Richest Player on Every NFL Team

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NFL players get up and go to work for the same reason as the rest of us—to make money.

Fans like to think that love of the game or the fame is enough. They're fooling themselves.

Whether through endorsements or salary, everybody is trying to get paid. However, the guys on this list haven't stopped at simply making a living. They took it to the next level.

Click through to see who is the fattest cat on each team.

Dallas Cowboys: Tony Romo

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Tony Romo smiles while he gives Tiger Woods a rich-guy fist bump.

He's flashing his chompers because the Dallas Cowboys quarterback has a net worth around $45 million.

In addition to his normal salary, he has an endorsement contract with Starter.  

Washington Redskins: Santana Moss

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Santana Moss does not make the most annually on the Washington Redskins. That award goes to Trent Williams.

However, he is on his third contract.

Game, set, match.

Denver Broncos: Peyton Manning

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Peyton Manning might have missed a season, but he didn't miss a payday. 

The new Denver Broncos quarterback earned $42.4 million last year with his salary and endorsement deals, ranging from Reebok to Papa John's. 

Baltimore Ravens: Ray Lewis

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Call this one a gut feeling. 

Haloti Ngata brought in a smooth $37 million last year due to a gargantuan signing bonus. 

However, Ray Lewis has been the center of the Baltimore Ravens universe for 16 years and has had numerous endorsements.

Assuming he isn't completely frivolous with his cash, he has the highest net worth. 

Arizona Cardinals: Larry Fitzgerald

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Kevin Kolb got paid recently. Just because he's robbing the organization doesn't make him the richest player. 

Larry Fitzgerald pulled down almost $37 million last year alone.

Fitz wins.

Detroit Lions: Calvin Johnson

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Ndamukong Suh has more endorsements and Matthew Stafford was given a better rookie deal.

It doesn't matter. 

Calvin Johnson earned roughly $40 million off of his first contract before the Detroit Lions locked him up with a $16 million signing bonus. 

Carolina Panthers: Steve Smith

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Conventional knowledge would lead one to assume it is Steve Smith. However, Smith isn't the only one who just got a fat contract. 

Charles Johnson notched an incredible $34.4 million in the last 12 months.

It just wasn't enough to top the stalwart wide receiver's career earnings. 

Buffalo Bills: Mario Williams

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The Buffalo Bills have lacked star power for years.

Enter Mario Williams.

He nabbed a No. 1-overall salary in 2006 and a $100 million contract in 2012. 

Williams is doing just fine.

New York Jets: Darrelle Revis

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Mark Sanchez is a close second since we aren't including any money made in college. And if LaDainian Tomlinson hadn't retired, he'd own the top spot for the New York Jets.

However, Darrelle Revis has leveraged his way into $32.5 million the last two years alone. 

St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford

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Steven Jackson has a longer tenure as a member of the St. Louis Rams, but he wasn't the first-overall pick.

Sam Bradford signed the largest rookie deal in NFL history and received the endorsements that come along with being a franchise savior. 

New England Patriots: Tom Brady

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The New England Patriots have been built on interchangeable parts and a firm belief that the next man steps up.

Except when it comes to Tom Brady.

Dude has been one of the highest paid players for the better part of a decade. He makes $4 million in endorsements annually. 

We get it. You're Tom Brady.

New York Giants: Eli Manning

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Eli Manning found an excellent formula for financial success.

Step one: play for the New York Giants.

Step two: win a Super Bowl.

Step three: repeat steps one and two. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger

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Ben Roethlisberger followed the Eli plan. He might have done it first, but he didn't do it as well.

You know, in a manner that maximizes endorsements. 

Philadelphia Eagles: Nnamdi Asomugha

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A few months ago, this would have been Asante Samuel. A couple years from now, this will probably be Michael Vick.

Today, it's Nnamdi Asomugha. 

Oakland Raiders: Richard Seymour

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Richard Seymour doesn't rake in the endorsement dollars, but neither do many of his teammates.

