The National Football League (NFL) is one of the most popular and lucrative sports leagues in the world, with an average annual revenue of over $15 billion. The NFL players are also among the highest-paid athletes in the world, with some of them earning more than $40 million per year. However, not all NFL players have the same net worth, as some of them have managed to accumulate more wealth than others through various sources, such as endorsements, investments, business ventures, and post-retirement careers. In this article, we will look at the top 10 richest NFL players of all time, based on their estimated net worth as of 2023, and how they earned their fortunes and how they spend their wealth and their lifestyle.
10. John Elway: $145 million
John Elway is a former quarterback who played for the Denver Broncos from 1983 to 1998. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, having won two Super Bowls, one Super Bowl MVP, and nine Pro Bowl selections. He is also a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.
Elway’s net worth is estimated at $145 million, which he earned mostly from his NFL salary, which totaled $46.6 million over his 16-year career. He also earned millions from endorsements, such as Nike, Coca-Cola, and Wheaties. After retiring from the NFL, Elway became a successful businessman, owning several car dealerships, restaurants, and a stake in the Arena Football League. He is currently the president of football operations and general manager of the Denver Broncos, a position he has held since 2011.
Elway’s lifestyle is lavish, as he owns several luxury properties, such as a $6 million mansion in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado, and a $15 million ranch in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He also owns a private jet, a helicopter, and a collection of classic cars. He is married to his second wife, Paige Green, a former cheerleader, and has four children from his first marriage.
9. Eli Manning: $150 million
Eli Manning is a former quarterback who played for the New York Giants from 2004 to 2019. He is the younger brother of Peyton Manning, another NFL legend, and the son of Archie Manning, a former NFL quarterback. He is best known for leading the Giants to two Super Bowl victories over the New England Patriots, in 2007 and 2011, earning the Super Bowl MVP award both times. He is also a four-time Pro Bowl selection and the Giants’ all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns.
Manning’s net worth is estimated at $150 million, which he earned mostly from his NFL salary, which totaled $252.3 million over his 16-year career, making him the highest-earning player in NFL history. He also earned millions from endorsements, such as Toyota, Gatorade, DirecTV, and Citizen Watch. After retiring from the NFL, Manning has been working as a broadcaster and analyst for ESPN, as well as a spokesperson for several charities, such as the March of Dimes and the Tackle Kids Cancer Foundation.
Manning’s lifestyle is modest, compared to some of his peers, as he prefers to keep a low profile and avoid the spotlight. He lives in a $8.5 million mansion in Summit, New Jersey, with his wife, Abby McGrew, and their four children. He also owns a $7 million beach house in Quogue, New York, and a $4.7 million condo in Hoboken, New Jersey. He enjoys playing golf, fishing, and spending time with his family.
8. Drew Brees: $160 million
Drew Brees is a former quarterback who played for the San Diego Chargers from 2001 to 2005, and the New Orleans Saints from 2006 to 2020. He is one of the most prolific passers in NFL history, holding the records for most career passing yards, most career completions, and highest career completion percentage. He is also a Super Bowl champion, a Super Bowl MVP, a 13-time Pro Bowl selection, and a two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He is widely admired for his leadership, sportsmanship, and philanthropy.
Brees’ net worth is estimated at $160 million, which he earned mostly from his NFL salary, which totaled $269.7 million over his 20-year career, making him the second-highest-earning player in NFL history. He also earned millions from endorsements, such as Nike, Wrangler, Procter & Gamble, and Microsoft. After retiring from the NFL, Brees has been working as a broadcaster and analyst for NBC, as well as a partner and advisor for several businesses, such as Waitr, Untuckit, and Walk-On’s.
Brees’ lifestyle is generous, as he is known for his charitable efforts and community involvement. He and his wife, Brittany, have donated over $35 million to various causes, such as Hurricane Katrina relief, cancer research, education, and children’s welfare. He also supports several organizations, such as the USO, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Brees Dream Foundation. He lives in a $6.1 million mansion in New Orleans, Louisiana, with his wife and their four children. He also owns a $2.4 million condo in San Diego, California, and a $9 million vacation home in Kauai, Hawaii. He enjoys surfing, golfing, and reading.
