The 10 Highest-Paid NFL Players 2024

Highest-Paid NFL Players 2024: The NFL is the top-earning sports league globally, and its players make a lot of money. In 2024, the average salary for an NFL player is $4.1 million, but the best players can earn even more.

Highest-Paid NFL Players 2024

Now, let’s discuss the highest-paid NFL players in this article.

1. Lamar Jackson $81.5 million

• AGE: 26 |
• POSITION: Quarterback |
• TEAM: Baltimore Ravens |
• ON-FIELD: $80 mil • OFF-FIELD: $1.5 mil

Lamar Jackson, the highest-paid NFL player, started his own clothing line Era 8 Apparel in 2018. In March 2020, he filed a lawsuit against Amazon, claiming they used his name and image without permission for clothing items, violating his rights and engaging in false advertising.

In August 2020, Jackson signed an endorsement deal with Oakley, a company known for sunglasses and sports gear. In May 2022, he ventured into the restaurant business by buying a soul food restaurant in Florida, renaming it Play Action Soulfood and More.

In September 2022, Jackson shared on Twitter that he would be the cover star for the NFL’s first virtual reality (VR) game “NFL Pro Era.” The game, released on December 23, 2022, allows users to experience playing as the quarterback of their favorite NFL team. He also graced the cover of the sequel, NFL Pro Era II, released on October 16, 2023.

2. Patrick Mahomes $60.5 million

• AGE: 27 |
• POSITION: Quarterback |
• TEAM: Kansas City Chiefs |
• ON-FIELD: $40.5 mil • OFF-FIELD: $20 mil

Patrick Mahomes, the second-highest-paid NFL player, got many endorsement deals after winning the MVP in 2018. His first deal was with Hunt’s due to his love for ketchup. He also signed deals with Oakley, Essentia Water, Hy-Vee, State Farm, DirectTV, Adidas, and Head & Shoulders. Mahomes even collaborated with Helzberg Diamonds for a necklace line featuring his logo. He became the cover athlete for Madden NFL 20 and later shared the cover with Tom Brady for Madden NFL 22.

In 2020, Mahomes endorsed BioSteel sports drinks and became an equity partner in the company. He released his own signature shoe, the Mahomes 1 Impact FLX, as part of his deal with Adidas in 2021. Despite NFL rules against endorsing alcohol, Mahomes appeared in a Coors Light commercial in 2022, featuring a Coors flashlight instead of beer. In 2023, he starred in commercials for T-Mobile.

Mahomes diversified his investments by joining the ownership groups of various sports teams, including the Kansas City Royals, Sporting Kansas City, a professional pickleball team in Miami, and the NWSL’s Kansas City Current. He also invested in expanding the Whataburger fast-food franchise to Missouri and Kansas in 2021. His wife has been part of the ownership group for the NWSL team since its establishment.

3. Nick Bosa $52 million

• AGE: 25 |
• POSITION: Defensive End |
• TEAM: San Francisco 49ers |
• ON-FIELD: $51 mil • OFF-FIELD: $1 mil

Nick Bosa, the third-highest-paid NFL player, played college football at Ohio State and was drafted second overall by the 49ers in the 2019 NFL Draft. He made a significant impact in his rookie year, earning the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award and contributing to his team reaching Super Bowl LIV.

In 2022, Bosa continued to excel and was honored with the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. He comes from a football family, with his father being former NFL defensive end John Bosa, and his older brother, Joey Bosa, currently playing as a linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers.

4. Aaron Rodgers $47.9 million

• AGE: 39 |
• POSITION: Quarterback |
• TEAM: New York Jets |
• ON-FIELD: $36.9 mil • OFF-FIELD: $11 mil

Aaron Rodgers, the fourth-highest-paid NFL player, is well-known for his off-field activities. He serves as a spokesperson for State Farm Insurance and is featured in their commercials, often showcasing his “Championship Belt” touchdown celebration, renamed as the “Discount Double Check” by State Farm. Rodgers has also appeared in Pizza Hut ads and various local Wisconsin-based commercials.

Beyond endorsements, Rodgers has made notable appearances on television. He competed on Celebrity Jeopardy! in May 2015, winning $50,000 for charity. In April 2021, he had a two-week stint as a guest host on Jeopardy!. Rodgers has also made cameo appearances on shows like The Office, Game of Thrones, Key & Peele, and The Conners.

During the NFL season, Rodgers is a frequent guest on The Pat McAfee Show. However, he gained attention in 2021 for making controversial statements about COVID-19 during an interview on the show, leading to comparisons to a conspiracy theorist by some reporters.

Rodgers is not just a football player; he also enjoys golf. In 2021, he participated in The Match IV, a golf exhibition series, paired with professional golfer Bryson DeChambeau. The duo won their match against Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady. Rodgers also took part in The Match, the sixth edition, teaming up with Brady against quarterbacks Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, and they emerged victorious.

5. Daniel Jones $47.5 million

• AGE: 26 |
• POSITION: Quarterback |
• TEAM: New York Giants |
• ON-FIELD: $46 mil • OFF-FIELD: $1.5 mil

Daniel Jones, the fifth-highest-paid NFL player, played college football at Duke and was selected sixth overall by the Giants in the 2019 NFL Draft.

