The Wealthiest QBs: What Are the Net Worths of the NFLs Top Players?
Playing quarterback in the NFL means you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. They're the leaders of their teams, which means it's understandable they're also the top-paid players.
Between salaries, endorsements and other ventures, the best QBs have the ability to rack up a decent fortune. Here are the net worths of some of the league's most notable players!
Roger Staubach - $600 Million
Financially, Roger Staubach has had way more success off the NFL field than on it. A Hall of Famer and Cowboys legend, he played in Dallas from 1969-79, an era when salaries weren't as exaggerated as they are today.
A savvy businessman, Staubach grew a real estate empire that's earned him his epic net worth of $600 million.
Tom Brady - $350 Million
Tom Brady was arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history, playing 23 seasons. Drafted 199th overall in 2000 by the New England Patriots, he became an unlikely superstar, leading the franchise to six Super Bowl championships and forming an iconic partnership with coach Bill Belichick.
In '20, Brady joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and promptly won a seventh Super Bowl, becoming the oldest quarterback to do so and proving his greatness beyond New England.
Peyton Manning - $300 Million
During his career with the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos, Peyton Manning started four Super Bowls, winning two. Thanks to his accomplishments on the field, the era he played in, and his glut of endorsement deals off the field, Manning is worth a reported $300 million.
He's kept himself busy in retirement, founding Omaha Productions and involving himself in an array of media projects.
Fran Tarkenton - $350 Million
Fran Tarkenton built his $350 million net worth on a media career and business acumen that served him well after his 18 year NFL career. For a brief period, Tarkenton worked as a color analyst for Monday Night Football.
He also was the founder of Tarkenton Software, a company specializing in generating computer programs. Not one to settle for one business, the Minnesota legend also owns stocks in Apples.
Deshaun Watson - $234.7 Million
Deshaun Watson, the current quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, is worth an estimated $237 million. Taken with the 12th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Watson has been sensational for the team and was rewarded in 2020 with a $156 million contract extension.
With less than five seasons under his belt, it's a little surprising to see Watson is already worth $24 million, a number that will undoubtedly rise as he continues to excel at an elite level.
Russell Wilson - $200 Million+
Russell Wilson is best known for his decade-long run with the Seattle Seahawks, who drafted him in the third round in 2012 out of Wisconsin. He quickly became a franchise cornerstone, leading Seattle to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances and a Super Bowl championship.
After being traded to the Denver Broncos in '22, Wilson struggled to replicate his earlier success, leading to his release after two seasons. He continued his career with the Steelers.
Aaron Rodgers - $200 Million
Aaron Rodgers is a future Hall of Fame quarterback best known for his long career with the Green Bay Packers, who drafted him 24th overall in 2005. After taking over as starter in '08, Rodgers became one of the most talented passers in league history, winning four NFL MVP awards and leading Green Bay to a Super Bowl XLV victory, where he was named Super Bowl MVP.
After 18 seasons with the Packers, Rodgers was traded to the New York Jets in '23, where injuries and setbacks slowed his late-career run.
Steve Young - $200 Million
When Steve Young succeeded Joe Montana in San Francisco, few could've predicted he'd throw a record six touchdowns in one Super Bowl. Unfortunately, young's NFL career was short-lived, as he was forced to retire in 1999 after several concussions.
Off the field, Young became a vital on-air personality for ESPN (before being laid off in '23). He's also a highly successful businessman, co-founding Huntsman Gay Global Capital.
Kirk Cousins - $180 Million
Kirk Cousins is a veteran NFL quarterback known for his consistency. He began his career after being selected in the fourth round of the 2012 draft by Washington. He became the team's full-time starter in 2015, earning a Pro Bowl selection and establishing himself as a reliable passer, before signing a fully guaranteed contract with the Minnesota Vikings in '18, a landmark deal at the time.
In Minnesota, Cousins put up strong statistical seasons, made multiple Pro Bowls and led the team to a playoff win in '19, though postseason success was limited overall. In '24, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons, continuing his career as a high-volume passer.
Eli Manning - $160-180 Million
Eli Manning has one of the more complicated legacies of the football players you'll find on this list. The franchise QB for the New York Giants, he beat Tom Brady twice in Super Bowl match-ups and earned millions during his career.
Despite his accomplishments, there are still questions about how good of a QB Manning really was. Love him or hate him, his success in the Super Bowl and a few endorsement deals secured his estimated $160-180 million net worth.
Drew Brees - $160 Million
Like Tom Brady, Drew Brees played in the NFL at an elite level well into his 40s. A legend as a Saint, he was in the Big Easy for so long that it's easy to forget he was originally drafted by the Chargers.
Brees is worth a reported $160 million and was invaluable in New Orleans. He even brought the city together after Hurricane Katrina by winning the team's first Super Bowl!
