Professional football players aren’t just flashy on the field, but they also have the bank accounts to match. Let’s take a look at some of the wealthiest quarterbacks in NFL history ranked by net worth.
40. Jim Kelly - $25M
Jim Kelly is a retired quarterback who formerly played for the Buffalo Bills. Kelly was such a stunning addition to the team that he is one of three players to have his jersey number officially retired. His career garnered a net worth of an estimated $25 Million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
When asked how he felt about his personal records with the Buffalo Bills being broken by the team, he had nothing but kind words. "I love it because it means success, it means winning. People say, 'Well, what will it be like if Josh breaks your records?' I go, 'That'd be great because it means that we're winning,'" he said.
39. Matt Cassel - $30M
Matt Cassel started out as a college football player for USC. And after only throwing 33 passes over four seasons, many weren’t convinced he would be successful. But in 2008, when Tom Brady was too injured to play for the Patriots, Cassel took his place for the remainder of the season.
After a successful season with the Patriots, he went on to play for the Kansas City Chiefs. Up until his retirement, Cassel competed with five more NFL teams, playing for seven teams altogether. Since starting a new career as a sports analyst for NBC, Cassel has amassed around $30 Million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
38. Kurt Warner - $30M
Kurt Warner boasts an underdog story that is truly inspirational. After working as a grocery store shelf-stocker, Warner went on to win a whopping three Super Bowl titles. After retirement, he became a pro sports analyst. And in 2020, Celebrity Net Worth valued him at $30 Million.
But Warner doesn't keep it all for himself. He's well-known for his charitable acts and values. "From the day that I entered the league," he once told an interviewer, "I always knew that football more than anything else was just going to be the catalyst to allow me to impact the lives of other people."
37. Jay Cutler - $30M
After playing for Vanderbilt University at the start of his career, Jay Cutler went on to play three seasons with the Denver Broncos. After that, he switched to the Chicago Bears, the team he is most associated with. After 12 seasons, he spent the short remainder of his career with the Miami Dolphins.
Cutler is known for his dedication. In fact, he even went out and played a Bears vs. Broncos game just one day after the birth of his first child! And that dedication has fully paid off! Celebrity Net Worth has reported Cutler’s net worth at about $30 Million.
36. Donovan McNabb - $30M
This six-time Pro Bowl Selection spent the majority of his career playing for the Philadelphia Eagles. As if that wasn’t enough, he also won Big East Offensive Player of the Year three times over his 13-seasons in the NFL. Donovan McNabb has an alleged $30 Million net worth, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
McNabb has his own ideas about how to get ahead, but the main gist? Focus on yourself, forget about the rest. "You can't focus on what people may think," he said. "Everyone has their own opinions, and if they express it to me, I say, 'Thank you for sharing that with me,' because that bothers them more when you don't get upset."
35. Drew Bledsoe - $35M
New England Patriots' Drew Bledsoe was awarded for his contributions to his team in 2011 when he was inducted into the Patriot's Hall of Fame. "Obviously, this is a tremendous honor," he said at the time. "Honestly, [it was] a little more emotional than I thought it would have been."
"Just to be considered in the company of Bill Parcells and Houston Antwine was a great honor in and of itself," he added. Considering his achievements as a professional athlete, it's little surprise that Celebrity Net Worth lists his net worth as roughly $35 million.
34. Kerry Collins - $39.5M
Kerry Collins played a staggering 17 seasons for the NFL. He also teamed up with five different teams: the Saints, Giants, Titans, Panthers, and Raiders. He officially retired in 2011, despite a brief return to the NFL to play for the Indianapolis Colts. Overall, his net worth is about $39.5 Million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
"I was at peace with my retirement, and I was always someone who thought he could walk away from the game because I had worked to separate my job from my life," Collins shared. "I didn't let football envelop me. But when it was gone, I realized it was more a part of me than I ever accepted. I still felt the lure."
33. Patrick Mahomes - $40M
Patrick Mahomes first played for Texas Tech University before joining the NFL as a quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs. In 2018 he was named MVP by the Associated Press and Offensive Player of the Year. At only 25 years old, Mahomes has been valued at an estimated $40 million by Celebrity Net Worth.
