Who are the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL right now? Have these signal-callers lived up to expectations?
With the 2023 regular season now in full swing, a lot will be made of NFL quarterback contracts and how the highest paid perform. The lowest-paid starting quarterback in the NFL, San Francisco 49ers’ , is playing like one of the best signal callers. Before just recently turning it around, the highest-paid player in the league in that of Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow had been struggling.
Below, we look at the 10 highest-paid quarterbacks in the league today with a focus of those who are also on their rookie deals at the bottom, including Purdy and rookie No. 1 pick Bryce Young.
- 5 years, $275 million ($219.01 million in guarantees)
- Average salary: $55 million
Joe Burrow is now the highest-paid player in NFL history after inking his contract extension with the Bengals right as the 2023 season got going. Burrow’s $275 million in total value ranks No. 1 as does his average salary of $55 million. In terms of total guarantees, he’s now second behind Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns.
Burrow, 26, struggled as he dealt with a calf injury through the first four games of the season (two touchdowns, two interceptions). The hope now is that he’s turned it around following a three-touchdown outing against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5.
- Patrick Mahomes contract: 4 years, $210.6 million ($210.6 million in guarantees)
- Average salary: $52.6 million
It had been expected for some time. Reigning NFL and Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes signing a restructured contract that once again makes him among the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league.
Mahomes’ new deal allows for him to potentially negotiate a new contract with Kansas City after the 2026 season. He had previously agreed to a 10-year, $450 million contract back 2020. With the way the NFL QB market continues to reset itself, it made sense for the Chiefs to take care of the reigning NFL and Super Bowl MVP. They have done just that.
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- 5 years, $262.5 million ($218.7 million in guarantees)
- Average annual salary: $52.5 million
When Herbert signed his deal with the Chargers back in July of 2023, he became the highest-paid player in the NFL. That lasted all of six weeks before Joe Burrow one-upped him. Either way, we’re talking about two quarterbacks who will be doing battle in the AFC for years to come. Through his first 53 career starts, Herbert has posted 101 touchdowns compared to 36 interceptions. Unfortunately, the Chargers are 27-26 in these starts. The next step is team-wide success in Southern California.
Related: Most Valuable Justin Herbert Rookie Cards
- 5 years, $260 million ($185 million in guarantees)
- Average annual salary: $52 million
Jackson’s deal surpassed the five-year, $255 million extension Jalen Hurts signed with the Philadelphia Eagles earlier in the 2023 NFL offseason. His $185 million in total guarantees now ranks fourth among NFL players behind Deshaun Watson, Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert.
Since Baltimore made Jackson a late first-round pick back in 2018, he has posted a 48-18 record as its starting quarterback. With him sidelined during this span, the Ravens are a mere 8-13. That tells us what we need to know about his value to the team. Now with his best supporting cast in memory, Jackson is seemingly prepared to bounce back after a down and injury-plagued 2022 campaign.
- : 5 years, $255 million ($179.3 million in guarantees)
- Average annual salary: $51 million
Just over two months after leading the Philadelphia Eagles to a surprise Super Bowl appearance, Hurts became the highest-paid player in the NFL. His $255 million deal surpassed Aaron Rodgers on a per-year basis by less than one million. His total guarantees are now the fifth-most in league history. Even with Burrow, Herbert and Jackson having topped him more recently, Hurts’ contract was very player friendly.
It’s paying off for Philadelphia. Since the start of the 2022 season, Hurts has posted a 19-1 regular season record. He’s also accounted for 45 total touchdowns and 10 interceptions. That seems pretty good.
Also Read:NFL QB Rankings 2023: Jared Goff, C.J. Stroud climb, Jalen Hurts, Brock Purdy drift away after Week 6
- 5 years, $245 million ($161.1 million in guarantees)
- Russell Wilson salary: $8 million (2023)
- Signing bonus: $50 million
- Average annual salary: $48.52 million
Wilson’s first season with the Denver after a blockbuster trade from the Seattle Seahawks did not go according to plan. The team won just four of his 15 starts. Head coach Nathaniel Hackett was fired after less than a full season. For his part, Wilson put up the worst statistical performance of his career.
- 60.5% completion, 3,524 yards, 16 TD, 11 INT, 84.4 QB rating
Wilson has been much better this season under new head coach Sean Payton (11 TD, 2 INT in five starts). However, it has not equated to team-wide success with the Broncos having lost four of those five games. There is now speculation that Denver might simply blow up its roster while benching Wilson. We don’t see that latter aspect coming to fruition.
- 5 years, $230.5 million ($189.5 million in guarantees)
- Kyler Murray salary: $2 million (2023)
- Signing bonus: $29.04 million
- Average annual salary: $46.1 million
The contract Murray signed back in the 2022 offseason made him one of the NFL’s highest-paid quarterbacks. However, the details were not to friendly for the former No. 1 overall pick. His deal called for just $103 million fully guaranteed. That was less than half of what Deshaun Watson received months before.
If Murray’s 2022 performance and current ACL injury is any indication, he might not be long for Arizona. Recent reports suggest that Murray is highly unlikely to be back with the Cardinals next season. Instead, they are seemingly targeting USC star Caleb Williams in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Also Read:Kyler Murray reportedly facing uncertain future with Arizona Cardinals in 2024
- 5 years, $230 million ($230 million fully guaranteed)
- Deshaun Watson salary: $1.16 million (2023)
- Signing bonus: $44.96 million
- Average salary: $46 million
Where to start with Watson? Prior to suiting up Week 13 of last season against his former Houston Texans team, the multi-time Pro Bowler had not seen action in nearly two calendar years. That came after he faced allegations from more than 20 women of sexual misconduct. Cleveland then opted to send multiple first-round picks to Houston for Watson after he was not charged criminally. The deal included the first fully guaranteed contract in NFL history.
Since then, it’s been a real struggle for Watson (11 touchdowns, 7 INT) in nine starts with Cleveland. The good news? He’s seemingly turned it around to an extent in 2023 with four touchdowns and two picks in four starts. The bad news? He’s already missed time due to a shoulder injury.
- 6 years, $258.03 million ($100 million guaranteed)
- Josh Allen salary: $27.5 million (2023)
- Signing bonus: $16.5 million
- Average salary: $43 million
It was somewhat of a surprise to see the Bills sign Allen to his massive extension in August of 2021. The contract called for $150 million in total guarantees and an average annual salary that was then second behind Mahomes. This came after his first real breakout campaign in the NFL.
Josh Allen stats (2020): 69% completion, 4,544 passing yards, 421 rushing yards, 43 total touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 107.2 rating
Allen followed this up by leading Buffalo to the playoffs for a third consecutive season in 2022. Unfortunately, that campaign came to an end with an ugly loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Divisional Playoffs. Over the course of his final 12 starts, postseason included, Allen accounted for an eye-opening 17 giveaways. He has the Bills at a mere 3-2 this season despite putting up some decent numbers (11 TD, 5 INT).
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- 4 years, $160 million ($81 million guaranteed)
- Daniel Jones salary (2023): $9.5 million
- Signing bonus: $36 million
- Average salary: $40 million
Jones inked this contract with New York on the eve of NFL free agency opening this past March. It came after he led the Giants to a surprise playoff appearance despite throwing a mere 15 touchdowns.
To say that things have not gone swimmingly for Jones and the Giants in 2023 would be an understatement. The team has lost four of five to open the season, with Jones accounting for three touchdowns and seven giveaways. He’s also been sacked 28 times and is currently dealing with a neck injury. Ouch!
