Top 10 Highest-Paid NFL Players in 2024: Goff Leads with Record-Breaking Earnings

The 2024 NFL offseason saw a historic surge in player contracts, with a record-breaking $12.4 billion in new deals—an impressive $2 billion more than 2022, according to data from Spotrac. This offseason also set or matched the highest average annual contract value for 13 different positions. Standout players include left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who will make an average of $28.1 million per year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Detroit Lions’ right tackle Penei Sewell, earning an average of $28 million. Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive tackle Chris Jones set a new high at his position with $31.8 million, while Minnesota Vikings’ wide receiver Justin Jefferson now leads non-quarterback earners with a $35 million annual salary.

Despite this wave of massive contracts, even these record paydays don’t guarantee a spot on the list of the NFL’s 10 highest-paid players. That exclusive club belongs to nine star quarterbacks and one tight end—Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce—who make up the top 10 earners.

Leading the pack is Detroit Lions’ Jared Goff, projected to earn $85.6 million in 2024, factoring in both his playing contract and off-field earnings. The top 10 earners will collectively rake in $644 million this year (before taxes and fees), smashing last year’s record of $508 million. Seven years ago, the combined earnings of the top 10 were just $296 million, showing how drastically NFL salaries have increased. The cutoff for this year’s top 10 is $47 million, a 15% rise from 2023’s $41 million.

This year marks the third consecutive year that the list includes at least nine quarterbacks. The only exception is Kelce, who ranks seventh with an estimated $52 million, driven largely by a staggering $35 million in off-field income. His biggest off-field earnings come from his hit podcast, “New Heights,” co-hosted with his brother, Jason Kelce, following a lucrative three-year, $105 million deal with Amazon’s Wondery. This deal ends Chiefs teammate Patrick Mahomes’ reign as the NFL’s top off-field earner. Mahomes still holds lucrative endorsements with brands like Adidas, State Farm, and Subway, but his off-field income is expected to be around $25 million in 2024.

NFL players’ on-field earnings are soaring as well, driven by the league’s financial success. Team revenues rose 8% year-over-year, averaging $630 million last season. The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, which ensures players receive at least 48% of league revenue, has led to increases in the salary cap—up to $255.4 million this season, a $30 million increase over 2023. This financial boost has given teams more flexibility to offer bigger contracts, particularly at wide receiver, where five of the top contracts by average annual value were signed in the past six months.

One noteworthy case is Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who received a $75 million signing bonus—an NFL record—that pushed him to third on the 2024 earnings list with a total of $80.5 million. However, his on-field salary is expected to dip to $13 million in 2025 before rising again to $51 million in 2026. This variability in bonuses and contracts ensures that the top 10 earners can change dramatically year to year.

The NFL’s top-earning players in 2024 include:

1. Jared Goff ($85.6 million)

Age: 29 | Position: Quarterback | Team: Detroit Lions

On-Field: $80.6 million | Off-Field: $5 million

Goff secured a four-year, $212 million contract extension in May, including $170 million in practical guarantees and a no-trade clause. His $73 million signing bonus set an NFL record for two months before Jordan Love surpassed it. Goff also has endorsement deals with Ford, Old Spice, and Jared jewelers.

2. Patrick Mahomes ($81 million)

Age: 28 | Position: Quarterback | Team: Kansas City Chiefs

On-Field: $56 million | Off-Field: $25 million

Mahomes remains the holder of the largest contract in NFL history by total value, with a 10-year, $450 million deal. However, on an annual basis, several quarterbacks now surpass him. Mahomes, who is seeking a third consecutive Super Bowl title, has endorsements with Adidas, State Farm, and Prime sports drinks.

3. Jordan Love ($80.5 million)

Age: 25 | Position: Quarterback | Team: Green Bay Packers

On-Field: $79 million | Off-Field: $1.5 million

Love, after serving as Aaron Rodgers’ backup, became the Packers’ starting quarterback and signed a four-year, $220 million contract in 2024. His record-breaking $75 million signing bonus puts him among the top three earners.

4. Joe Burrow ($69.7 million)

Age: 27 | Position: Quarterback | Team: Cincinnati Bengals

On-Field: $65.7 million | Off-Field: $4 million

Burrow signed a five-year, $275 million contract extension, including a $55 million option bonus. His off-field endorsements include a new deal with Alo Yoga.

5. Justin Herbert ($66.6 million)

Age: 26 | Position: Quarterback | Team: Los Angeles Chargers

On-Field: $56.6 million | Off-Field: $10 million

Herbert signed a five-year, $262.5 million contract extension in 2023. Off the field, he has endorsements with SoFi, TCL, and Dr. Squatch.

6. Kirk Cousins ($65 million)

Age: 36 | Position: Quarterback | Team: Atlanta Falcons

On-Field: $62.5 million | Off-Field: $2.5 million

Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons in 2024. He has endorsements with Mercedes-Benz and Truist bank.

7. Travis Kelce ($52 million)

Age: 34 | Position: Tight End | Team: Kansas City Chiefs

On-Field: $17 million | Off-Field: $35 million

Kelce’s off-field earnings, driven by his podcast and media ventures, are the highest ever for a non-quarterback. His recent on-field extension with the Chiefs adds $34.3 million over two years.

8. Russell Wilson ($49 million)

Age: 35 | Position: Quarterback | Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

On-Field: $39 million | Off-Field: $10 million

Wilson remains a star both on and off the field, with numerous endorsement deals and a strong on-field presence with the Steelers.

9. $47.2 million

Aaron Rodgers

Age: 40 | Position: Quarterback | Team: New York Jets | On-Field Earnings: $38.2 million • Off-Field Earnings: $9 million

Aaron Rodgers’ first season with the New York Jets ended abruptly with an Achilles tear, but he made an exceptionally fast recovery and returned to practice 77 days after surgery. His restructured contract with the Jets reduced his 2024 and 2025 pay by $35 million, though his career earnings will still top $418 million, surpassing Tom Brady’s NFL record. Rodgers continues to earn $9 million annually from endorsements with brands like ZenWtr and Amberjack shoes.

10. $47 million

Deshaun Watson

Age: 28 | Position: Quarterback | Team: Cleveland Browns | On-Field Earnings: $46 million • Off-Field Earnings: $1 million

Deshaun Watson enters the third year of his fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract with the Browns, having restructured it in August. Despite a successful 5-1 start in 2023, a shoulder injury cut his season short. Watson remains relatively inactive off the field following allegations of sexual harassment, though he did invest in Lefty’s Famous Cheesesteaks and took part in a goodwill tour of Saudi Arabia earlier this year.