Philip Wheeler Net Worth: How Rich is the Retired NFL Player?

Philip Wheeler is an American retired NFL linebacker known for playing the teams, the Oakland Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, and Atlanta Falcons. He appeared 133 games in his over 10-year career, and recorded 648 tackles, and 6.5 sacks. As of 2025, Philip Wheeler net worth is estimated at around $6 million.

Early Life

Philip Wheeler was born in December 1984 in Columbus, Georgia. Details regarding his siblings and parents are not disclosed. He studied at Shaw High School, where he showcased his athletic skills. Philip even led his high school football team to secure the AAAA Football State Championship in 2002. Then, in his senior year, he received notable recognitions; PrepStar named him Honorable Mention All-Region. Likewise, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution selected him as a first-team Class AAAA All-State.

Wheeler consistently worked on improving his game during his college career. In 2005 season, he recorded 65 total tackles with 4.5 sacks, 8 passes defended, 11.5 tackles-for-loss and four interceptions. He improved his in the 2006 season, and recorded 89 total tackles, five passes defended, and 14.5 tackles-for-loss. Wheeler then recorded 89 tackles, 9 tackles-for-loss, and 6 sacks in the 2007 season.

Career

Philip Wheeler was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2008 NFL draft. With that, he launched his professional career as a linebacker. Wheeler dedicated four years of his first professional seasons with the Colts. He started getting recognized as a promising young linebacker. At this time, he worked on his skills, and made consistent contributions to the team’s defensive strategy.

Wheeler appeared in 16 games in multiple seasons for the Colts. Each year, he increased his tackle numbers. Philip likewise showcased versatility with passes defended, tackles, and occasional sacks. In March 2012, he was signed to the Oakland Raiders for one year. Statistically, he had his most impressive season in 2012. Philip recorded career-high total sacks of 109 with 2 forced fumbles and 3 sacks. In all games, he played with major defensive impact.

Wheeler was signed by the Miami Dolphins in March 2013. He signed a five-year contract deal with the Dolphins. The team purchased him as a replacement for Kevin Burnett. For the team, he showed his best form and continued to be a reliable linebacker. On March 10, 2015, he was released by the Dolphins. In April 2015, he signed a contract with the San Francisco 49ers. However, he could not be a part of the team for long as he was released on September 4, 2015.

Philip had the best performance as a team with the Atlanta Falcons. He was signed by the Falcons on October 20, 2015. Wheeler made a powerful impact on the team and helped them reach Super Bowl Ll in the 2016 season. On February 5, 2017, he entered the ground to compete against the New England Patriots. In the Super Bowl, he recorded one total tackle. Wheeler experienced multiple releases and re-singings with the Arizona Cardinals.

The Cardinals signed him on the team on July 27, 2017. However, after a few months, in September 2017, the Cardinals released him. A few days later, he was re-signed by the Cardinals. Philip was rereleased after a week on September 15, 2017. A few days later, he was re-signed, and released again on September 25. Philip appears as a supportive partner of Ashley Nicole Roberts in the Netflix series, W.A.G.s to Riches. He is briefly featured in the series along with other athlete partners.

Personal Life

Philip Wheeler met Ashley Nicole Roberts, his wife in Atlanta in 2008. At that time, Ashley used to work at Dream nightclub as a waitress. She was studying at Tuskegee University, while Wheeler was playing for the Indianapolis Colts as a rookie linebacker. When he first tried to approach Ashley Nicole, she completely ignored and dismissed him. Again, Ashley rejected his advances when he attempted to talk to her when he and his teammates were enjoying a football break at Dream nightclub.

Philip also tried to convince her by sending a wingman, who introduced him as a good guy. But, she was still hesitant and provided him with the wrong number. The following weekend, when he returned to the club and saw Ashley more relaxed that night, he tried to talk to her. This time, Ashley gave a positive response, and after this encounter, they have been inseparable. They officially started dating in 2009.

In December 2014, the pair welcomed their first child, Philip “Deuce” Wheeler. During a 2016 episode of WAGS Miami, he proposed to Ashley. They eventually exchanged wedding vows on May 14, 2017, on the beautiful Island of Curacao. Nearly 100 guests attended their wedding. In June 2018, they became the parents of their second child, Phox Philip Wheeler.

Philip Wheeler Net Worth

As of 2025, Philip Wheeler net worth is nearly $6 million.  His professional football career spanned nearly a decade from 2008 to 2017. During this time, he earned substantial earnings playing with multiple NFL teams. He has accumulated total career earnings of around $18,409,891. Philip started his NFL journey with the Indianapolis Colts. Initially, the Colts signed him for a four-year rookie contract worth $2,349,000 with a signing bonus of $644,000.

Wheeler gained progressively increasing salaries from 2008 to 2011. His salary was $939,000 in 2018, which increased to $1,200,000 by 2011. Wheeler had a most significant financial moment in 2013 when the Miami Dolphins signed him for a five-year contract worth $26 million. He gathered $8 million in 2013, and his payout was increased to $5 million in 2014.

Philip’s contracts became more modest after parting ways with the Dolphins. He signed a one-year contract worth $700,000 with the Oakland Raiders in 2012. Then, the San Francisco 49ers signed him for a year contract worth $1 million in 2015. He earned modest contracts around $965,000 with the Atlanta Falcons from 2015 to 2016. His final one-year contract for $980,000 came with the Arizona Cardinals in 2017.

Wheeler faced some financial penalties in his career including an $8,651 fine for an excessive facemask over Doug Martin, a $21,000 fine against Mike Glennon for roughing the passer, and then, a $7,875 fine against Ray Rice for an excessive facemask. He had total career fines equal to $37,526. Wheeler owns a spec house in Plantation, Florida, which he purchased in February 2014.