Aaron Rodgers passed as best-paid QB ever as former No. 1 pick becomes first to eclipse $400million

Aaron Rodgers could retire as the highest-earning quarterback of all time if the Pittsburgh Steelers convince him to sign up for more.

The future Hall of Famer is deciding whether to return for a 22nd season or start the timer on his induction to Canton.

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Pittsburgh is desperate for Rodgers to reunite with Mike McCarthy after he led the franchise into the playoffs in 2025.

After earning just $13.65 million on his one-year deal, A-Rod could more than double that figure in 2026 after proving he still has it.

That would take his career earnings well past $400 million and back into top spot in the list of best-paid NFL players.

Here are the five top earners in football history through the 2026 season, per Spotrac.

5. Russell Wilson – $317 million

Another who could move up the list before all’s said and done is Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson.

His dominant run with the Seattle Seahawks saw the gunslinger put himself on a Hall of Fame trajectory.

After winning Super Bowl XLVIII, he was picked off by Malcolm Buttler at XLIX while chasing a second ring.

Leaving Seattle for the Denver Broncos put $122,790,000 in Wilson’s account but his form fell off a cliff.

After a torrid time as a New York Giant in 2025, he is facing being forced to take a low-paid prove-it deal as a backup next season.

As he approaches the end of his career, one more half-decent contract will see Mr Unlimited pass the GOAT into fourth all time.

4. Tom Brady – $333 million

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The greatest ever to do it, Tom Brady often prioritized building a contender over squeezing the maximum value out of his contracts.

With seven rings, it is hard to argue with the FOX Sports commentator’s strategy.

Brady, of course, still got his and the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers put generational wealth in his pocket.

Fox is adding another $375 million over 10 years, meaning the analyst is likely heading into the billionaire club some day thanks to his other investments.

One of those stakes — a minority ownership in the Las Vegas Raiders — saw the GOAT pay the man who overtook him into third place.

3. Kirk Cousins – $341 million

The Raiders are poised to take Fernando Mendoza first overall and head coach Klint Kubiak wanted to get him a mentor.

Enter Kirk Cousins and what at first glance appeared to be a ridiculous overpay.

While Cousins technically signed a $172 million, five-year deal, he is actually going to pick up $20 million in 2026.

There is a two-year team option, but if Mendoza proves worthy of taking over, Cousins will be a free agent again in 2027.

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2. Aaron Rodgers – $395 million

Rodgers made $306.6 million over 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers.

In return, he won a championship and really should have more.

A combination of playoff capitulations, bad defenses, questionable coaching and cautious roster management formed a lethal combination.

Rodgers added $75,050,000 in two injury-hit seasons with the New York Jets — a time everybody involved would rather forget.

The great appeared to find a home in the Steel City and could decide to link up with his Super Bowl-winning coach from Wisconsin after McCarthy replaced Mike Tomlin.

A $14million-plus deal would be enough to secure No. 1 spot for at least 12 months.

1. Matthew Stafford – $408 million

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The Los Angeles Rams handed Matthew Stafford a two-year, $84 million contract that runs through the end of the season.

That took him past $400 million and bought him another shot at a ring.

Stafford earned almost $220 million with the Detroit Lions, who drafted him first overall in 2009.

The Rams swooped in 2021 — sending Jared Goff the other way in a rare example of a trade that worked out for both.

Goff has ushered in a bright new era in Motor City, while Los Angeles won the Vince Lombardi Trophy at the $5.5 billion SoFi Stadium to christen a return to California.

Stafford has endured back injuries but could carry on in 2027 and extend his lead or take his crown back from Rodgers if the Packers icon does indeed surpass him.

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