On March 7, 2023, Jones signed a significant four-year, $160 million contract extension with the Giants. Unfortunately, in week 5 of the season, he sustained a neck injury during a game against the Miami Dolphins, causing him to miss two games. He made a return in week 8 against the Las Vegas Raiders but suffered a knee injury in the first quarter. Unfortunately, he had to leave the game early in the second quarter after his knee buckled.

The day after the game, the Giants announced that Jones would be out for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL in his right knee. The 2023 season ended with Jones accumulating 909 passing yards, two touchdowns, six interceptions, and a 1-5 record.

6. Deshaun Watson $46.5 million

• AGE: 27 |
• POSITION: Quarterback |
• TEAM: Cleveland Browns |
• ON-FIELD: $46 mil • OFF-FIELD: $0.5 mil

Deshaun Watson, the sixth-highest-paid NFL player, played college football at Clemson and led the team to a national championship in 2016. He was drafted in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans.

Despite a promising rookie season cut short by injury, Watson helped the Texans secure consecutive division titles in 2018 and 2019 and led the league in passing yards in 2020. He earned Pro Bowl honors in each of his three seasons as Houston’s primary starter. As of August 2023, he ranks fourth in career completion percentage (minimum 1,500 attempts) and is third in all-time career passer rating.

In 2021, Watson faced legal challenges as more than two dozen female massage therapists sued him for sexual harassment and assault. Watson has consistently denied any wrongdoing, although he settled 20 claims of sexual misconduct. Disputes with the Texans’ front office, coupled with the legal issues, kept Watson out for the entire 2021 season. Eventually, in 2022, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns, where he signed a substantial five-year contract worth $230 million, making it one of the largest contracts in NFL history.

7. Joe Burrow $45 million

• AGE: 26 |
• POSITION: Quarterback |
• TEAM: Cincinnati Bengals |
• ON-FIELD: $41 mil • OFF-FIELD: $4 mil

Joe Burrow, the seventh-highest-paid NFL player, had a remarkable journey in football. After a stint at Ohio State, he played college football at LSU, where he achieved significant success, winning the Heisman Trophy and the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship as a senior. The Cincinnati Bengals selected him first overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Although his rookie season was cut short due to injury, Burrow bounced back in his second year. He led the Bengals to their first playoff win since 1990, breaking a long-standing drought and taking them to Super Bowl LVI.

In his three seasons as the Bengals’ quarterback, Burrow has guided the team to five postseason victories, matching the total number of playoff wins in franchise history before his arrival. Known for his calmness under pressure, Burrow has earned nicknames like “Joe Cool” and “Joe Brrr” from sportswriters and fellow players.

8. Dak Prescott $44 million

• AGE: 30 |
• POSITION: Quarterback |
• TEAM: Dallas Cowboys |
• ON-FIELD: $31 mil • OFF-FIELD: $13 mil

Dak Prescott, the eighth-highest-paid NFL player, had a standout college football career at Mississippi State, earning first-team All-SEC honors twice. The Dallas Cowboys selected him in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Initially meant to be a backup in his rookie season, Prescott became the Cowboys’ starting quarterback when Tony Romo was injured in the preseason. He led the team to the top seed in the National Football Conference (NFC) and set several rookie quarterback records, ultimately earning him the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Since then, Prescott has guided the Cowboys to two more division titles and earned two Pro Bowl appearances. In 2022, he was honored with the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award for his contributions both on and off the field.

9. Kyler Murray $42.5 million

• AGE: 26 |
• POSITION: Quarterback |
• TEAM: Arizona Cardinals |
• ON-FIELD: $39 mil • OFF-FIELD: $3.5 mil

Kyler Murray, the ninth-highest-paid NFL player, had a unique journey to professional sports. After a period with Texas A&M University, Murray played college football at the University of Oklahoma, winning the Heisman Trophy as a junior. He made history by being selected first overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2019 NFL Draft. Notably, Murray was also chosen ninth overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 2018 MLB draft, making him the first player to be drafted in the first round of both the NFL and MLB.

In his rookie NFL season, Murray was named Offensive Rookie of the Year, setting several franchise records for rookie quarterbacks with the Cardinals. He continued to impress with consecutive Pro Bowl selections in the following two seasons.

In 2021, Murray led the Cardinals to the playoffs, marking their first appearance since 2015. He also holds the sixth spot all-time in completion percentage with at least 1,500 pass attempts.

10. Russell Wilson $41 million

• AGE: 34 |
• POSITION: Quarterback |
• TEAM: Denver Broncos |
• ON-FIELD: $28 mil • OFF-FIELD: $13 mil

Russell Wilson, the tenth-highest-paid NFL player, has a diverse portfolio beyond football. Since 2012, he’s been in ads for brands like Levi’s, Pepsi, and Nike. Wilson’s ventures include owning part of Eat the Ball and endorsing Luvo and Reliant Recovery Water.

He launched Good Man Brand, partnered with Juice Press, and invested in VICIS. Wilson and wife Ciara joined efforts for a Portland MLB franchise, invested in Molecule mattresses, and co-own Seattle Sounders FC.

He became NFL FLAG Chairman, working on global expansion, and struck a deal with Amazon Studios. Wilson’s success extends well beyond the football field.