With an average annually salary of $22 million dollars Aaron Rodgers will be the highest paid NFL player during the 2014-15 NFL Season.  As the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers and former super bowl champion it should be another exciting year to see what Rodgers will do on the field.  We know how smart he can be with ball even once scoring 1300+ on his SAT's.

Making $21 million this year Kolin Kaeprnick of the  San Francisco 49er's comes in as the second highest paid player for NFL 2014-15.  Heading the pocket with both skills in the air and on the ground it will interesting to see what kind of numbers Kaeprnick can put up this year.  Often recognized for his tattoos his chest features the words "Against All Odds" and the body art around it signifies "inner strength, spiritual growth, and humility". 

Earning just south of $21 million this year Quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons Matt Ryan rounds out the top 3 most compensated NFL players.   Nicknamed “Matty Ice” for his cool demeanor in the pocket and as an ode to the beer “Natty Ice” he came into the league in 2008 winning the NFL AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and has not looked back since.  Good at more then one sport Ryan is also known to hit the links often and has participated in such golf events as the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship.

Hitting a bit over the $20 million mark Joe Flacco quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens comes in as the 4th highest paid 2014-15 NFL player.  Defeating the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII and also named Super Bowl XLVII's MVP it is clear Flacco has what it takes to throw with the very best.  You have to eat to play and most likely Flacco is a fan of pizza as he was once a spokesperson for Pizza Hut, which sold a menu item they deemed "Flacco's Favorites".

Playing for one of the most beloved football teams and cities in the New Orleans Saints, Drew Brees' loyalty and skill sets are now cashing checks at a rate of $20 million per year.  Rounding out the top 5 highest played NFL players.  As the the MVP of Super Bowl XLIV and the Offensive Player of the Year in 2008 and 2011 there is little doubt that Brees earns every penny of his contract.    Wearing #9 on his NFL jersey in honor of baseball player Ted Williams, Drew has a true love for sports and was even voted by fans for the cover of EA Sports Madden NFL 11 video game.

Once an Indianapolis Colts staple, Peyton Manning is now throwing the ball at the helm of the Denver Broncos in the Mile High city of Denver making a tad over $19 million in cash.  Coming from a well known football family as both Father, Archie Manning, and Brother, Peyton Manning, both excelled in the NFL, there was little doubt Peyton would do the same.  After winning a Super Bowl and five MVP awards its clear this long standing quarterback has what it takes to succeed.  He has also appeared in a wide variety of TV spots for such companies and shows as DirecTV, Saturday Night Live and Papa John's making him a fan favorite across the country. 

Taking snaps for the Chicago Bears Jay Cutler's yearly salary will reside in the $18.1 million dollar region.  Originally drafted by the Denver Broncos Cutler did not change squads to his present Bears NFL team until the 2009 season.  With a list of Bears records on his resume such as Most Career Pass Completions: 1,258 (2009-2013) there is little question about Cutler's valuable contributions to the Franchise.  Not only does cutler contribute on the field but he does volunteer work for many charities including his very own the Jay Cutler Foundation.

Starting in 2006 and playing his entire career for the Dallas Cowboys as a starting quarterback Tony Romo is a clear Texas favorite and his $18 million paycheck speaks volumes about his skill and popularity.  Visiting the Pro Bowl numerous times as well as holding some impressive NFL records like his Most consecutive road games with at least one touchdown passing record of 33 (2009 – present) Romo makes the game exciting.  Romo truly does love the thrills of football and this is evident by his hosting of a youth football camp in Burlington, Wisconsin, annually during the summer, since 2004.

As the the first overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft Quarterback Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions had a lot of expectations to live up to and his 2014 NFL salary of $17.67 million indicates he is doing just that.  Getting off to anything but a slow start as seen in NFL records like most passing touchdowns in a single game by a rookie quarterback of 5 it seemed Stafford super stardom was sure to be cemented in the league.  Stafford might also be trying to become a star off the field as he has a weekly segment on Mondays on The Mitch Albom Show with Mitch Albom on Detroit radio station WJR.

