It’s official – Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson are the two highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL. In fact, they’re the two highest-paid players in NFL history after signing two massive contracts with their respective teams this offseason. They certainly earned it and they now have the contract to prove it.
Jalen Hurts signed a five-year, $255 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on April 17. The deal includes $179.304 million in total guaranteed money, as well as $110 million fully guaranteed at signing and $126.5 million fully guaranteed by March 2024. It made him the highest-paid player in NFL history.
It didn’t last long, though. Lamar Jackson signed a five-year, $260 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens on April 27 – ending an intense contract negotiation that lasted several years. The deal includes $185 million in total guaranteed money and makes him the new highest-paid player in NFL history.
Who Are the Highest-Paid Quarterbacks in the NFL?
There’s no debate about it – Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts are the highest-paid quarterbacks in the entire NFL, but who are the others? It might surprise you to see how the best quarterbacks in the league stack up at the moment – especially considering the greatest QB in the league ranks just 7th on that list.
Taking a look at the highest-paid players in the league right now, the top-14 players are all quarterbacks. The only two non-quarterbacks making at least $30 million per year are defensive tackle Aaron Donald (No. 14 at $31.7 million per year) and wide receiver Tyreek Hill (No. 15 at $30 million per year).
It goes to show just how much quarterbacks are paid these days – the 14th highest-paid quarterback makes more money per year than any other position. It makes sense, though, considering how difficult it is to find a good quarterback. When you find one that puts you in a position to win, you pay them.
With that said, let’s take a look at the 15 highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL, as it stands right now:
15. Ryan Tannehill – $29.5 million
Ryan Tannehill signed a four-year, $118 million contract on March 15, 2020 that pays him $29.5 million per year with the Tennessee Titans – the contract also included a $20 million signing bonus, $62 million guaranteed at signing, and $91 million in practical guaranteed money. He’s in the final year of the deal.
Tannehill is entering his 11th season in the NFL and fifth season with the Titans after spending the previous six years with the Miami Dolphins. He has a career record of 78-65-0 as a starter, throwing for 33,265 yards, 212 touchdowns, and 108 interceptions in 145 games played – he has 26 rushing TDs.
14. Jared Goff – $33.5 million
Jared Goff signed a four-year, $134 million contract on September 6, 2019 that pays him $33.5 million per year with the Detroit Lions – the contract also included a $25 million signing bonus, $57.042 million guaranteed at signing, and $110.042 million in practical guaranteed money. He has two years remaining.
Goff is entering his eighth season in the NFL and third season with the Detroit Lions after spending the previous five seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. He has a career record of 54-45-1 as a starter, throwing for 25,854 yards, 155 touchdowns, and 70 interceptions in 100 games – he has 10 rushing TDs.
13. Kirk Cousins – $35 million
Kirk Cousins signed a one-year, $35 million contract on March 13, 2022 that pays him $35 million next season with the Minnesota Vikings – the contract included a $25 million signing bonus and was fully-guaranteed. The Vikings are currently talking to Cousins about a potential contract extension.
Cousins is entering his 11th season in the NFL and sixth season with the Vikings after spending the previous six years with the Washington Commanders. He has a career record of 72-63-2 as a starter, throwing for 37,140 yards, 252 touchdowns, and 105 interceptions in 142 games – he has 19 rushing TDs.
12. Derek Carr – $37.5 million
Derek Carr signed a four-year, $150 million contract on March 6, 2023 that pays him $37.5 million next season with the New Orleans Saints – the contract included a $28.5 million signing bonus, $60 million guaranteed at signing, and $100 million in practical guaranteed money. He has four years remaining.
Carr is entering his 10th season in the NFL and first season with the Saints after spending the previous nine years with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders. He has a career record of 63-79-0 as a starter, throwing for 35,222 yards, 217 touchdowns, and 99 interceptions in 142 games – he also has six rushing TDs.
11. Daniel Jones – $40 million
Daniel Jones signed a four-year, $160 million contract on March 7, 2023 that pays him $40 million next season with the New York Giants – the contract included a $36 million signing bonus, $81 million guaranteed at signing, and $92 million in practical guaranteed money. He has four years remaining.
Jones is entering his fifth season in the NFL since being drafted by the Giants with the No. 6 overall pick in 2019. He has a career record of 21-31-1 as a starter, throwing for 11,603 yards, 60 touchdowns, and 34 interceptions in 54 games played – he has 12 rushing TDs and one career playoff appearance thus far.
