Hey guys, I am back, it’s been a while. Today I was scrolling through some NFL news, and I saw something that caught my eye – the 2024 NFL Draft. That got me thinking about the guys behind the scenes, the general managers. And you know what I did next? I went down a rabbit hole trying to figure out how much these guys actually make.
So, I started digging. First, I checked out some sports news sites, and it turns out, the numbers are all over the place. Some GMs are pulling in $1 million a year, while others are raking in up to $7.5 million. What a range, right? I mean, that’s a huge difference! I guess it makes sense, though. Some of these GMs have been in the game for years, they’re like the seasoned veterans of the NFL. Then you have the newbies, the ones who are just starting. They gotta prove themselves before they see the big bucks.

Then, I stumbled upon some interesting stuff about NBA GMs. Turns out, they make way more on average! We’re talking around $241,295 a year. That’s like $116 an hour! And this was as of January 5, 2025. Can you believe that? It made me wonder why NFL GMs make so much less in comparison.
Next, I dove into some forums and discussion boards. People were throwing around all sorts of numbers, some saying the average is around $2.4 million, others saying $2.5 million. But one thing was clear – there’s no set standard. It really depends on the individual, their experience, and the team they’re working for.
And get this, I found out that some NFL owners also act as GMs! Apparently, it’s not that common. As of October 2024, Jerry Jones is the only one doing double duty like that.
But here’s the thing that really got me. I looked at the average base salary and additional pay for NFL GMs, and it’s not as high as you might think. According to some reports, the average base is around $94,000, with an additional $19,000 from bonuses and stuff. That’s way lower than the millions we were talking about earlier!
So, what’s the takeaway from all this? Well, it seems like the salary of an NFL GM is a bit of a mystery. There’s a wide range, and it all comes down to experience, performance, and maybe even a bit of luck. But one thing’s for sure, it’s a fascinating world behind the scenes of the NFL.
Anyway, I just wanted to share my little research adventure with you guys. It’s always fun to dig into these things and see what you can find. Let me know what you think, and if any of you have some inside scoop on NFL GM salaries, I’m all ears!
- Key Findings:
- NFL GM salaries range from $1 million to $7.5 million.
- NBA GMs make significantly more on average.
- Jerry Jones is a rare example of an owner/GM.
- The average base salary for NFL GMs might be lower than expected.
Thoughts
It’s wild how much variation there is in NFL GM salaries. I guess it just goes to show that even in the world of professional sports, there are a lot of factors that go into determining someone’s worth. And it’s not always about how good you are at your job – sometimes it’s about who you know, how long you’ve been around, and a whole lot of other things that are out of your control.
