Terrell Lewis has built a net worth of approximately $2 million through his NFL career, contract earnings, and off-field ventures. The Chicago Bears linebacker has seen his wealth grow steadily since entering the league in 2020, despite facing some career challenges along the way.
Terrell Lewis Net Worth
Terrell Lewis currently holds a net worth of about $2 million as of early 2025. This figure represents the total value of his assets minus any debts or liabilities. His wealth primarily comes from his professional football career, including his rookie contract with the Los Angeles Rams and his current deal with the Chicago Bears.
Most NFL players build their wealth through a combination of salary, signing bonuses, and performance incentives. Lewis is no exception. His net worth calculation includes his NFL contracts, playoff bonuses, and any supplemental income from endorsements or business ventures.
What makes Lewis’s financial journey interesting is how he’s managed his career despite some setbacks. After being selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, he faced injury challenges that affected his early playing time. These hurdles didn’t stop him from building financial stability, though his net worth isn’t as high as some players drafted in similar positions.
When comparing his wealth to other NFL linebackers with similar experience, Lewis falls somewhere in the middle range. While not among the highest-paid at his position, he’s secured enough earnings to establish financial security early in his career.
NFL Career Earnings
Terrell Lewis began his NFL financial journey when the Los Angeles Rams selected him with the 84th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. His rookie contract was worth approximately $4.6 million over four years, including a signing bonus of around $830,000.
During his time with the Rams (2020-2022), Lewis earned a base salary that increased annually:
- 2020: $610,000 base salary
- 2021: $780,000 base salary
- 2022: $895,000 base salary
The Rams waived Lewis in December 2022, which changed his financial trajectory. The Chicago Bears quickly claimed him off waivers, taking on the remainder of his rookie contract. This move meant the Bears assumed the financial terms of his original deal rather than negotiating new terms.
In Chicago, Lewis continued earning under the terms of his rookie contract, with his base salary for the 2023 season at approximately $1.01 million. The Bears kept him on their roster, showing faith in his abilities despite his earlier challenges with injuries.
Lewis’s NFL earnings haven’t reached the heights of first-round picks who often secure contracts worth $10+ million annually. However, his third-round selection still provided him with a solid foundation for building wealth, with total career earnings approaching $4 million from his playing contracts alone.
Something worth noting about NFL contracts is that they aren’t fully guaranteed like in some other professional sports. This reality makes financial planning particularly important for players like Lewis, who must prepare for the possibility that their careers might be shorter than expected.
Endorsements & Business Ventures
While not as commercially prominent as NFL superstars, Terrell Lewis has explored additional income streams beyond his playing salary. Though specific financial details remain private, Lewis has made small steps into the endorsement world.
Some reports connect Lewis to regional endorsement deals, particularly in Alabama where he played college football and built a strong fan base. These smaller deals typically range from $10,000 to $50,000 for athletes at his recognition level, providing supplementary income to his NFL salary.
Social media has opened doors for many NFL players to monetize their personal brands. Lewis maintains an active presence on platforms like Instagram, where he occasionally promotes products and services. These social media partnerships, while modest compared to top-tier athletes, still contribute to his overall earnings.
Perhaps more significant to his long-term financial outlook is TERRELL-LEWIS INVESTMENTS LLC, a private investment company reportedly connected to the NFL player. While public information about this venture is limited, establishing such a business entity suggests Lewis is thinking about wealth management and life after football.
Many NFL players invest in real estate as a wealth-building strategy, and some reports suggest Lewis may have property investments, though specific details remain private. This approach to diversifying income sources shows financial awareness that many young athletes lack.
The endorsement and business side of Lewis’s financial portfolio remains smaller than his NFL salary, but these ventures position him for continued financial growth even after his playing career ends.
From College Star to NFL Professional
Terrell Lewis’s path to financial success began at the University of Alabama, where he played college football under legendary coach Nick Saban. As a high-profile college athlete, Lewis didn’t receive direct payment for his athletic performances due to NCAA regulations that were in place during his college career.
His time at Alabama wasn’t without challenges. Lewis battled injuries during his college career, including a torn ACL that forced him to miss the entire 2018 season. These setbacks created questions about his durability but didn’t prevent him from becoming an NFL prospect.
The 2020 NFL Draft marked Lewis’s first major financial milestone when the Rams selected him 84th overall. This draft position significantly impacted his initial NFL earnings. As a third-round pick, his rookie contract was substantially smaller than those of first-round selections, who often receive deals worth $10-20 million with larger guaranteed portions.
Lewis’s draft position slotted him into a predetermined salary range based on the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement. While not as lucrative as a first-round selection would have been, his third-round status still provided him with life-changing money and financial security.
The transition from unpaid college athlete to NFL professional represented a massive financial leap for Lewis. His first year’s salary and signing bonus likely exceeded what many Americans earn in a decade, requiring significant adjustment to manage newfound wealth.
Financial advisors typically recommend that rookie players like Lewis save a substantial portion of their initial contracts, knowing that NFL careers average just 3-4 years. This prudent approach helps explain how Lewis has maintained and grown his net worth despite not having the most lucrative contract in the league.
