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Highest Paid NFL Player: Ben Roethlisberger, Russell Wilson & Who Are The 5 Highest Paid NFL Players?

Ashish Priyadarshi
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Patrick Mahomes & Deshaun Watson

Highest Paid NFL Player: Who has the richest contract in the NFL at the moment? Player contracts have risen greatly in recent years.

For example, just consider this crazy fact about Dan Marino’s NFL contract:

For a quarterback of his caliber, Marino’s contract right now would have been seen as a highway robbery. So, who are the NFL’s highest paid players right now? Read on to see who the top five highest paid players are.

Also read: “Nahhh DK Metcalf just DIFFERENT”: Seattle Seahawks Star Wide Receiver Throws Down Monstrous Dunk

Highest Paid NFL Player List:

#1. Patrick Mahomes: Kansas City Chiefs, Average Salary: $45 Million

Mahomes made history earlier this year when he signed a 10 year contract extension worth up to $503 million reportedly.

Watching Mahomes play over the last three years, it’s easy to see why he deserved that kind of a contract. He became the second quarterback ever to throw for 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in his first year, won the Super Bowl and Super Bowl MVP in his second year, and made it back to the Super Bowl in his third.

There’s no other player who has the same level of talent as Mahomes right now in the league. Mahomes already has one MVP trophy and finished second in voting this year. Right now, he deserves to be the richest player in the NFL.

#2. Deshaun Watson: Houston Texans, Average Salary: $39 Million

Watson had an MVP season of his own in 2020-21. Watson set career highs in passing yards and touchdowns as he finished first in passing yards this season.

Watson’s current situation with the Texans is far less than ideal, but there’s no doubt that Watson has been one of the league’s top passers over the course of the last four years.

Watson signed a four year $160 million extension with the Texans last offseason, but it looks like he won’t be playing out the remainder of that contract in Houston. Watson is one of the best dual threat quarterbacks in the league as his penchant for escaping pass rushers has led to some crazy highlight reel plays.

Also read: Deshaun Watson to Panthers: QB Teddy Bridgewater Reacts To Rumors Connecting Watson & Carolina

#3. Russell Wilson: Seattle Seahawks, Average Salary: $35 Million

Wilson is the engine that makes the Seahawks dangerous. Year in and year out, you can never truly count the Seahawks out because of Wilson’s sheer talent and mentality for winning.

Wilson’s Seahawks have encountered a few disappointing seasons the last couple of years, but Wilson always makes sure they’re in a spot to contend. Wilson has one of the best deep balls in the league, and with the emergence of DK Metcalf, he can definitely take his game to the next level now.

Wilson signed a four year deal worth $140 million in 2019, so he still has time left on his extension. However, if the Seahawks don’t do right this offseason, Wilson could be demanding a trade this season.

#4. Ben Roethlisberger: Pittsburgh Steelers, Average Salary: $34 Million

Roethlisberger is by no means locked into the Steelers plans for the upcoming future, but the long tenured quarterback did bring Pittsburgh back to the postseason this year, and he had them looking like sure-fire Super Bowl contenders at one point.

Roethlisberger has certainly earned his money, but it may be time for the Steelers to move on, so they can focus on building for future title contending teams. Big Ben signed a two year $68 million extension in 2019.

Also read: Could The Pittsburgh Steelers Do Away With Big Ben This NFL Offseason?

#5. Aaron Rodgers: Green Bay Packers, Average Salary: $33.5 Million

Rodgers is the king of the NFL for now. ‘The Bad Man’ is coming off a season in which he won MVP as he threw for 48 touchdowns to just five interceptions.

Rodgers’ Packers made it back to the NFC Championship Game, but ultimately they couldn’t finish off a very promising season. Rodgers will definitely be back for the Packers and with him on the field, they’re always bound to compete for Super Bowls.

Aaron Rodgers signed a four year, $140 million deal back in 2018.

Also read: “Nahhh DK Metcalf just DIFFERENT”: Seattle Seahawks Star Wide Receiver Throws Down Monstrous Dunk

About the author

Ashish Priyadarshi

Ashish Priyadarshi

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Ashish Priyadarshi is The SportsRush's content manager and editor. Ashish freelanced for 1 year in the NFL division before taking on an editorial role in the company. He then tacked on managing content while adding on a writing role in the NBA division. Ashish has been closely following the NFL and NBA since the 2012 season when the Patriots lost the Super Bowl and Derrick Rose was at the height of his powers. Since then, Ashish has focused on honing his knowledge for both leagues in, even writing crossover pieces. In his free time, Ashish is an avid basketball player, he loves to watch movies and TV shows, immersing himself in the cinematic world. Ashish studies computer science and data science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and would love to mesh his love for sports with his technical skills.

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