By Nikhil

Copyright timesnownews

Defensive end Micah Parsons has a new four-year contract that sets NFL contract records for total value ($188 million), average annual value ($47 million), and guaranteed money ($136 million)—for a non-quarterback—following an off-season of animosity with the Dallas Cowboys that culminated last month with a blockbuster trade to the Green Bay Packers. The significance of that final qualification lies in the fact that, despite the 26-year-old edge rusher’s impending high salary, football’s most crucial position continues to dominate the financial landscape, holding eight of the ten slots on this year’s list of the NFL’s highest-paid players. For the fourth consecutive season, at least eight quarterbacks have been included in the list. Here is the list of the highest-paid NFL stars in 2025 Patrick Mahomes – $78 millionDespite missing out on a Pro Bowl selection for the first time since he became the main quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018, Mahomes made it to the Super Bowl for the fifth time in six years last season. This summer, he told Up & Adams, “I think [legacy is] always in the back of your mind, even from the beginning of my career.” He also mentioned that he had been receiving advice from seven-time winner Tom Brady, another quarterback with a respectable resume. In addition, Mahomes is expanding his roster of sponsors by signing on to sign Panini trading cards for the first time in five years and collaborating with Hublot and Airbnb. And as a sports owner, Mahomes, whose numerous equity holdings include investments in the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball, Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer, the Kansas City Current of the National Women’s Soccer League, the Alpine team of Formula 1, and the Miami franchise of Major League Pickleball, hopes to acquire another team. Although Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia were eventually granted the slots, Mahomes’ current co-owners, Angie and Chris Long, are still working to bring women’s basketball to the city. He was a part of Kansas City’s recent campaign for a WNBA expansion franchise. Josh Allen – $73 millionAllen grinned and responded, “Listen, everyone’s going to have their day,” when questioned last August about the new quarterback financial hierarchy, which saw the average yearly worth of his contract drop to 13th place in the league. After his MVP season, the Buffalo Bills signed him to a six-year, $330 million contract in March, so it came really quickly. With an average yearly value of $55 million, the contract put him in a tie for second place and set an NFL record for guaranteed money at $250 million. Allen signed a comprehensive contract with Skydance Sports that same month to create branded, scripted, and unscripted programming. He also continued his active off-season by investing in Cashmere’s venture capital fund in April. Then, in July, he became the first ambassador to receive an equity stake in the hat company New Era. He also teased a move from Nike to New Balance during training camp. Last week, he officially announced the endorsement deal and revealed that he would be joining Therabody as a performance advisor. Justin Herbert – $71 millionHerbert, who is currently in his sixth season in the NFL, made his debut in a preseason game last month, right before he threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns on Friday in a Week 1 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. The 27-year-old quarterback also made a change during training camp by switching from a visor he tried a few years ago and did not like having to clean all the time to red-tinted contact lenses to improve his vision in the sun. Herbert’s financial situation is also bright. In addition to his $15 million salary, he signed a five-year, $262.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023, which included a $45 million option bonus this season. He is also expected to receive an additional $162.5 million through 2029. Off the field, Herbert has established enduring relationships with companies such as SoFi, the naming rights sponsor of his home stadium, Callaway, and Dr. Squatch soap. Dak Prescott – $57.8 millionPrescott’s injury to his hamstring in November lost him the final nine games of the 2024 season, two months after he signed a four-year, $240 million contract extension that broke NFL records for guaranteed money ($231 million), average yearly value ($60 million), and signing bonus ($80 million). However, the quarterback, 32, arrived at camp in good health and eager to try a new scheme under head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who was promoted from offensive coordinator in January and is abandoning his predecessor Mike McCarthy’s ‘Texas Coast’ offence in favour of a scheme that emphasises shifts and motion to trick defences. The initial outcomes were not ideal: Prescott, the team’s longest-tenured player, had just 188 passing yards and no touchdowns in a Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles that began his tenth season in Dallas. There was also a spitting incident. In order to give the Cowboys salary cap space, Prescott modified his deal in March. He works with over a dozen companies, such as AT&T, Blockchain.com, and Nike’s Jordan Brand, to supplement his large income. Tua Tagovailoa – $54.3 million Although his history of concussions may make some Miami fans anxious when he returns to the field, Tagovailoa, 27, dismissed a few sacks he took during the preseason by stating, “It felt good to get hit again. Maybe that’s not what people want to hear, but as we’re getting ready and getting started to get back into the normal routine of what a season would feel like, it feels good to get out there, get sacked a little bit.” Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension with the Dolphins in July 2024. Tyreek Hill, a wide receiver who has been trying to mend his relationship with his quarterback since withdrawing from the Dolphins’ 2024 season finale and told the media he wanted to play somewhere else, likewise seems to be Tagovailoa’s revitalized target. Last week, Tagovailoa stated, “I think once people see Tyreek score on Sunday, everyone will forget about that.” “We’re in a good spot, and we’ve been in a good spot for some time.” In addition to his on-field compensation, Tagovailoa endorses over ten brands, such as Perry Ellis and Gatorade.