The Highest Paid NFL Quarterbacks: Record Deals And Big Numbers
Money talks in the NFL, especially when it comes to the quarterback position. These guys aren’t just the face of the franchise. They are the engine that drives the NFL money-making machine. Every year, contracts for quarterbacks climb higher, breaking records and setting new benchmarks for what it means to be at the top of the game. But what goes into these deals? And more importantly, who’s cashing in?
The Highest Paid NFL Quarterbacks: Record Deals and Big Numbers
The salary landscape for quarterbacks has changed dramatically over the years, with each new deal raising the bar even higher. Who are the biggest earners, and what does it take to sit atop the pile of NFL wealth? Let’s dive into the world of the highest-paid NFL quarterbacks, unraveling the names, the deals, and the stories behind them. As football fans check NFL lines tonight, there’s always one common thread when they’re looking at their favorite team’s chances: how much faith and cash the franchise has invested in its quarterback.
What Is the Highest Paid Position in the NFL?
Before we get into specific names and dollar signs, it’s essential to address one fundamental question: What is the highest-paid position in the NFL? The answer, unsurprisingly, is the quarterback. While left tackles, linebackers, and edge rushers pull in some hefty paychecks, the quarterback position pulls in the biggest bucks and the biggest guarantees. While this doesn’t apply to backup or third-string quarterbacks, prove yourself a starter under center even for a portion of a season, and you too can get paid like Carson Wentz, who signed a four-year, $128 million extension with the Eagles in 2019. Everyone knows what happened next.
Why do quarterbacks get the big bucks? It’s simple. Quarterbacks are the most critical players on the field. They make the key decisions, touch the ball on every offense play, lead the offense, and, more often than not, their performance can make or break an entire season.
Average NFL salaries per position (2024):
- Long Snapper: $1,069,016
- Fullback: $1,724,440
- Punter: $1,520,940
- Running Back: $1,789,687
- Cornerback: $1,999,348
- Wide Receiver: $2,277,703
- Tight End: $2,055,238
- Safety: $2,196,749
- Kicker: $2,228,472
- Defensive Tackle: $2,496,660
- Center: $2,394,058
- Defensive End: $2,996,247
- Guard: $2,500,421
- Edge Rusher: $3,234,289
- Outside Linebacker: $3,703,880
- Inside Linebacker: $3,856,602
- Quarterback: $4,855,892
- Right Tackle: $5,128,198
- Left Tackle: $8,952,680
Who Is the Highest-Paid Quarterback in the NFL?
As of 2024, Dak Prescott holds the title of highest-paid NFL quarterback. His recent four-year, $240 million deal with the Dallas Cowboys includes $231 million guaranteed, making him not only the highest-paid quarterback but also the highest-paid NFL player in history. This contract averages $60 million per year, setting a new benchmark for quarterback salaries.
Who Is the Highest-Paid NFL Player in 2024?
At an average of $60 million per year, Dak Prescott’s groundbreaking contract makes him the highest-paid NFL player for 2024. His deal surpasses those of other franchise quarterbacks like Jordan Love, Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence, who each secured contracts averaging $55 million annually.
Who Are the Top 5 Highest-Paid NFL Players?
The top five highest-paid players in 2024 are dominated by quarterbacks:
- Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys): $60 million annually.
- Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals): $55 million annually.
- Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars): $55 million annually.
- Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers): $55 million annually.
- Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins): $53.1 million annually.
It’s no surprise that quarterbacks occupy all the top spots on the list of the NFl highest-paid players. While their contracts are enormous, the value they bring to their respective teams—both on and off the field—is immeasurable. From Prescott’s leadership to Jordan Love’s cannon arm, these players are the face of the NFL’s next generation of stars.
Factors Influencing NFL Quarterback Salaries
Several factors can influence the salary of an NFL quarterback. These include:
- Performance: A quarterback’s performance on the field is the most significant factor in determining their salary. Teams are willing to pay top dollar for quarterbacks who can consistently lead their teams to victory.
