Patrick Mahomes may not have the largest NFL salary of 2025, but the Chiefs star has been revealed as the highest-paid football player on and off the field by a new analysis.
The quarterback’s $50million in salary and bonuses for 2025 actually lags behind three other passers, but an estimated $30million in endorsement deals means that he’s set to take home a league-leading $80million in total.
The analysis comes from Sportico, who revealed Josh Allen ($73million), Justin Herbert ($71million), Dak Prescott ($57.8million) and Tua Tagovailoa ($54.5million) as the rest of the top five.
Allen boasts an impressive $15million in endorsements from companies such as New Era, Snickers and Corona.
But Travis Kelce is the top endorsement earner of them all, raking in an estimated $32million with the help of his popular ‘New Heights’ podcast and his relationship with pop star Taylor Swift.
Travis and his brother Jason’s podcast deal with Wondery is worth a reported $100million for three years, though his $17.25million salary for this season is by the lowest on the list of the top 20 earners.
Patrick Mahomes is the wealthiest NFL star for 2025, with estimated earnings of $80million
But Travis Kelce – with the help of his ‘New Heights’ podcast and his relationship with Taylor Swift – is the top endorsement earner
Josh Allen is second in overall earnings with an estimated $73million for 2025
Overall, Kelce comes in at seventh on the list with total earnings of $49.3million.
Above him at sixth is Brock Purdy ($50.1million), with Micah Parsons ($48.7million) in eighth, Jalen Hurts ($48.5million) in ninth and Matthew Stafford and Trevor Lawrence ($48million) tied for tenth.
And the rest of the list is dominated by quarterbacks as well.
Aside from Kelce and Parsons, the only other non-passers are T.J Watt ($46million) in 14th, Ja’Marr Chase ($44.7million) at 15th and Justin Jefferson ($39.4million) at 18th.
Other quarterbacks on the list include Browns passer Deshaun Watson ($46.8million) in 12th, two-time MVP Lamar Jackson ($46.3million) in 13th and Geno Smith ($41.5million) in 16th.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert also earns an impressive $11million in endorsements
Micah Parsons is the second-highest non-quarterback on the list behind Kelce
Joe Burrow ($40.3million) also pops up at 17th, while Sam Darnold ($38.5million) and Baker Mayfield ($38.3million) round out the list at 19th and 20th respectively.
As noted in the report, Mahomes has invested in several sports franchises outside of football, including the Kansas City Royals, Sporting KC, KC Current and F1 team Alpine.
Herbert, whose $11million in endorsements are fourth overall, also has deals with Nike, Verizon and more.
Sportico said the on-field earnings figures it cited do not include incentives or playoff bonuses.
And Mahomes actually comes in far lower when contracts are looked at by average annual value (AAV).
In fact, the Kansas City star’s average salary of $45million is only tied for 15th in the league with Kirk Cousins.
Thirteen other passers – and Parsons (following his new deal with the Packers) – have higher AAVs, as Prescott leads the pack at $60million.
