Many fans are curious about Bernie Kosar's financial success in April 2026. Our team analyzed the latest data to provide a clear picture of their income.

What is Bernie Kosar's Net Worth?

In late 1993, Bernie signed a seven-year, $27 million contract extension with the Browns that should have made him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks of all time (up to that point). Unfortunately, he was cut from the team just FIVE WEEKS after signing the deal. He did receive$4 millionfrom the deal, which was guaranteed.

Bernie Kosar is a retired American football quarterback who has a net worth of $2 million. Bernie Kosar played in the NFL from 1985 to 1996. Unfortunately, Bernie Kosar is one of many formerprofessional athletes who have experienced extreme financial hardshipor have evengone brokeat some point during their retirement years. Bernie was prominently featured in an episode of the ESPN docuseries "30 for 30" titled "Broke." In the episode, Bernie revealed that at one point he learned his father used some of his NFL earnings to pay for mortgages and car payments, AND had his own side-deal with the Cleveland Browns that paid the father $1 million. As we detail later in this article, Bernie himself experienced a series of financial problems through bad investments that ultimately saw him file for bankruptcy in 2009.

Kosar finished out his career with the Miami Dolphins as a backup quarterback to Dan Marino and is perhaps best remembered for a trick play that helped the Dolphins top the Jets in a crucial game late in 1994. With the clock winding down and the Dolphins trailing by three, Marino pretended to spike the ball to stop the clock. He then threw the winning touchdown pass to Mark Ingram.

Kosar played college football at the University of Miami, then, after much controversy throughout the drafting process, signed on with the Cleveland Browns in 1985. Times with the Cleveland Browns were not exactly shiny and full of accolades. Kosar's later years with Cleveland were dampened by injuries and dwindling support around the unlikely quarterback. To quite literally add insult to injury, in 1991, the Browns hiredBill Belichickas head coach. Not a big fan of Kosar, Belichick had signed quarterbackVinny Testaverde(Kosar's former college teammate) before the 1993 season. Early in the year, Belichick benched Kosar in favor of Testaverde. An injury to Testaverde returned Kosar to the field. From the Cleveland Browns, Kosar moved on to fill in for an injuredTroy Aikmanfor the Dallas Cowboys and earned his only championship ring as a backup in Super Bowl XXVIII.

Kosar finished his 12-season career with 1,994 completions in 3,365 attempts for 23,301 yards and 124 touchdowns, with 87 interceptions. He also rushed for 265 yards and five touchdowns. Bernie Kosar held the NFL record for most consecutive completed passes without an interception until December 26, 2010, when New England Patriots quarterbackTom Bradybroke his record.

Bernie Kosar earned around $19 million in NFL salary during his NFL career. Upon entering the NFL in 1985, Bernie Kosar signed a 5-year$5.2 millioncontract with the Cleveland Browns that came with a $1 million signing bonus, then equated to $840,000 in average salary per season.

Bernie played for the Cleveland Browns from 1985 to 1993. He was picked up by the Dallas Cowboys partway through the 1993 season. He spent his final two seasons with the Miami Dolphins, serving as a backup quarterback toDan Marino.

In July 1989, Bernie signed a six-year contract with Cleveland that could have ultimately been worth $15 million and came with a $3 million signing bonus. As we explain in a moment, he likely only earned around$7.5 millionfrom this deal.

After retirement from football, Kosar moved on to other business ventures, such as opening a restaurant, becoming part-owner of the Florida Panthers (NHL), publishing a magazine, and various philanthropic efforts.

Contracts and Career Earnings

In summary, the total wealth of Bernie Kosar reflects strategic moves.

Disclaimer: All net worth figures are estimates based on public data.