Seattle Seahawks' Charles Cross came into the NFL with big expectations, and so far, his career and finances reflect exactly that. Taken ninth overall by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2022 NFL Draft, Cross was brought in to be the long-term answer at left tackle. From the start, the team treated him like a foundational piece, and that trust has shown up both on the field and in his bank account. Before the draft, Cross made his name at Mississippi State, where he built a reputation as one of college football’s best pass protectors. He wasn’t flashy, but he was steady, athletic, and reliable, traits NFL teams value heavily at left tackle. Being selected that high instantly put him in a strong financial position before he ever played a professional snap.
How Charles Cross built his early NFL wealth and foundation
Once drafted, Cross signed a four-year rookie contract worth about $21.38 million, fully guaranteed, which is standard for top-10 picks. A large portion of that money came up front in the form of a signing bonus of roughly $12.7 million. That early payout gave Cross immediate financial security and formed the core of his net worth. His yearly salary averages just over $5 million, which is well above average for a player so early in his career.
On the field, Cross has been a day-one starter, locking down the left tackle spot and rarely leaving it. Offensive linemen don’t often grab headlines, but teams know how valuable stability is at that position. If you can protect the quarterback’s blind side, you stay employed, and the reality plays a huge role in Cross’s long-term earning potential.
As of 2026, Charles Cross’s net worth is around $8 million and $10 million, mostly from his NFL contract and signing bonus. After taxes and fees, he’s still in the stage of building his wealth rather than hitting his biggest payday.
His endorsement deals are starting to come in, but they’re modest. As a starting lineman and former top-10 pick, he has a few local partnerships in Seattle that add extra income. Cross also appears to be taking a careful approach with his money, likely focusing on safer investments like managed funds or real estate instead of risky ventures early in his career. The biggest financial jump for Cross is still ahead. If he continues to develop into a reliable franchise left tackle, his second contract could push into the $18 to $22 million per year range. That kind of deal would dramatically change his net worth and cement his place among the league’s top-paid linemen.
For now, Cross is exactly where a young NFL cornerstone should be: secure, improving, and set up for much bigger paydays down the road.