NFL All Time Career Earnings Leaders: Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers, Dak Prescott, Kirk Cousins, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and more

Patrick Mahomes signed a massive, record-breaking, and historical contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs in June 2026 [an 8-year, $500 million deal].But he is not the leader [at the top] in the NFL All-Time Career Earnings Leaders board.

Patrick Mahomes ranks behind Jared Goff, Aaron Rodgers, Dak Prescott, and three others

According to Spotrac’s Active All-Time NFL Career Earnings Leaders board through 2026, the Chiefs QB ranks sixth with $288 million. After Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff with $314 million at fifth position. Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers, Dak Prescott, and Kirk Cousins are unbeatable Top 3 NFL All-time Career Earnings Leaders at the moment.Spotrac’s NFL Career Earnings has three settings we are exclusively interested in: Through 2025 All-Time, Through 2026 All-Time, and Through 2026 Active.

NFL Career Earnings through 2026 Active Players

The list below comprises all-time players - active [who are currently playing in the NFL]. There are nine quarterbacks and one offensive tackle.

NFL Career Earnings through 2026 season All Time Players

The below list consists of all-time players - retired and active. Retired players include Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, and Matt Ryan. All three entered broadcasting roles post-retirement. With one exception:Matt Ryan now belongs to the Atlanta Falcons as their president of football.

His broadcasting role was taken up by Russell Wilson. Tom Brady signed a massive contract [10-year, $375 million] with FOX Sports. As for Russell Wilson, who retired in June 2026, now works as analyst for CBS Sports.

NFL Career Earnings through 2025 All Time Players

The table below includes all-time players - retired and active - through 2025. Last year’s comparison included retired players Drew Brees, Russell Wilson, Tom Brady, Matt Ryan, and Ben Roethlisberger.

We’ve talked about three before. Drew Brees also entered the broadcasting scenario. He is currently a FOX Sports commentator and a serial entrepreneur. He took up the role of Mark Sanchez, who was involved in an Indianapolis stabbing case.As for Pittsburgh Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger, he runs his own podcast called “Footballin’ with Ben Roethlisberger.” He also made his debut on ManningCast during the 2025 NFL Playoffs, alongside NFL legends Eli Manning and Peyton Manning.

Top 10 Massive NFL Contracts

We saw with every setting, the dynamics changed for NFL Career Earnings.As for the record-breaking contracts, there have been plenty of blockbuster deals before Patrick Mahomes, but none like his, though. The top leader before the Kansas City Chiefs QB was Josh Allen! His nemesis from gridiron. Followed by

Joe Burrow

, Trevor Lawrence, and others. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recently reported that following Mahomes’ massive contract extension, Lamar Jackson’s blockbuster deal could come to fruition. Barnwell suggested a 4-year, $260 million deal with an average annual salary of $65 million. If this comes to fruition, Jackson will rank ahead of Mahomes, whose average annual salary is $63 million.