Rounding out the top 10 2014 NFL highest paid player list also has a family member high on the list so Eli Manning quarterback of the New York Giants knows a thing or two about playing football.  After leading the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVI, defeating the New England Patriots both times while winning the Most Valuable Player in both Super Bowls, Mannings $16.25 million dollar 2014 payday seems well justified.  After watching Manning volunteer in the wake of Hurricane Katrina raise $2.5 million for the construction of "The Eli Manning Children's Clinics" it is clear there is a softer side to this hard nosed football talent.

The first player to make the list that is not a quarterback, Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson barely misses the top ten highest paid NFL player list coming in at number eleven with a $16.2 million dollar paycheck.    Nicknamed "Megatron" this lengthy and talented receiver holds some of the NFL's best records like First NFL player in history to have consecutive seasons with at least 1,600 yards receiving (2011, 2012) making him a threat in any scenario.  Dangerous on the turf but anything but off Johnson is a Christian who takes part and often leads a weekly Bible study group with other Lions players.

As the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft Larry Fitzgerald wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals takes home a cool $16.1 million dollars per playing season.  One of two players (along with Troy Polamalu) featured on the cover of Madden NFL 10 and also capturing his own feature cover in on EA Sports video game NCAA Football 2005 there always seem to be big things going on with Fitzgerald as his talents and charisma is hard to overlook.  Larry also has a big heart establishing the “Larry Fitzgerald First Down Fund” to help kids and their families by providing positive activities for kids.

Our first Defensive player of the list Mario Williams of the Buffalo Bills also defends his case for being one of the best at his position by pulling in$16 million in salary.  Selected as the first pick overall by the Houston Texans during the 2006 NFL Draft Williams has been wreaking havoc on NFL offensives ever since.  As the Texans franchise sack leader currently sitting at 53 qb tackles for a loss there is no denying his intensity on the field.  Holding an intense passion for people off the field Williams debuted a honey-toasted oats breakfast cereal called "MariO's", in 2012 of which sales proceeds are to be donated to a Buffalo charity supporting children with cancer and their families.

One of the most famous and recognizable players in the NFL New England Patriots quarterback rarely if ever needs an introduction.  Taking in $14.12 million dollars this year will be another great time for the star team leader.  In Brady's thirteen seasons as a starter, the Patriots have earned five trips to the Super Bowl, winning three making him one of the most decorated and experienced players in the game today.  As just another indication of his glamours but well balanced lifestyle Brady and Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen married on February 26, 2009.  Never far from the spotlight he has been on Saturday Night Live in 2005, The Simpsons in 2005, Family Guy in 2006 and in 2009 he appeared as himself on an episode of Entourage.

Residing from Compton, California, where he attended Dominguez High School, corner back Richard Sherman is known for his gritty play on the gridiron.  After being involved in the "the Immaculate Deflection" during last years NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers and playing a key role in a subsequent Super Bowl victory against the Broncos the Seahawks had no issue In May of 2014 making Sherman one of the NFL's highest-paid defensive players at $14 million per year.  Also once a USA Today All-American in track and field and one of 3 players, including Calvin Johnson and J. J. Watt, in Madden 15 with a 99 (highest-possible) overall rating it is clear Sherman excels and leaves a mark on whatever he is involved in.

Playing his whole career for the Minnesota Vikings, running back Adrian Peterson is being handsomely rewards for both his talents and loyalty.  As the 2007 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year,  the 2012 AP NFL MVP and the 2012 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year its Peterson raw skill sets combined with an unmatched work ethic that earns him every penny of $13.7 million dollar a year contract.  Adrian has suffered a number of hardshsips throughout out his life such as losing a brother to a drunk driver, a son to assault and almost the end to his NFL career due to a vicious torn ACL and MCL injury there is no question he is person who can persevere through the toughest of times and still shine.

