How Lamar Jackson became the highest-paid athlete in the NFL and now rivals LeBron James and Lionel Messi on Forbes rich list

Lamar Jackson has Patrick Mahomes beat in one big category.

Mahomes has three Super Bowl rings and MVPs, and has become the new face of the NFL.

Lamar Jackson has done it his way and has the $100 million to prove itCredit: Getty
Jackson is still trying to reach his first big game, after the Baltimore Ravens fell to Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs in the 2023 AFC Championship.

But when it comes to annual paydays, Action Jackson tops Showtime — and almost every athlete in the world.

NFL fans were stunned to learn than Jackson is the highest-paid athlete in the league in 2024, not Mahomes.

The Baltimore quarterback is set to rake in $100.5 million, according to Forbes.

Not bad for the final pick during the first round of the NFL Draft in 2018 — and an athlete that one analyst predicted would be better off changing positions and becoming a running back.

“They’re going to get a Super Bowl out of me, believe that,” Jackson said when he was drafted.

That hasn’t happened for No. 8 yet.

But with $98.5 million in on-field income and another $2 million in off-the-field revenue, he broke the $100 million mark and will make more than Mahomes in 2024.

Jackson has won two NFL MVPs and now just needs to win a Super BowlCredit: Getty

In fact, the 27-year-old Jackson — who has three Pro Bowl selections and two NFL MVP awards — isn’t far behind Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry, who will make $102 million, with $50 million coming off the court.

LeBron James is No. 4 at $128.2 million.

Football great Lionel Messi is third at $135 million, which includes $70 million in off-the-pitch income.

That’s where it gets very interesting for Jackson.

The seventh-year QB received a lot of criticism for going through a lengthy contract negotiation process with Baltimore.

There were also regular rumors that Jackson might leave the Ravens, despite the team being a regular AFC contender.

In the end, the Florida native and Heisman Trophy winner at Louisville signed a five-year, $260 million contract extension — without an agent.

His mother, Felicia Jones, served as his manager.

Patrick Mahomes trails Jackson financially in 2024 but is winning on the fieldCredit: Getty
Jackson stood his ground, deflected outside criticism, and is now the richest athlete in the NFL in 2024.

“She’s my manager,” Jackson said. “I feel like she was managing me really well.”

Jackson shouldn’t have money issues anytime soon.

He cracked the Forbes world’s richest athletes top 10 thanks to a $72.5 million signing bonus, which he negotiated as his own agent.

He also teams with the makers of an NFL virtual reality video game.

In addition, Jackson has a soul food restaurant, a personal clothing line (Era 8), a production company and a record label.

Jackson served as his own agent while his mother, Felicia Jones, is his managerCredit: Getty
That pushes him past $100 million and ranks him higher than Joe Burrow, Mahomes and the rest of the NFL’s best-paid QBs.

Jackson still has some work to do to catch Messi, while Mahomes could move ahead of No. 8 in 2025.

Action Jackson’s next big test is Week 1 of the upcoming NFL season.

His Ravens face Mahomes’ Chiefs to kick off the 2024 season on Sept. 5 at Arrowhead Stadium in an AFC Championship rematch.

Mahomes will receive his third Super Bowl ring with the world watching.

Jackson will be worth more than $100 million and take the field as the highest-paid player in America’s biggest sport.