Unveiling the Top 10 Highest Paid QBs in the NFL: A Salary Roll Call!
Alright, guys, let's dive into the big bucks of the NFL! We've all heard the phrase "quarterback is the most important position in football," and the paychecks prove it. So, buckle up as we count down the top 10 highest paid QBs in the NFL. Remember, these figures are based on average annual salary, according to Spotrac. Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and top 10 highest paid qb in nfl.
The Elite: QBs Earning Over $30M a Year
1. Patrick Mahomes - Kansas City Chiefs
Kicking off our list is the reigning Super Bowl champ, Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs locked him down with a 10-year, $477.6 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history. With an average annual salary of $45M, Mahomes is now the richest QB in the league.
2. Russell Wilson - Denver Broncos
In a blockbuster move, Russell Wilson joined the Denver Broncos, and he's bringing his $245M, 5-year contract with him. That's an average annual salary of $49M, making him the second-highest-paid QB in the NFL. Wilson's deal includes a $35M signing bonus and $70M guaranteed.
The High-Fliers: QBs Earning Over $20M a Year
3. Deshaun Watson - Cleveland Browns
Deshaun Watson's controversial contract with the Cleveland Browns lands him at number three. His 5-year, $230M deal averages out to $46M per year. However, the contract structure is unusual, with guaranteed money spread over the first two years to avoid salary cap issues.
4. Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers' 3-year, $150M extension with the Green Bay Packers keeps him among the top earners in the NFL. With an average annual salary of $33.5M, Rodgers is still one of the highest-paid QBs in the league. His deal includes a $60M signing bonus and $122M guaranteed.
5. Kyler Murray - Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray became the first QB to be selected with the first overall pick in back-to-back years when he signed his 5-year, $230.5M extension with the Arizona Cardinals. His average annual salary is $46.1M, making him one of the highest-paid players in NFL history.
The Well-Paid: QBs Earning Over $10M a Year
6. Josh Allen - Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen's 6-year, $258M extension with the Buffalo Bills makes him the sixth-highest-paid QB in the NFL. Allen's average annual salary is $43M, with a $15M signing bonus and $100M guaranteed.
7. Dak Prescott - Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott's 4-year, $160M deal with the Dallas Cowboys keeps him among the top 10 highest-paid QBs. His average annual salary is $40M, with a $66M signing bonus and $126M guaranteed.
8. Lamar Jackson - Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson's 5-year, $260M contract extension with the Baltimore Ravens makes him the eighth-highest-paid QB in the NFL. His average annual salary is $52M, but the deal is largely incentive-based, with only $185M guaranteed.
The Contenders: QBs Earning Over $5M a Year
9. Tom Brady - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady's 10-year, $375M contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is largely incentive-based, but he's still one of the highest-paid QBs in the NFL. His average annual salary is $30.5M, with $50M guaranteed.
10. Matthew Stafford - Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford's 4-year, $160M deal with the Los Angeles Rams rounds out our list of the top 10 highest-paid QBs. His average annual salary is $40M, with a $57M signing bonus and $135M guaranteed.
Honorable Mentions
A few other QBs are knocking on the door of the top 10:
- Justin Herbert - Los Angeles Chargers (3-year, $113.6M, $37.9M avg/year) - Baker Mayfield - Carolina Panthers (1-year, $10.5M) - Trey Lance - San Francisco 49ers (4-year, $126.7M, $31.675M avg/year)
The Impact of QB Salaries on the NFL
The astronomical salaries of these QBs have a ripple effect throughout the NFL. Teams are forced to make tough decisions about who to pay and who to let go. Meanwhile, the salary cap continues to rise, enabling these massive contracts. As long as QBs keep leading their teams to victories, they'll continue to cash in.
So, there you have it, folks! The top 10 highest-paid QBs in the NFL. It's a good time to be a quarterback, isn't it? But hey, they've earned it. Now, let's see if they can back up their big contracts on the field!