Top 10 highest-paid NFL players in 2025 based on salary, bonuses, endorsements and contracts
The NFL continues to generate record-breaking revenue, and its top stars are reaping the rewards. In 2025, quarterback contracts have reached historic highs, with players earning massive sums. This article highlights the top 10 highest-paid NFL players in 2025, showcasing the athletes who not only dominate the field but also cash in on it.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Every top earner is a quarterback, confirming the position's high value.
- Multi-year deals (up to $330M) drive most of the rankings.
- Mahomes' historic $503M deal is the highest-paid NFL contract of all time.
- Dak Prescott tops the list with over $60 million in total yearly earnings.
Highest-paid NFL players in 2025
The highest-paid NFL players in 2025 are led by quarterbacks, with Dak Prescott topping the list. While Patrick Mahomes is no longer the highest-paid annually, his $503M deal remains the largest NFL contract ever.
These players earn big from both salaries and endorsements, rivalling top stars in the NBA, MLB, NHL, and soccer.
| Rank | Player | Team | Contract | Earnings |
| 10 | Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City Chiefs | 10 yrs / $503M | ~$45M/year |
| 9 | Jalen Hurts | Philadelphia Eagles | 5 yrs / $255M | ~$51M/year |
| 8 | Lamar Jackson | Baltimore Ravens | 5 yrs / $260M | ~$52M/year |
| 7 | Justin Herbert | Los Angeles Chargers | 5 yrs / $262.5M | ~$52.5M/year |
| 6 | Brock Purdy | San Francisco 49ers | 5 yrs / $265M | ~$53M/year |
| 5 | Jordan Love | Green Bay Packers | 5 yrs / $220M | ~$55M/year |
| 4 | Trevor Lawrence | Jacksonville Jaguars | 5 yrs / $275M | ~$55M/year |
| 3 | Joe Burrow | Cincinnati Bengals | 5 yrs / $275M | ~$55M/year |
| 2 | Josh Allen | Buffalo Bills | ~10 yrs / $330M (proj.) | ~$130M total |
| 1 | Dak Prescott | Dallas Cowboys | 5 yrs / $300M | ~$137M total |
10. Patrick Mahomes
Source: Getty Images
- Full Name: Patrick Lavon Mahomes II
- Date of Birth: September 17, 1995 (Age 29)
- Position: Quarterback (QB)
- Current Team: Kansas City Chiefs
- Awards: 2× NFL MVP, 3× Super Bowl Champion, 2× Super Bowl MVP, 6× Pro Bowl
- Earnings: ~$45M/year (10-year, $503M contract through 2031)
Initially hailed as the highest-paid NFL player of all time in total contract value. Patrick Mahomes to dominate, leading the Chiefs to their fourth straight AFC Championship in 2025 and cementing his legacy among the top 10 highest‑paid NFL players of all time.
9. Jalen Hurts
Source: Getty Images
- Full Name: Jalen Alexander Hurts
- Date of Birth: August 7, 1998 (Age 26)
- Position: Quarterback (QB)
- Current Team: Philadelphia Eagles
- Awards: Pro Bowl, 2022 Second-team All-Pro, Super Bowl LVII runner-up
- Earnings: ~$51M/year (5-year, $255M contract)
Even with setbacks, Jalen Hurts remains one of the top 10 highest-paid NFL players in 2025, with massive off-field marketability. He's gaining on other cross-sport stars like the highest-paid soccer player and the highest-paid NBA player in global popularity.
8. Lamar Jackson
Source: Getty Images
- Full Name: Lamar Demeatrice Jackson Jr.
- Date of Birth: January 7, 1997 (Age 28)
- Position: Quarterback (QB)
- Current Team: Baltimore Ravens
- Awards: 2019 NFL MVP, 2× Pro Bowl, First-team All-Pro
- Earnings: ~$52M/year (5-year, $260M contract)
A rejuvenated 2025 season brings Jackson back into the highest-paid NFL QB spotlight. Lamar Jackson's game-changing play style continues to inspire, pushing him close to the highest-paid NFL player of all time tier.
7. Justin Herbert
Source: Getty Images
- Full Name: Justin Patrick Herbert
- Date of Birth: March 10, 1998 (Age 27)
- Position: Quarterback (QB)
- Current Team: Los Angeles Chargers
- Awards: Pro Bowl, 2020 Offensive Rookie of the Year
Herbert’s return from injury has reignited hopes of a Super Bowl chase and cemented his place among the top 20 highest-paid NFL players in 2025. He remains a benchmark for modern QBs, rivalling even the highest-paid NHL player in annual earnings. He earns ~$52.5M/year (5-year, $262.5 deal).
