The 10 Highest Paid Players in NFL History
In the NFL, there are plenty of big money contracts, however only a minority of the players see the money in these huge deals. Here is a rundown of the 10 highest paid players in NFL History.
10. Larry Fitzgerald – Wide Receiver – $150+ million
Stats –
Highest Single-Season Earnings: $26 million with option of bonuses
Pro Bowls: 10
Championships: 0
Larry Fitzgerald at 34 years old has played 13 seasons in the NFL and rumours has it he will retire very soon. He has a remarkable career for the Arizona Cardinals were he was drafted as the 3rd pick away back in 2004 NFL draft. He played his college football at Pittsburgh where he earned himself unanimous All-American Honours.
9. Julius Peppers – Defensive End – $160 million
Stats –
Highest Single-Season Earnings: $20.2 million + bonus add-ons
Pro Bowls: 9
Championships: 0
Julius Peppers is now 37 years old and appears to be fitter than ever as he still plays a very important part in the Carolina Panthers team. Peppers began his football days in North Carolina and was drafted by the Panthers in the 2002 NFL Draft. Peppers has also played for the Chicago Bears and more recently the Green Bay Packers until the 2016 season. Peppers is considered to be one of the greatest defensive players of all-time.
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8. Matthew Stafford – Quarterback – $162 millon
Stats –
Highest Single-Season Earnings: $51 millon (signing bonus of $50 million)
Pro Bowls: 1
Championships: 0
Stafford has played 9 seasons in the NFL and is now 29 years old. He currently plays for the Detroit Lions where he signed a whooper $135 million contract. He began his footballing career in Dallas then proceeding to college in Georgia. He was the first pick for the Lions in the 2009 NFL Draft. He is number 8 on the highest paid players in NFL history list.
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7. Ben Roethlisberger – Quarterback – $170 million
Stats –
Highest Single-Season Earnings: $35 millon (signing bonus of $31 million)
Pro Bowls: 5
Championships: 2
Ben has played 14 seasons in the NFL and currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has many accolades to his name including becoming the youngest player Super Bowl-winning quarterback in NFL history when the Steelers defeated the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL at the age of 23.
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6. Carson Palmer – Quarterback – $174 million
Stats –
Highest Single-Season Earnings: $19 millon (signing bonus of $10 million)
Pro Bowls: 3
Championships: 0
Palmer now plays for the Arizona Cardinals as of 2013. He spent most of his career playing for the Cincinatti Bengals where he was their 2003 NFL first pick. At 37 years old and with career earnings now over $170 million he places 6th in the highest paid players in NFL history.
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5. Philip Rivers – Quarterback – $188 million
Stats –
Highest Single-Season Earnings: $32 million (signing bonus of $17 million)
Pro Bowls: 6
Championships: 0
Rivers was born in 1981 and played college football for the NC State. In 2004 he was drafted by the New York Giants. He currently plays for the Los Angeles Chargers and with a passer rating of close to 96 he is the fifth-best all-time among NFL quarterbacks.
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4. Drew Brees – Quarterback – $195 million
Stats –
Highest Single-Season Earnings: $40 millon (signing bonus of $37 million)
Pro Bowls: 10
Championships: 1
After a prolific college footballing career at Purdue University he was chosen by the San Diego Chargers with the first pick in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He currently plays for the New Orlean Saints and at 38 years old Drew is one of the most decorative players to play the game. He has a record of 54 consecutive games with a touchdown pass.
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3. Tom Brady – Quarterback – $197.2 million
Stats –
Highest Single-Season Earnings: $28.8 millon (signing bonus of $28 million)
Pro Bowls: 12
Championships: 5
Tom Brady is one of the most iconic and highest paid players in NFL history. He is now 40 years old and has been playing for the New England Patriots since 2000. He is one of two players to win 5 Super Bowls and the only player to win all 5 with the one team. He has quarterbacked the Patriots to a remarkable 7 Super Bowl appearances and that still remains the most for any player in the NFL. Tom sacrificed most of his earnings for his team early on but he is now cashing in for that and is placed number 3 in the highest paid players in the NFL history.
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2. Eli Manning – Quarterback – $219 million
Stats –
Highest Single-Season Earnings: $37 millon (signing bonus of $31 million)
Pro Bowls: 4
Championships: 2
Eli Manning is the quarterback for the New York Giants and has been playing for them since 2004. Manning holds the Giants records for the most passing yards, touchdown passes, and completed passes in a career. He has led the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XLII and XLVI, defeating the New England Patriots in both. If he plays out the final two years of his current contract, his earning will rise to a whooping $250 million.
1. Peyton Manning – Quarterback – $249 million.
Stats –
Highest Single-Season Earnings: $35 millon (signing bonus of $34.5 million)
Pro Bowls: 14
Championships: 2
Manning played in a lucrative 18 seasons in the NFL, he is the former quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos. He is considered to be one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time due to all is career achievements. He was selected first in the 1998 NFL Draft by the Colts. Manning holds many records such as most passing yards (71,940), touchdown passes (539) and also Pro Bowl Appearances of 14. When he was 39, he was the oldest quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl and also cashed in a paycheck bonus of $4 million.
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