Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (2024)

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Tyler Lauletta and Cork Gaines

2022-12-22T19:46:10Z

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (1)

There are now 53 NFL players who have made at least $100 million in their careers.
The list is loaded with quarterbacks, with Tom Brady recently taking over the top spot.
Below are the 34 highest-paid players in NFL history, heading into the 2022 season and updated with the help of data from Spotrac.com.

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34. Michael Vick, QB — $116.0 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (2)

Seasons: 13

Highest single-season earnings: $22.6 million (2005; includes $25.5 million restructure bonus)

Championships: 0

Pro Bowls: 4

First-team All-Pro: 0

One thing to know: Vick missed two seasons in the prime of his career following his dog-fighting conviction.

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33. Jason Peters, LT — $117.3 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (3)

Seasons: 18

Highest single-season earnings: $21.5 million (2009; includes $11 million signing bonus)

Championships: 1

Pro Bowls: 9

First-team All-Pro: 2

One thing to know: Jason Peters is one of just two undrafted players to earn more than $100 million in their playing career, joining Tony Romo on the exclusive list.

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32. Mario Williams, DE — $120.4 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (4)

Seasons:11

Highest single-season earnings: $25 million (2012; includes $19 million signing bonus)

Championships:0

Pro Bowls: 4

First-team All-Pro: 1

One thing to know: Mario Williams was a No. 1 overall draft pick back when No. 1 overall draft picks received gigantic rookie contracts. Williams' first deal with the Texans was for six years and $54 million.

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31. Joe Haden, CB — $121.5 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (5)

Seasons: 12

Highest single-season earnings: $23.0 million (2014; includes $16 million signing bonus)

Championships: 0

Pro Bowls: 3

First-team All-Pro: 0

One thing to know: Joe Haden is a free agent heading into the 2022 NFL season, but isgetting recruited hard to join the Buffalo Billsas they push for a Super Bowl.

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30. Gerald McCoy, DT — $122.1 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (6)

Seasons: 12

Highest single-season earnings: $14.0 million (2015; includes $9.0 million in bonuses)

Championships: 0

Pro Bowls: 6

First-team All-Pro: 1

One thing to know: McCoy signed a three-year, $18 million contract with the Cowboys before the 2020 season. However, he was paid just the $3 million signing bonus and was released before Week 1 after suffering a season-ending leg injury.

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29. Jay Cutler, QB — $122.2 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (7)

Seasons: 12

Highest single-season earnings:$20.5 million (2015; includes $5 million restructurebonus)

Championships: 0

Pro Bowls: 1

First-team All-Pro: 0

One thing to know: Cutler retired after the 2016 season. He later stepped away from a TV job to sign a one-year, $10 million contract to replace the Miami Dolphins' injured quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, in 2017, but hasn't played again since.

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28. Joe Thomas, LT — $122.9 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (8)

Seasons:11

Highest single-season earnings: $19.1 million (2011; includes $6 million signing bonus)

Championships: 0

Pro Bowls:10

First-team All-Pro:6

One thing to know: Thomas had not missed a game in his career and had never missed a singlesnapuntil suffering an injury during the 2017 season, the final year of his career.

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27. Darrelle Revis, CB — $124.2 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (9)

Seasons: 11

Highest single-season earnings:$25 million (2011; includes $18 million optionbonus)

Championships: 1

Pro Bowls:7

First-team All-Pro: 4

One thing to know: In a league where most players are forced to take safe contracts,Revis continually bet on himself and won, often forgoing long-term deals. Instead, he took repeated chances in free agency.

26. Tony Romo, QB — $127.4 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (10)

Seasons: 14

Highest single-season earnings: $26.5 million (2013; includes $25 million signing bonus)

Championships: 0

Pro Bowls: 4

First-team All-Pro: 0

One thing to know: Romo chose retirement following the 2016 season over playing for another team. He is now earning a lot of praise — and money — for his work in the TV booth.

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25. Calais Campbell, DE — $128.1 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (11)

Seasons: 14

Highest single-season earnings: $17.0 million (2012; includes $16 million signing bonus)

Championships: 0

Pro Bowls: 6

First-team All-Pro: 1

One thing to know: At 35 years old heading into 2022, Campbell is still playing at a high level, signing a two-year deal worth $12.5 million to stay in Baltimore.

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24. Sam Bradford, QB — $130.0 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (12)

Seasons:9

Highest single-season earnings: $26.8 million (2011; includes $18 million signing bonus)

Championships: 0

Pro Bowls:0

First-team All-Pro:0

One thing to know:Bradford eclipsed the $100 million mark early in his career due in large part to luck and timing. He was the first pick in the 2010 draft, the last class before the NFL put restrictions on how much rookies could be paid. He was cut by the Cardinals after just three games in 2018 and has not played since.

