Who Is The NFL’s Highest-Paid Player? A Look At 2018 Salaries Of Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees

Tom Brady has won five championship rings and was the NFL’s regular season MVP in 2017. However, the New England Patriots veteran quarterback isn’t the league’s highest-paid player a year later.

According to figures compiled by Spotrac, that distinction goes to the Green Bay Packers star quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, with $33.5 million. Rodgers signed a $134 million contract in August, with more than $100 million guaranteed.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is the second highest at $30 million and is followed by Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins at $28 million. Cousins is in his first year with the Vikings after spending his entire career with the Washington Redskins.

Injured San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garropolo, who previously served as Brady's backup with the Patriots, makes $27.5 million, while the Detroit Lions' quarterback Matthew Stafford earns $27 million. The Oakland Raiders' Derek Carr and the New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees both make $25 million and they are followed just behind by the Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck at $24.6 million.

Indeed, the nine highest-paid NFL players are all quarterbacks, but Brady is not among them.

The 10th highest-paid player is Khalil Mack, the Chicago Bears outside linebacker, whose salary this year is $23.5 million. Mack signed a new contract with the Bears in September, shortly after he was traded to the team from the Raiders.

The 41-year-old Brady is far down the list at No. 47, with a $15 million salary in 2018, which puts him even with three other players: Redskins cornerback Josh Norman, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell and the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green.

The Los Angeles Rams' Todd Gurley is the highest-paid running back ($14.38 million) and the New York Giants' Odell Beckham Jr. is the highest-paid wide receiver ($18 million).

The league minimum is $480,000, which only applies to rookies. The minimum for a player with 10 or more years of experience is $1.02 million.

Jake Richardson contributed to this report