Steve Young’s Net Worth and NFL Career Earnings: 2024 Overview

A legendary NFL quarterback, Steve Young has amassed significant wealth through his illustrious football career and innovative business ventures. In 2024, his net worth remains a topic of interest, especially compared to other ‘Richest NFL Players.’ Let’s explore his financial journey.

Steve Young Quick Facts

What is the Net Worth Of Steve Young in 2024?

In 2024, Steve Young net worth is estimated at $200 million. His wealth compares favorably with other top figures in the NFL and related industries. Here are some notable comparisons:

• Tom Brady
• Roger Goodell
• Aaron Rodgers
• John Madden

Salary of Steve Young

Steve Young, a legendary quarterback, made a significant impact in the NFL. His career earnings totaled an impressive $49,372,000, with a remarkable career average per year (APY) of $3,291,467.

Young secured total guarantees of $12,284,000, and his most significant cash payment reached $9,500,000 in 1998.

Notably, his most considerable cap number was $6,250,000 in 1993. Born on October 11, 1961, he is 6’2″ and weighs 215 lbs.

After his notable career at BYU, he entered the NFL in the 1984 Supplemental Draft, selected in the first round by the Buccaneers.

Overview of Steve Young

Early life

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Young showcased his athletic prowess at Eastern Middle School and Greenwich High School in Connecticut, where he excelled as a quarterback.

He earned All-FCIAC West Division First Team honors in his junior year and repeated the achievement in his senior year, rushing for 13 touchdowns.

In a run-heavy offense, Young completed 41% of his passes for 1,220 yards while amassing 1,928 rushing yards on 267 carries.

As a versatile athlete, he also co-captained the football, basketball, and baseball teams, averaging 15 points per game in basketball and boasting a .384 batting average in baseball.

College career

In a remarkable college career, Steve Young was heavily recruited by the University of North Carolina but chose BYU, where he initially struggled with passing.

Young’s hard work paid off, and he succeeded Jim McMahon as the starting quarterback, throwing for 3,902 yards and 33 touchdowns with a record-setting 71.3% completion percentage.

Under his leadership, BYU averaged 584.2 total yards per game, finishing the season 11–1. Young received the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award and was a unanimous All-American, finishing second in Heisman voting.

His college journey culminated in a game-winning touchdown in the 1983 Holiday Bowl.

Professional football

Steve Young’s journey through professional football is a compelling narrative of talent, perseverance, and a unique aspect of financial acumen.

After leaving college when the USFL was emerging as a formidable rival to the NFL, Young was drafted by the Los Angeles Express as the 11th overall pick in the first round of the 1984 USFL draft.

The Express offered him a staggering 10-year, $40 million contract, a record in sports at the time, which he accepted in March 1984.

In his rookie season, after missing the first six games to graduate, Young became a standout player, making history as the first pro football player to pass for 300 yards and rush for 100 in a single game.

Despite individual success, the Express struggled with attendance and financial stability, leading to a dismal 3-15 record in 1985.

As economic issues plagued the team, Young renegotiated his 10-year deal to 4 years, collecting $4.8 million of the $5.8 million owed by 1987, working out to an annual rate of pay of $2.4 million for his first two seasons that was the highest in all of American sports.

Included in that negotiation was a payment of $1.4 million for the balance of the 10-year annuity (less money paid out against it) and salaries for the remaining two years of the deal “in excess of $450,000” annually, according to the USFL Commissioner then overseeing the LA Express (which had fallen into receivership).

Disillusioned with the Express’s instability, Young moved significantly to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

This transition was a turning point in his career, as the Buccaneers had selected him as the first pick in a supplemental draft.

Unfortunately, his tenure there was marred by poor performance and a lack of support, culminating in identical 2-14 records during his two seasons.

In April 1987, Young was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, where he served as a backup to Joe Montana.

Young showcased his potential whenever given the opportunity, notably throwing four touchdown passes in a 41-0 victory over the Chicago Bears in 1987.