Yet another quarterback on the 2014-15 NFL highest paid player list that has spent his career on one team, the San Diego Chargers Phillip Rivers makes a healthy $13.6 million per playing season.  Rivers has always been a true team player and this is evident in records like most touchdowns between a single Quarterback and Tight End (60, Antonio Gates).  Also very much a team player off the field in 2011, Rivers was named one of three final nominees for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award for his work with the Rivers of Hope Foundation, an endeavor that he undertook with his wife to assist abandoned and orphaned children

As the only corner back on the list besides Richar Sherman, the Cleveland Browns Joe haden is a rare treat to watch play in the NFL backfield.  Terrorizing NFL coaches, offenses and wide receivers since his 2010 NFL Draft first round selection by the Browns it is clear to see that Haden gives every effort in regards to making his $13.5 million dollar NFL contract count.  Football has always been a huge part of Haden's family life and as the eldest of five boys Joe has seen one brother Josh playing running back for Boston College, another brother Jordan playing safety for Toledo, and an adiitional brother joining him in the NFL as his brother Jonathan is a running back for Arizona.  

Coming from a long lineage of NFL players with his Grandfather, Father, Cousins and Uncle all playing extensively in the league, line backer Clay Matthews knows a thing or two about what it takes to succeed.  Every bit the professional and all business on the field it is easy to understand why this premiere talent commands the $13.2 million dollars he receives.  Never one to shy away from fun or competition Matthews once made an appearance in the WWE in 2011, when he sprinted into the ring to help in Edge's World Heavyweight Championship match against Dolph Ziggler as a celebrity referee.

Nicknamed “The Kraken”, Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy has been cracking NFL offences since his sixth round 2010 NFL Draft selection. Formerly playing with offensive lineman Michael Oher from the hit movie “The Blinside” at both Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis, Tennessee and Ole Miss had a star athlete aura about him since his early days of mixing it up with other potential NFL greats.  Ranked 53rd in the NFL Top 100 for his breakout performance during the 2013 NFL Season there is no doubt there will be more to come from Hardy and his $13.1 dollar a year NFL salary.

Starting off his NFL career hot, Sam Bradford quarterback of the St. Louis Rams set the record for most completions by a rookie in NFL history.  That same year he also earned the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award paving the way to his current $13 million dollar NFL yearly paycheck.  After an impressive rookie showing which in addition to the other accolades included a most consecutive passes without an interception by a rookie quarterback (169) record the expectations are running high for the now four year veteran.  Bradford is an avid sports fan calling ice hockey his second favorite athletic activity which at times he compares to football in regards to his passion for the game.

Known as one of the most aggressive players in the NFL with a bit of a hot temper defensive tackle  Ndamukong Suh of the Detroit Lions makes $12.7 million dollars despite his at times questionable attitude.  Even as the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year (2010) the four year NFL veteran still has a long ways in regards to proving himself to both his team and the league.  While his raw talent is undeniable his on field antics have cast a shadow over is actual play and it will be interesting to see how the 2014-15 NFL season plays out for Suh.  Ndamukong  does try to appease the public's eye by signing endorsement deals with Nike, Subway, Dick's Sporting Goods, Omaha Steaks and Chrysler.

Not widely recognized by many it might surprise some to see defensive end Charles Johnson of the Carolina Panthers make the top 25 highest paid NFL player list raking in a $12.7 million dollar per year NFL pay stub.  While not much is known about the seven year player he did Attended Hawkinsville (Ga.) HS and Majored in child and family development at Georgia.  His total career stats consists as of NFL Week 17 2013 of 224 Tackles, 54 Sacks and 13 Forced fumbles.

Nicknamed "Big Ben", 6 ft 5 inch 240 plus pound Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is known for his gigantic accomplishments on the field.  A two time Super Bowl champion (XL, XLIII) he has reached the pinnacle of football and come out on top multiple times which easily makes his $12.5 million dollar contract well worth it.  While Roethlisberger records and accomplishments are almost too numerous to count or single out he was almost robbed of many of them after suffering a severe motorcycle accident on On Monday, June 12, 2006.  Of course he was able to bounce back in all things life, even starting  "The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation” who's mission it is to provide support for police and fire departments throughout the U.S. 

A nine year veteran of the league line backer Trent Cole of the Philadelphia Eagles may be the least recognized name on the list but still rounds out the top 25 highest paid NFL player list at a well deserved $12.1 million bucks.  Boasting career stats of 517 tackles, 79 quarterback sacks, 1 interception and 16 Forced fumbles Trent Cole is a forced to be reckoned with on the gridiron.  Cole in the NFL off season likes to hunt which has lead to the nickname "The Hunter." Trent is also the cousin of Norris Cole, current starting point guard for the Miami Heat.