Top 10 Most Populer NFL Players

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Even though career windows of NFL players are short and their endorsement opportunities are generally slim, some of them are earning very well.

Here are the top 10 Most Expensive NFL players as of 2015 per salary and bonuses, according to Forbes’ 2015 Highest Paid NFL Players.

10) Devin McCourty (Salary/bonuses: $19.1 million)

Devin McCourty-Most Populer NFL Players

McCourty’s total earnings were $19.3 million. Even though he was a free agent in 2015, he chose to stay with the New England Patriots due to their Super Bowl win. The $47.5 million contract (for five years) contains a $15 million signing bonus $28.5 million in guaranteed money. He made $250,000 by endorsing various brands. He has joint endorsement deals with his twin brother Jason with PepsiCo, Visa and Palmer’s lotion.

9) Alex Smith (Salary/bonuses: $19.1 million)

Alex Smith-Most Populer NFL Players

Alex Smith’s salary and bonuses amounted to $19.1 million. His total earnings were $19.6 million. He makes $500,000 through endorsements. He led Kansas City to a 9-0 start and their first playoff berth in three years. Kansas City rewarded him with a $68 million contract (four years) for his efforts. The deal included $18 million signing bonus and $45 million paid out over the first three years.

8) J.J. Watt (Salary/bonuses: $20.9 million)

Most Populer NFL Players

Watt’s total earnings were $27.9 million out which $7 million were earned by endorsing brands like Verizon Wireless, Reebok, NRG Energy, Gatorade, American Family Insurance and Papa John’s. His endorsement earnings show that he is one of the most marketable players in the league today. The amount is on par with the elite quarterbacks. No other defensive player makes as much as he Watt makes through endorsements; the maximum is around $2 million.

7) Tyron Smith (Salary/bonuses: $21.1 million)

Tyron Smith-Most Populer NFL Players

Currently Tyron Smith is an offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys. His total earnings were $21.4 million. He made $250,000 through endorsements. He signed a $97.6 million deal (for eight years) in July 2014. The contract included a signing bonus of $10 million and a guaranteed amount of $22 million. The deal is the second richest in the history of Dallas Cowboys.

6) LeSean McCoy (Salary/bonuses: $21.3 million)

LeSean McCoy-Most Populer NFL Players

McCoy is a running back for the Buffalo Bills. His total earnings were $22.1 million. This three-time Pro-Bowler was traded to the Buffalo Bills in March. The team awarded him a five-year $40 million contract, which included a signing bonus of $13.1 million and a guaranteed amount of $26.5 million. He makes six-figure income through memorabilia, appearances and endorsement deals with reputed companies like Zenith helmets and Nike.

5) Andy Dalton (Salary/bonuses: $22.3 million)

Andy Dalton-Most Populer NFL Players

Andy Dalton’s total earnings were $23.3 million, out of which $1 million were through endorsements. This Cincinnati Bengals quarterback signed a $96 million deal (for six years) in 2014 that could be worth around $115 million with team-based incentives.

4) Gerald McCoy (Salary/bonuses: $26.5 million)

Gerald McCoy-Most Populer NFL Players

This Tampa Bay Buccaneer’s defensive tackle’s total earnings were $26.7 million; out of which $150,000 were through endorsements. McCoy signed a $95.2 million deal extension with the franchise in October 2014. The deal included $51.5 million guaranteed money. He has made the Pro Bowl each of the past three years.

3) Carson Palmer (Salary/bonuses: $28.5 million)

Carson Palmer-Most Populer NFL Players

Quarterback Carson Palmer signed a three-year, $49.5 million extension in November with the Arizona Cardinals. The contract includes $19.5 million in bonuses paid out over the first four months of the deal. He suffered a season ending ACL tear two days after he signed the deal, but now he has recovered.

2) Ndamukong Suh (Salary/bonuses: $38.2 million)

Ndamukong Suh Dolphins-Most Populer NFL Players

Suh is the highest paid defensive player in the NFL history. He signed a $114.3 million deal (for six years) with Miami dolphins in March. The contract included $25 million signing bonus and $59.9 million guaranteed money. He played for Detroit Lions earlier. His total 2014-2015 earnings is $38.6 million, out of which $400,000 was made through endorsements.

1) Ben Roethlisberger (Salary/bonuses: $46.4 million)

Ben Roethlisberger-Most Populer NFL Players

Right at the top of the list is Pittsburg Steelers quarterback Roethlisberger. His total earnings were $48.9 million, out of which $2.5 million were made through endorsements. He signed a $87.4 million extension (four years) with the Steelers in March. The contract included $31 million signing bonus.

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Mahesh Baldania is an entrepreneur, blogger, learner, reader and thinker. An Computer engineer by profession. Everything I writes is inspired by life experiences and study. I am passionate about software, disruptive technology, personal development, and inspiring others. I thinks, "We only have one life, might as well live it."