With Montana sidelined due to injury in 1991, Young assumed the starting role and posted impressive numbers, finishing with an NFL-best passer rating of 101.8 despite missing several games.

By 1992, Young had solidified his position as San Francisco’s starting quarterback and earned his first NFL MVP award after throwing for 3,465 yards and leading the league with 25 touchdown passes.

The following year, he led the 49ers to a Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl XXIX, where he became the game’s MVP with six touchdown passes, setting a new record.

Young’s final years were marred by injuries and concussions, leading to his retirement in 1999 after suffering a severe concussion early in the season.

His legacy includes two MVP awards and a historic Super Bowl win, underscoring his status as one of football’s greats. Today, Young remains an advocate for player safety regarding concussions and their long-term effects on athletes.

Earnings Career

Steve Young’s Season History showcases a remarkable career in the NFL, marked by significant financial milestones.

He began his journey in 1985 with the Buccaneers, earning a base salary of $200,000. His career turned pivotal when he joined the 49ers in 1987, where his salary escalated to $500,000.

Over the years, Young’s earnings reflected his growing importance in the field. By 1993, he commanded a cap of $6,250,000, with a total cash payment of $8,250,000. His peak came in 1994 when his cap reached $4,525,000, comprising 13.1% of the team’s cap.

Young amassed an impressive $35,150,000 in base salaries and $41,710,666 in cap numbers throughout his career.

His final seasons saw him earn $3,750,000 in 1999, with a total cash payout of $6,750,000.

This financial history underscores Young’s value as a player and highlights his transition into one of the league’s top quarterbacks.

In his illustrious career, Steve Young played for the Buccaneers for two years, earning a total of $1,692,000.

His average annual salary (APY) was $846,000. Young later thrived with the 49ers, spending 13 years and accumulating $47,680,000 in earnings, with an APY of $3,667,692.

During his time with San Francisco, $40,780,000 was accounted for on the cap, reflecting his significant impact on the team.

Contract of Steve Young

Steve Young, a legendary quarterback, had a remarkable contract history that reflects his impact on the game.

He was drafted by the Buccaneers in 1985 with a 6-year contract worth $4,892,000, earning an average of $815,333 per year. After being traded to the 49ers, he signed another 6-year contract for the same amount, ultimately earning $3,200,000.

In 1991, Young became a free agent, securing a 2-year deal for $4,480,000, which he fully earned.

His most significant contract came in 1993 when he signed a 5-year franchise deal valued at $25,250,000, receiving $20,750,000 by the end of it.

Young’s final contracts included a renegotiated deal in 1998, amounting to $49,175,000 over 6 years. His financial journey culminated in a terminated contract in 2000 worth $43,025,000, marking the end of his incredible career in the NFL.

Records and legacy

Steve Young, a legendary figure in the NFL, made his mark as one of the game’s most efficient quarterbacks.

Over a 15-year career, he completed 2,667 of 4,149 passes for 33,124 yards and 232 touchdowns, boasting a remarkable 96.8 career passer rating, which ranks twelfth in NFL history.

A two-time league MVP, Young led the league in passer rating six times and in touchdown passes four times. In the postseason, he threw 20 touchdown passes with only 13 interceptions across 20 games, also setting records for most rushing yards (594) and rushing touchdowns (8) by a quarterback in playoff history.

His impact on the San Francisco 49ers is immortalized with his number 8 jersey retired on October 5, 2008, honoring his legacy as the first left-handed quarterback inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 7, 2005.

Awards and honors

In the illustrious career of this NFL legend, he achieved remarkable heights, securing three Super Bowl championships (XXIII, XXIV, XXIX) and earning the prestigious Super Bowl MVP award in XXIX.

His excellence was further recognized with two NFL Most Valuable Player awards in 1992 and 1994, along with being named NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 1992. A consistent force on the field, he earned seven Pro Bowl selections and was a three-time First-team All-Pro from 1992 to 1994.

His extraordinary passing prowess is highlighted by leading the league in passing touchdowns four times and achieving a top passer rating six times.

