Top 15 Highest-Earning NFL Players Of 2010

Bryan BrackneyJul 21, 2010

Sports Illustrated released their annual 50th richest athletes list. Here are the 15 NFL players who made the list. The list just backs up the argument for a rookie wage scale.

1. Peyton Manning - QB - Indianapolis Colts
$15,800,000 - Salary/Winnings
$15,000,000 - Endorsements
$30,800,000 - Total 2010 Earnings
Overall Rank 2009: 10th
Overall Rank 2010: 9th

2. Matthew Stafford - QB - Detroit Lions
$26,900,000 - Salary/Winnings
$750,000 - Endorsements
$27,650,000 - Total 2010 Earnings
Overall Rank 2009: N/A
Overall Rank 2010: 11th

3. Eli Manning - QB - New York Giants
$19,500,000 - Salary/Winnings
$7,000,000 - Endorsements
$26,500,000 - Total 2010 Earnings
Overall Rank 2009: 43rd
Overall Rank 2010: 13th

4. Phillip Rivers - QB - San Diego Chargers
$25,600,000 - Salary/Winnings
$250,000 - Endorsements
$25,850,000 - 2010 Total Earnings
Overall Rank 2009: N/A
Overall Rank 2010: 17th

5. Terrell Suggs - LB - Baltimore Ravens
$24,900,000 - Salary/Winnings
$75,000 - Endorsements
$24,975,000 - Total 2010 Earnings
Overall Rank 2009: N/A
Overall Rank 2010: 19th

6. Albert Haynesworth - DT - Washington Redskins
$24,600,000 - Salary/Winnings
$150,000 - Endorsements
$24,750,000 - Total 2010 Earnings
Overall Rank 2009: N/A
Overall Rank 2010: 20th

7. Brett Favre - QB - Minnesota Vikings
$17,000,000 - Salary/Winnings
$7,000,000 - Endorsements
$24,000,000 - Total 2010 Earnings
Overall Rank 2009: N/A
Overall Rank 2010: 21st

8. Darius Heyward-Bey - WR - Oakland Raiders
$21,430,000 - Salary/Winnings
$75,000 - Endorsements
$21,505,000 - Total 2010 Earnings
Overall Rank 2009: N/A
Overall Rank 2010: 28th

9. Jason Smith - OT - St. Louis Rams
$20,570,000 - Salary/Winnings
$75,000 - Endorsements
$20,645,000 - Total 2010 Earnings
Overall Rank 2009: N/A
Overall Rank 2010: 33rd

10. Julius Peppers - DE - Chicago Bears
$20,000,000 - Salary/Winnings
$75,000 - Endorsements
$20,075,000 - Total 2010 Earnings