Who is the highest paid quarterback in the NFL in 2023?

Having just signed a massive contract extension with the Eagles, Jalen Hurts is now the highest paid player in NFL history. What’s interesting to note here, is the fact that the salaries of signal callers appear to increasing constantly within relatively short periods of time. Just less than a year ago the Cardinals’ star QB, Kyler Murray, put pen to paper on a huge deal, which has now been eclipsed just a few months later. To be clear, the top ten quarterbacks in the league now account for more than $2 billion in contracted salaries. Here’s how that breaks down and to who it’s paid.

Jalen Hurts is now highest paid QB in NFL

With recent reports now confirming the news, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts now sits on top of the pile when it comes to salary in the NFL. Hurts just signed a 5-year extension with the franchise and though official numbers have not been released, multiple sources have stated that the deal is reportedly worth some $255 million with $179.3 million in guaranteed money. With that Hurts not only the highest paid QB in the league, but the highest paid player ever. Of course, there are others who make a pretty penny in the NFL and if you take a look below, you can see just who they are.

Who are the highest earning QBs in the NFL?

The interesting thing about the quoted salary figure and the guaranteed contracted payment is that, when it comes to the NFL, one doesn’t necessarily correspond with the other. Coming into the off-season, the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes had the highest average salary at $45 million per year, but he has since been overtaken by five big names: Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray, Deshaun Watson and of course Jalen Hurts.

The Packers and Aaron Rodgers came to an extension agreement that will see the current MVP make an average of just under $50.3 million per year for the next three years. Russell Wilson agreed to a five-year deal with the Denver Broncos which will see him taking home $49 million per year. Kyler Murray’s long-term agreement with the Cardinals, coming on the heels of months of speculation and high drama between the quarterback and the owners, sees him take a year-average $46.1 million. Then there is the controversial Deshaun Watson whose the jaw-dropping deal with the Cleveland Browns is still the league record for the Deshaun Watson still has the record for the most guaranteed money, however, Hurts’ annual salary is second to none.

All of the NFL’s top 10 quarterbacks make over $35 million annually with the top eight over the $40 million annual threshold.

Which NFL QB makes the most guaranteed money?

When it comes to guaranteed money, the length of the contract is often more of an indicator than the dollar amount, and by this metric, Deshaun Watson sits on the top of the pyramid at the moment. Knowing that his legal troubles would land a sizeable suspension, his team managed to squeeze out the deal of the century from the Cleveland Browns, guaranteeing his $230 million salary fully.

With Aaron Rodgers massive contract only a three-year deal, he falls an unbelievable $80 million below this level, giving him $150.6 million in guarantees over the term. Just before the 2021 season, the Bills and Josh Allen set the record for his $258 million extension. He is now, only two years later, in the middle of the table. Eleven NFL quarterbacks are making at least $100 million in guaranteed money, with Matt Ryan making nine figures but still falling outside the top ten.

With NFL quarterback salaries on a seemingly unending rising arc, one thing is absolutely certain, these numbers won’t be the final word. Over the next few years, and possibly even months, we can expect to see new names joining these ranks and the zeros at the end of the line ticking ever upward.