Daniel Jones and Jalen Hurts joined the Top 9 highest-paid quarterbacks lists after terrific 2022 seasons. The head-to-head battles in the future will be fun to watch. While some are skeptical if Jones should be on this list already, keep in mind he’s likely to end up being paid like a Top 15 guy rather than Top 10 when some other young stars get new contacts.
NY Giants general manager Joe Schoen had no choice but to give Danny Dimes his new deal, which is four years for $160 million. Will he live up to the hype? We'll find out soon enough. With that said, here's our look at the top QB earners in the league these days:
9. Giants QB Daniel Jones
Jones ($40 million per year) indeed got himself paid as a Top 10 quarterback after a terrific season in 2022, as he led the Giants to the playoffs in an unexpected season. Jones had 22 total touchdowns and just five interceptions, as he was one of the best dual-threat players in the sport.
He was especially great on the ground, averaging 5.9 yards per carry with 708 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Jones has $81 million in guaranteed money on the way. It should also be noted that Dak Prescott and Matthew Stafford also have a $40 million per year salary on their deals - so they're tied with Jones for No. 9 on the list.
8. Bills QB Josh Allen
Josh Allen ($43 million per year) will grace the cover of Madden 2023 this season and he already has proven to be one of the NFL’s best players. Despite the Bills not getting over the Super Bowl hurdle, Allen has put up monster stats and it has resulted in a monster contract.
Allen signed a six-year, $258 million deal in August of 2021. Allen had $100 million in guaranteed money at signing. Allen is hoping that this can be the year he finally gets Buffalo past Kansas City/Cincinnati in the postseason.
7. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes ($45 million per year) won his second Super Bowl title this past season. He also earned NFL MVP honors as he threw for 5,250 yards and 41 touchdown passes. Mahomes signed a 10-year $450 million deal in 2020, which was historic at the time - heck, it still is.
Mahomes will almost certainly come to terms on a new deal down the road, as there's no question he deserves to be No. 1 on this list sooner than later. This guy is one of a kind.
6. Browns QB Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson ($46 million per year) signed the most unprecedented deal in the history of the sport when he signed a five-year, $230 million deal with the Cleveland Browns after being traded to Cleveland. Even more head-turning, that's a fully guaranteed deal for him. Watson got this contract despite sitting out the previous year due to his off-the-field issues.
5. Cardinals QB Kyler Murray
Kyler Murray ($46.1 million per year) signed a five-year, $230.5 million deal with the Arizona Cardinals. The deal includes up to $189.5 million in guaranteed money. Murray struggled in 2022 throwing just 14 touchdowns. He also had issues with head coach Kliff Kingsbury who was eventually fired. Murray also tore his ACL and could miss a major part of the 2023 season. So far the contract has not worked in Arizona with Murray.
4. Broncos QB Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson ($48.5 million) had a tough season in his first year in Denver following a massive trade that sent him from Seattle. Wilson signed a massive extension post trade for fice years and $242 million with $161 million of it guaranteed. The Broncos had just four wins and Wilson had his worst career season as a starter. He threw just 16 touchdown passes and had 13 turnovers.
3. Jets QB Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers ($50.3 million per year) was traded from the Packers to the Jets this offseason. The Jets, after so many miserable years, should be one of the NFL’s most exciting teams this fall and winter. Rodgers had a down year in 2022 in Green Bay, but he seems extremely motivated and focused as he comes to New York.
Rodgers won back to back MVPs in 2020 and 2021, so expect a big bounce back in New York. Rodgers had just 26 touchdowns in 2022 compared to the 37 he had in 2021. He also had 12 interceptions as compared to four in 2021.
2. Eagles QB Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts ($51 million per year) led the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl in his second year as a full-time starter. Ultimately they lost to the Chiefs, however Hurts was an MVP candidate and had a dominant postseason run.
Hurts threw 22 touchdown passes and ran for an additional 13. He’s arguably the best dual-threat player in the sport. Hurts cashed in signing a five-year, $255 million deal with $179 million of it guaranteed. The deal made him the highest-paid player in the sport for just a short time.
1. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson ($52 million per year) requested a trade out of Baltimore, but eventually it led to the Ravens signing the former MVP to the biggest deal in NFL history. Jackson signed a five-year, $260 million deal with $185 of it guaranteed.
Jackson, Rodgers and Mahomes are the only three players on this list to win league MVP. Lamar has dealt with injuries, but when healthy has already proved to be one of the best players out there. He's a fantastic talent. Now, people all over Baltimore will wait to see if he can help the team reach the next level in 2023. Having Odell Beckham Jr. on the field with him will surely help.
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