"I believe in maximizing every single day," he explained after his Super Bowl success in 2020. "I take it one day at a time and go out there and try to be the best person and the best athlete, the best player I can be. And I mean, obviously, I've had a good start to my career."
32. Mark Sanchez - $40M
This well-known quarterback played for the University of Southern California at the beginning of his career. But he was quickly drafted in 2009 by the New York Jets. Before retirement in 2019, he went on to play for the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and Philadelphia Eagles.
Sanchez has also boasted a career in entertainment since his pro-sports retirement. He covered college football for ESPN and even appeared on the popular musical reality series The Masked Singer. Celebrity Net Worth currently lists his net worth at about $40 Million.
31. Andrew Luck - $40M
Andrew Luck spent the entirety of his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts. After seven-sevens, the quarterback announced his retirement and talked about the love he had for the sport. "I've enjoyed playing football - a lot more than I enjoyed studying!" he said.
"But you know, I realize, obviously, that I'm not going to put the sport ahead of my family, or my integrity, or my moral fiber, or my character, or my education," he continued. "So the answer is, football's very important to me. But there are things ahead of it." Celebrity Net Worth puts his value at about $40 Million.
30. Terry Bradshaw - $45M
This former quarterback is widely recognized for his incredible six-year run with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he won four Super Bowl championship titles. With such a track record, it makes sense that Terry Bradshaw’s net worth reflects similar success. According to several websites he has an approximate net worth of $45 Million.
But the beginning of his career didn't go so smoothly, and many viewers doubted his ability to succeed. "Being booed, being ripped in the papers, this was all new to me," he said. "I had to learn how to be a professional, I had to learn how to study, I had to learn defenses."
29. Carson Wentz - $45M
Carson Wentz has amassed a net worth of about $45 million after four years of playing for the NFL, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback has acknowledged the "massive amounts of pressure" involved with his position, though. "[I'm] just trying to stay grounded on a much bigger picture than football."
"And obviously, this is a job, and a lot of people in this city and in this country care a lot. And I, you know, approach it the same way," the athlete continued. "I care, sometimes too much, and sometimes you want to succeed so badly. But for me, it's just that constant reminder of a much bigger picture, a much bigger purpose."
28. Jared Goff - $50M
Jared Goff, first played for the University of California before being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2016. After two years of playing, Goff helped lead the Rams to the Super Bowl - their first since 2001. Goff has been valued at about $50 Million by Celebrity Net Worth.
When asked about his secret to success, he explained, "If you don't innovate and adapt, you're going to be left behind. It's about coaches; how do you get the best out of your players?" Goff explained. "It's not by forcing someone to run what you want to run. It's how you can make A the best A can be."
27. Deshaun Watson - $50M
Speaking of the Buffalo Bills, this player is widely recognized for beating them in January 2020. When asked about the stunning victory, he told ESPN, "Somebody had to be great, why not me?" And after being valued at $50 Million by Celebrity Net Worth, he's certainly on the path to further greatness.
But Watson has never taken the credit for his achievements, passing the accolade to his mother instead. "My mom raised me to be successful and not be a knucklehead and do the wrong things," he said. "She still talks to me to this day about those things. I'm always going to make sure I'm doing the right things."
26. Ryan Tannehill - $50M
Ryan Tannehill’s earnings should be more than enough proof of his worth as a player. The quarterback was included in Forbes’ 2020 list of the highest-paid athletes in the world! This occurred after signing a four-year contract worth $118 million with the Tennessee Titans. What a deal!
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Tannehill is valued at $50 million, though that number is likely to rise. The athlete once said that he plays every game as if he's going to be fired. "That's my mindset, and that hasn't changed," Tannehill said. "I go out there every week and try to prepare in ways like my job is on the line."
25. Dan Marino - $50M
After playing for 17 seasons with the Miami-Dolphins, Dan Marino has continued his career success. He's earned a considerable net worth of about $50 Million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Recently his record for yards passed in one season was broken by Drew Brees. Marino acknowledged the incident.
