Looking at the Highest-Earning Former Cowboys in NFL History

Life is about much more than dollars and cents, but the NFL (like college football) is a business and businesses are measured in currency. So I thought it would be interesting to look at which former Pokes have made the most ? during their NFL careers.

This only includes actual NFL earnings, not endorsements. 

So without further adieu.

10. Dan Bailey (Kicker) — $15,447,500

For a good chunk of his time in Dallas, Bailey was the most accurate kicker in NFL history. In 2014, the Cowboys inked Bailey to a seven-year $22.5 million deal. But in 2017, the groin injury that sidelined him for the first time in his then seven-year career spelled the end of his time in Dallas.

Bailey and that big contract which helped him land on this list were cut the following offseason. His 21-of-28 campaign in Minnesota in 2018 caused him to slip down to No. 5 on the list of NFL accuracy with a current career percentage of 86.6.

9. Charlie Johnson (Offensive Tackle) — $16,206,300

Johnson had a nine-year career split between the Colts and the Vikings, starting 115 of his 134 games. He played in 11 playoff games and earned a ring protecting Peyton Manning in Super Bowl XLI.

8. Brandon Pettigrew (Tight End) — $22,713,727

The first round pick by the Lions earned an All-Rookie selection and spent eight years in Detroit, starting 85 games. Father time and an ACL injury finally caught up with the productive tight end whose career ended following the 2015 season.

7. Thurman Thomas (Running Back) — $23,600,000

Thomas is a member of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. He was an NFL MVP, a five-time Pro Bowler and landed on five All-Pro teams. Yet, he still suffers from being the running back that started ahead of Barry Sanders, at least among OSU fans. It’s a shame really.

But don’t feel too back for Thomas. Despite his career ending nearly 20 years ago, Thurman is still among the 10 highest-paid Pokes. Thomas’ highest yielding season came in 1993 when his contract with the Bills included a base salary of $4 million. That would be worth roughly $7 million in 2019.

6. R.W. McQuarters (Defensive Back) — $28,520,000

The two-way star at Oklahoma State enjoyed an 11-year career in the NFL. McQuarters was a first round pick by San Francisco and spent two years with the 49ers before being traded to Chicago in 2000. The Bears signed him to a $21 million extension in 2002 but released him in 2005. After a year in Detroit, McQuarters finished his career with the New York Giants earning a Super Bowl ring in 2008.

5. Barry Sanders (Running Back) — $33,779,500

The greatest running back to ever lace them up (anywhere) falls all the way to No. 5 on this list. When he abruptly retired in 1998 his career earnings stood at $33,779,500. Adjusted for inflation to 2019 that number would be just north of $52.3 million. Of course the inflation rate in NFL contracts has been steeper over that span. Again, shed no tears for the Heisman winner. His current net worth is estimated at $28 million.

4. Antonio Smith (Defensive End) — $46,414,833

The former John Marshall standout went the junior college route, spending two seasons at NEO before finishing up his career at OSU. After being taken by the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round, Smith enjoyed a 13-year NFL career.

After five years in Arizona, Smith spent five in Houston starting all but one game. In 2011, he earned a Pro Bowl nod with the Texans. Add in the nearly $50 million in career earnings and that’s not too shabby for a juco prospect.

3. Kevin Williams (Defensive Tackle) — $53,895,258

The ninth overall pick in 2003 spent 11 of his 13 seasons in Minnesota where he earned an All-Rookie selection, six Pro Bowl selections, was named to five All-Pro first teams and in 2010 was picked as one of the 50 Greatest Vikings by the team as part of its semi-centennial anniversary.

2. Dez Bryant (Wide Receiver) — $57,398,735

Over the last decade there haven’t been many more productive receivers in the NFL than Dez — and there definitely hasn’t been any more polarizing. Along with the nearly $57 million he received from the Cowboys, Dez earned three Pro Bowl nods, an All-Rookie and an All-Pro Selection and holds the franchise record for touchdown catches.

An Achilles injury ended his single season with the Saints before it began and the future is up in the air for the now 30-year old receiver.

1. Russell Okung (Offensive Tackle) — $82,456,338

(See the above GIF.)

The former All-American tackle spent three seasons protecting Zac Robinson’s blindside before he was taken with the sixth overall pick by Seattle in 2010. His six years with the Seahawks earned him a Pro Bowl nod and a Super Bowl ring. With three different teams in nine seasons, Okung has started all 118 games he’s appeared in.

After famously eschewing an agent and representing himself, Okung signed a five-year deal with the Broncos that raised plenty an eyebrow. The deal was worth up to roughly $10.6 million but was looked at as a gamble since the Broncos had the option as to whether they would pick up the final four years. They didn’t.

But you could say that gamble paid off. There was plenty of locker room drama in Denver and Okung was a part of some of it. In stead he negotiated his own four-year $53 million deal with the Chargers that included a $10 million signing bonus as part of $25 million guaranteed. I’d say that Oklahoma State business degree has paid off.

Here’s the rest of the top 15 according to Spotrac of former Cowboys.