Patrick Mahomes tops 2025 NFL wealth list as endorsements drive total earnings
Sportico's analysis ranks players by total earnings, with Mahomes at $80 million in 2025; Travis Kelce leads endorsements at $32 million and sits seventh overall.
Patrick Mahomes has been named the wealthiest NFL player for 2025, according to a Sportico analysis released this week. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback is projected to earn about $80 million this year, combining a $50 million on-field salary and bonuses with roughly $30 million in endorsements. The report emphasizes that the on-field figure does not include incentives or playoff bonuses, meaning the total can shift with performance and postseason outcomes.
The same analysis shows several peers piling up large on-field pay, with Josh Allen at about $73 million, Justin Herbert at $71 million, Dak Prescott at $57.8 million and Tua Tagovailoa at $54.5 million in 2025. Allen also racks up endorsements, estimated at around $15 million from brands such as New Era, Snickers and Corona. While Mahomes leads in overall earnings due to endorsements, the on-field leaders are led by Allen and Herbert in early 2025 figures.
Patrick Mahomes’ total figure places him at the top for 2025, but Travis Kelce still dominates endorsements. Kelce is the top endorsement earner among the group, with an estimated $32 million in deals tied to his media presence, notably the popularity of his New Heights podcast and his high-profile relationship with pop star Taylor Swift. Sportico notes that Kelce’s overall earnings include a $17.25 million salary this season, which is among the lowest salaries on the top-20 list. Kelce’s overall 2025 total sits at about $49.3 million, placing him seventh on the list.
Rounding out the top five on total earnings, Brock Purdy is sixth with about $50.1 million, followed by Micah Parsons at $48.7 million in eighth, Jalen Hurts at $48.5 million in ninth and a tie for tenth between Matthew Stafford and Trevor Lawrence at $48 million. The spread shows a heavy quarterback tilt, with non-passers represented but fewer in number beyond Kelce and Parsons.
Beyond Kelce and Parsons, the only other non-quarterbacks among the top 20 include T.J. Watt at $46 million (14th), Ja’Marr Chase at $44.7 million (15th) and Justin Jefferson at $39.4 million (18th). Among quarterbacks, Deshaun Watson stands at $46.8 million (12th), Lamar Jackson at $46.3 million (13th) and Geno Smith at $41.5 million (16th). Justin Herbert adds about $11 million in endorsements, underscoring how sponsorships help expand earnings for players across positions. Joe Burrow appears at $40.3 million (17th), with Sam Darnold at $38.5 million and Baker Mayfield at $38.3 million rounding out the list at 19th and 20th, respectively.
Sportico emphasizes that on-field earnings do not account for incentives or playoff bonuses—factors that can alter final tallies if teams advance deep into the postseason. The analysis also notes that when contracts are examined by average annual value (AAV), Mahomes’ figure trails behind several peers. His AAV is about $45 million, tied for 15th in the league, while 13 other passers—and Parsons, after his new deal with the Packers—have higher AAVs, with Prescott leading at $60 million.
The report also highlights how players diversify earnings beyond salaries. Mahomes has invested in multiple Kansas City-area ventures, including the Royals, Sporting KC, KC Current and Alpine, the Formula One team. Herbert, meanwhile, owns endorsements totaling about $11 million, with brand partnerships that amplify his visibility beyond the field. Sportico’s methodology reflects the growing importance of media, sponsorships and business ventures in measuring football wealth.
Taken together, the rankings illustrate a player base increasingly defined by multi-channel revenue streams. While Mahomes leads in total earnings due to endorsements, Kelce’s ability to monetize media presence and high-profile associations demonstrates how non-salary streams can shape an athlete’s financial standing. The landscape remains quarterback-dominated at the top, but linebackers, wide receivers and other positions contribute meaningfully through endorsement deals and media projects that complement on-field compensation. The implications for players, teams and agents point to ongoing shifts in how NFL stars monetize their brands in a changing sports economy.