"So the best part about this is I don't have to prove it. So I'm gonna say like six thousand," he joked. "But it is… probably a lot easier to throw it now, and people are throwing it more, too, so that's another factor as far as the yards and the run after catch thing and the bubble screens… We didn't do a lot of that stuff."
24. Troy Aikman - $65M
With an estimated net worth of about $65 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, Troy Aikman has every right to brag. But according to many sources, the former Dallas Cowboy quarterback is doing anything but. He has even openly expressed his discomfort at being labeled as a “legend” by sports fans and publications.
"I guess probably in a word, I'd have to say it makes me feel 'uncomfortable,'" he confessed. "I mean, I'm very proud of what I was able to accomplish as a player, but more importantly, what our teams were able to accomplish." Aikman continued. He admits to feeling "honored, but uncomfortable."
23. Sam Bradford - $70M
For the Bradfords, football runs in the family! Sam Bradford's father once played for the Sooners as an offensive lineman. And Bradford himself went on to be both a college and professional player. In 2010 he was both drafted for the NFL and named Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Sam saw great success playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, St Louis Rams, and Minnesota Vikings. As a result, the athlete has a net worth of about $70 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He's one of the highest-earning players in the NFL.
22. Kirk Cousins - $70M
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Kirk Cousins has an estimated net worth of around $70 million due to a successful career as quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. Cousins was drafted fresh out of college, first playing for the Washington Redskins before joining the Vikings.
Cousins has openly shared his mindset for success. "When you become results-driven all the time, it's toxic," he said. "I want to be process-driven. I can't control the results to the level I can control the process. I have to say every day, 'What am I doing [today] to give us a chance... to win the game?'"
21. Matt Ryan - $70M
Quarterback Matt Ryan won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2008, after just one season with the Atlanta Falcons. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the star player is valued at approximately $70 million. And it’s only likely that number will rise thanks to Ryan’s success.
In an interview with NBC, the 35-year old said, "I really feel like that the rules are set up more favorable than they've ever been for the quarterback position to play longer. I feel like I'm in a really good spot in terms of my training and my health, so I'll play as long as I feel good."
20. Tony Romo - $70M
Tony Romo has had great success both on and off the field. After a celebrated career as a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, he ventured into broadcasting. Celebrity Net Worth has put Romo’s net worth at about $70 million, prompting many questions about his impressive success within various careers.
As he explains it, "There are a million things that go into it [success]. I mean, the best attribute that the good Lord gave me was some gifts, and I tried using them to the best of my ability." Romo continued, "And sometimes they work out, but sometimes you got to fight like heck to get there and figure it out."
19. Cam Newton - $75M
Cam Newton is proof that even with great financial and commercial success, you can always have bad days. Heck, you can even have a lot of them! Celebrity Net Worth has reported his net worth at about $75 Million, but in late 2020 Newton experienced a number of bad plays.
He addressed this later at a press conference. "I still am jeopardizing this team's success because of my lackluster performances of protecting the football," Newton said. "So, you know, coach trusts me with the ball in my hands, and I wouldn't want it any other way, and I just have to do a better job protecting it.
18. Matthew Stafford - $80M
After just over a decade playing for the NFL, Matthew Stafford has amassed a net worth of about $80 Million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. After declaring the end of his 11-year stint with the Detroit Lions, Stafford discussed the significance of earning a Super Bowl ring before his departure.
"I think success in this league is tough to come by - especially sustaining success," Stafford said. "We had a few good years in there. Nothing would have made me happier than bringing the Lombardi Trophy home to Detroit. It's not the way it's going to end, but I still have a ton of great memories professionally."
17. Joe Flacco - $85M
Another student-athlete, Joe Flacco, played so well for the University of Delaware that he was quickly drafted. Throughout his career, he has played for the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, and New York Jets. After a stable career in the NFL, his net worth has reached about $85 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Flacco's success is surely a result of self-confidence. "I assume everybody thinks they're a top-five quarterback," he said when asked about his own NFL ranking. "I mean, I think I'm the best. I don't think I'm top five, I think I'm the best. I don't think I'd be very successful at my job if I didn't feel that way."
