15 richest NFL players and their journey from touchdowns to tycoons
The NFL has produced great players who are among the wealthiest athletes in the world. These players have made money through their salaries, brand endorsements, and businesses. Some of the richest NFL players include Roger Staubach, Fran Tarkenton, and Tom Brady.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Top 15 richest NFL players
- 15. Ben Roethlisberger — $100 million
- 14. John Elway — $145 million
- 13. Matthew Stafford — $150 million
- 12. Joe Montana — $150 million
- 11. Kirk Cousins — $160 million
- 10. Eli Manning — $160 million
- 9. Drew Brees — $160 million
- 8. Russell Wilson — $165 million
- 7. Steve Young — $200 million
- 6. John Madden — $200 million
- 5. Aaron Rodgers — $200 million
- 4. Peyton Manning — $250 million
- 3. Tom Brady — $300 million
- 2. Fran Tarkenton — $300 million
- 1. Roger Staubach — $600 million
- Who is the richest current NFL player?
- Who is the highest-paid player in the NFL?
- Who is the richest NFL player ever?
- Is there a billionaire in the NFL?
Key takeaways
- The National Football League has produced many wealthy players since its inception in September 1920.
- NFL players make additional money through endorsement deals, business, and other ventures.
- Roger Staubach's $600 million net worth makes him the richest NFL player.
Top 15 richest NFL players
When compiling this list of the richest NFL players, we considered publicly available information from official sites such as Celebrity Net Worth, NFL news, and other reliable sources. The figures mentioned are estimates and may not reflect the exact current net worth of the individuals due to various economic and financial influences.
| Rank | Name | Net worth |
| 1 | Roger Staubach | $600 million |
| 2 | Fran Tarkenton | $300 million |
| 3 | Tom Brady | $300 million |
| 4 | Peyton Manning | $250 million |
| 5 | Aaron Rodgers | $200 million |
| 6 | John Madden | $200 million |
| 7 | Steve Young | $200 million |
| 8 | Russell Wilson | $165 million |
| 9 | Drew Brees | $160 million |
| 10 | Eli Manning | $160 million |
| 11 | Kirk Cousins | $160 million |
| 12 | Joe Montana | $150 million |
| 13 | Matthew Stafford | $150 million |
| 14 | John Elway | $145 million |
| 15 | Ben Roethlisberger | $100 million |
15. Ben Roethlisberger — $100 million
Source: Getty Images
- Date of birth: 2 March 1982
- Place of birth: Lima, Ohio, United States
- Age: 43 years (as of February 2025)
- Net worth: $100 million
- Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger, also called Big Ben, is a retired quarterback for the Steelers, estimated to be worth $100 million. He played for the team throughout his 18-year career, helping his team win two Super Bowls.
Roethlisberger's talent on the field led to very high paychecks from the team and also made deals with big companies like Nike. Big Ben is also a wealthy businessman who invested in various businesses, including Big Ben's BBQ Sauce.
14. John Elway — $145 million
Source: Getty Images
- Date of birth: 28 June 1960
- Place of birth: Port Angeles, Washington, United States
- Age: 64 years (as of February 2025)
- Net worth: $145 million
- Team: Denver Broncos
John Elway is a famous retired quarterback who played for the Denver Broncos for 16 years. He helped his team reach the Super Bowl five times, winning twice. Elway was also named the league's best player once and made it to the Pro Bowl nine times.
When he retired in 1999, he had won more games than any other quarterback at that time. He later became General Manager and President of Football Operations for the Broncos. Elway was honoured in the Football Hall of Fame and is estimated to have a net worth of $145 million.
13. Matthew Stafford — $150 million
Source: Getty Images
- Date of birth: 7 February 1988
- Place of birth: Tampa, Florida, United States
- Age: 37 years (as of February 2025)
- Net worth: $150 million
- Team: Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford has been a quarterback for the Detroit Lions before joining the Los Angeles Rams. Stafford was picked by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2009 draft.
Stafford joined the Rams in 2021 and helped them win Super Bowl LVI over the Cincinnati Bengals. He is alleged to be worth $150 million.
