The NFL’s financial landscape has reached a new, unprecedented level in 2026. The league’s 10 highest-paid players are projected to take home an estimated $598 million before taxes and agent fees.Forbes’ latest ranking, published on September 13, features a unique pattern: all ten highest-paid players are quarterbacks. And without further ado, Patrick Mahomes sits atop that list for the second consecutive year.Mahomes may rank behind Matthew Stafford, Josh Allen, and Justin Herbert performance-wise in Bleacher Report’s Top 1000 players for the 2026 season, but he sure as heaven takes the first spot financially. All thanks to his most recent, massive $508 million Kansas City Chiefs contract, which includes $397 million in guaranteed money.
Patrick Mahomes leads NFL highest-paid players
Forbes projects Mahomes to earn $86 million in 2026, including $56 million in gridiron earnings and an estimated $30 million from endorsements and other business ventures. It puts him roughly $14 million ahead of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who ranks second in the NFL’s highest-paid players list at $73 million.Mahomes’ commercial profile remains among the most prominent in professional football. Forbes notes that partnerships with Adidas, Hublot, State Farm, among others have bolstered him to maintain a magnanimous advantage in off-gridiron earnings.
Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs contract details
Mahomes’ latest Kansas City Chiefs contract is a crucial reason his gridiron earnings have plummeted. The Chiefs added two seasons to his previous agreement in June 2026, constructing a contract worth $504 million. The deal keeps him locked through 2033.The contract extension added $239 million in new money. And it gives Mahomes an average annual income of $63 million. With incentives, his contract value could reach $522 million.Spotrac reports the revised contract includes $397 million in guaranteed money. His 2026 cash figure is $1 million base salary, $54 million restructured bonus, and a $1 million workout bonus, while carrying a $34 million cap hit and a $217 million dead cap value.
Josh Allen chases Patrick Mahomes
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is just $14 million behind Patrick Mahomes with $73 million. Allen’s overall sum includes $55 million in gridiron earnings and $18 million in off-gridiron earnings.Allen is entering the second year of his 6-year, $330 million contract with the Bills, signed in March 2025. According to Spotrac, the 6-year, $330 million contract replaces the 4-year, $129 million contract that was in place. However, Spotrac’s Transactions section mentions Allen signed a 6-year, $258 million contract in August 2021.Anyhow, the 2025 deal includes $55 million as average annual income with $147 million in fully guaranteed money. The deal also includes a $56 million signing bonus and $58 million in cash in Year 1.The contract includes $250 million for practical purposes through the 2029 season. It also includes a historic $220 million due over the first four seasons. The deal includes three void years. Allen can also secure an additional $500,000 per year with 60% snaps plus a Super Bowl win.His off-field endorsements include Delta Air Lines, New Era, and Pizza Hut. He swapped his Nike endorsement for New Balance last year. On September 1, 2026, he launched Out of Pocket Studios, where he will serve as CEO and executive producer.
Jared Goff is just behind Josh Allen
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff takes up third place on Forbes’ highest-paid NFL players list with $60 million. Forbes credits him with $55 million in on-field earnings and $5 million off the field. Goff signed a 4-year, $212 million extension with Detroit in 2024.According to Spotrac, Goff’s deal came three years after the Lions secured him via a blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams obtained Matthew Stafford in return. Goff’s deal includes $170 million in practically guaranteed money, with $113 million fully guaranteed.At $53 million per year, Goff was the second-highest-paid player in NFL history at the time of signing. Goff’s new deal includes $80 million in cash in the first season and a $73 million historic signing bonus, setting up a 4-year, $193 million contract for practical purposes.His off-field endorsements include Ford Motor, Little Caesars, Panini, Topps, Old Spice, Procter & Gamble, Netflix, Fanatics, and Abercrombie & Fitch.
Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa and Jordan Love follow
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts ranks fourth on Forbes’ list with $56.5 million [on-field: $51.5 million, off-field: $5 million]. Endorsements include Beats by Dre, Jordan Brand, Lincoln Financial, Pepsi, Hulu, Lemon Perfect, Oikos, and Wheaties.Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa ranks fifth with $56 million [on-field: $54 million, off-field: $2 million]. His endorsements include Adidas, Bose, Muscle Milk, Electronic Arts, Gillette, Wingstop, Subway, Visa, USAA, Paramount, Perry Ellis, First Horizon, and Rocket Companies.Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love follows with $54.4 million at sixth position [on-field: $50.4 million, off-field: $4 million]. His endorsement deals include American Family Insurance, Sony, and Toyota.
Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield are tied
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson [on-field: $52 million, off-field: $2 million] and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield [on-field: $50 million, off-field: $4 million] are tied at seventh/eighth position with $54 million.Jackson owns a Florida restaurant called Play Action Soulfood and More! He runs an apparel line, Era 8, named after his jersey number.Mayfield’s endorsement deals include Bud Light, Bose, Nike, Panini America, HydroHoist, Allen Edmonds, Bodyarmor, Nissan, Hulu, Progressive, and Amazon Web Services.
Dak Prescott and Daniel Jones rank last
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is ninth with $52 million [on-field: $40 million, off-field: $12 million].His endorsements include AT&T, Beats by Dre, Jordan Brand, Pepsi, Sleep Number, 7-Eleven, DIRECTV, Panini America, Sony Group, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Campbell’s Chunky Soup, Electronic Arts, Frito-Lay, Lowe’s, Nike, Topps, Athletic Brewing Company, and H-E-B supermarkets.Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones follows at tenth with $51.5 million [on-field: $49.5 million, off-field: $2 million]. His endorsement deals include FedEx and Nike.
2026’s amount is more than 2025 but less than 2024
Forbes notes that the highest-paid NFL players in 2025 are set to collect an estimated $598 million before taxes and agent fees. That’s up 5% from 2025’s $571 million. However, 2026 falls short of the 2024 record of $693 million.Forbes’ highest-paid NFL players list is the only second list to include all quarterbacks among the top 10 earners. The first one happened in 2022. An 8% increase in the salary cap to $301 million led to contract records around the league.In terms of average annual value, 13 other positions set new marks in 2026: running back, wide receiver, left tackle, right tackle, guard, center, edge rusher, defensive tackle, cornerback, safety, kicker, punter, and long snapper.