Matthew Stafford - $150-170 Million
NFL quarterback Matthew Stafford attended the University of Georgia, where he played football from 2006-08, before being drafted by the Lions in their first overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.
Impressively, Stafford was the fourth quarterback in NFL history to throw over 5,000 yards in a single season, and he was the fastest player in history to reach 40,000 yards over a period of 147 games. Stafford also once held the record for the most comeback wins in a season, a feat beaten by Kirk Cousins.
John Elway - $150 Million
John Elway spent his entire 16-year career with the Denver Broncos. During his run as starting QB, he started five Super Bowls, winning back-to-back championships before retiring.
Since then, his net worth has ballooned to $150 million. Try as he might, Elway couldn't stay away from the game, and after several successful ventures were in the books, he joined the Broncos' front off as team president, winning a third Super Bowl championship.
Patrick Mahomes - $120 Million
Patrick Mahomes has spent his entire career with the Kansas City Chiefs, after being selected 10th overall in the 2017 draft out of Texas Tech. He became the Chiefs’ full-time starter in '18 and immediately transformed the franchise, winning NFL MVP that season and establishing himself as one of the league’s most dynamic playmakers with his arm strength, creativity and improvisational style.
Mahomes has led Kansas City to multiple Super Bowl appearances and championships. He's widely viewed as the defining quarterback of his generation.
Joe Montana - $100 Million
The winner of four Super Bowls during his legendary tenure with the San Francisco 49ers, Joe Montana is worth a reported $100 million. Like Staubach, much of Montana's wealth came after he retired.
Unlike Steve Young, he's mostly stayed out of the public eye since leaving the world of professional sports behind.
Brett Favre - $100 Million
Now that we've talked about his successor, let's break down Brett Favre's net worth.
Considered one of the greatest QBs of all-time, Favre played in the NFL for 20 years for the Falcons, Packers, Jets and Vikings. When he retired, he was the league's all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns. His long career, along with endorsement deals with Wrangler Jeans and Copper Fit, have helped this Hall of Famer earn a net worth of $100 million.
Ben Roethlisberger - $100 Million
Ben Roethlisberger was a longtime NFL quarterback who spent his entire 18-season career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, after being selected 11th overall in the 2004 draft out of Miami. Nicknamed “Big Ben,” he won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and helped lead Pittsburgh to two Super Bowl titles (XL and XLIII) while appearing in a third.
Roethlisberger earned six Pro Bowl selections and retired as one of the most productive passers in league history, finishing with over 64,000 passing yards and 418 touchdowns.
Jared Goff - $100 Million
The first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Jared Goff, at one point early in his career, looked like a bust. Then Sean McVay came to Los Angeles and reinvented the QB in his image. The new version of Goff was stunning, and after leading the Rams to the Super Bowl, he was rewarded with a $134 million contract extension.
Goff moved to the Detroit Lions in 2021. His contributions to the team resulted in a four-year, $212 million contract extension just three years later.
Philip Rivers - $100 Million
Philip Rivers was the quarterback at North Carolina State before being selected in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft and the fourth overall pick by the New York Giants. During the same draft, however, he was traded to the San Diego Chargers, for whom he played a whole 16 seasons before finally signing with the Indianapolis Colts in 2020.
Currently, he is the second all-time in consecutive regular-season starts by a quarterback in NFL history with 255.
Carson Palmer - $90 Million
Few QBs in the NFL have gone through the ups and downs of Carson Palmer. He was drafted by the Bengals to bring the franchise to relevance - and he did. However, he eventually grew tired of Cincinnati and refused to play, forcing them to trade him to the Raiders. After a brief stint in black and gold, Palmer found his way to Arizona, where he came up just short of taking the team to the Super Bowl.
Now happily retired, Palmer is worth an estimated $90 million.
Joe Flacco - $85 Million
Joe Flacco is best known for his long run with the Baltimore Ravens, who drafted him 18th overall in 2008. He became Baltimore’s starter as a rookie and led the franchise to several playoff appearances, capping his prime with a legendary '12 postseason run that ended in a Super Bowl XLVII win and Super Bowl MVP honors.
After leaving the Ravens, Flacco transitioned into a journeyman role with the Broncos, Jets, Eagles and, later, the Cleveland Browns, where he enjoyed a late-career resurgence, leading Cleveland to the playoffs. He continued his career with the Indianapolis Colts.
Tony Romo - $80 Million
Tony Romo had a successful, if injury-plagued, career in the NFL as the starting QB for the Dallas Cowboys. Immediately after retiring, Romo was hired by CBS to be the network's top NFL analyst.
Romo is now known as one of the best analysts in the industry and has used his media career to gain multi-million dollar endorsement deals. Today, it's estimated he is worth about $80 million.