7. Russell Wilson: $165 million
Russell Wilson is a quarterback who plays for the Seattle Seahawks since 2012. He is one of the most dynamic and versatile players in the NFL, being able to run, pass, and catch the ball. He is also a Super Bowl champion, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, and the NFL’s highest-paid player, as of 2023. He is also a devout Christian and a role model for many young athletes.
Wilson’s net worth is estimated at $165 million, which he earned mostly from his NFL salary, which totaled $163.6 million over his 10-year career, as of 2023. He also earned millions from endorsements, such as Nike, Bose, Microsoft, and Alaska Airlines. He also has several business ventures, such as Good Man Brand, a clothing line, Limitless Minds, a mental training company, and TraceMe, a social media platform. He is also a co-owner of the Seattle Sounders FC, a Major League Soccer team.
Wilson’s lifestyle is glamorous, as he is married to Ciara, a famous singer and entertainer, and has three children, one from Ciara’s previous relationship. He lives in a $6.7 million mansion in Bellevue, Washington, and also owns a $9.5 million penthouse in New York City. He also has a collection of luxury cars, such as a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, a Rolls-Royce Phantom, and a Ferrari Spider. He enjoys traveling, cooking, and singing.
6. Steve Young: $200 million
Steve Young is a former quarterback who played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1985 to 1986, and the San Francisco 49ers from 1987 to 1999. He is considered one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks of all time, being able to run and pass the ball with equal skill. He is also a three-time Super Bowl champion, a two-time NFL MVP, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.
Young’s net worth is estimated at $200 million, which he earned mostly from his NFL salary, which totaled $40.6 million over his 15-year career. He also earned millions from endorsements, such as Visa, Sprint, and Wheaties. After retiring from the NFL, Young became a successful businessman, lawyer, and investor, being involved in several ventures, such as HGGC, a private equity firm, Forever Young Foundation, a charitable organization, and Monta Vista Capital, a venture capital firm. He is also a broadcaster and analyst for ESPN.
Young’s lifestyle is simple, as he is a devout Mormon and a family man. He lives in a $4 million home in Palo Alto, California, with his wife, Barbara, and their four children. He also owns a $2.5 million home in Park City, Utah, and a $3 million home in Greenwich, Connecticut. He enjoys skiing, golfing, and playing the guitar.
5. John Madden: $200 million
John Madden is a former coach and broadcaster who is widely regarded as one of the most influential and popular figures in NFL history. He is best known for his colorful and enthusiastic commentary, as well as his eponymous video game series, Madden NFL, which is the best-selling sports video game franchise of all time. He is also a Super Bowl champion, a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, and a 16-time Emmy Award winner.
Madden’s net worth is estimated at $200 million, which he earned mostly from his broadcasting and video game career, which spanned over four decades. He also earned millions from endorsements, such as Ace Hardware, Miller Lite, and Outback Steakhouse. After retiring from broadcasting in 2009, Madden has been working as a consultant and advisor for the NFL, as well as a co-chair of the NFL Player Safety Advisory Panel. He is also a philanthropist, supporting several causes, such as the Boys and Girls Club, the Special Olympics, and the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Madden’s lifestyle is unique, as he is famously afraid of flying and prefers to travel by bus. He owns a $10 million custom-made bus, nicknamed the Madden Cruiser, which he uses to visit various places and events. He lives in a $4.1 million estate in Pleasanton, California, with his wife, Virginia, and has two sons and five grandchildren. He enjoys cooking, gardening, and collecting wine.
4. Peyton Manning: $250 million
Peyton Manning is a former quarterback who played for the Indianapolis Colts from 1998 to 2011, and the Denver Broncos from 2012 to 2015. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, having won two Super Bowls, one with each team, and five NFL MVP awards, the most in NFL history. He is also a 14-time Pro Bowl selection, a seven-time First-Team All-Pro, and the NFL’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns. He is also a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.
Manning’s net worth is estimated at $250 million, which he earned mostly from his NFL salary, which totaled $248.7 million over his 18-year career, making him the third-highest-earning player in NFL history. He also earned millions from endorsements, such as Nationwide, Papa John’s, Buick, and Reebok. After retiring from the NFL, Manning has been working as a host and producer of several shows, such as Peyton’s Places, Detail, and Capital One’s The College Bowl. He is also a part-owner of the Memphis Grizzlies, an NBA team, and a co-founder of Level Select, a CBD brand.
