Professional football players have left their mark both on and off the field. Most of these players are known for their incredible skill with a football as well as their lasting legacy and contribution to the communities and society as a whole.
According to Facts.net, the average career span for a player in the NFL (National Football League) is just 3.3 years. That’s a short time frame to leave an impact! Some don’t last long while others, especially the ones on our list below, end up making a successful career out of football. Despite the vigorous training, scheduling, and physicality of the sport, the average NFL player ends up making about $2 million according to Chron. This number is, of course, widely diverse. Quarterbacks typically go on to earn the most money. This position averages $5.766 million per year while running backs earn the least amount at just over $1 million.
Despite the career objectives of most players, what sets them apart tends to be their record and their personality. Every player on our list below varies greatly in dollars earned and position played on the field. This list covers everyone from Taylor Swift’s boyfriend and tight end Travis Kelce, to defensive end and online inspirer Grady Jerrett. A few also make the list of best athletes to ever play football.
This list is based on a YouGov poll of the most popular contemporary and professional football players according to the Millennial generation as of the first quarter of 2024. These results are based on positive popularity among those surveyed. Here are the top 20 favorite football players for Millennials.
1. Travis Kelce
Known in pop culture as Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, Travis Kelce is also widely regarded as one of the best tight ends of all time. Kelce, who began his professional career in 2013, has played his position with the Kansas City Chiefs for more than 11 seasons.
2. Patrick Mahomes
Also a player for the Chiefs, Mahomes has been the starting quarterback since 2018. In his 7 seasons, he has led the Chiefs to 4 Super Bowl appearances, winning 3 of them.
3. Amari Cooper
As a wide receiver, Cooper has been playing in the NFL since 2014. He has played on several different teams including the Raiders, the Cowboys, and his current team, the Bears, where he’s experienced several 1,000-yard seasons.
4. Derek Carr
Leading the Las Vegas Raiders in several records over his 9 seasons with the team is quarterback Derek Carr. However, his career with the Raiders came to an end in 2022 and Carr is now on the roster for the New Orleans Saints.
5. Michael Thomas
Beginning his professional career with the New Orleans Saints in 2016, Michael Thomas earned the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2019. Thomas is now a free agent after being released by the Saints in 2024 following an injury.
6. Aaron Rodgers
Beginning his career with the Green Bay Packers in 2005, Aaron Rodgers is a quarterback highly familiar to Millennials. After 18 seasons with the Packers, Rodgers moved on to play for the New York Jets in 2023 where he still remains on the roster.
7. Josh Allen
Leading the Buffalo Bills to consistent post-season play, Josh Allen has been the starting quarterback for the team since 2018. Allen currently holds several records in the NFL including the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in two divisions and the only player in the league’s history to have 40 or more touchdowns in 4 straight seasons.
8. Trevon Diggs
While Diggs is relatively new to the NFL, he’s easily grown in popularity due to his outstanding career both professionally and at the collegiate level for Alabama. As a cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys, Diggs has continued to excel and break his own personal records for tackles, interceptions, and fumble recoveries.
9. Lamar Jackson
After winning the Heisman Trophy in 2016, Lamar Jackson was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft. Jackson went on to become the youngest starting quarterback in a playoff game at age 21, and he’s been voted the league’s Most Valuable Player twice.
10. Russell Wilson
Though he currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Russell Wilson has been in the NFL for more than 12 seasons, previously playing quarterback for both the Seahawks and the Broncos. Though he helped the Seahawks earn 2 Super Bowl victories in his time there, Wilson is also known for his philanthropy efforts.
11. Baker Mayfield
Though Baker Mayfield has bounced around from team to team since being drafted in the NFL in 2018, he’s most known for his record-breaking rookie season with the Cleveland Browns. In 2020, he also led the Browns to their first pro-season appearance since 2002.
12. Saquon Barkley
After 5 seasons with the New York Giants, Saquon Barkley now plays running back for the Philadelphia Eagles. Barkley is also known for his collegiate career, nearly earning the Heisman Trophy and several other awards during his time at Penn State.
13. Jalen Hurts
As the starting quarterback for the Eagles since 2021, Jalen Hurts has led the team to numerous victories including a Super Bowl appearance in 2023. Hurts also played quarterback for the Sooners, coming in second place for the Heisman Trophy in 2019.
14. Trevor Lawrence
As quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars since 2021, Trevor Lawrence experienced a breakout rookie season. He then went on to lead his team to post-season play in 2022.
15. T.Y. Hilton
Though T.Y. Hilton (whose birth name is Eugene Marquis) was originally drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2012, the wide receiver is now a free agent. In his 10-plus seasons with the NFL, Hilton has broken records and played in 4 Pro Bowl games.
16. Andrew Luck
Hilton’s teammate, Andrew Luck, spent 7 seasons as quarterback for the Colts from 2012-2018. Though he no longer plays the game and retired in 2019 due to injuries, Luck has been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame for his time at Stanford.
17. Dak Prescott
As the starting quarterback for the Cowboys since his rookie season in 2016, Dak Prescott has earned several awards and broken both personal and league records. Additionally, Prescott is known for his nonprofit work that honors his late mother.
18. Justin Herbert
Drafted in 2020, Justin Herbert is relatively new to the NFL. He became the starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers during his second season with the team and was also named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2020.
19. A.J. Dillon
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 24: AJ Dillon #28 of the Green Bay Packers carries the ball during the second half of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
A.J. (Algiers Jameal) Dillon was drafted in the same year as Justin Herbert. As a running back for the Green Bay Packers, Dillon has nearly 2,500 rushing yards.
20. Grady Jarrett
As a starting defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons since 2017, Grady Jarrett has appeared in two pro bowls so far. In total, Jarrett has recorded 443 tackles, 34 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles during his time in the league according to ESPN. (For related content, click here to see America’s favorite athletes of all time.)