Patrick Mahomes tops the list of the NFL's highest-paid players: Here's the ranking
The Kansas City Chiefs star will make around $86 million in the 2026 NFL season.
P atrick Mahomes remains the highest-paid player in the NFL with projected earnings of $86 million as the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback combines $56m in football earnings with an estimated $30m from endorsements and other business ventures.
His commercial portfolio includes long-running partnerships with Adidas , Hublot and State Farm , helping him maintain a substantial lead in projected off-field earnings. His contract with Kansas City also underpins his place among the league’s biggest earners.
Mahomes tops Forbes ’ ranking, published September 13, for the second consecutive year, as the publication projects the NFL ’s 10 highest-paid players will earn a combined $598 million before taxes and agent fees—and all 10 are quarterbacks.
The Chiefs extended Mahomes ’ deal in June 2026, adding two seasons and keeping him under contract through 2033, and the revised package is reported to include $397 million in guaranteed money.
His earnings come as he continues to deliver on the field after he opened the Chiefs ’ game against their AFC Wes t rival, the Denver Broncos, with a rushing touchdown, helping set the tone in a 31-10 victory in Week 1.
Mahomes ’ early rushing touchdown against Denver demonstrated just how dangerous he is beyond passing opportunities, proving he is capable of using his legs and it’s no surprise most of the quarterbacks on the list are dual threats.
Kenneth Walker III stole the headlines on the night as the running back carried for almost 200 yards but part of why he had so much space is because of Mahomes ’ arm talent, highlighting the QB’s value beyond tangible statistics.
How do they rank behind Patrick Mahomes?
Josh Allen follows Mahomes with projected earnings of $73 million, made up of $55 million in football earnings and $18 million off the field. He is entering the second year of his six-year, $330 million contract with the Buffalo Bills , signed in March 2025.
Allen ’s endorsements include Delta Air Lines , New Era and Pizza Hut . He also moved from Nike to New Balance in 2025 and launched Out of Pocket Studios on September 1, 2026, taking on the roles of CEO and executive producer.
Jared Goff is third with an estimated $60 million: $55 million from football and $5 million from outside ventures. The Detroit Lions quarterback signed a four-year, $212 million extension in 2024, with reported guarantees including $113 million fully guaranteed.
Goff ’s commercial partners include Ford Motor , Little Caesars , Panini , Topps , Old Spice , Procter & Gamble , Netflix , Fanatics and Abercrombie & Fitch .
The remainder of Forbes ’ Top 10 are Jalen Hurts ( Philadelphia Eagles ), Tua Tagovailoa ( Atlanta Falcons ), Jordan Love ( Green Bay Packers ), Lamar Jackson ( Baltimore Ravens ), Baker Mayfield ( Tampa Bay Buccaneers ), Dak Prescott ( Dallas Cowboys ) and Daniel Jones ( Indianapolis Colts ).