Cam Newton - $75 Million
Cam Newton was one of the league’s most dynamic dual-threat players, drafted first overall by the Carolina Panthers in 2011 out of Auburn. He made an immediate impact, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year, and reached the peak of his career in '15, when he was named NFL MVP after leading Carolina to a 15–1 record and a Super Bowl 50 appearance.
Known for his size, athleticism, and record-setting rushing ability at the quarterback position, Newton redefined the role with his physical style of play. Injuries later slowed his career, leading to shorter stints with the New England Patriots in '20 and a brief return to the Panthers in '21.
Sam Bradford - $70-100 Million
A former NFL quarterback, Sam Bradford played in the league for nine seasons with the St. Louis Rams and Minnesota Kings. However, he also spent some time with the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals.
Bradford declared for the draft following the 2009 season and was the first overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft. He had many achievements as a rookie, receiving the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, and he continued on to have a successful career.
Matt Ryan - $70-90 MIllion
Matt Ryan is a former quarterback best known for his long tenure with the Atlanta Falcons. Nicknamed “Matty Ice,” he became the face of the franchise for 14 seasons, earning MVP honors in 2016 after leading Atlanta to Super Bowl LI, where the team fell short in a historic loss to New England.
Ryan made four Pro Bowls and set numerous Falcons passing records while ranking among the league’s most productive quarterbacks. He finished his career with a final season on the Indianapolis Colts in '22 and retired with over 62,000 passing yards and 381 touchdowns.
Alex Smith - $70-80 Million
The former quarterback for Washington, Smith started his football career in college for the Utah Utes, being named the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year. After college, he was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the first pick of the 2005 NFL Draft, but struggled with injuries for the first six seasons.
While he underwent numerous trades and saw many career highlights, his career was plagued with misfortune.
Troy Aikman - $65 Million
Troy Aikman is the winner of three Super Bowls, and following his retirement he worked for FOX as the network's No. 1 analyst. He played for 12 years, all for the Cowboys, where he became the franchise's most decorated QB.
As an analyst, Aikman is said to have earned $7.5 million a year - that number made him one of the highest-paid analysts in the industry. Today, his net worth is estimated to be a cool $65 million.
Dan Marino - $50 Million
Dan Marino spent 17 seasons in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins. When he retired, he was statistically the best QB to ever play the game. Even though he never won a Super Bowl, Marino was the team's franchise player and they've been looking for his replacement ever since.
After retiring, Marino turned to broadcasting.
Drew Bledsoe - $45-50 Million
Drew Bledsoe played for a long time in the NFL. Not only did he lead the Patriots to the Super Bowl once, but he made a notable impact during his time with the New England Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys.
After putting his shoulder pads away for good, Bledsoe started a new career in winemaking. He moved to Bend, Oregon, to raise his kids and started his own wine label in Napa County, California. He is worth an estimated $45-50 million.
Carson Wentz - $43-45 Million
Carson Wentz was drafted second overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016 after a standout college career at North Dakota State. He starred early in Philadelphia, earning a Pro Bowl selection in '17 and helping the team to a strong season, before a torn ACL ended his MVP-caliber year.
After inconsistent play and injuries, he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in '21, then spent single seasons with the Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs as a backup, before signing with the Minnesota Vikings in '25, where he started several games before a season-ending shoulder injury.
Andrew Luck - $40-50 Million
If it weren't for injuries, Andrew Luck would be much higher on this list. When he was healthy, he was one of the best QBs in the NFL. In 2016, the Colts even inked the star to the five-year, $123 million extension!
Luck never played out the entirety of that contract. At 29 years old, he retired from the NFL, citing the punishment his body had taken as the reason. Today, the former star is worth a reported $40-50 million.
Jay Cutler - $30-32 Million
A high profile draft prospect, Jay Cutler bounced around the NFL during his career, almost always as a starting QB. Whether it was for the Broncos, Bears or Dolphins, Cutler always ended up under center and earned a nice payday as a result.
Adding to his net worth profile was a high profile marriage to Laguna Beach star Kristin Cavallari. The romance resulted in the pair getting their own reality television show, but wasn't made to last. They divorced in 2022.
Terry Bradshaw - $25-40 Million
Terry Bradshaw won an impressive four Super Bowls during his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Unfortunately for his wallet, matching Joe Montana with big game wins hasn't meant the same for his net worth. A stable career on television as a FOX analyst has helped Bradshaw's net worth rise to $25-40 million.
Just being an analyst wasn't enough for Bradshaw, who had a reality TV show with his family on E!, titled The Bradshaw Bunch - a punny take on The Brady Bunch name!
Michael Vick - $6-7 Million
Michael Vick is a former professional football quarterback who played a total of 13 seasons in the NFL, mostly with the Atlanta Falcons and the Philadelphia Eagles. In college, he played football at Virginia Tech, until the Falcons picked him as the first overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft.
Over the course of his football career, he was the first NFL quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
