Every NFL Team’s All-Time Career Earnings Leader

The Chiefs handed Patrick Mahomes the most lucrative extension in NFL history earlier this offseason, signing their star QB to an eight-year, $504.75MM extension. When Mahomes ends up calling it a career, the Chiefs will likely have paid him more than any franchise has ever paid a single player.

However, as of this moment, Mahomes doesn’t even rank among the top five players in career earnings with a single franchise. With help from OverTheCap.com, we identified the highest earner in the history of each NFL organization:

1. Packers: QB Aaron Rodgers, $306.6MM
2. Cowboys: QB Dak Prescott, $295.4MM
3. Falcons: QB Matt Ryan, $269.5MM
4. Steelers: QB Ben Roethlisberger, $266.7MM
5. Saints: QB Drew Brees, $259.2MM
6. Giants: QB Eli Manning, $232.4MM
7. Chiefs: QB Patrick Mahomes, $231.9MM
8. Patriots: QB Tom Brady, $230.3MM
9. Lions: QB Matthew Stafford, $219MM
10. Chargers: QB Philip Rivers, $217.1MM
11. Bills: QB Josh Allen, $207.4MM
12. Cardinals: QB Kyler Murray, $206.7MM
13. Rams: QB Matthew Stafford, $189MM
14. Ravens: QB Lamar Jackson, $186.9MM
15. Vikings: QB Kirk Cousins, $185MM
16. Browns: QB Deshaun Watson, $183.3MM
17. Seahawks: QB Russell Wilson, $181.3MM
18. Dolphins: QB Tua Tagovailoa, $178.3MM
19. Bengals: QB Joe Burrow, $177.1MM
20. Colts: QB Peyton Manning, $170.7MM
21. Eagles: OT Lane Johnson, $166.2MM
22. Buccaneers: WR Mike Evans, $154.9MM
23. 49ers: OT Trent Williams, $144.3MM
24. Broncos: LB Von Miller, $143.7MM
25. Raiders: QB Derek Carr, $135.5MM
26. Panthers: QB Cam Newton, $127.3MM
27. Titans: QB Ryan Tannehill, $122.5MM
28. Texans: OT Laremy Tunsil, $110.7MM
29. Jaguars: QB Trevor Lawrence, $107.6MM
30. Bears: QB Jay Cutler, $103.9MM
31. Commanders: OT Trent Williams, $98.5MM
32. Jets: CB Darrelle Revis, $96.6MM

As quarterback contracts continue to explode, it’s no surprise that the list is dominated by the position. Aaron Rodgers continues to pace the list despite not having played for the Packers since 2022, mostly by virtue of having inked multiple $100MM-plus extensions with the franchise.

Notably, a pair of players appear twice on this list. It’s not a huge surprise that Matthew Stafford makes more than one appearance. He inked his rookie contract before the NFL implemented their rookie wage scale, and he signed two extensions with Detroit, including one that once made him the highest-paid player in NFL history. He later got an $160MM extension with the Rams, helping him top Aaron Donald among the franchise’s highest career earners.

The other player who appeared twice on the list is surprisingly not a QB. Offensive lineman Trent Williams also avoided the rookie wage scale and signed a second contract with Washington, putting him atop the franchise’s list (although he’ll likely be passed by Terry McLaurin and Daron Payne this upcoming season). Then, following his move to the 49ers, Williams became the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history when he signed a six-year, $138.06MM extension. While Nick Bosa will eventually catch him, the veteran OT will retain his position atop San Francisco’s list for at least the next year.

The list clearly isn’t entirely composed of active players. But which player has gone the longest without playing for the franchise they represent? That would be Peyton Manning, who last played for the Colts in 2011. Darrelle Revis is also a unique inclusion; his tenure with the Jets could have ended in 2012, but he returned for a two-year stint with the organization following stops in Tampa Bay and New England. That second stint saw him add $30MM to his career earnings, and it helped him retain his spot over the likes of Quinnen Williams, C.J. Mosley, and (yes) Aaron Rodgers.