16. Carson Palmer - $90M
Over the course of 15 seasons as a quarterback for the NFL, Carson Palmer had spent most of his time playing for the Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals. During that time, he amassed a net worth of about $90 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. But why did he drop the Bengals for the Cardinals?
"That's why I wanted out: I never felt like the Bengals organization was really trying to win a Super Bowl, and really chasing the Super Bowl," Palmer explained. "The game today is you can't just hope you draft well and not go after free agents, and you just end up in the Super Bowl. You gotta go get it."
15. Alex Smith - $95M
Alex Smith's journey as a successful quarterback hasn't been easy. After injuring his leg playing a game in 2018, and contracting an infection during surgery, he almost lost his leg! It took him two years and an incredible 16 surgeries before he could return to the field. Celebrity Net Worth values him at around $95 million.
In his acceptance speech for 2020 Comeback Player of the Year, he got emotional. "This time, it wasn't about football - it was bigger," he revealed. "It was about me being a father to play with my children, a husband to go on walks with my wife, and despite my new limitations, me getting my life back."
14. Philip Rivers - $100M
For 17 seasons, Philip Rivers dedicated himself to a career as an NFL quarterback. After spending most of his time with the San Diego Chargers, he officially declared his retirement in 2021. He had chosen to become a head coach for the St. Michael Catholic High School football team instead.
When asked about his greatest achievements as a quarterback, he said, "I think it's being out there. With the guys, fighting like crazy to give your team a chance is special." We're sure he has retired happily, with a net worth of around $100 Million according to Celebrity Net Worth.
13. Ben Roethlisberger - $100M
The second member of the 100-million club, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has an estimated net worth of $100 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. After winning two Super Bowl championships with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Roethlisberger shared some advice for younger players.
"There will always be hard times. Use adversity to fuel your fire," he said. "In high school, I wanted to play quarterback but couldn't until I was a senior. I played wide receiver instead, and this ultimately helped me because I learned more about the game."
12. Brett Favre - $100M
One of the most famous quarterbacks in modern football, it’s no surprise Brett Favre landed in our top ten. Favre has made a name for himself playing with the Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, and Minnesota Vikings. As a result, he has a net worth of about $100 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
"I think every player should think that he's a difference-maker," Favre said when asked how one becomes a great athlete. "I think in that [offense] situation understanding what is expected of you, knowing your team, knowing that as long as we can run the ball and complete passes when needed, we should be pretty good."
11. John Elway - $150M
The Denver Broncos must be doing something right since they managed to keep their star player for his entire 16-year career! Quarterback John Elway took the team to five Super Bowls, and two Super Bowl wins. According to Celebrity Net Worth, he has an overall net worth of about $150 million.
Elway loved his team so much that even after retirement, he stayed on as general manager. Eventually, he even became the president of football operations for the Broncos. One interviewer once asked if Elway would ever leave Denver, and he gave a surprising response: "I never say never."
10. Joe Montana - $150M
After leading his team to four separate Super Bowl wins during the 80s and early 90s, Joe Montana became an invaluable asset to the San Francisco 49ers. He was even made MVP on three different occasions. His brilliant track record explains his impressive net worth of about $150 million, as reported by Celebrity Net Worth.
Montana has shared wise advice to young players and fans over the years. "I think sometimes if you overemphasize the past, you forget about what is going on right now," Joe explained. "Everyone thinks about the past players, but we had our time in the limelight."
9. Eli Manning - $160M
Our next star boasts 16 seasons with the New York Giants, two Super Bowl wins, and two Super Bowl MVP awards - that’s one heck of a track record! Eli Manning truly made the most of his time on the field before his retirement in 2020. Today Celebrity Net Worth puts his value at around $160 million.
"There won't be any more tunnel moments for me, and I'll truly miss them," he admitted in his retirement speech. "I miss standing in the shadows, staring out into the field before a game, surrounded by my teammates and knowing all of the hard work we put in. I'll miss hearing the first roar of the crow."
