There is plenty of money — millions, and millions — being thrown around in sports. Forbes released its list of the Top 100 paid athletes in the world in 2019. And in some synergy, 19 of the names play in the NFL.
Saquon Barkley
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The Giants’ second-year running back comes in at No. 93, with overall earnings of $25.8 million, $4.3M of that is in endorsements.
Odell Beckham Jr.
Barkley’s former teammate and current Cleveland Brown, Odell Beckham Jr., checks in at No. 85 with $26.5M in earnings, $5M of which come from endorsements.
C.J. Moseley
The New York Jets helped linebacker C.J. Moseley find a home at No. 82 on the top 100 with their free-agent signing of the former Baltimore Raven. All but 150K of Moseley’s $26.9M comes from salary.
Andrew Luck
Andrew Luck has plenty to cheer about with earnings of $26.9M, $24.1 of which comes via his contract with the Indianapolis Colts. That puts him in a tie for the 82nd spot.
Tom Brady
Tom Brady is always helping the New England Patriots find creative ways to add talent. His salary/earnings from the Pats check in at $15M. Throw in another $12M in endorsements and you have the 81st overall athlete on the list.
Justin Houston
The Indianapolis Colts have another player on the Top 100. They signed Justin Houston after the Chiefs cut the linebacker. All but 200K of Houston’s 28M comes from salary. The rest is in endorsements for the 72nd player on the list.
Earl Thomas
Earl Thomas checks in at No. 66, having gotten the big contract he desired but was unable to obtain from the Seattle Seahawks. The DB is at $29M, with only $500K of that in endorsements.
Geno Atkins
Might surprise you to find a Cincinnati Bengal on this list. Geno Atkins makes it with $29M in salary and a “paltry” $500K in endorsements. Pretty sure the DT, who is No. 65, can handle life on his salary alone.
Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan makes the Atlanta Falcons’ offense go. The team knows it and that is why the quarterback is handsomely rewarded to the tune of $24.8M in salary. Throw in another $5M in endorsements and you have No. 60 on the Forbes list.
Trey Flowers
Trey Flowers earned jewelry with the Patriots and now he is getting megabucks from the Detroit Lions. Matt Patricia must have liked what he saw because the Lions gave the defensive stalwart a mega-deal that spots him at No. 57. His salary is a nice, round $30M.
Nick Foles
Nick Foles gave Philly a Super Bowl ring. He has a super-lucrative contract, courtesy of Tom Coughlin and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The quarterback who specializes in heroics will reel in $33.8M in salary and another $2M in endorsements, which puts him in the 36th slot.
Brandin Cooks
Brandin Cooks grabbed a lot of passes in his first season as a Los Angeles Ram. He also catches a big paycheck, to the tune of $37.5M. That makes it easy to digest the only $500K in endorsements for the wideout, who is 34th on the Forbes list.
Aaron Donald
Aaron Donald is a beast for the Los Angeles Rams. He sacks quarterbacks with ease and that earned him a rich contract that brings in sacks of money. At the 28th slot, Donald earns $40.9M in salary and adds in another 500K in endorsements.
Drew Brees
Drew Brees has more than earned his spot on the Forbes list with an incredible career for the New Orleans Saints. Brees earns $26.4 from the team and an astounding $16M in endorsements. That puts him in the 27th slot.
DeMarcus Lawrence
No shock to find a Dallas Cowboy on the list. What could be surprising is it is DeMarcus Lawrence, not one of the Cowboys’ skill players. The defensive lineman ranks 22nd with salary of $46.8M and another 150K in endorsements, which must go toward tips and petty cash.
Khalil Mack
The Oakland Raiders didn’t want to pay Khalil Mack what he was worth, so the great LB was dealt to the Chicago Bears. In the Windy City, Mack hauls in $54M and other $1M in endorsements, good for the 13th spot on the Forbes list.
Ben Roethlisberger
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger is 12th on the list. He has $1M in endorsements to go with $54.5M in salary.
Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers is seventh overall with salary of $80.3M and endorsements of another $9M. That will go a long way in Green Bay.
Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson lands in the sixth spot overall, with earnings of $89.5 million. Endorsements are $9 million of the money the Seahawks quarterback earns.
