Fresh off the first MVP season of his 17-year NFL career, the Los Angeles Rams signed Matthew Stafford to a one-year, $55 million contract extension that ties him to the Rams through the 2027 season with $105 million in remaining compensation, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The move, assuming Stafford returns for the 2027 season, would make Stafford the first NFL player ever to earn $500 million in playing salary. Stafford was already the NFL’s career earnings leader at $408 million through the 2025 season, according to Spotrac. Next up are Aaron Rodgers ($395 million), Tom Brady ($333 million), Kirk Cousins ($322 million) and Russell Wilson ($316 million).
Including off-field earnings, Brady ($700 million), Peyton Manning ($570 million) and Rodgers ($520 million) have all already cracked $500 million in non-inflation-adjusted earnings and cracked Sportico’s top 50 highest-paid athletes of all-time.
It is unclear if Stafford’s 2027 salary is fully guaranteed, and Stafford, who turned 38 in February, could choose to retire after the 2026 season. The $55 million extension is in line with the top quarterbacks in the game, with only Dak Prescott earning more on average at $60 million for his deal. Four other QBs are tied at $55 million. Schefter reports that incentives in Stafford’s extension could push the value to $60 million.