His three Super Bowl rings gave him the leverage to ink the biggest contract for a defensive player (at the time) in 2011. 

Dude is paid.

Minnesota Vikings: Jared Allen

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Adrian Peterson may be king of the Vikings—he just isn't the richest one.

Jared Allen signed his $73 million contract in 2008, making him the hare in the race against Peterson's financial turtle. 

Cleveland Browns: Joe Thomas

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Joe Thomas has a rough time looking at the scoreboard. It's tough to blame him.

Here's betting he smiles more when he sees his paycheck. 

Miami Dolphins: Jake Long

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A theme has developed throughout this article: It's good to be the first-overall pick.

Jake Long cashed in and will be looking for another payday after this season.

He's surely going back to the bank.

Kansas City Chiefs: Matt Cassel

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Matt Cassel was given an opportunity when Tom Brady went down in the first game of the 2008 season. 

He hasn't looked back.

Cassel was franchised in 2009 and has been pulling down eight digits a year since.

Indianapolis Colts: Dwight Freeney

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Peyton Manning used to run the Indianapolis Colts. 

Notice that sentence is in the past tense.

Dwight Freeney is finishing a $72 million contract. He's doing just fine.

Green Bay Packers: Charles Woodson

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Few positions make as much money as quarterback.

One of those is the cornerback. 

Charles Woodson has been an elite corner since entering the league 13 years ago. He's been banking the appropriate paycheck during that period as well.

Houston Texans: Andre Johnson

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Andre Johnson started winning at the University of Miami.

After taking home a national championship, he was selected No. 3 overall.

Ever since, he's been cashing the checks of a champ.

Seattle Seahawks: Russell Okung

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The Seattle Seahawks are a team devoid of veterans.

That makes their 2010 first rounder the richest guy on the team. 

Way to be Russell Okung.

Cincinnati Bengals: Nate Clements

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The Cincinnati Bengals have also been big on the youth movement.

Yet, they have a resident rich guy. 

Meet Nate Clements. He's been a premier cornerback for the last decade. 

San Francisco 49ers: Randy Moss

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Back when the Dreamcast was considered cutting-edge technology, Randy Moss ruled the football world.

In 2001, he inked a $75 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings. His career took some interesting turns from there, yet every twist brought a new sack of cash.

Chicago Bears: Julius Peppers

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No wonder both these guys are cheesing. They've got over a 100 million reasons between them to smile.

Julius Peppers brought in almost $35 million in 2010 alone. His contract ensures he'll be in a good mood for quite awhile. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: Maurice Jones-Drew

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If the Jacksonville Jaguars' fat cat was anyone but Maurice Jones-Drew, the injustice would have been more than the sports world could possible bear.

The rugged running back has been the most reliable Jaguar in the franchise's history. He deserves the honor.

Tennessee Titans: Matt Hasselbeck

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Welcome to the slide portraying the most unlikely guy to make it rain.

Matt Hasselbeck was a successful quarterback with the Seattle Seahawks. 

That can be verified by checking out his win/loss record—or his bank statement.

San Diego Chargers: Philip Rivers

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Now we move on to the second least likely dude to throw large amounts of cash into the air.

Philip Rivers does fill the stratosphere with pinpoint passes. For these services, the San Diego Chargers have made him a rich man.

New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees

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Since he isn't technically a Saint, we won't depict him in the gear.

However, everyone knows that Drew Brees will be calling signals for the New Orleans Saints this fall.

It's just a matter of dollars—of which, he has plenty.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ronde Barber

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Ronde Barber takes this position by default. There simply isn't anyone else who has been around that long.

Additionally, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren't known for spending.

Kudos, Ronde.

Atlanta Falcons: Asante Samuel

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Matt Ryan may (mistakenly) make a case as the top career earner within the Atlanta Falcons franchise later, but Asante Samuel holds the title now.

He's fought off franchise tags and agreed to deals with three different teams. As was said previously, cornerback is one the few positions that can pull off a quarterback move.