Biggest salaries in the NFL playoffs: Players with the biggest paychecks in the postseason

The 2023-24 NFL season was marked by some of the highest-paid players in the league failing to live up to expectations. Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, who was signed to a $55 million contract, and Justin Herbert from the Los Angeles Chargers, who was signed to a $52.5 million contract, could not guide their teams to the playoffs.

Joe Burrow’s season was particularly challenging, as he suffered from a calf issue that kept him out of training camp and impacted his performance during the first few weeks of the season. Just when he seemed to be recovering, he sustained a torn ligament in his wrist in November, which ended his season early. Despite being one of the most promising young quarterbacks in the league, Burrow’s injuries prevented him from making a significant impact this season.

Similarly, Justin Herbert’s season was cut short due to a season-ending injury to his right index finger during a regular mid-season game against the Broncos. This injury left the Chargers struggling and unable to make it to the playoffs. Herbert had started the season strong, showing why he was one of the most sought-after quarterbacks in the league, but his injury derailed his season and the Chargers’ playoff hopes.

While Burrow and Herbert struggled to meet expectations, other players exceeded them. Brock Purdy is a prime example of this. Despite earning a modest salary, Purdy played with a chip on his shoulder and helped his team achieve undeniable success. He performed exceptionally well, demonstrating his talent and dedication to the game. This season showed that high salaries and media hype do not always guarantee success and that sometimes, it’s the underdogs who rise to the occasion and achieve greatness.

Let’s look at the top-10 list of the highest-paid players who reached this year’s playoffs.

2024 postseason: top-10 list of the highest-paid players