- Draft Position: First-round picks typically command higher salaries than later-round picks.
- Experience: Quarterbacks with a proven track record and experience often receive more lucrative contracts.
- Market Value: The overall value of the quarterback position in the league can also influence salaries. If teams are desperate for a top-tier quarterback, they may be willing to pay a premium.
Biggest NFL Contracts: Record-Setting Deals Over the Years
The NFL salary landscape wasn’t always like this. As recently as a decade ago, contracts worth $30 million annually were considered a groundbreaking anomaly reserved only for those named Brady, Manning, or Rodgers. But the NFL’s skyrocketing revenue growth, driven by the normalization of NFL betting, record-breaking TV deals and increased global interest, has skyrocketed the earning potential for top-tier players, particularly quarterbacks.
One of the most significant benchmarks in NFL history was Patrick Mahomes’ 10-year, $450 million contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs, signed in 2020. While Mahomes’ annual salary of $50.3 million doesn’t make him the top-paid QB today, the overall value of his deal still stands as the biggest NFL contract ever signed in terms of total dollars. It reflects not only his dominance on the field but also the faith Kansas City has in him as a franchise cornerstone for the next decade.
Other notable names include Aaron Rodgers, who signed a monster deal in 2022, and Russell Wilson, whose 2023 contract with the Denver Broncos was worth $245 million over five years. Each of these deals set the bar higher for the next quarterback seeking a raise, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down.
Who Is the Lowest Paid NFL Player?
While star quarterbacks rake in millions, not every player enjoys such lucrative deals. The league minimum salary for rookies is significantly lower, with some earning around $750,000 annually, depending on tenure and experience. For example, Broncos’ cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian is set to earn $790,000 this year, while Browns’ linebacker Brandon Bouyer-Randle is under contract for $795,000.
It’s worth noting that practice squad players earn even less, with a base salary of $11,500 per week, which amounts to $207,000 for a full 18-week season. This further illustrates the vast economic spectrum within the NFL, from top-earning quarterbacks to players fighting to maintain a spot in the league.
Who Is the Highest-Paid Person in NFL History?
If we’re talking strictly about the highest-paid person in NFL history, there’s no competition: it’s Patrick Mahomes. His 10-year, $450 million deal not only set records at the time but also remains the largest contract in NFL history in terms of total value. And that’s not all. With additional bonuses and endorsements, Mahomes has positioned himself to potentially earn over half a billion dollars across the life of his contract. While some of the annual salaries of other quarterbacks have surpassed him in recent years, the total package of Mahomes’ deal remains unmatched.
His deal is also unique in its length. Most NFL contracts last four or five years, but Mahomes secured a decade-long commitment, ensuring that he’ll be with the Chiefs for most, if not all, of his career. It’s a true testament to his talent and the franchise’s faith in his ability to lead them to continued success.
Conclusion
When it comes to the highest-paid NFL quarterbacks, the numbers are staggering, but they reflect the enormous responsibility and value these players bring to their teams. From Joe Burrow’s groundbreaking $55 million per year deal to Patrick Mahomes’ historic $450 million contract, the financial stakes in the NFL have never been higher.
These deals highlight the importance of stability at quarterback in a league where success is fleeting, and the pressure to win is immense. Quarterbacks are the face of the franchise, the leaders in the locker room, and the key to any team’s Super Bowl hopes. And as long as that remains true, their contracts will continue to climb, with record-setting deals and biggest NFL contracts becoming the norm.
But even as the top-paid QBs cash in, it’s important to remember that the NFL is a league of haves and have-nots, where the minimum-salary players grind it out for a shot at the spotlight. Whether you’re checking NFL lines tonight or watching your favorite team battle it out on Sunday, one thing is clear—the quarterback is always the star of the show, both on the field and at the bank.