also widely known for being a smart investor.

The 62-year-old investor currently has a stellar net worth of $200 million. Following his deep-rooted interest in finance, Young pursued and received a Juris Doctor from BYU in 1994.

After that, he co-founded an equity firm named Huntsman Gay Global Capital (HGGC) in 2007. His partners included billionaire Jon M. Huntsman and Robert C. Gay.

On the other hand, his perpetual love for the sport meant he couldn’t stay away from it. Reasoning the same, Young served as a pundit on Monday Night Football.

During his time on Monday Night Football, Young earned an annual salary of $2 million.

3. Tom Brady

Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr., or Tom Brady, is an American football quarterback who currently represents the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The quarterback of Tampa Bay Buccaneers is considered one of the best quarterbacks the league has ever seen.

Tom Brady’s net worth stands at an astounding $250 million.

A master at his craft, Tom has featured in a record nine Super Bowls. Among these, Brady has won the coveted title six times with the New England Patriots. In addition, his six Superbowl rings are the most of any player in NFL history.

Tom Brady.
Tom Brady. (Source: commons.wikimedia.org)

Additionally, the 46-year-old has a record of four Super Bowl MVP awards as well as three NFL MVP awards to his name.

Tom signed for Tampa Bay with a lucrative contract worth a minimum of $50 million over two years. Similarly, he will have a base salary of $15 million, including an additional $10 million roster bonus each year.

Furthermore, Brady’s contract could pay him up to $60 million, provided he manages to achieve set milestones.

2. Peyton Manning

Stepping into our top 2, Peyton Williams Manning is a retired American quarterback who played in the NFL for 18 seasons. Nicknamed “The Sheriff,” Peyton is considered one of the best of all time.

Peyton Manning currently has a whopping net worth of $250 million.

Stepping back to his playing days, Manning was one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. At his peak, the former quarterback earned $18 million in annual NFL salary alone.

On the other hand, Peyton earned heaps from endorsement deals as well. He has signed lucrative endorsement deals with Sony, ESPN, Spring, DirecTV, Master Card, Reebok, and Gatorade.

Furthermore, Manning has appeared in commercials for brands like Buick, Papa Johns, and DirecTV. It is estimated that Peyton earns a minimum of $25 million annually from endorsement deals alone. 

Read Top 77 Peyton Manning Quotes

1. Roger Staubach

Topping our list, Roger Thomas Staubach is an American former quarterback who played in the NFL for 11 years. Staubach was nicknamed a bunch during his career, with “Roger the Dodger,”Captain America,” and “Captain Comeback” being the most notable ones.

Roger Staubach sits on the apex with a colossal net worth of $600 million.

Roger’s stroke of genius came in 1977 where he started his own commercial real estate business, The Staubach Company, with his partner Robert Holloway Jr. 

Roger-Staubach-highest-paid-nfl-player-net-worth
Staubach for the Dallas Cowboys in 1976.

With major businesses like AT&T, McDonald’s, K Mart Corporation, and the Hospital Corporation of America as their clients, The Staubach Company established itself as a profitable frontier for Roger.

After serving the company as its Chairman and CEO until 2007, The Staubach Company was sold for a staggering $613 million in 2008. 

In addition, Roger also became a joint owner of a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Team. The team started racing in 2006.

Conclusion

Be it through lucrative salaries or attractive endorsement deals, NFL players tend to make a fortune. However, very few build on their wealth, be it during or after their playing career.

The aforementioned list caps off our coverage of the 12 highest paid NFL players net worth.

Aaditya Bhatta
Aaditya Bhatta

Aaditya Bhatta

Aaditya Bhatta is a dynamic writer and sports enthusiast, whose passion for both realms is reflected in his work. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, Aaditya brings a unique perspective to his writing, captivating readers with his engaging content.

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Aaditya's journey as a writer and sports aficionado began at a young age when he discovered his passion for both pursuits. Throughout his academic and professional endeavors, Aaditya has honed his skills in content creation and sports analysis, immersing himself in the intricacies of the games he loves.

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