Inside The Panthers

Larry Fitzgerald Becomes Highest-Paid WR in NFL History

Former Pitt Panther Larry Fitzgerald is one of the best wide receivers in NFL history and has been paid like one.

Stephen Thompson

Larry Fitzgerald Becomes Highest-Paid WR in NFL History
Larry Fitzgerald Becomes Highest-Paid WR in NFL History /
In this story:

PITTSBURGH -- Larry Fitzgerald has always been a star. As a Pitt Panther, he set the single-season school receiving yards record, career receiving touchdowns record, ranks sixth in program history in receiving yards despite spending just two years in college and came within inches of a Heisman Trophy. He also ranks second all-time in NFL receiving yards and sixth in career touchdowns. 

Fitzgerald has been one of the best players at his position in the sport both during his college career at Pitt and in the NFL and he got paid accordingly. With $182,490,000 under his belt after a 16-year NFL career, Fitzgerald is the highest-earning wide receiver in NFL history. 

Only one other wide receiver in league history - Calvin Johnson - has eclipsed $100 million in career earnings while spending their entire career with one team. $36,170,956 separate his career earnings total from the second-highest total owned by Julio Jones.

In defense of this record, Fitzgerald has longevity playing to his favor. Davante Adams, Brandin Cooks, Amari Cooper, Mike Evans, Odell Beckham Jr. and Allen Robinson are the active players closest to his total but they all trail him by at least $76 million and will be entering in either their eighth or ninth seasons in the league. 

That said, the value of wide receivers in the NFL is growing as offenses become more pass-happy. The salary cap is also expected to continue to rise as time goes on. With stars like Justin Jefferson, Jamar Chase, Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith haven't even hit their second contracts yet and there are plenty of young veteran wideouts that could give Fitzgerald a literal run for his money. 

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

ESPN Analyst Ranks Pitt DB Unit Third in ACC

Pitt HC Pat Narduzzi Ranked Sixth in ACC by CBS Sports

Pitt Transfer Target Joe Toussaint Commits to Texas Tech

Mouhamadou Gueye Makes Raptors Summer League Roster

Pitt Ranks Top 10 in Recent Total NFL Draft Picks

Pitt Makes Final Five for Four-Star DE Mylachi Williams

Published
Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

Home/Football