The NFL has been going strong for over five decades since the merger took effect in 1970, and it’s safe to say player salaries and the league’s salary cap have skyrocketed since. Especially so in the last two decades.
Today’s elite NFL players are commonly paid low-to-mid eight figures annually, with the top earner, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, taking home over $63 million each year, on average. And that’s without his off-field endorsements and business ventures.
Unsurprisingly, this all-time career earnings list is heavily influenced by modern quarterbacks. In fact, only three non-quarterbacks are still in the top 25 below (and none in the top 15).
Can you guess them?
More NFL Contract Rankings
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NFL Career Earnings Leaderboard
All totals are through the end of the 2026 NFL season, verified by Spotrac.
1. Matthew Stafford (QB)
- Career Earnings: $448.3 million
- Teams: Lions, Rams
2. Aaron Rodgers (QB)
- Career Earnings: $417.3 million
- Teams: Packers, Jets, Steelers
3. Dak Prescott (QB)
- Career Earnings: $337.8 million
- Teams: Cowboys
4. Kirk Cousins (QB)
- Career Earnings: $332.99 million
- Teams: Commanders, Vikings, Falcons, Raiders
5. Tom Brady (QB)
- Career Earnings: $332.96 million
- Teams: Patriots, Buccaneers
MORE: Tom Brady Net Worth: NFL GOAT’s Value Continues to Soar After Football
6. Russell Wilson (QB)
- Career Earnings: $315.8 million
- Teams: Seahawks, Broncos, Steelers, Giants
7. Jared Goff (QB)
- Career Earnings: $314.6 million
- Teams: Rams, Lions
8. Matt Ryan (QB)
- Career Earnings: $303.7 million
- Teams: Falcons, Colts
9. Patrick Mahomes (QB)
- Career Earnings: $288.7 million
- Teams: Chiefs
MORE: How Much Does Patrick Mahomes Make Today?
10. Josh Allen (QB)
- Career Earnings: $287.6 million
- Teams: Bills
11. Deshaun Watson (QB)
- Career Earnings: $280.8 million
- Teams: Texans, Browns
12. Drew Brees (QB)
- Career Earnings: $271.5 million
- Teams: Chargers, Saints
13. Ben Roethlisberger (QB)
- Career Earnings: $267.2 million
- Teams: Steelers
14. Eli Manning (QB)
- Career Earnings: $252.2 million
- Teams: Giants
15. Peyton Manning (QB)
- Career Earnings: $248.7 million
- Teams: Colts, Broncos
16. Philip Rivers (QB)
- Career Earnings: $244.2 million
- Teams: Chargers, Colts
17. Trent Williams (OL)
- Career Earnings: $242.5 million
- Teams: Commanders, 49ers
18. Lamar Jackson (QB)
- Career Earnings: $240.0 million
- Teams: Ravens
19. Joe Burrow (QB)
- Career Earnings: $212.4 million
- Teams: Bengals
20. Kyler Murray (QB)
- Career Earnings: $208.2 million
- Teams: Cardinals, Vikings
21. Derek Carr (QB)
- Career Earnings: $205.6 million
- Teams: Raiders, Saints
22. Khalil Mack (EDGE)
- Career Earnings: $205.5 million
- Teams: Raiders, Bears, Chargers
23. Von Miller (LB)
- Career Earnings: $204.3 million
- Teams: Broncos, Rams, Bills, Commanders, Cowboys
24. Ryan Tannehill (QB)
- Career Earnings: $195.9 million
- Teams: Titans, Dolphins
25. Joe Flacco (QB)
- Career Earnings: $190.4 million
- Teams: Ravens, Broncos, Jets, Eagles, Browns, Colts, Bengals
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