Terrell Lewis vs. NFL Stars
When looking at Terrell Lewis’s financial standing compared to his NFL contemporaries, several interesting patterns emerge. His $2 million net worth places him in the middle tier among active NFL players.
At the linebacker position specifically, Lewis’s net worth falls below stars like T.J. Watt (approximately $70 million) and Bobby Wagner (around $50 million). These elite players have secured multiple Pro Bowl selections and enormous contract extensions that have dramatically increased their wealth.
Even among players drafted in the same year and round as Lewis, his financial progress shows some variation. Some third-round picks from 2020 have secured extensions or performance bonuses that boosted their earnings, while others have struggled to maintain roster spots and the financial security that comes with them.
Players are sometimes confused with others who have similar names. For instance, Terrell Lewis should not be confused with former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens, whose net worth reportedly exceeds $500,000 despite well-documented financial difficulties following his playing career. This comparison illustrates how career longevity and peak earning potential create vast wealth differences among NFL players.
The average NFL player accumulates a net worth between $1-3 million during a typical career, placing Lewis within expected parameters for a player at his career stage. However, the top 10% of NFL players by wealth have net worths exceeding $20 million, showing the significant financial stratification within the league.
Unlike some peers who have squandered their football earnings, Lewis appears to be managing his money responsibly, positioning himself for long-term financial health rather than just short-term luxury spending.
How Athletes Like Lewis Preserve Wealth?
NFL players face unique financial challenges. Their careers are typically short—averaging just 3-4 years—yet they earn more in those few years than many Americans will in a lifetime. This combination creates both opportunity and risk.
The NFL Players Association offers financial education programs designed to help players like Lewis make smart decisions with their money. These programs stress the importance of saving a high percentage of earnings and avoiding common pitfalls like excessive spending on luxury items or making risky investments.
Financial advisors who work with professional athletes typically recommend the “60-40” approach: living on no more than 40% of after-tax income while saving or investing at least 60%. For someone like Lewis, this would mean living on roughly $400,000-500,000 annually while preserving the majority of his earnings.
Smart NFL players protect themselves with comprehensive insurance policies. Given Lewis’s injury history, disability insurance is particularly important, potentially preserving millions in future earnings if career-ending injuries occur.
Tax planning represents another crucial aspect of athlete wealth management. Since NFL players earn income in multiple states based on where games are played, they face complex tax situations requiring specialized accounting expertise.
Many players establish trusts and other financial vehicles to protect their assets and create tax efficiencies. While Lewis’s specific financial planning details remain private, these common practices among NFL players provide a roadmap for wealth preservation.
Perhaps most importantly, forward-thinking players like Lewis prepare for their second careers while still playing. Whether through investments, education, or business ventures, planning for life after football helps prevent the financial decline that affects many former NFL players.
Financial Projections and Possibilities
At this stage in his career, Terrell Lewis stands at a financial crossroads. Now in his mid-20s, his current contract situation will heavily influence his lifetime earning potential.
If Lewis can establish himself as a consistent contributor with the Bears, he could potentially earn another multi-year contract. Even a modest extension as a rotational player could add $3-5 million to his career earnings and significantly boost his net worth.
Should injuries continue to limit his playing time, Lewis might need to rely more heavily on his off-field business ventures. The investment company bearing his name suggests he’s already thinking about alternative income streams.
Many former NFL players transition to coaching, broadcasting, or business careers after their playing days end. With his Alabama pedigree and NFL experience, Lewis would have credibility in any of these fields if he chooses to pursue them.
His financial future also depends greatly on how he manages his existing wealth. By following investment principles like diversification and avoiding high-risk ventures that plague many athletes, Lewis can preserve and grow his current net worth regardless of how his playing career unfolds.
Financial experts suggest that NFL players who maintain their wealth typically share certain habits: living well below their means during their playing careers, working with reputable financial advisors, avoiding risky “friends and family” investments, and preparing early for post-playing careers.
Questions You Might Have About Terrell Lewis’s Net Worth
What is Terrell Lewis’s current contract worth? Lewis is playing under the remainder of his rookie contract with the Chicago Bears, which originally totaled about $4.6 million over four years when signed with the Rams.
How much has Terrell Lewis earned in his NFL career so far? Lewis has earned approximately $4 million in NFL salary and bonuses since being drafted in 2020.
Does Terrell Lewis have major endorsement deals? While Lewis has some small endorsement arrangements, particularly in Alabama, he hasn’t secured major national endorsement contracts that significantly boost his income.
How does injury history affect a player’s earnings? Injuries can substantially impact an NFL player’s earning potential. For Lewis, early career injuries may have limited his opportunities for performance bonuses and potentially affected his market value for future contracts.
What happens to Lewis’s contract if he’s released or traded? If released, Lewis would receive only the guaranteed portion of his contract. If traded, his contract terms would transfer to his new team unless renegotiated.
How do NFL players like Lewis invest their money? Many NFL players invest in real estate, stocks, private businesses, and other ventures. Lewis has established an investment company that likely manages various assets in his portfolio.
What tax challenges do NFL players face? NFL players must file taxes in multiple states based on where they play games, creating a complex tax situation that requires specialized accounting expertise.