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Sam Dunn
Sam Dunn

Highest-paid NFL Players of All Time

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning waged memorable showdowns on the football field. How do they stack up in all-time NFL salary earnings? (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Last Updated: October 18, 2023
From Brady, Brees, and Big Ben to Peyton and Eli, who are the highest-paid NFL players in history? You have questions about salary and earnings, Boardroom has answers.

For the 2021 season, answering the question as to who was the highest-paid NFL player was a matter of interpretation. If you’re going by both total contract value or average annual value, Patrick Mahomes dominated the competition. Meanwhile, the single highest salary belonged to Dak Prescott, whose signing bonus structure landed him an incredible single-season windfall of $75 million.

This year, quarterbacks are dominating the cash compensation rankings thanks to a flurry of new deals signed by the likes of Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson, and Kyler Murray. But it all got us thinking — who tops the list of the NFL’s highest-paid players in history?

So, who does round out the rest of the list of the biggest earners in the history of the Association? You have questions, Boardroom has answers — check out the master list of highest-paid NFL players of all time.

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Highest-paid NFL Players in History

All dollar figures via Spotrac. Reflects total cash salary compensation through the 2022 NFL season.

1. QB Tom Brady: $332,962,392

2. Jets QB Aaron Rodgers: $305,608,010

3. Rams QB Matthew Stafford: $300,806,037

4. QB Matt Ryan: $291,713,631

  • Career: 2008-present
  • NFL seasons: 15

5. QB Drew Brees: $269,710,422

  • Career: 2001-20
  • NFL seasons: 20

6. QB Ben Roethlisberger: $267,286,864

  • Career: 2004-21
  • NFL seasons: 18

7. QB Eli Manning: $252,280,004

  • Career: 2004-19
  • NFL seasons: 16

8. QB Peyton Manning: $248,732,000

  • Career: 1998-15
  • NFL seasons: 18

9. QB Philip Rivers: $243,944,322

  • Career: 2004-20
  • NFL seasons: 17

10. Broncos QB Russell Wilson: $238,362,520

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11. Vikings QB Kirk Cousins: $201,669,486

12. QB Alex Smith: $189,725,000

  • Career: 2005-20
  • NFL seasons: 16

13. WR Larry Fitzgerald: $180,757,239

  • Career: 2004-20
  • NFL seasons: 17

14. Jets QB Joe Flacco: $174,383,819

  • Career: 2008-present
  • NFL seasons: 15

15. QB Carson Palmer: $164,973,786

  • Career: 2003-17
  • NFL seasons: 15

16. Titans QB Ryan Tannehill: $168,975,979

  • Career: 2012-present
  • NFL seasons: 10

17. DT Ndamukong Suh: $168,165,157

  • Career: 2010-present
  • NFL seasons: 13

18. DE Julius Peppers: $164,973,786

  • Career: 2002-18
  • NFL seasons: 17

19. Bills OLB Von Miller: $164,385,534

  • Career: 2011-present
  • NFL seasons: 12

20. 49ers OT Trent Williams: $148,540,970

  • Career: 2010-present
  • NFL seasons: 13

21. Buccaneers WR Julio Jones: $148,125,821

  • Career: 2011-present
  • NFL seasons: 12

22. QB Brett Favre: $137,829,000

  • Career: 1991-2010
  • NFL seasons: 20

23. Saints QB Derek Carr: $135,666,395

24. Lions QB Jared Goff: $135,041,068

  • Career: 2016-present
  • NFL seasons: 7

25. Ravens DE Calais Campbell: $134,591,393

  • Career: 2008-present
  • NFL seasons: 15

Other Notable Career NFL Earners

26. Cowboys QB Tony Romo: $127,422,458
34. QB Michael Vick: $115,952,908
36. DE J.J. Watt: $129,748,000
38. Lions WR Calvin Johnson: $112,216,086
42. Colts QB Andrew Luck: $109,107,998
48. RB Adrian Peterson: $103,215,972
49. CB Champ Bailey: $102,807,025
55. QB Donovan McNabb: $99,689,735
57. OLB Dwight Freeney: $98,394,175
59. CB/SS Charles Woodson: $97,899,369
62. Rams DT Aaron Donald: $$128,614,238
66. Ravens LB Ray Lewis: $95,725,000
87. CB Richard Sherman: $83,860,115
89. OLB Clay Matthews: $83,505,252
92. WR Isaac Bruce: $50,716,865

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Sam Dunn

Sam Dunn is the Managing Editor of Boardroom. Before joining the team, he was an editor and multimedia talent for several sports and culture verticals at Minute Media and an editor, reporter, and site manager at SB Nation. A specialist in content strategy, copywriting, and SEO, he has additionally worked as a digital consultant in the corporate services, retail, and tech industries. He cannot be expected to be impartial on any matter regarding the Florida Gators or Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter @RealFakeSamDunn.