10. Matthew Stafford – $40 million
Matthew Stafford signed a four-year, $160 million contract on March 19, 2022 that pays him $40 million next season with the Los Angeles Rams – the contract included a $60 million signing bonus, $63 million guaranteed at signing, and $130 million in practical guaranteed money. He has four years remaining.
Stafford is entering his 15th season in the NFL and third season with the Rams after spending the previous 12 years with the Detroit Lions. He has a career record of 89-101-1 as a starter, throwing for 52,082 yards, 333 touchdowns, and 169 interceptions in 191 games played – he has 15 rushing TDs.
9. Dak Prescott – $40 million
Dak Prescott signed a four-year, $160 million contract on March 8, 2021 that pays him $40 million next season with the Dallas Cowboys – the contract included a $66 million signing bonus, $95 million guaranteed at signing, and $126 million in practical guaranteed money. He has two years left on the deal.
Prescott is entering his eighth season in the NFL since being drafted by the Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He has a career record of 61-36-0 as a starter, throwing for 24,943 yards, 166 touchdowns, and 65 interceptions in 97 games – he also has 1,642 rushing yards and 26 rushing TDs.
8. Josh Allen – $43 million
Josh Allen signed a six-year, $258.034 million contract on August 6, 2021 that pays him $43.006 million next season with the Buffalo Bills – the contract included a $16.5 million signing bonus, $100.038 million guaranteed at signing, and $150 million in practical guaranteed money. He has six years left on the deal.
Allen is entering his sixth season in the NFL since being drafted by the Bills with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He has a career record of 52-24-0 as a starter, throwing for 18,397 yards, 138 touchdowns, and 60 interceptions in 77 games – he also has 3,087 rushing yards and 38 rushing TDs.
7. Patrick Mahomes – $45 million
Patrick Mahomes signed a 10-year, $450 million contract on July 6, 2020 that pays him $45 million next season with the Kansas City Chiefs – the contract included a $10 million signing bonus, $63.082 million guaranteed at signing, and $141.482 million in practical guaranteed money – he has nine years left.
Mahomes is entering his sixth season in the NFL since being drafted by the Chiefs with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He has a career record of 64-16-0 as a starter, throwing for 24,241 yards, 192 touchdowns, and 49 interceptions in 80 games – he also has 1,547 rushing yards and 12 rushing TDs.
6. Deshaun Watson – $46 million
Deshaun Watson signed a five-year, $230 million contract on March 20, 2022 that pays him $46 million next season with the Cleveland Browns – the contract included a $44.97 million signing bonus and was fully-guaranteed at signing. The deal came on the heels of his trade and he has five years left on the deal.
Watson is entering his sixth season in the NFL and second season with the Browns after spending the previous four years with the Houston Texans. He has a career record of 31-28-0 as a starter, throwing for 15,641 yards, 111 touchdowns, and 41 interceptions in 60 games – he has 1,852 rushing yards and 18 rushing TDs.
5. Kyler Murray – $46.1 million
Kyler Murray signed a five-year, $230.5 million contract on July 21, 2022 that pays him $46.1 million next season with the Arizona Cardinals – the contract included a $29.035 million signing bonus, $103.3 million guaranteed at signing, and $160 million in practical guaranteed money. He has six years left on the deal.
Murray is entering his fifth season in the NFL since being drafted by the Cardinals with the No. 1 overall pick in 2019 NFL Draft. He has a career record of 25-31-1 as a starter, throwing for 13,848 yards, 84 touchdowns, and 41 interceptions in 57 games played – he has 2,204 rushing yards and 23 rushing TDs.
4. Russell Wilson – $48.5 million
Russell Wilson signed a five-year, $242.59 million contract on September 1, 2022 that pays him $48.5 million next season with the Denver Broncos – the contract included a $50 million signing bonus, $124 million guaranteed at signing, and $161 million in practical guaranteed money. He has six years left.
Wilson is entering his 12th season in the NFL and second season with the Broncos after spending the previous 10 years with the Seattle Seahawks. He has a career record of 108-64-1 as a starter, throwing for 40,583 yards, 308 touchdowns, and 98 interceptions in 173 games – he has 4,966 rushing yards and 26 rushing TDs.
