As some of the highest-paid athletes in professional sports, NFL players do well for themselves. As the likes of Travis Kelce can attest, they’re extremely wealthy individuals after working hard to get to the very top of American football. However, who are the NFL’s highest earners in 2026?
Well, as you can probably imagine, there are some highly lucrative contracts being signed on a yearly basis by some of the sport’s most respected stars. With the new season getting underway on September 10 and NFL fans already looking at the current Week 1 NFL odds, a number of notable NFL heroes have already put pen to paper on a range of massive deals. In fact, according to the annual value of their contracts, they go down as some of the highest earners the sport has ever seen. Below are just a few.
Patrick Mahomes
After signing the first deal to cross the half-billion-dollar mark, Patrick Mahomes is the sport’s richest player. Signed in June, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback is bringing home around $63 million on a yearly basis and it’s probably justified given his importance to the team. His Chiefs troops haven’t won the Super Bowl since 2024, but with Patrick Mahomes undoubtedly motivated to bring home the bacon after landing a highly lucrative new deal, they could be right up there this campaign.
Dak Prescott
Another world-class quarterback most teams in the NFL would be interested in if he ever became available, Dak Prescott is always capable of putting on game-winning performances. Given his undeniable abilities, the Cowboys tied their hero down to a contract that will see him earn $60 million a year. Prescott’s new four-year contract also included an $80 million signing bonus. After learning his trade with the Mississippi State Bulldogs, it’s fair to say Dak Prescott has done extremely well for himself and his family.
Jalen Carter
Having signed a four-year extension through to 2031 in July, Jalen Carter is officially the highest earner in his position. The interior defender will be bringing home a massive $38 million per year, resulting in earnings of $152 million when his contract comes to an end. It’s hardly surprising given the Seahawks’ reliance on Carter, with his input in 2024 playing a key role in the franchise’s Super Bowl run. Overall, if the Philadelphia Eagles are to achieve great things in the future, tying Carter down to his new deal makes sense.
Matthew Stafford
Back to a position on the field that tends to bring in the highest earnings, Matthew Stafford is a star quarterback the Los Angeles Rams are lucky to have. The Rams rate Stafford so highly that they tied the 38-year-old down to a new one-year extension in May of this year. His $55 million contract is the biggest of his career to date, highlighting how much players can command despite being in the latter stages of their careers. Still, Stafford is capable of winning the biggest of prizes, and the Rams will be hoping to see him produce the goods before his deal expires in 2027.
Josh Allen
Alongside the likes of Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence, and Joe Burrow, Josh Allen earns an annual salary of around $55 million. The Buffalo Bills star is one of the highest-paid players in NFL history, after signing his new contract extension until 2030. If the Bills are to do the unthinkable and win their first-ever Super Bowl, then you can almost guarantee that Josh Allen will have played a crucial role in it.
