7. Joe Burrow: US$45 million

The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback has only been pro for three years, but he’s already earned himself a strong fan following resulting in multiple nicknames. From Joe Cool to Joe Shiesty, the 26-year-old’s contract extension included a five-year, US$275 million deal.

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Burrow is not only known for his golden arm, but also his bold fashion off-field, often resulting in him making best dressed lists. He has invested in Kodiak, a breakfast food brand, and fantasy sports website Fantasy Life. He was also part of a group that bought a farm in Iowa, with plans to buy more land through athlete-focused investment firm Patricof Co.

6. Deshaun Watson: US$46.5 million

Watson’s wealth and reputation took major damage after more than 20 women accused him of sexual harassment in 2021. Still, on-field alone this year, he’s made US$46 million. Off the field, he was making US$8 million, but lost most of those endorsements. In 2023, that figure is now down to an estimated half a million. The NFL fined him US$5 million and suspended him for 11 games last season. Per The New York Times, Watson denied the allegations and did not face criminal charges.

In November, the Cleveland Browns confirmed Watson, 28, would undergo a season-ending shoulder operation and he would hopefully be ready for the 2024 season, which is another blow to his career.

5. Daniel Jones: US$47.5 million

The New York Giants quarterback got a four-year, US$160 million contract in March after having the best year of his career in 2022. Nicknamed Danny Dimes for his perfect passes, Jones, 26, is known to be quiet. But his off-field earnings are starting to grow, with 2023 bringing in around US$1.5 million. He has deals with Hugo Boss and Poland Spring, with his teammates reportedly saying he is slowly starting to establish himself outside professional football.

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4. Aaron Rodgers: US$47.9 million

At 39, Rodgers is an NFL stalwart who made waves this year for leaving his home of 18 seasons, the Green Bay Packers, for the New York Jets. It was an off-season trade and Rodgers agreed to a reworked contract that saw his pay being cut by US$35 million over two years, per the BBC.

Off-field, he makes around US$11 million. He’s also opened up about his use of ayahuasca and has since become an advocate of psychedelics, per AP News.

3. Nick Bosa: US$52 million

After extensive contract negations, Bosa leads the non-quarterbacks contract record with an average annual contract value of US$34 million after he signed a US$170 million five-year deal. Bosa, 26, is the current NFL Defensive Player of the Year, so it makes sense that his team, the San Francisco 49ers, locked in the agreement.

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2. Patrick Mahomes: US$60.5 million

More than US$20 million behind Lamar Jackson, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes comes in second on our list of highest-paid players this year. At 28, his 2023 on-field earnings are sitting at around US$40.5 million, and his off-field earnings around US$20 million.

1. Lamar Jackson: US$81.5 million

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson swooped the No 1 spot on our highest-paid NFL list for 2023 after a record two-year negotiation ended with an extension with the Ravens in May. The deal set a record (at the time), which earned him a US$72.5 million signing bonus.

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According to Sport’s Illustrated, Jackson famously does not use an agent, not only saving himself the agents fees when it comes to contracts, but also dealing with negotiations directly. His on-field earnings for 2023 were around US$80 million, while he earned around US$1.5 million off-field. Jackson also has a clothing brand, a record company, a production company as well as a restaurant.