Matthew Stafford Has Earned The Most Money In NFL History

Matthew Stafford is set to earn roughly $27 million in 2025 from the Los Angeles Rams. That money, combined with the other contracts that he has signed during his 16-year NFL career, have made him the highest-earning player in league history.

Stafford Is Highest Earning Player In NFL History.

He has made a majority of his money while playing for the Detroit Lions. Stafford spent 12 seasons with the team that drafted him first overall in 2009, and his earnings with the team totaled $219.3 million. The deal that he signed in 2017 was worth $135 million over five years, and at the time made him the highest-paid player in the NFL.

Rams’ QB Matthew Stafford is now the HIGHEST PAID player in NFL history with $391,313,912 in career earnings💰

Aaron Rodgers had the most career earnings, at $381.6M in 20 seasons, but the title now belongs to Stafford after he signed a restructured contract with the Rams. pic.twitter.com/DNCyNHvVyA

— Football Forever (@fballforeverhq) April 7, 2025

Stafford has earned even more per year during his time with the Rams as contracts around the league have ballooned. His earnings thus far in Los Angeles sit at a figure of $145 million, which is set to rise to $172 million after the 2025 campaign.

The combined total of $391.3 million means that no player in NFL history has earned more over the course of a career than Stafford.

Will Aaron Rodgers Take Back The Title?

But how long will that last? The player that he has technically passed on the all-time list is Aaron Rodgers. The former Packers and Jets quarterback has earned $380 million during his career, roughly $11 million less than Stafford’s new total. But Rodgers is a free agent and could sign with a team for the 2025 season, which would potentially allow him to regain the lead on this particular list.

If Rodgers opts to retire, Stafford will maintain the top spot.

The third player on the list is Tom Brady. During a 23-year career, the Greatest of All-Time quarterback earned $333 million, with $235 million coming from the New England Patriots. The next-highest active player on the list is Kirk Cousins ($321m) who is in fourth place overall, followed by Russell Wilson ($315m) in the fifth slot.

Quarterbacks make up the first 17 spots on the all-time career earnings list. The first non-QB is current San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams, whose earnings will top $218 million during the 2025 NFL season. Von Miller is the first defensive player on the list with his total of $192 million.