8. Drew Brees - $160M
After almost two decades in the NFL, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Bees has garnered a net worth of about $160 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. When asked about the roots of his success, Brees acknowledged his strong ability to "compartmentalize".
"I've always been somebody who puts a lot on my plate," the quarterback told Men's Journal. "And the fact is you have to be able to manage your time extremely well and compartmentalize at times. You have to find a way to bear down and focus on that one task at one time. It just has to get done."
7. Russell Wilson - $165M
Our next athlete has "an obsession with winning," as he once put it. And it appears the Seattle Seahawks star has stayed true to his word. Over the years, his success has earned him about $165 million, as Celebrity Net Worth estimates. He attributes these accolades to his habits and beliefs.
"Winning is a habit. But losing is, too. And so the habits that you form is what you gonna be, what you gonna become," Russell shared. "I used to write to-do lists about my dreams... And I can promise you to this day everything that I've written down has happened... You just gotta make it happen."
6. Aaron Rodgers - $200M
Aaron Rodgers was first drafted by the Green Bay Packers back in 2005, and he hasn’t looked back. Still playing diligently with the Packers, Rodgers has accumulated a stunning net worth of around $200 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He has discussed the meaning of success in a 2020 interview.
"Success isn't winning all the time because that is damn near impossible," he said. "Success is knowing that you've done everything in your power from a preparation standpoint, from a focus standpoint, from a performance standpoint to achieve a win or success."
5. Steve Young - $200M
With a net worth of around $200 million (as reported by multiple websites), Steve Young has no reason to doubt his own success. The former quarterback was a great asset to the San Francisco 49ers but spent much of his career being compared to teammate Joe Montana. However, he didn’t let it get him down.
"One of my great accomplishments in my own personal life was being able to flip it on its head and turn it into something - a wonderful challenge that propelled me forward rather than held me back," he said of the comparison. "Turning that and making that a kind of jet fuel rather than an anchor changed everything."
4. Tom Brady - $250M
One of the most famous men to ever grace the field, Tom Brady was the quarterback for the New England Patriots for two decades. Eventually, he was offered a career-defining $50 million contract (for two years) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Celebrity Net Worth lists his net worth at about $250 million.
But he insists that his successes were hard-won. "In my young career, I doubted myself a lot," he shared. "When I saw things that weren't going my way, I thought I was the victim of circumstance. But when I... shifted my view and my mind to say, 'I am not a victim, why don't I empower myself,' I could grow in ways I was struggling."
3. Peyton Manning - $250M
After starting his career as a college player for the University of Tennessee, the iconic Peyton Manning was quickly drafted by the Indianapolis Colts. There, he spent 14 seasons as a star quarterback before joining the Denver Broncos. Celebrity Net Worth currently lists his net worth at about $250 million.
But Manning has always maintained that he's not in it for the money. He loves the sport. "I always loved the game, and my dad loved to play," he shared early on in his career. "He just taught me to play the game for the love of the game, that's really what I do."
2. Fran Tarkenton - $300M
Frank Tarkenton is the first NFL quarterback to hit the big bucks! According to Celebrity Net Worth, Tarkenton has a staggering net worth of about $300 million. The player is best known for his career playing with the Minnesota Vikings, as well as a brief stint with the New York Giants.
Tarkenton attributes much of his success to past failures. "If we lost, I didn't go out. I stayed in my house, pulled out our old film projector, and looked at all the mistakes we made," he said. "I learned from failure. I have never learned from winning."
1. Roger Staubach - $600M
Perched at the top of the list, Roger Staubach sits far above his colleagues with a jaw-dropping net worth of about $600 million, according to several sources. However, the former quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys has said that making bank wasn’t always so easy for him.
"The Cowboys offered me a $10,000 signing bonus," Staubach told one interviewer. "I gave my parents $2,000, Marianne's [his wife's] parents $2,000, and we kept the rest. With my $500 a month stipend from the Navy, it was more money than I ever could have hoped for." He could never have guessed how things would change!