Who are the highest paid QB’s in the NFL after Kyler Murray’s extension? Rodgers, Watson, Mahomes...
It’s all about contracts and guarantees as we take a look at the QBs who make the most in the NFL and why.
After signing a massive contract with the Cardinals, the young star is now right up there with the best paid in the league, but where exactly and who else is on that list? Let’s find out!
Kyler Murray is now 2nd highest paid QB in NFL
With his contract now signed, sealed and delivered, Arizona Cardinals star QB Kyler Murray is today, the second-highest-paid player in the NFL. Indeed, according to reports Murray’s five-year deal worth $230.5 million will reportedly give him $160 million in guarantees and is the second largest amount in the league, behind the Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson. With Murray now tied to the franchise for the foreseeable future, it’s going to be interesting to see how the franchise builds around him as they seek the success that evaded them last season.
Who are the highest earning QBs in the NFL?
The interesting thing about salaries and contracts in the NFL is that one doesn’t always necessarily correspond with the other. That’s to say that although Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen have contracts that are larger than others overall, they don’t necessarily have the same guarantees. Take for example, the aforementioned Watson who signed a contract worth a similar $230 million, however, his deal will see all of that money guaranteed. None the less, let’s get into who makes what in the NFL with our list of highest QB salaries:
| Rank | Name | Team | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay Packers | $50.3 million |
| 2 | Kyler Murray | Arizona Cardinals | $46.1 million |
| 3 | Deshaun Watson | Cleveland Browns | $46 million |
| 4 | Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City Chiefs | $45 million |
| 5 | Josh Allen | Buffalo Bills | $43 million |
| 6 | Derek Carr | Las Vegas Raiders | $40.5 million |
| 7 | Dak Prescott | Dallas Cowboys | $40 million |
| 8 | Matthew Stafford | Los Angeles Rams | $40 million |
| 9 | Kirk Cousins | Minnesota Vikings | $35 million |
| 10 | Russell Wilson | Denver Broncos | $35 million |
Is Aaron Rodgers worth it and what about Kyler Murray?
Love him or hate him, the answer is yes. Over the last two seasons Aaron Rodgers has been quite simply outstanding. His two consecutive MVP awards should confirm the idea if our word wasn’t enough. Those last two now give him four in total for his career and to punctuate the point he led the league in passer rating for each of them. While his Packers didn’t find Super Bowl glory this past season, Rodgers at 38 years old still finished the season with 37 passing touchdowns and only four interceptions. With all of this in mind, it stands to reason that his recently signed contract is as lucrative as it is.
This brings us to the case of Murray who sits at No. 2 on the list. The 2019 No. 1 overall pick has been not always turned heads since entering the league and while there is no doubt that he is extremely talented, the reality is one could be forgiven for questioning why he’s so high up on the list. Just this past postseason, Murray was left wanting as he failed to register a single touchdown while throwing two interceptions in what turned out to be a first-round playoff loss to eventual champions Los Angeles Rams. It wasn’t a good look. None the less the two-time Pro Bowl selection will have to find a way to deal with the now increased pressure that sits on his shoulders. Can the 24-year-old do it? Time will tell.