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23. Cam Newton, QB — 133.5 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (13)

Seasons: 11

Highest single-season earnings: $24.0 million (2015; includes $15.5 million signing bonus)

Championships: 0

Pro Bowls: 3

First-team All-Pro: 1

One thing to know: Newton was cut by the Panthers before the final season of his five-year, $103.8 million contract. Instead of making $19.1 million with the Panthers, he signed a one-year, $1.1 million deal with the Patriots in 2020. He returned to Carolina in 2021, starting five games under center, but now remains a free agent.

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22. Brett Favre, QB — $137.8 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (14)

Seasons: 20

Highest single-season earnings: $16 million (2010; includes $4.4 million signing bonus)

Championships: 1

Pro Bowls: 11

First-team All-Pro: 3

One thing to know: Favre only made more than $12 million once while with the Packers, but he made more than that in each of his three seasons with the Jets and Vikings.

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21. Ryan Tannehill, QB — $140.0 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (15)

Seasons: 10

Highest single-season earnings: $37.5 million (2020; includes $20 million signing bonus)

Championships: 0

Pro Bowls: 1

First-team All-Pro: 0

One thing to know: After taking over the starting job in Tennessee from Marcus Mariota in 2019, Tannehill went on to lead the Titans to the AFC Championship game, leading the NFL in passer rating on the way there. In the process, he earned himself a massive new deal with the team.

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20. Trent Williams, LT — $140.6 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (16)

Seasons: 12

Highest single-season earnings: $32.3 million (2021; includes $30.1 million signing bonus)

Championships: 0

Pro Bowls: 9

First-team All-Pro: 1

One thing to know: Trent Williams signed his huge six-year, $138 million extension with the 49ers during the 2021 off-season, resetting the market for elite offensive tackles in the process.

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19. Julio Jones, WR — $140.6 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (17)

Seasons: 11

Highest single-season earnings: $26.5 million (2019; includes $25 million signing bonus)

Championships: 2

Pro Bowls: 8

First-team All-Pro: 3

One thing to know: Julio Jones' initial extension with the Falcons set a new high mark in the receivers market, which has since exploded to new heights. At 33 years old, he's looking to add another chapter to his already spectacular career, joining Tom Brady and the Buccaneers for the 2022 campaign.

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18. Von Miller, LB — $144.5 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (18)

Seasons: 11

Highest single-season earnings: $25.1 million (2016; includes $17 million signing bonus)

Championships: 2

Pro Bowls: 8

First-team All-Pro: 3

One thing to know: Miller was traded from the Broncos to the Rams in the middle of the 2021 season and wound up helping Los Angeles to a Super Bowl victory. After moving to Buffalo, Miller will attempt to find similar success in his debut season with the Bills.

17. Kirk Cousins, QB — $161.7 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (19)

Seasons: 10

Highest single-season earnings: $40 million (2020; includes $30 million signing bonus)

Championships: 0

Pro Bowls: 3

First-team All-Pro: 0

One thing to know: Cousins has made a lot of money in his career, buthe still drives a 2000 GMC passenger van.

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16. Julius Peppers, LB — $165.0 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (20)

Seasons: 17

Highest single-season earnings: $20.2 million (2010; includes $6.5 million signing bonus)

Championships: 0

Pro Bowls:9

First-team All-Pro: 3

One thing to know: After several seasons with the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, Peppers returned to his original club, signing a $3.5 million deal to play with the Carolina Panthers. In January 2019, he retired at age 39.

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15. Ndamukong Suh, DT — $166.2 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (21)

Seasons: 12

Highest single-season earnings: $26.5 million (2015; includes $25.5 million signing bonus)

Championships: 1

Pro Bowls: 5

First-team All-Pro:3

One thing to know: Much was made of Suh's six-year, $114.4 million contract with the Dolphins, but like many large deals in the NFL, it was mostly a sham. Instead, he made $60 million over three years before he was released to save space on the salary cap. It all worked out in the end for Suh, though, who joined the Buccaneers and wound up winning a title.

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14. Joe Flacco, QB — $171.0 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (22)

Seasons: 14

Highest single-season earnings: $30.0 million (2013; includes $29 million signing bonus)

Championships:1

Pro Bowls:0

First-team All-Pro:0

One thing to know:Joe Flacco has elite career earnings.

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13. Carson Palmer, QB — $174.1 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (23)

Seasons: 15

Highest single-season earnings: $19.0 million (2014; includes $10 million signing bonus)

Championships: 0

Pro Bowls:3

First-team All-Pro: 0

One thing to know:Palmer's $24.1 million cap hit during the 2017 seasonwas second only to Joe Flacco ($24.6 million). It would be his final season in the NFL.

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12. Larry Fitzgerald, WR — $180.7 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (24)

Seasons: 17

Highest single-season earnings: $26.3 million (2012; includes $15 million option bonus)

Championships: 0

Pro Bowls:11

First-team All-Pro: 1

One thing to know: Fitzgerald is now No. 2 on the all-time receiving yards list and all-time receptions list, and No. 6 on the all-time receiving TDs list. He is just 117 catches behind Jerry Rice for the all-time record.

