What does it take to go from NFL stardom to building a financial empire?
By 2025, the league’s wealthiest players have proven that success isn’t just about scoring touchdowns—it’s about making smart moves off the field.
From record-breaking contracts to groundbreaking business ventures, these athletes have turned their fame into fortunes that extend far beyond the gridiron.
In this blog, we reveal the top 10 richest NFL players of 2025, ranked by their verified net worth’s. You’ll discover how these legends leveraged their careers into multi-million-dollar empires.
Top 10 Richest NFL Player in 2025 (Retired & Active)
The NFL is home to some of the wealthiest athletes.
In 2025, these top earners have not only scored big on the field but also made smart investments off the field.
Let’s check out the top 10 richest NFL players and their incredible net worth’s.
1. Roger Staubach – Net Worth: $600 Million
“Real estate isn’t just a game—it’s my legacy.” – Staubach, Dallas Morning News, 2022
Staubach’s fortune stems from his 2008 sale of The Staubach Company for $613 million.
Today, he chairs the advisory board of Jones Lang LaSalle and invests in major urban projects, including Dallas’ $1.2 billion Victory Park district, according to Spotrac.
“Staubach’s disciplined approach to real estate mirrors his NFL career—calculated, strategic, and relentless,”
Wall Street Journal analyst
“Staubach’s disciplined approach to real estate mirrors his NFL career—calculated, strategic, and relentless,” says a Wall Street Journal analyst.
In 2023, Staubach donated $50 million to veterans’ housing initiatives, calling it “the most rewarding touchdown of my life.”
2. Tom Brady – Net Worth: $300 Million
“Retirement? I’m just changing playbooks.” says Brady on Let’s Go! Podcast in 2023.
Brady’s wealth comes from his $375 million Fox Sports analyst deal, his TB12 wellness brand, and his Brady Brand apparel line.
“I’d trade all my rings for my kids’ future. Luckily, I don’t have to.”
Brady, CBS Morning, 2024
After some losses with FTX, he shifted to safer ventures like 199 Productions, which produced his Emmy-winning series Man in the Arena.
“Brady’s post-career moves prioritize stability. His Fox deal alone guarantees generational wealth,” says Sports Business Journal.
Learn More: Tyreek Hill Net Worth: Contract, Salary, Endorsement, Business Venture, and Lifestyle
3. Peyton Manning – Net Worth: $250 Million
“Pizza, bourbon, and football—my holy trinity.”
Manning owns 21 Papa John’s franchises and runs Omaha Productions, the company behind ESPN’s hit show Peyton’s Places.
In 2024, he launched Sweetens Cove Spirits, a bourbon brand now valued at $80 million.
“Manning’s authenticity drives his success. Consumers trust him, whether he’s selling pizza or storytelling,” says a Nielsen report.
Fan Favorite: His 2023 roast of brother Eli on Monday Night Football broke ESPN+ streaming records.
4. John Madden – Net Worth: $200 Million
“Boom! Legacy lives louder than words.”
Madden’s estate continues to earn royalties from the Madden NFL video game series, now a $7 billion franchise.
The 2024 tribute edition of Madden NFL 25 donated $1 million to youth football programs in his name.
“Madden’s brand is immortal. The game keeps his voice in every living room,” says ESPN’s 30 for 30: The Madden Dynasty.
Nostalgia Bomb: Madden’s 1976 Raiders playbook sold for $1.2 million at auction in 2023.
5. Aaron Rodgers – Net Worth: $200 Million
“Mindfulness, ayahuasca, and $200 million? Only Rodgers.”
Rodgers’ $75 million guaranteed Jets deal and State Farm ads fuel his wealth.
In 2024, he invested in the Milwaukee Bucks and launched A State of Mind, a wellness podcast topping Spotify charts.
“Rodgers’ off-field persona attracts niche markets, from psychedelics to holistic health,” says The Athletic.
“I’ll retire when curiosity does.” says Rodgers on The Pat McAfee Show in 2023
Learn More: Nick Sirianni Net Worth: How the Eagles’ Coach Built His $10 Million Fortune
6. Russell Wilson – Net Worth: $165 Million
“Denver’s QB is building a mile-high empire.”
Wilson’s $245 million Broncos contract includes performance bonuses, while his Why Not You? coffee chain funds scholarships for underprivileged students.
In 2024, he joined the ownership group of MLB’s Seattle Mariners.
“Wilson’s community-centric branding ensures loyalty beyond the gridiron,”
SportsPro Media
“I want to own a team, coach a team, and maybe even play for one—simultaneously.” says Wilson on The Pivot Podcast in 2023
7. Steve Young – Net Worth: $160 Million
“Scrambling from blitzes to boardrooms.”
Young co-founded HGGC, a private equity firm with over $5 billion in assets. In 2024, HGGC acquired League Apps, a youth sports software company, aligning with Young’s passion for grassroots athletics.
“Young’s focus on youth sports tech bridges his NFL legacy with future generations,” says Private Equity International.
8. Drew Brees – Net Worth: $160 Million
“From Saints icon to sports tech visionary.”
Brees co-owns PointsBet sportsbook and invests in Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, a chain valued at $100 million.
His 2024 partnership with Oura Health focuses on athlete recovery technology.
“Brees’ post-NFL portfolio mirrors his on-field precision—diverse, calculated, and high-reward,” says Barrons.
9. Eli Manning – Net Worth: $160 Million
“Two rings, one meme, endless hustle.”
Eli’s ESPN+ series Eli’s Places and his viral Chad Powers comedy sketch (15 million YouTube views) keep him in the spotlight.
“Eli’s self-aware humor makes him a media darling. Brands love his relatability,”
AdWeek
He also owns stakes in Trading Spaces, a sports memorabilia app.
Fan Favorite: His 2024 roast of Tom Brady on Saturday Night Live trended for weeks.
10. John Elway – Net Worth: $145 Million
“The Broncos’ architect still owns the blueprints.”
As Broncos President, Elway negotiated the team’s $4.65 billion sale in 2023.
“Winning isn’t a habit—it’s a lifestyle.”
Elway, Broncos Training Camp, 2022
His Elway’s steakhouse chain expanded to Texas in 2024, tapping into NFL fandom.
“Elway’s transition from QB to executive is the gold standard for athlete-led leadership,” says NFL Network.
Conclusion
The NFL isn’t just a league—it’s a launchpad for financial empires.
The top 10 richest NFL players in 2025 prove that success on the field is only the beginning.
From Roger Staubach’s real estate dominance to Tom Brady’s media mastery, these legends have rewritten the playbook for wealth creation.
But their stories aren’t just about money—they’re about vision, discipline, and the courage to pivot.
Whether it’s Peyton Manning’s bourbon empire or Russell Wilson’s community-driven coffee chain, these players show that the smartest investments are often off the field.