Here's your Forbes Daily Briefing for Saturday, September 13th.

Today on Forbes, the NFL's highest paid players 2025.

After an offseason of acrimony with the Dallas Cowboys that ended last month with a

blockbuster trade to the Green Bay Packers, defensive end Micah Parsons has a new four-year deal that sets

NFL contract records for total value, $188 million, average annual value, $47 million,

and guaranteed money, $136 million, for a non-quarterback.

That last qualifier is important because, as well-paid as the 26-year-old edge rusher is about

to be, football's most important position remains in control of the financial huddle,

claiming eight of the ten spots on this year's list of the NFL's highest-paid players.

The ranking has now featured at least eight quarterbacks for four

straight seasons. Parsons lands at number six overall, due to make an estimated $48.2 million

during the 2025 league year, including endorsements, licensing, memorabilia, and other

business endeavors, in addition to his playing salary and

signing bonus.

Travis Kelsey, who these days is perhaps better known as Taylor Swift's fiancé, but in his day

job still suits up as a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, is the only other non-quarterback

to make the 2025 list, coming in at number 8 with

an estimated $47.3 million before taxes and agent fees.

At the top of the earnings ranking this year is Kelsey's teammate, Patrick Mahomes, who

claims the number one spot for the first time ever with an estimated $78 million. The two chief stars also lead the rest of

the NFL by a considerable margin off the field, where Mahomes, with the sports best array of

sponsorships, is collecting an estimated $28 million, and Kelsey is hauling in an estimated $30 million,

...