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:
Packers: QB Aaron Rodgers, $306.6MM
Cowboys: QB Dak Prescott, $295.4MM
Falcons: QB Matt Ryan, $269.5MM
Steelers: QB Ben Roethlisberger, $266.7MM
Saints: QB Drew Brees, $259.2MM
Giants: QB Eli Manning, $232.4MM
Chiefs: QB Patrick Mahomes, $231.9MM
Patriots: QB Tom Brady, $230.3MM
Lions: QB Matthew Stafford, $219MM
Chargers: QB Philip Rivers, $217.1MM
Bills: QB Josh Allen, $207.4MM
Cardinals: QB Kyler Murray, $206.7MM
Rams: QB Matthew Stafford, $189MM
Ravens: QB Lamar Jackson, $186.9MM
Vikings: QB Kirk Cousins, $185MM
Browns: QB Deshaun Watson, $183.3MM
Seahawks: QB Russell Wilson, $181.3MM
Dolphins: QB Tua Tagovailoa, $178.3MM
Bengals: QB Joe Burrow, $177.1MM
Colts: QB Peyton Manning, $170.7MM
Eagles: OT Lane Johnson, $166.2MM
Buccaneers: WR Mike Evans, $154.9MM
49ers: OT Trent Williams, $144.3MM
Broncos: LB Von Miller, $143.7MM
Raiders: QB Derek Carr, $135.5MM
Panthers: QB Cam Newton, $127.3MM
Titans: QB Ryan Tannehill, $122.5MM
Texans: OT Laremy Tunsil, $110.7MM
Jaguars: QB Trevor Lawrence, $107.6MM
Bears: QB Jay Cutler, $103.9MM
Commanders: OT Trent Williams, $98.5MM
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.