Becoming a quarterback in the NFL is practically a guaranteed way to become a celebrity. Everyone looks to them for leadership, and they’re where a play in football begins and ends. Although not every quarterback is the big star of their team, their importance is well-known. And as such, they often rake in the big bucks. These are 30 of the richest quarterbacks in history.
30. Patrick Mahomes – $40,000,000
This champion from the 2020 Super Bowl can really only go up when it comes to his net worth. Upon being drafted in 2017, he signed a four-year contract worth $16,200,000. But after the 2019-2020 season, Kansas deemed it necessary to give him a 10-year extension worth well over $400,000,000. He could potentially make $503,000,000 should he make it to the end of his contract. But for now, his net worth will rest at $40,000,000.
29. Terry Bradshaw – $45,000,000
Terry Bradshaw’s claim to fame is that he led the Steelers to four Super Bowl victories in six years. It’s an accomplishment that remains unsurpassed. He began his football career in 1970 and retured in 1983. From there he’d become a rather famous TV personality, becoming an NFL analyst, appearing in several commercials, and making appearances in sitcoms. His net worth is currently $45,000,000.
28. Carson Wentz – $45,000,000
Carson Wentz signed a 40year contract with the Eagles after being drafted second overall in 2016. Despite underperforming and being forced out of the season early due to an ACL injury, he was still offered a 40year extension worth $128,000,000. However, after the 2020-2021 season, Wentz was traded to the Colts. His net worth is $45,000,000.
27. Drew Bledsoe – $48,000,000
The former Patriots and Cowboys player is doing quite well for himself. After retiring in 2007, Bledsoe moved to Bend, Oregon, where he lives with his wife and four children. His net worth is currently $48,000,000.
26. Ryan Tannehill – $50,000,000
To speak of how much money Tannehill has made, he was on Forbes‘ 2020 list of the highest-paid athletes in the world. That was around the time Tannehill had signed an extension contract with the Titans worth $118,000,000. As of right now, Tanehill’s reported net worth is $50,000,000.
25. Dan Marino – $50,000,000
It’s strange that a man that never one a Super Bowl (only making it to the Super Bowl once) is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play in that position. Although, his statistics were certainly incredible. In addition to his football career, which ended in 1999, this Hall of Famer has participated in multiple television and film projects. Combined with the millions he made from endorsements, his net worth is presently $50,000,000.
24. Alex Smith – $55,000,000
Alex Smith is probably the player who’s had the most trouble becoming a successful quarterback. After all, he almost lost a leg in 2018 after it got infected during a surgery! It took him 16 operations to get back into fighting form. It was all worth it, as he won the 2020 award for Comeback Play of the Year. His net worth is currently $55,000,000.
23. Troy Aikman – $60,000,000
Troy Aikman played his entire 12-year career with the Cowboys after being drafter first overall in 1989. He was a six-tome Pro Bowler and won three Lombardi trophies. His base salary was a bit low for quarterbacks by today’s standards, but he’s been supplementing his earnings by working as a Fox television commentator, making $7,500,000 a year. His net worth is currently $60,000,000.
22. Kirk Cousins – $70,000,000
Cousins was picked by Washington’s Football Team in 2012 102nd overall. And while playing there, he threw the 65th perfect game in NFL history. In 2018, he was traded to the Vikings and has become one of the highest paid NFL players still in the game. With a two-year contract extension worth $66,000,000, his net worth worth is $70,000,000.
21. Matt Ryan – $70,000,000
After being picked third overall in the 2008 draft, Matt Ryan is now on his 13th year with the Falcons. Due to his successful NFL career, Ryan currently has a net worth of $70,000,000.
20. Tony Romo – $70,000,000
Tony Romo was initially just the Cowboys’ holder before he became the team’s starting quarterback in 2006. After retiring in 2017, Romo became the lead color analyst for NFL broadcasts at CBS Sports. His current net worth is approximately $70,000,000.
19. Sam Bradford – $70,000,000
Bradford has had a career filled with achievement variety. In 2010, the year he was drafted, he was named Offensive Rookie of the year. Over time, he’s played for the Eagles, Cardinals, Rams, and Vikings. Over time, he’s managed to get himself a net worth of $70,000,000.
18. Cam Newton – $75,000,000
While Cam Newton’s respective tenures with the Panthers and Patriots are now over, Newton made plenty of money while playing on both teams. If not for the various injuries he’s suffered, he’d likely have made even more money. His current net worth is $75,000,000.
17. Matthew Stafford – $80,000,000
Stafford’s had an interesting career since he was drafted by the Lions in 2009. He was the fourth quarterback to throw for over 5,000 yards in NFL history. Then he was also the fastest quarterback to reach 40,000 career passing yards. Currently he’s the quarterback for the Rams and his net worth $80,000,000.