3. Aaron Rodgers – $50.3 million
Aaron Rodgers signed a three-year, $150.8 million contract on March 14, 2022 that pays him $50.3 million next season with the New York Jets – the contract included a $40.8 million signing bonus, $101.5 million guaranteed signing, and $150.8 in practical guaranteed money. He has two years left on the deal.
Rodgers is entering his 19th season in the NFL and first season with the Jets after spending the previous 18 years with the Green Bay Packers. He has a career record of 147-75-1 as a starter, throwing for 59,055 yards, 475 touchdowns, and 105 interceptions in 230 games – he also has 35 rushing TDs.
2. Jalen Hurts – $51 million
Jalen Hurts signed a five-year, $255 million contract on April 17, 2023 that pays him $51 million next season with the Philadelphia Eagles – the contract included a $23.3 million signing bonus, $110 million guaranteed at signing, and $179.4 million in practical guaranteed money. He has six years remaining.
Hurts is entering his fourth season in the NFL since being drafted by the Eagles in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He has a 23-11-0 career record as starter, throwing for 7,906 yards, 44 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions in 45 games played – he also has 1,898 rushing yards and 26 rushing TDs.
1. Lamar Jackson – $52 million
Lamar Jackson signed a five-year, $260 million contract on April 27, 2023 that pays him $52 million next season with the Baltimore Ravens – the contract included $185 million in practical guaranteed money, though the rest of the details have yet to be confirmed. He has five years remaining on the contract.
Jackson is entering his sixth season in the NFL since being drafted by the Ravens with the No. 32 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He has a 45-16-0 career record as starter, throwing for 12,209 yards, 101 touchdowns, and 38 interceptions in 70 games – he also has 4,437 rushing yards and 24 rushing TDs.
QBs Who Will Be Among the Highest-Paid Quarterbacks in the NFL
The list above contains most of the biggest names at the quarterback position, but there are several quarterbacks out there that haven’t gotten paid yet – and when they do, they’ll land somewhere on this list. In fact, there are two names that come to mind immediately – Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert.
Burrow is currently in the final year of his four-year, $36.2 million rookie contract and is due to become a free agent in 2025. Meanwhile, Justin Herbert is in the final year of his four-year, $26.6 million rookie contract and is due to become a free agent in 2025. Both quarterbacks will garner a massive contract.
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Other quarterbacks who might find themselves on this list in the near future include Tua Tagovailova, Trevor Lawrence, and Justin Fields. All three of those quarterbacks are expected to be franchise QBs for their respective teams, which means the Dolphins, Jaguars, and Bears will have to fork up some cash.
Nick Bosa Becomes Highest Paid Non-QB in NFL History — Here’s a Look Back at Those That Came Before Him!
Nick Bosa is one of the most feared defensive linemen in the NFL, but he’s also the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history thanks to a new contract he signed on September 6 – ending a 43-day holdout. He and the San Francisco 49ers ultimately agreed on a record-breaking 5-year, $170 million contract extension.
The deal came just a few days before the 49ers opened their 2023 campaign against the Steelers on Sept. 10 – ensuring the best defensive player in the league was available to suit up. Considering how dominant he has been the past few years, Bosa’s a player you want on the field as much as possible.
Despite missing 14 of 16 games during the 2020 season, Nick Bosa has already tallied 43.0 sacks in his five-year career (51 games). He has 160 tackles, 57 tackles for loss, 110 QB hits, 8 forced fumbles, 1 interception, and 4 passes defended – oh yeah, and he was Defensive Player of the Year last season.
Who Are the Other Highest-Paid Non-QBs in NFL History?
Nick Bosa’s $170 million contract is something we’ve never seen before for a player who doesn’t play the quarterback position – after all, it’s the largest non-QB contract in NFL history. While there are several non-QBs who will likely pass him in the near future, it was his time to take the throne and he earned it.
As of right now, there are only nine other players (all quarterbacks) in the NFL who are playing on a bigger contract than Nick Bosa – Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray, and Deshaun Watson. That’s your top-10.
Bosa is also just one of two non-QBs in the top-15 – which goes to show how valued he is in the NFL right now. While he has yet to record a sack through two games in 2023, he’s a player who has recorded 34.0 sacks over the past two seasons – he’ll start to eat soon enough and when he does, watch out.
With that said, let’s take a look at the 15 other highest-paid non-quarterbacks in NFL history – all of whom are still playing on those contracts to this day.
15. Amari Cooper – 5-year, $100 million
Amari Cooper was drafted by the Oakland Raiders with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and spent the next 3.5 seasons with the team before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys. He signed a 5-year, $100 million contract with the Cowboys in 2020 before being traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2022.