12. Joe Montana — $150 million
Source: Getty Images
- Date of birth: 11 June 1956
- Place of birth: United States
- Age: 68 years (as of February 2025)
- Net worth: $150 million
- Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs
Joe Montana, also known as Joe Cool or The Comeback Kid, is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. He played for the San Francisco 49ers for many years before moving to the Kansas City Chiefs. Montana helped the 49ers win the Super Bowl four times and was named the best player in the Super Bowl three times.
Joe Montana was selected to the Pro Bowl eight times and was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player twice. He was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 2000. The player is estimated to be worth $150 million.
11. Kirk Cousins — $160 million
Source: Getty Images
- Date of birth: 19 August 1988
- Place of birth: Barrington, Illinois, United States
- Age: 36 years (as of February 2025)
- Net worth: $160 million
- Teams: Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings
Kirk Cousins is an NFL quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. He began his football career in the NFL in 2012. Kirk has made significant achievements, including being selected for the Pro Bowl four times.
Besides the Falcons, the footballer has played for other teams like Washington Redskins, and Minnesota Vikings. Kirk Cousins has an alleged net worth of $160 million.
10. Eli Manning — $160 million
Source: Getty Images
- Date of birth: 3 January 1981
- Place of birth: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
- Age: 44 years (as of February 2025)
- Net worth: $160 million
- Team: New York Giants
Eli Manning is a retired American quarterback with a 16-year career in the NFL. He was selected in the 2004 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers but was immediately traded to the New York Giants.
Eli's achievements include leading the Giants to Super Bowl wins and being named the Most Valuable Player in both games. The player retired from the NFL on 22 January 2020 as the highest-earning player in league history. Manning is alleged to have a net worth of $160 million.
9. Drew Brees — $160 million
Source: Getty Images
- Date of birth: 15 January 1979
- Place of birth: United States
- Age: 46 years (as of February 2025)
- Net worth: $160 million
- Teams: New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers
Drew Brees is a retired quarterback who had a successful 20-year career in the NFL. He played with the San Diego Chargers for five seasons before joining the New Orleans Saints in 2006.
Drew led the Saints to their first Super Bowl win in 2010 and was named the Most Valuable Player of the game. He retired from the NFL on 14 March 2021 and is estimated to be worth $160 million.
8. Russell Wilson — $165 million
Source: Getty Images
- Date of birth: 29 November 1988
- Place of birth: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
- Age: 36 years (as of February 2025)
- Net worth: $165 million
- Teams: New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson is a professional NFL quarterback who plays with the New York Giants. He is referred by many as a "dual-threat" quarterback because of his throwing and running skills on the field.
Besides playing for the Giants, Wilson has played for the Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, and Pittsburgh Steelers. While playing with the Seahawks, he was named to the Pro Bowl nine times and helped them win their first Super Bowl in Super Bowl XLVIII. Russell Wilson is estimated to be worth $165 million.
7. Steve Young — $200 million
Source: Getty Images
- Date of birth: 11 October 1961
- Place of birth: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Age: 63 years (as of February 2025)
- Net worth: $200 million
- Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Steve Young is a retired football quarterback who had a remarkable career. He primarily played for the San Francisco 49ers and is considered one of the most accurate quarterbacks in NFL history.
Steve Young won numerous accolades throughout his career, such as winning the NFL's Most Valuable Player twice. He retired after the 1999 season and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005. Steve Young has an estimated net worth of $200 million.
6. John Madden — $200 million
Source: Getty Images
- Date of birth: 10 April 1936
- Place of birth: United States
- Age: 85 years (as of December 2021)
- Net worth: $200 million
- Teams: NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders
John Madden's influence on the NFL is profound and multifaceted. The former player was drafted in the 21st round by the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles in 1958. Besides playing football, he was a successful head coach, a sports broadcaster, and an entrepreneur. He was the owner of the Madden NFL video game, which became a huge success.
Madden is alleged to have had a net worth of $200 million at the time of his death. He passed away on December 28, 2021, at 85 years old.