Manning’s lifestyle is extravagant, as he is known for his lavish spending and generous tipping. He lives in a $16 million mansion in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado, with his wife, Ashley, and their two children. He also owns a $8.5 million vacation home in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and a $4.5 million condo in Denver, Colorado. He also has a collection of expensive cars, such as a Cadillac Escalade, a Ferrari 599, and a Bentley Continental. He enjoys golfing, skiing, and playing pranks.
3. Fran Tarkenton: $300 million
Fran Tarkenton is a former quarterback who played for the Minnesota Vikings from 1961 to 1966, and from 1972 to 1978, and the New York Giants from 1967 to 1971. He is considered one of the pioneers of the scrambling quarterback style, being able to evade defenders and extend plays with his legs. He is also a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, a one-time NFL MVP, and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.
Tarkenton’s net worth is estimated at $300 million, which he earned mostly from his post-NFL career as a businessman, entrepreneur, and investor. He founded several companies, such as Tarkenton Software, KnowledgeWare, and GoSmallBiz.com, and invested in several others, such as Coca-Cola, IBM, and Apple. He is also a broadcaster and author, having worked for NBC, CBS, and ABC, and written several books, such as Playing to Win, What Losing Taught Me About Winning, and The Power of Failure.
Tarkenton’s lifestyle is adventurous, as he is known for his love of traveling and exploring new places and cultures. He lives in a $2.5 million penthouse in Atlanta, Georgia, with his third wife, Linda, and has four children and seven grandchildren from his previous marriages. He also owns a $1.5 million ranch in Madison, Georgia, and a $1.2 million condo in New York City. He enjoys flying, sailing, and reading.
2. Tom Brady: $300 million
Tom Brady is a quarterback who plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since 2020, after playing for the New England Patriots from 2000 to 2019. He is widely regarded as the greatest quarterback of all time, and the greatest player in NFL history, having won seven Super Bowls, the most by any player, and five Super Bowl MVP awards, also the most by any player. He is also a 14-time Pro Bowl selection, a three-time NFL MVP, and a three-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He is also a member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team and the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
Brady’s net worth is estimated at $300 million, which he earned mostly from his NFL salary, which totaled $263.5 million over his 22-year career, as of 2023. He also earned millions from endorsements, such as Under Armour, UGG, Tag Heuer, and Aston Martin. He also has several business ventures, such as TB12, a health and wellness brand, 199 Productions, a media company, and Autograph, a digital collectibles platform. He is also a co-chair of the NFL Players Association Executive Committee.
Brady’s lifestyle is glamorous, as he is married to Gisele Bundchen, a supermodel and activist, and has three children, one from his previous relationship. He lives in a $17 million mansion in Indian Creek Island, Florida, and also owns a $33.9 million mansion in Brookline, Massachusetts, and a $14 million apartment in New York City. He also has a collection of luxury cars, such as a Bugatti Veyron, a Rolls-Royce Ghost, and a Tesla Model S. He enjoys surfing, skiing, and meditating.
1. Roger Staubach: $600 million
Roger Staubach is a former quarterback who played for the Dallas Cowboys from 1969 to 1979. He is considered one of the greatest clutch performers in NFL history, having led the Cowboys to four Super Bowl appearances, winning two of them, and earning the nickname “Captain Comeback” for his late-game heroics. He is also a six-time Pro Bowl selection, a one-time NFL MVP, and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.
Staubach’s net worth is estimated at $600 million, which he earned mostly from his post-NFL career as a real estate mogul, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He founded The Staubach Company, a commercial real estate firm, in 1977, and sold it to Jones Lang LaSalle for $613 million in 2008. He is also involved in several other ventures, such as Cinemark, a movie theater chain, Wingstop, a restaurant chain, and Hall of Fame Village, a sports and entertainment complex. He is also a supporter of several causes, such as the United Way, the Salvation Army, and the Children’s Cancer Fund.
Staubach’s lifestyle is humble, as he is a devout Catholic and a family man. He lives in a $3.5 million home in Dallas, Texas, with his wife, Marianne, and has five children and 15 grandchildren. He also owns a $2.2 million home in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a $1.8 million home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He enjoys golfing, fishing, and playing cards.