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Wisconsin Football: Badgers with highest career NFL earnings

By Christian Borman

Jan 9, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs the ball while Los Angeles Rams cornerback Troy Hill (22) defends during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs the ball while Los Angeles Rams cornerback Troy Hill (22) defends during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Wisconsin football; Joe Thomas
Sep 17, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas (73) walks off the field after the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Browns 24-10 at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Joe Thomas

Career earnings: $122,850,000

Known as one of, if not the best, lineman to come out of the Wisconsin football program, Joe Thomas quickly became one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL since he entered the league in 2007. Thomas played for the Badgers from 2003-2006.

While at Wisconsin, Thomas earned numerous awards and honors. He was an All-American in 2005 and 2006, and won the Outland Trophy, given to the top offensive linemen in the country.

Thomas was drafted in the first round (3rd overall) by the Cleveland Browns in the 2007 NFL Draft.

He played his entire 11-year career for the Browns. In that span, he played and started in 167 straight games. He had a 10,363 snap streak going before he tore his bicep in the middle of the 2017 season. He retired after the 2017 season and he now works as an analyst for NFL Network.

In his time with the Browns, he was a Pro Bowler ten straight seasons from 2007-2016. He was a first-team All-Pro six times (2009-2011 and 2013-2016). Thomas is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2023 and will likely be a first-ballot player.

He is currently the highest-paid offensive lineman in league history. Unfortunately, it won’t be for much longer. San Francisco tackle Trent Williams is due for a contract this offseason and is only about $14.5 million away from Thomas. He is likely to get a big payday this offseason that will vault him past Thomas in the next year or two.