Beyond the NFL, his college achievements include winning the Davey O’Brien Award and being a Unanimous All-American in 1983.

He is honored with his jersey No. 8, retired by the BYU Cougars, and is a proud member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2005).

Post-football

Steve Young, the legendary former NFL quarterback, has successfully transitioned into a multifaceted career after football.

He earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from BYU’s J. Reuben Clark Law School in 1994. In 2007, he co-founded Huntsman Gay Global Capital with Jon M. Huntsman and Robert C. Gay, where he currently serves as managing director.

Young also plays a significant role as chairman of the board for Integrity Marketing Group as of 2022.

In addition to his business pursuits, Young has appeared in various television shows, including Frasier and Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, showcasing his versatility beyond sports.

However, his broadcasting career faced a setback when he was laid off by ESPN on June 30, 2023, marking the end of his more than two-decade presence on NFL studio shows like NFL Countdown.

Philanthropy

Young’s impact extends beyond the football field, as he has significantly contributed to philanthropy. As a National Advisor to ASCEND: A Humanitarian Alliance, he organizes expeditions to Africa and South America, mentoring in education, enterprise, health, and technology.

In 1993, he established the Forever Young Foundation, supporting children with physical, emotional, and financial challenges through academic and athletic opportunities.

Additionally, Young is the national spokesman for an organization founded by David Rubenstein, where he has served as the honorary league commissioner for charitable dodgeball tournaments on college campuses since 2009.

His efforts underscore a commitment to improving lives through meaningful initiatives, inspiring others to follow suit.

Personal life

Steve Young, a prominent figure in football, is not just a legendary quarterback but also a man of faith and family.

A devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a great-great-great-grandson of Brigham Young, after whom BYU is named, Young’s personal life is as rich as his professional one.

Since 2000, he has been married to Barbara Graham, and they share two sons and two daughters. His autobiography, QB: My Life Behind the Spiral, published in 2016 with coauthor Jeff Benedict, was initially intended as a personal memoir for his children. Young currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he continues influencing the sport.

Real Estate

Steve Young owns a residence in Old Palo Alto, an affluent neighborhood in California. This area is particularly favored by tech billionaires from Silicon Valley, and it is noteworthy that Steve Jobs once called Old Palo Alto home.

Social Media Accounts

FAQs About Steve Young

Did Steve Young win a Super Bowl as a backup?

Steve Young achieved three Super Bowl championships during his career, two as a backup quarterback and one as a starter.

In Super Bowl XXIX, he delivered an impressive performance, throwing a record six touchdown passes in a decisive 49-26 victory against the San Diego Chargers.

How did Steve Young break a Super Bowl record?

His outstanding performance resulted in him being named Super Bowl MVP and receiving the NFL MVP award for that season.

Additionally, he set a record for the most touchdown passes by a single quarterback in a Super Bowl with six. “I mean, I’ve never thrown six touchdown passes in a game before. Then, I manage to throw six in the Super Bowl!”

Is Steve Young in the NFL Hall of Fame?

Steve Young, a member of the Class of 2005, is recognized as the first left-handed quarterback to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

How many Super Bowls did Steve Young win without Joe Montana?

Steve Young achieved remarkable success with the San Francisco 49ers, securing victories in Super Bowl XXIII (1989), Super Bowl XXIV (1990), and Super Bowl XXIX (1995).

Initially, Young served as a backup to the iconic quarterback Joe Montana before ultimately succeeding him as the team’s starting quarterback.

Who was Steve Young’s running back?

Steve Young, the former quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, had the distinct honor of playing alongside remarkable running backs such as Roger Craig, Ricky Watters, and Garrison Hearst.

Conclusion

Steve Young’s financial journey is as impressive as his football career. With a net worth of $200 million, he remains a crucial figure in sports and business.

For more insights into his wealth and other NFL player’s fortunes, visit NFL Players Fortune. Don’t forget to leave your comments and share this article with others!