5. Aaron Rodgers — $200 million
Source: Getty Images
- Date of birth: 2 December 1983
- Place of birth: Chico, California, United States
- Age: 41 years (as of February 2025)
- Net worth: $200 million
- Teams: Green Bay Packers, New York Jets
Aaron Rodgers is one of the most talented athletes and highest-paid players in the NFL. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the NFL draft. The professional quarterback played for the Green Bay Packers for most of his career before he moved to the New York Jets in April 2023.
Besides football, Rodgers also makes money from endorsement deals. He is estimated to have a net worth of $200 million.
4. Peyton Manning — $250 million
Source: Getty Images
- Date of birth: 24 March 1976
- Place of birth: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
- Age: 49 years (as of February 2025)
- Net worth: $250 million
- Teams: Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos
Peyton Manning, also known as The Sheriff, is thought of as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. He has an impressive career that lasted 18 years and was known for his smart plays, and his careful planning.
Manning was the very first player chosen in the 1998 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. He helped the team become the Super Bowl champions in 2007. After 14 seasons with the Colts, he played for the Denver Broncos for four seasons. Manning is estimated to be worth $250 million.
3. Tom Brady — $300 million
Source: Getty Images
- Date of birth: 3 August 1977
- Place of birth: San Mateo, California, United States
- Age: 47 years (as of February 2025)
- Net worth: $300 million
- Teams: New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady is a retired quarterback, spokesman, and entrepreneur. He played for the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a career spanning 23 seasons.
Brady played in a record 10 Super Bowls, winning seven, and is widely considered the greatest quarterback of all time. Additionally, he won a record five Super Bowl MVP awards as well as three NFL MVP awards. Tom Brady's net worth is estimated to be $300 million.
2. Fran Tarkenton — $300 million
Source: Getty Images
- Date of birth: 3 February 1940
- Place of birth: Richmond, Virginia, United States
- Age: 85 years (as of February 2025)
- Net worth: $300 million
Fran Tarkenton is a former NFL quarterback and TV personality. He made a fortune in his 18-season NFL career between 1961 and 1978. Fran played primarily for the Minnesota Vikings, with a stint with the New York Giants in between.
Besides football, Fran was a cohost on the live television show That's Incredible! and a commentator on Monday Night Football. The former NFL player is estimated to be worth $300 million.
1. Roger Staubach — $600 million
Source: Getty Images
- Date of birth: 5 February 1942
- Place of birth: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
- Age: 83 years (as of February 2025)
- Net worth: $600 million
- Team: Dallas Cowboys
Roger Staubach, also known as Roger the Dodger or Captain Comeback, is celebrated as a former professional football player. He is best known as a Dallas Cowboys quarterback and is one of the richest NFL players with an alleged net worth of $600 million. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys, Staubach in the 1964 NFL Draft in the 10th round.
Before joining the NFL, he served in the Military and played for the Navy Midshipmen football team. Some of his achievements include winning two Super Bowls and being named the 1972 Super Bowl Most Valuable Player.
Who is the richest current NFL player?
Aaron Rodgers is the richest NFL player. He plays for the New York Jets and is estimated to be worth $200 million.
Who is the highest-paid player in the NFL?
Dak Prescott is the highest paid NFL player. He plays as a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys and is paid $60 million AAV.
Who is the richest NFL player ever?
Roger Staubach, also known as Roger the Dodger, is the richest NFL player ever. He played for the Dallas Cowboys and is estimated to be worth $600 million.
Is there a billionaire in the NFL?
No, there is no billionare player in the NFL. However, the late Jerry Richardson who was a businessman and owner in the National Football League, was a billionaire.
The richest NFL players have made their wealth beyond just playing football. They also earn money from salaries, endorsement deals, and wise business investments. These players' wealth has outlasted their playing days, ensuring generational wealth for their families.
Legit.ng published an article about the lowest-paid NFL players, highlighting the positions and salaries of athletes who earn the least in the league. Despite the enormous salaries in the NFL, there are positions that attract significantly lower pay.
The article delves into the factors influencing these pay disparities and reveals the financial realities for these players. Learn more about the lowest-paid NFL players and their positions.
Source: Legit.ng
