15 Highest-Paid Football Players of 2018

Professional football players get paid a lot. We know that, but there's a reason for that. They play pretty hard every single game -- we've all seen how hard they get hit. Though the regular season in the NFL is only 16 games long, these players continue to take a beating and risk serious injury weekly during the fall. It isn't like they don't know the risks. Football players know they are at constant risk, but many don't mind considering they make a lot of money playing a game they love.

All positions get paid pretty well, but some are paid more than others. The highest paid player for most teams is their quarterback, who is in charge of facilitating the offense and scoring points for his team. Other particularly well-paid positions are wide receivers, running backs, and linebackers. However, there are players in other positions who have made a tremendous amount of money over the course of their respective careers.

These players work hard all year to be in the best shape and perform at the highest level during the season. They sacrifice a lot by traveling and dedicating so much time to the game of football.

For this year, we've decided to make a list of the top fifteen highest salaries for the upcoming 2018 season. We've also included a few important statistics to help determine if these players are worth all the money they are projected receive. Did any of your favorite football players make the list?

Tom Brady (New England Patriots- QB)

Tom Brady (New England Patriots- QB)

2018 Salary: $20.5 million
Contract: 2 years / $41 million
Record as Starter: 196-55
Super Bowls: 5
Pro Bowls: 12

(Image via Facebook)

Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers- QB)

Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers- QB)

2018 Salary: $20.76 million
Contract: 5 years / $103.8 million
Record as Starter: 62-45-1
Super Bowls: 0
Pro Bowls: 3

(Image via Facebook)

Philip Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers- QB)

Philip Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers- QB)

2018 Salary: $20.8 million
Contract: 4 years / $83.25 million
Record as Starter: 106-86
Super Bowls: 0
Pro Bowls: 6

(Image via Facebook)

Eli Manning (New York Giants- QB)

Eli Manning (New York Giants- QB)

2018 Salary: $21 million
Contract: 4 years / $84 million
Record as Starter: 111-103
Super Bowls: 2
Pro Bowls: 4

(Image via Facebook)

Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers- QB)

Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers- QB)

2018 Salary: $21.85 million
Contract: 4 years / $87.4 million
Record as Starter: 135-63
Super Bowls: 2
Pro Bowls: 5

(Image via Facebook)

Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks- QB)

Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks- QB)

2018 Salary: $21.9 million
Contract: 4 years / $87.6 million
Record as Starter: 65-30-1
Super Bowls: 1
Pro Bowls: 4

(Image via Facebook)

Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers- QB)

Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers- QB)

2018 Salary: $22 million
Contract: 5 years / $110 million
Record as Starter: 94-48
Super Bowls: 1
Pro Bowls: 6

(Image via Facebook)

Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens- QB)

Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens- QB)

2018 Salary: $22.13 million
Contract: 3 years / $66.4 million
Record as Starter: 92-62
Super Bowls: 1
Pro Bowls: 0

(Image via Facebook)

Andrew Luck (Indianapolis Colts- QB)

Andrew Luck (Indianapolis Colts- QB)

2018 Salary: $24.6 million
Contract: 5 years / $122.97 million
Record as Starter: 43-27
Super Bowls: 0
Pro Bowls: 3

(Image via Facebook)

Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints- QB)

Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints- QB)

2018 Salary: $25 million
Contract: 2 years / $50 million
Record as Starter: 142-106
Super Bowls: 1
Pro Bowls: 10

(Image via Flickr)

Derek Carr (Oakland Raiders- QB)

Derek Carr (Oakland Raiders- QB)

2018 Salary: $25 million
Contract: 5 years / $125 million
Record as Starter: 28-34
Super Bowls: 0
Pro Bowls: 3

(Image via Facebook)

Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions- QB)

Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions- QB)

2018 Salary: $27 million
Contract: 5 years / $135 million
Record as Starter: 60-65
Super Bowls: 0
Pro Bowls: 1

(Image via Facebook)

Jimmy Garoppolo (San Francisco 49ers- QB)

Jimmy Garoppolo (San Francisco 49ers- QB)

2018 Salary: $27.5 million
Contract: 5 years / $137.5 million
Record as Starter: 7-0
Super Bowls: 2 (neither as starter)
Pro Bowls: 0

(Image via Facebook)

Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings- QB)

Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings- QB)

2018 Salary: $28 million
Contract: 3 years / $84 million
Record as Starter: 26-30-1
Super Bowls: 0
Pro Bowls: 1

(Image via Facebook)

Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons- QB)

Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons- QB)

2018 Salary: $30 million
Contract: 5 years / $150 million
Record as Starter: 95-63
Super Bowls: 0
Pro Bowls: 4

(Image via Facebook)