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11. Russell Wilson, QB — $181.4 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (25)

Seasons: 10

Highest single-season earnings: $53.0 million (2020; includes $35 million signing bonus)

Championships: 1

Pro Bowls: 9

First-team All-Pro: 0

One thing to know: Wilson signed a four-year, $140 million contract prior to the 2019 season. The $35 million average annual value was the largest in NFL history at the time. It has since been surpassed by Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. Now with the Broncos, Russell could set another new market high should his Denver debut be a success.

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10. Alex Smith, QB — $189.7 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (26)

Seasons: 16

Highest single-season earnings: $40.0 million (2018; includes $27 million signing bonus)

Championships: 0

Pro Bowls:3

First-team All-Pro:0

One thing to know: Often referred to by the pejorative "game manager," Smith has led his team to the playoffs five times in seven years. But his career was put in jeopardy during the 2018 season when he suffered a gruesome broken leg. After returning to action briefly in 2020, Smith won Comeback Player of the Year before retiring in the 2021 off-season.

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9. Matthew Stafford, QB — $239.3 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (27)

Seasons: 13

Highest single-season earnings: $51.1 million (2017; includes $50 million signing bonus)

Championships: 1

Pro Bowls:1

First-team All-Pro:0

One thing to know: Stafford's move to the Rams in 2021 resulted in a Super Bowl win. You get what you pay for.

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8. Philip Rivers, QB — $243.9 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (28)

Seasons: 17

Highest single-season earnings: $32 million (2015; includes $17 million signing bonus)

Championships: 0

Pro Bowls: 8

First-team All-Pro: 0

One thing to know: Rivers announced his retirement from the NFL after a single season with the Colts.

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7. Peyton Manning, QB — $248.7 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (29)

Seasons: 18

Highest single-season earnings: $35 million (2004; includes $34.5 million signing bonus)

Championships:2

Pro Bowls: 14

First-team All-Pro: 7

One thing to know:Manning's final paycheck in the NFL was a $4 million bonus for winning the Super Bowl in 2015.He had one year and $19 million remaining on his Broncos contract when he retired.

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6. Eli Manning, QB — $252.3 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (30)

Seasons: 16

Highest single-season earnings: $37 million (2015; includes $31 million signing bonus)

Championships: 2

Pro Bowls: 4

First-team All-Pro: 0

One thing to know: Manning retired from the NFL after 16 seasons and two Super Bowl wins. In his final season, the Giants paid him $17 million, which made him the highest-paid player in NFL history at the time. Not bad for being maybe just the third-best quarterback in his family.

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5. Aaron Rodgers, QB — $263.6 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (31)

Seasons: 17

Highest single-season earnings: $66.9 million (2018; includes $57.5 million signing bonus)

Championships: 1

Pro Bowls: 10

First-team All-Pro: 4

One thing to know: Rodgers' back-to-back MVP awards are nice, but he'd undoubtedly prefer another Lombardi in his trophy case. After his most recent extension, it's likely he'll finish his career in Green Bay after a somewhat contentious off-season.

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4. Matt Ryan, QB — $267.0 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (32)

Seasons: 14

Highest single-season earnings: $44.8 million (2019; includes $42 million in various bonuses)

Championships: 0

Pro Bowls:4

First-team All-Pro:1

One thing to know: Ryan's five-year, $103.8 million extension was set to expire after the 2018 season. He then signed a five-year, $150 million extension with a $46.5 million signing bonus. The $100 million total guarantee in the deal was the largest ever for an NFL contract at the time.

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3. Ben Roethlisberger, QB — $267.3 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (33)

Seasons: 18

Highest single-season earnings: $35.3 million (2015; includes $31 million signing bonus)

Championships: 2

Pro Bowls:6

First-team All-Pro: 0

One thing to know: The 2021 season was Big Ben's final year in the NFL, with Roethlisberger making clear before the start of the season that he was willing to do whatever was necessary with his contract to make it happen.

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2. Drew Brees, QB — $269.7 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (34)

Seasons: 20

Highest single-season earnings: $40 million (2012; includes $37 million signing bonus)

Championships: 1

Pro Bowls: 13

First-team All-Pro: 1

One thing to know: Before retiring from the NFL, Brees held the top spot on the highest-paid list over Tom Brady, but Brady's longevity eventually saw him surpass his former rival.

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1. Tom Brady, QB — $303.0 million

Tom Brady tops the list of the highest-paid NFL players of all time (35)

Seasons: 22

Highest single-season earnings: $39.4 million (2021; includes $35 million signing bonus)

Championships: 7

Pro Bowls: 15

First-team All-Pro: 3

One thing to know:Brady sacrificed at least $60 million in his career by signing discounted contracts when he was with the Patriots.