Cooper has now played in 126 games since entering the league – he has 598 receptions (957 targets) for 8,273 yards and 55 touchdowns. The four-time Pro Bowler has amassed 1,000 yards in six of his first eight seasons, including a career-high 1,189 yards in 2019 (Cowboys) and nine TDs in 2022 (Browns).
14. A.J. Brown – 4-year, $100 million
A.J. Brown was drafted by the Tennessee Titans with the No. 51 overall (2nd round) pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and spent the next three seasons with the team before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. He signed a 4-year, $100 million contract upon being traded and is now in his second season in Philly.
Brown has played in 62 games since entering the league – he has 284 receptions (456 targets) for 4,599 yards and 35 touchdowns. The two-time Pro Bowler has amassed 1,000 yards in three of his first four seasons, including a career-high 1,496 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2023 – he also had 11 TDs in 2020.
13. Roquan Smith – 5-year, $100 million
Roquan Smith was drafted by the Chicago Bears with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft – where he spent the next 4.5 seasons before being traded to the Baltimore Ravens halfway through 2022. He signed a 5-year, $100 million contract in January 2023 ahead of his first full season in Baltimore.
Smith has now played in 80 games since entering the league – he has recorded 714 tackles, 56 tackles for loss, 22 QB hits, 19.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 8 interceptions, 1 defensive TD, and 23 passes defended. The one-time Pro Bowler is coming off a season that saw him record 169 tackles.
12. Denzel Ward – 5-year, $100.5 million
Denzel Ward was drafted by the Cleveland Browns with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft – where he has spent his entire six-year career. The Browns signed him to a five-year, $100.5 million contract on April 18, 2022 – a massive contract that made him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.
Ward has now played in 67 games since entering the league – he has recorded 243 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, 13 interceptions, 66 passes defended, and 4 defensive touchdowns. The two-time Pro Bowler had three interceptions in three of his first five seasons.
11. Chris Lindstrom – 5-year, $105 million
Chris Lindstrom was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, where he has spent his entire five-year career thus far. The Falcons exercised his fifth-year option on May 2, 2022 and finally signed him to a five-year, $105 million contract in 2023 – through the 2028 season.
Lindstrom was named the Falcons’ starting right guard during his rookie campaign, but only played in five games due to a broken foot. He has played in all 52 games ever since, proving to be a valuable and reliable piece of the Falcons’ offensive line. He was named to his first Pro Bowl at the end of last season.
10. Bradley Chubb – 5-year, $110 million
Bradley Chubb was drafted by the Denver Broncos with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and spent the next 4.5 seasons with the team before being traded to the Miami Dolphins. He signed a 5-year, $110 million contract extension after being traded and started his first full season with the team this year.
Chubb has now played in 59 games since entering the league – he has recorded 194 tackles, 37 tackles for loss, 72 QB hits, 29.5 sacks, 8 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception, and 5 passes defended. The two-time Pro Bowler had 12.0 sacks as a rookie and finished with 8.0 sacks last season.
9. T.J. Watt – 4-year, $112 million
T.J. Watt was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the No. 30 overall pick in the 2017 Draft – where he has spent his entire 7-year career. The Steelers exercised his fifth-year option in 2020 and signed him to a 4-year, $112 million extension in 2021 – making him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.
Watt has now played in 88 games since entering the league – he has recorded 338 tackles, 89 tackles for loss, 167 QB hits, 80.5 sacks, 25 forced fumbles, 8 fumble recoveries, and 6 interceptions. The 5-time Pro Bowler has led the league in sacks twice and was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2021.
8. Andrew Thomas – 5-year, $117.5 million
Andrew Thomas was drafted by the New York Giants with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft – where he has spent his entire four-year career. They signed him to a five-year, $117.5 million contract that included $67 million guaranteed at signing – the most guaranteed by an offensive lineman in NFL history.
Thomas has been a reliable piece of the Giants’ offensive line ever since his rookie season. He has only missed six games in his career and has emerged as one of the greatest left tackles in the league. In 2021, he scored the first touchdown of his career with a 2-yard reception in Week 11 against Tampa Bay.
7. Tyreek Hill – 4-year, $120 million
Tyreek Hill was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs with the No. 165 overall pick (5th round) in the 2016 NFL Draft and he spent the next six seasons with the team before being traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2022 – where he became the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL with a 4-year, $120 million contract.
