Elite sports make millions of dollars in profits every year, and the National Football League is no exception, as each team has the potential to sign major contracts with its players.
The NFL is known for offering shorter contracts than other leagues like MLB. However, according to various media reports, it provides very high economic benefits.
There are some players on this list who rank as by far the highest paid players in NFL history. Here are their details:
|
Year |
player |
equipment |
contract |
profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2020 |
patrick mahomes |
kansas city chiefs |
10 years |
$450 million |
|
2023 |
Joe Burrow |
cincinnati tigers |
5 years |
US$55,000,000 |
|
2023 |
Justin Herbert |
Los Angeles Chargers |
5 years |
$52,500,000 |
|
2023 |
Lamar Jackson |
baltimore ravens |
5 years |
$52,000,000 |
|
2021 |
Josh Allen |
buffalo bill |
6 years |
$43,005,667 |
|
2023 |
Jaylen is injured |
philadelphia eagles |
5 years |
$51,000,000 |
|
2022 |
Russell Wilson |
denver broncos |
5 years |
$48,517,647 USD |
|
2022 |
Kyle Murray |
arizona cardinals |
5 years |
$46,100,000 |
|
2022 |
Deshaun Watson |
cleveland browns |
5 years |
$46,000,000 |
|
2023 |
patrick mahomes |
kansas city chiefs |
4 years |
US$210,600,000 |
|
2023 |
Nick Bosa |
San Francisco 49ers |
5 years |
$34,000,000 |
|
2021 |
Dak Prescott |
dallas cowboys |
4 years |
$40,000,000 |
|
2022 |
Matthew Stafford |
Los Angeles Rams |
4 years |
$40,000,000 |
|
2023 |
Daniel Jones |
new york giants |
4 years |
$40,000,000 |
|
2020 |
Deshaun Watson |
houston texans |
4 years |
$39,000,000 |
This list does not include the legendary Tom Brady (7-time Super Bowl Champion and 5-time MVP), who earned $332,962,392 in 23 years, and Drew Brees, who earned $332,962,392 in 23 years. Retire in 2021, having accumulated $269,710,422.
Recent news has Mahomes as the best player on the contract so far, tied to a modification to his recent deal with the Chiefs that will see him earn a total of $210.6 million between 2023 and 2026.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has agreed to a restructured deal with the team that will give the two-time Super Bowl star over four years, Mahomes’ agency confirmed on its verified social media account. Bowl winners were paid a record $210.6 million. /7iu3YComHi
—CNN (@CNN) September 19, 2023
The 28-year-old American, who won the 2023 Super Bowl MVP award, will continue his role in the championship team as he himself has made it clear that he wants to remain a part of the team. An example is that in 2020, he revealed to the media: ‘I just want to make sure I’m going to be at the Chiefs for a long time’ I added: “We worked really well with my agent, Chris Cabot.”
Regarding the money the team will now give him, president Clark Hunter revealed to the media: “I don’t know if there’s really a way to quantify it financially, no matter how much money you make throughout your career, you’re never going to get paid enough no matter what.”