16. Philip Rivers – $80,000,000
Rivers dedicated himself to football for 17 seasons. He spent most of his time with the Chargers before deciding to retire in 2021. Now, he’s the head coach for the St. Michael Catholic High School football team. A rather humble job for someone with a net worth of $80,000,000.
15. Joe Flacco – $85,000,000
Joe Flacco may be grossly overpaid. After the Ravens’ (Flacco’s team at the time) victory over the 49ers at the Super Bowl in 2013, he briefly became the highest paid NFL player in history. His six-year contract was worth $120,600,000. Currently, his net worth is $85,000,000.
14. Carson Palmer – $90,000,000
Carson Palmer played primarily for the Bengals, having a 15-year long career. He had a brief stint with the Raiders before leading the Cardinals to the NFC Championship in 2015. By the time he retired, he had the 12th all-time record in passing yards and passing touchdowns (46,247 and 294 respectively). His current net worth is $90,000,000.
13. Ben Roethlisberger – $100,000,000
In his 18 season-long career, Ben Roethlisberger has received numerous injuries from poor decisions. Yet, he is still considered an elite player, hoping to get out one more major win with the Steelers before he retires. His net worth is $100,000,000.
12. Brett Favre – $100,000,000
Despite winning just one Super Bowl, Brett Favre may have had one of the best NFL careers. Favre played 20 seasons, was First-Team All-Pro three times, and was invited to 11 Pro Bowls. He retired twice, before finally retiring from the NFL in January 2011. His extensive football career has earned him a net worth of $100,000,000.
11. Russell Wilson – $135,000,000
Along with his base salary of $35,000,000 a year, Russell Wilson also earned $90,000,000 from various other ventures between June of 2018 and 2019. He’s on his ninth season in the NFL and he’s already gotten his net worth up to $135,000,000.
10. Aaron Rodgers – $140,000,000
Aaron Rodgers’ skill as a quarterback earned him a four-year contract extension for $134,000,000 in 2018. Additional endorsements and commercials only push up his net worth higher. He’s been in TV spots for State Farm and Pizza Hut, and he also has stake in Milwaukee Bucks NBA team. His net worth is $140,000,000.
9. John Elway – $145,000,000
John Elway once actually threatened the Colts to trade him after he was drafted by them in 1983. He threatened to join the New York Yankees, which wasn’t an empty threat considering his skill in various athletic fields. Since then, Elway played his entire 16-year career with the Broncos. He played in five Super Bowls and won the last two, then announcing his retirement. In addition to his football career, John Elway has managed to get a net worth of $145,000,000 from various business investments.
8. Joe Montana – $150,000,000
Joe Montana led the 49ers to nine playoff appearances and four Super Bowl championships during his 16 seasons as a quarterback. An 8-time Pro Bowl selection, Montana was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000. In his retirement, Montana has also pursued multiple business ventures. His net worth is $150,000,000.
7. Eli Manning – $150,000,000
While Eli Manning’s performance as a play was in constant flux, he’s still considered a high-level player. He’d have to be to receive the high salary he gets playing for the Giants. His current net worth is $150,000,000.
6. Drew Brees – $160,000,000
At 41 years old, Dre Brees may be the best passer the NFL has ever seen. Brees always to fight for a starting position before, but since ending up on the Saints, he’s really had time to shine. His current net worth is $160,000,000.
5. Steve Young – $200,000,000
Steve Young had a wide and varied career as a football player, but was eventually forced to retire due to repeated concussions. Since then, he’s gone on to become a successful businessman. His net worth is currently $200,000,000.
4. Tom Brady – $250,000,000
Despite switching teams and his relative age when compared to other players, Tom Brady is still a high-level player in the NFL. Brady actually took several pay cuts while with the Patriots so the team could afford more offensive power. Due to his other endorsements, Brady has a net worth of $250,000,000.
3. Peyton Manning – $250,000,000
In addition to his football career, Peyton Manning made plenty of money off the field. He endorsed brands and appeared in commercials for Buick, Papa Johns, DirecTV, and Nationwide. In retirement, Manning has a net worth of $250,000,000.
2. Fran Tarkenton – $300,000,000
Retiring after 18 seasons of football, Tarkenton has also made money as a commentator on Monday Night Football. He also founded his own computer company, Tarkenton Software, which focuses on computer-program generators. In addition, he owns $40,000,000 worth of Apple stock and $15,000,000 in real estate. It’s no wonder he has a net worth of $300,000,000.
1. Roger Stabauch – $600,000,000
With such a large net worth, even in comparison to his peers, it’s almost unfair to include Roger Stabauch on this list. This Hall of Fame quarterback earned a Heisman Trophy while playing for the U.S. Naval Academy, having served in the Navy and did a tour in Vietnam. He joined the Cowboys in 1969 and led the team to the Super Bowl five times. He spent 11 seasons in Dallas before retiring in 1979. In addition, his myriad of business ventures has allowed him to amass a net worth of roughly $600,000,000.
