Matthew Stafford has played the most important position in football for a very long time and at a high level. That combination is what’s made him one of the top earners in NFL history.
Over the course of his career, Stafford has made $364.3 million. There’s only one active player in the league who has made more, and that player is Aaron Rodgers. In fact, Rodgers is the only player all-time with more career earnings than Stafford.
Rodgers, who came into the NFL four years before Stafford, has made $380.6 million in his career, according to Spotrac. Third on the list is Russell Wilson, who’s made $305.3 million and is the only other player who’s earned at least $300 million in his career. Kirk Cousins and Dak Prescott round out the top five.
Top Active #NFL Career Earners
(thru the 2024 season)Aaron Rodgers, $380.6M
Matthew Stafford, $364.3M
Russell Wilson, $305.3M
Kirk Cousins, $294.1M
Dak Prescott, $248.5Mhttps://t.co/C6sPELovQN— Spotrac (@spotrac) December 19, 2024
It’s possible Stafford will overtake Rodgers at some point before he retires, especially if he and the Rams redo the quarterback’s contract in the offseason. Even at the age of 36, he’s still playing at a high level and has shown no signs of slowing down, so he could easily play into his 40s.
It’s truly an accomplishment to perform as well as Stafford has for nearly 20 years in the NFL, and his career earnings are a testament to how highly he’s bene viewed by the Lions and Rams throughout his career.