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$5 million
Bernie Kosar’s net worth is estimated at $2 million as of 2026. He is a former NFL quarterback who spent the majority of his professional career with the Cleveland Browns (1985–1993) and is one of the most celebrated players in the franchise’s history. Despite earning approximately $19 million in career NFL salary, Kosar’s post-playing finances were severely diminished by a series of failed investments, real estate losses, and legal disputes, leaving him in a significantly reduced financial position compared to contemporaries of similar stature.
Updated March 2026: According to ESPN and People, Kosar underwent a liver transplant on November 17, 2025, following a 2024 diagnosis of liver cirrhosis alongside Parkinson’s disease. He was re-hospitalized in January 2026 with post-transplant complications but expressed hope for recovery. Separately, a lawsuit filed against a podcast company in 2024 alleged he was forced into a financial bet that cost him his Cleveland Browns radio commentary role.
Bernard Joseph Kosar Jr. was born on November 25, 1963, in Boardman, Ohio, near Youngstown. A natural athlete, he excelled in football at Boardman High School. Kosar attended the University of Miami (Florida), where he studied finance and economics. He became the starting quarterback as a freshman and orchestrated one of the most famous upsets in college football history — the 1983 Orange Bowl, in which Miami defeated heavily favored Nebraska 31–30 to win the national championship. Kosar graduated from the University of Miami before entering the NFL draft, choosing to forgo his final year of eligibility. He used a loophole in NFL draft rules to enter the 1985 Supplemental Draft rather than the regular draft, specifically to be selected by his hometown Browns.
The Cleveland Browns selected Kosar in the 1985 Supplemental Draft, and he became the starting quarterback almost immediately. His unconventional sidearm delivery and exceptional football IQ quickly made him one of the most accurate passers in the league. Kosar led Cleveland to three AFC Championship game appearances (1986, 1987, 1989), falling each time to the Denver Broncos and John Elway — losses that haunt Browns lore to this day, particularly the 1987 “The Drive” game.
Kosar was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1987. He threw for 23,301 career passing yards and 124 touchdowns. Cleveland controversially released him mid-season in 1993, with head coach Bill Belichick citing declining performance. He finished the 1993 season with the Dallas Cowboys and earned a Super Bowl XXVIII championship ring as a backup to Troy Aikman. Brief stints with the Miami Dolphins (1994–1996) and Pittsburgh Steelers (1996) closed out his 13-year NFL career.
Bernie Kosar married Babette Kosar in 1990; the couple divorced in 2007. They have four children together: Sara, Rebecca, Rachel, and Joe. Kosar has been open about his post-NFL health challenges, including brain injuries related to repeated head trauma from his playing career. In 2024, he was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and Parkinson’s disease. He underwent a liver transplant on November 17, 2025, at the Cleveland Clinic per People, and faced post-transplant complications requiring re-hospitalization in January 2026 per News5Cleveland. Despite these challenges, Kosar has expressed optimism about recovery and maintains close connections to the Cleveland community and Browns fan base.
Bernie Kosar’s net worth is estimated at approximately $2 million as of 2026. Despite earning approximately $19 million in NFL career salary, Kosar filed for bankruptcy in 2009 with $19 million in liabilities. His financial recovery since then has been partial, with remaining assets primarily in Ohio real estate.
Bernie Kosar was born on November 25, 1963, in Boardman, Ohio, making him 62 years old as of March 2026. He was part of a celebrated generation of 1980s NFL quarterbacks that included Dan Marino, John Elway, and Jim McMahon.
Bernie Kosar stands 6 feet 5 inches tall (196 cm), making him one of the taller quarterbacks of his era. His height, combined with an unconventional sidearm throwing motion, made him a distinctive presence in the NFL during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Yes. Bernie Kosar won Super Bowl XXVIII as a backup quarterback with the Dallas Cowboys following the 1993 season, after being controversially released by the Cleveland Browns mid-season. He did not play a significant role in the championship game — Troy Aikman was the starter — but he received a Super Bowl ring as a roster member. Kosar never led the Browns to a Super Bowl despite three AFC Championship appearances.
In 2024, Bernie Kosar was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and Parkinson’s disease, conditions associated with the long-term effects of head trauma and other health factors. He underwent a liver transplant on November 17, 2025, at the Cleveland Clinic, per People. He experienced post-transplant complications and was re-hospitalized in January 2026, though he expressed hope for a full recovery per News5Cleveland.
Bernie Kosar attended the University of Miami in Florida, where he studied finance and economics. As the starting quarterback, he led the Hurricanes to the 1983 national championship with a dramatic 31–30 upset of Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. Kosar graduated from Miami before entering the NFL, using a draft eligibility loophole to enter the 1985 Supplemental Draft and join the Cleveland Browns — his preferred destination.
The Cleveland Browns, under head coach Bill Belichick, released Bernie Kosar mid-season on November 8, 1993, citing a decline in physical skills. The decision was deeply unpopular with Cleveland fans who idolized Kosar. Many speculate the release had as much to do with Belichick asserting control over the roster as with performance metrics. Kosar immediately signed with the Dallas Cowboys and won a Super Bowl ring that same season, deepening the sting for Browns fans.