Hill has now played in 110 games since entering the league – he has recorded 614 receptions (902 targets) for 8,595 yards and 66 touchdowns. He has amassed 1,000 yards in five of his first seven years, including a career-high 1,710 yards last season. The 7-time Pro Bowler had 15 touchdowns in 2020.
6. Von Miller – 6-year, $120 million
Von Miller was drafted by the Denver Broncos with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He spent the next 10.5 seasons with the Broncos before being traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. After the season, he signed a 6-year, $120 million contract with the Buffalo Bills during the 2022 NFL offseason.
Miller has now played in 161 games since entering the league – he has recorded 571 tackles, 164 tackles for loss, 245 QB hits, 123.5 sacks, 27 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, 24 passes defended, and 2 defensive TDs. He’s an 8-time Pro Bowler, former Defensive Rookie of the Year, and two-time champion.
5. Myles Garrett – 5-year, $125 million
Myles Garrett was drafted by the Cleveland Browns with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft – he has spent his entire seven-year career with the team. The Browns exercised his fifth-year option on April 27, 2020 and signed him to a massive five-year, $125 million contract extension three months later.
Garrett has now played in 85 games since entering the league – he has recorded 265 tackles, 78 tackles for loss, 146 QB hits, 75.5 sacks, 13 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 13 passes defended, and one defensive touchdown. The four-time Pro Bowler has had 16.0 sacks in each of the past two seasons.
4. Joey Bosa – 5-year, $135 million
Joey Bosa was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft – he has spent his entire eight-year career with the team. The Chargers exercised his fifth-year option in 2019 and signed him to a massive five-year, $135 million contract extension ahead of the 2020 season.
Bosa has now played 86 games since entering the league – he has recorded 306 tackles, 78 tackles for loss, 137 QB hits, 62.5 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, and 2 passes defensed. The 4-time Pro Bowler was Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2016 and had a career-high 12.5 sacks in 2017.
3. Trent Williams – 6-year, $138.06 million
Trent Williams was drafted by the Washington Commanders with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and spent the next nine seasons with the team before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers, who signed him to a 6-year, $138 million contract – the richest contract for an offensive lineman in NFL history.
Williams has now played in 165 games since entering the league and has been one of the most valuable and reliable offensive linemen in the league. He has never played in less than 10 games in a season and has been selected to 10 consecutive Pro Bowls – including two consecutive First-Team All-Pro selections.
2. Davante Adams – 5-year, $140 million
Davante Adams was drafted by the Green Bay Packers with the No. 53 overall pick (2nd round) in the 2014 NFL Draft and spent the next 8 seasons with the team before being traded to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 – where he signed a 5-year, $140 million contract (the richest deal for a WR in NFL history).
Adams has now played in 135 games since entering the league – he has recorded 781 receptions (1,209 targets) for 9,787 yards and 88 touchdowns. The six-time Pro Bowler has amassed 1,000 yards in four of the past five seasons and amassed 10 TDs in six of the past seven years – he led the NFL in TDs twice.
1. Khalil Mack – 6-year, $141 million
Khalil Mack was drafted by the Oakland Raiders with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft and spent the next four seasons with the team before being traded to the Chicago Bears – where he signed a 6-year, $141 million contract, making him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history at the time.
Mack has now played in 136 games since entering the league – he has recorded 524 tackles, 115 tackles for loss, 148 QB hits, 84.5 sacks, 1 safety, 25 forced fumbles, 12 fumble recoveries, 3 interceptions, 2 defensive TDs, and 25 passes defended. He’s a 7-time Pro Bowler and former Defensive Player of the Year.
Non-QBs Who Will Make NFL History in the Near Future
Nick Bosa might be the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history, but that won’t last too long. There are three players who very well could surpass his record over the next year or two – linebacker Micah Parsons (Cowboys), wide receiver Justin Jefferson (Vikings), and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals).
Those three players are good enough to not only demand a record-breaking contract, but good enough that their respective teams would be reckless not to give them what they want. Like Bosa, they’re the type of players you can build around, and having them on the field simply gives you the best chance to win.
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Many experts think Parsons could land a $35 million per year contract, which would be worth $175 million if signed to a 5-year contract. And with Tyreek Hill making $30 million per year, you would expect Chase and Jefferson to either match or surpass – to be honest, they could very well sign for $35 million per year.
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