Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers among top 5 in NFL player career contract earnings

#3 - Matthew Stafford - $301,058,824

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford

Whether it be for the Detroit Lions or Los Angeles Rams, Matthew Stafford has consistently been one of the highest earning players each season since he entered the league, with the exception of his rookie deal. He was quick to climb the rankings of the highest earning players of all time.

Stafford will be just the third player ever to eclipse 300 million dollars in career contract earnings at the conclusion of the 2022 NFL season. He reached the milestone faster than any other player by a significant margin. He eclipsed 300 million dollars in four and nine fewer years than the only two other players who have done so.

#2 - Aaron Rodgers - $306,692,206

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers signed a massive contract extension during the 2022 offseason, making him the highest-paid player in the league by average annual value (AAV). He is the first player ever to sign a contract that eclipses 50 million dollars in AAV.

The Green Bay Packers rewarded Rodgers with a mega-deal after his recent dominance in the regular season each year. He has won 13 games in each of the last three regular seasons while also winning the MVP award in each of the last two seasons.

#1 - Tom Brady - $317,594,794

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady

Tom Brady became the first player ever to surpass 300 million dollars in career earnings from contracts during his career. Following the 2021 NFL season, he was the only player ever to reach that milestone, but he will be joined by Stafford and Rodgers during the 2022 NFL season.

Brady has achieved his contract wealth mostly because of his longevity. He has routinely taken a reduced salary during his career, so his team has the ability to improve their roster in other areas. His strategy has helped him accomplish his goal of winning Super Bowls and he currently has seven rings.