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NFL players have the opportunity to make millions of dollars during the course of their careers, and most of them take full advantage of it. Teams give their players massive contracts based on their ability to perform on the football field. The better they play, the more money they make from their contracts.
In addition to playing football, many NFL players have business interests. They are extremely popular and recognizable among the public. Increasing popularity is an important strategy for players as it allows them to land more endorsement deals, which can be worth millions of dollars.
While all players have the ability to earn endorsements, quarterbacks have traditionally dominated the field.
On that note, here's a look at the five players who earn the most endorsement money, according to Forbes.
#5 Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers - $11 million
Aaron Rodgers signed a record-breaking contract extension with the Green Bay Packers during the 2022 NFL offseason. The massive deal made him the first player in NFL history to sign a contract worth more than $50 million in AAV.
In addition to having the most valuable contract in the league, Rodgers also makes more than $10 million annually in endorsements. He has notable deals with Adidas and Fanatics, while his largest one is with State Farm.
#4 Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos - $12 million
Russell Wilson became embroiled in one of the biggest storylines of the 2022 offseason as he moved from the Seattle Seahawks to the Denver Broncos. He believes the move will help him grow his legacy as well as his brand.
Wilson currently runs his own brand, 3BRAND, which deals mostly in clothing and apparrel. 3BRAND has a licencing deal with Lids, while Wilson also has major deals with Nike and Pepsi.
#3 Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys - $13 million
Dak Prescott signed a record-setting contract with the Dallas Cowboys prior to the start of the 2021 NFL season. Included in the contract was a massive $66 million signing bonus, which is the highest of all time for any NFL player.
Prescott is also loaded with endorsement deals. He recently made a move from Adidas to Jordan Brand for his shoe and apparel rights, which earned him a huge raise. He also has a deal with Ethernity, a major NFT platform.
#2 Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs - $22 million
Patrick Mahomes set an NFL and American sports record when he signed a 10-year contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs. Worth $450 million, it brings his total contract to $503 million over 12 years. It's the largest sports contract in terms of total money in American sports history and second only to Lionel Messi across sports.
In addition to breaking the bank with his team contract, Mahomes is also one of the highest-earning athletes through endorsements. Some of his most notable deals are with Adidas, Oakley, Bose, and State Farm.
#1 Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - $45 million
Tom Brady has made a habit of breaking records on the football field. While his athletic accomplishments are absolutely legendary, he has also been dominant off the field.
Brady earns more than twice as much as any other player in endorsements, as he has massive deals with Under Armour and FTX, among others. He has also been building out several of his own brands, including TB12, 199 Productions, and Autograph.