6. Brock Purdy
Source: Getty Images
- Full Name: Brock Richard Purdy
- Date of Birth: December 27, 1999 (Age 25)
- Position: Quarterback (QB)
- Current Team: San Francisco 49ers
- Awards: Pro Bowl, 2023 NFC Champion, Mr. Irrelevant turned elite
From the last pick in the draft to nearly the highest-paid NFL player of all time, Purdy’s story is one of the most remarkable. His value per dollar once helped build a super roster; now he’s paid like a true top ten highest-paid NFL player in 2025. He earns ~$53M/year (5-year, $265M contract signed in 2025).
5. Jordan Love
Source: Getty Images
- Full Name: Jordan Alexander Love
- Date of Birth: November 2, 1998 (Age 26)
- Position: Quarterback (QB)
- Current Team: Green Bay Packers
- Awards: 2023 Breakout Player, NFC Offensive Player of the Week
Love emerged as one of the top ten highest-paid NFL players in 2025, stunning analysts with his rapid ascent. He may not yet rival the highest-paid MLB player, but his earnings and growth potential are elite. He earns $55M/year (5-year, $220m extension).
4. Trevor Lawrence
Source: Getty Images
- Full Name: William Trevor Lawrence
- Date of Birth: October 6, 1999 (Age 25)
- Position: Quarterback (QB)
- Current Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
- Awards: Pro Bowl, 2020 CFP National Champion (college)
Now a household name, Trevor Lawrence competes with the highest-paid NBA player and the highest-paid soccer player in total endorsement appeal. He's rising quickly in rankings among the top 20 highest-paid NFL players in 2025. He earns $55m/year (5-year, $275m contract).
3. Joe Burrow
Source: Getty Images
- Full Name: Joseph Lee Burrow
- Date of Birth: December 10, 1996 (Age 28)
- Position: Quarterback (QB)
- Current Team: Cincinnati Bengals
- Awards: 2× Pro Bowl, 2021 Comeback Player of the Year finalist
Burrow’s return to form in 2025 kept him firmly in the top 10 highest-paid NFL players of all time discussion. His leadership helped position the Cincinnati Bengals as regular contenders, and his NFL player salary per month tops $4.5m and a ~$55m/year (5-year, $275m contract).
2. Josh Allen
Source: Getty Images
- Full Name: Joshua Patrick Allen
- Date of Birth: May 21, 1996 (Age 29)
- Position: Quarterback (QB)
- Current Team: Buffalo Bills
- Awards: 2024 NFL MVP, multiple Pro Bowls
Allen, considered one of the top ten highest-paid NFL players in 2025, brought the Buffalo Bills back to AFC dominance. His earnings are $130m total (projected from rumoured $330 contract + endorsements). He ranks just behind the highest-paid NFL player of all time, but is on pace to challenge that title by the decade’s end.
1. Dak Prescott
Source: Getty Images
- Full Name: Rayne Dakota Prescott
- Date of Birth: July 29, 1993 (Age 32)
- Position: Quarterback (QB)
- Current Team: Dallas Cowboys
- Awards: 2× Pro Bowl, 2022 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year
- Earnings: ~$137M total (including $60M AAV contract + ~$10M endorsements)
Prescott leads the top 10 highest-paid NFL players in 2025, continuing his elite form with a deep playoff run for Dallas. As one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL, his leadership and consistency are crucial to the Cowboys' success.
Mahomes remains the benchmark — often referred to as the highest-paid NFL player of all time when his deal was first signed. Still the standard for excellence, he easily qualifies for any list of the top 10 highest-paid NFL players of all time.
Who is the highest-paid player in the NFL in 2025?
Dak Prescott leads in total earnings with $137 million (including $10M in endorsements), while Joe Burrow has the highest annual salary at $55 million.
Who is the richest NFL team in 2025?
The Dallas Cowboys remain the richest NFL team, valued at over $10 billion.
Who is the highest-paid football player in 2025?
Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid overall football player in 2025, earning around $275 million globally.
What is the salary space in the NFL 2025?
The NFL salary cap for 2025 is $279.2 million per team. The Patriots lead in cap space with over $67 million.
As the league grows more competitive and media-driven, player earnings are expected to keep rising. Whether through headline-making contracts or lucrative endorsement deals, these athletes represent the financial peak of professional football—and define what it means to be among the highest-paid NFL players in 2025.
Review disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on publicly available sources, reported contracts, estimated bonuses, and endorsement figures as of the time of writing. Actual earnings may vary due to confidential agreements, restructuring, incentives, or undisclosed deals.
Tuko.co.ke reported on July 6th the top 10 richest Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters in the world. The list comprised their respective net worths and businesses.
Leading the list is none other than Conor McGregor with a worth of $110 million. Other fighters who are killing it include Rorion Gracie, Georges St-Pierre, Brock Lesnar and many others.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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