14 NFL players have contracts worth at least $150 million and only one is not a quarterback here they all are
Cork Gaines
- More than ever, the QB is the most important player on the field, and they are getting paid like it.
- Of the 14 players with $150+ million contracts, 13 are quarterbacks.
More than ever, the quarterback is the most important player on the field and they are getting paid like it.
While QBs have always dominated the lists of highest-paid NFL players, in the past, there were always other positions scattered throughout the list, especially wide receivers, defensive ends, and even an occasional left tackle. But now, the top earners are almost exclusively signal-callers.
Until Nick Bosa signed his new contract on the eve of the 2023 season, the only players with contracts worth at least $150 million were all quarterbacks. Below, we take a look at the largest contracts in the NFL.
All contract details are from the always resourceful Spotrac.com unless otherwise noted.
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs — $450 million
Contract terms: 10 years, $450 million ($141 million guaranteed)
Average annual value: $45 million
Final year of contract: 2031
One thing to know: Mahomes could go on this list three times alone. However, despite the overall size of the deal, his $45 million average annual value ranks just eighth among all players. While that would bother a lot of players who would demand more, Mahomes seems content to follow Tom Brady's lead and sacrifice his earning potential to keep his team competitive.
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals — $275 million
Contract terms: 5 years, $275 million ($219 million guaranteed)
Average annual value: $55 million
Final year of contract: 2027
One thing to know: Burrow signed his contract on the eve of the 2023 season. His $55 million average annual value is the highest in NFL history.
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers — $263 million
Contract terms: 5 years, $263 million ($219 million guaranteed)
Average annual value: $52.5 million
Final year of contract: 2029
One thing to know: Herbert signed his new contract over the summer, proving again that the exact numbers in these deals often depend on when they happen. Burrow clearly used Herbert's contract as the bar, eclipsing his then-record average salary by $2.5 million and the total guaranteed by less than $300,000.
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens — $260 million
Contract terms: 5 years, $260 million ($185 million guaranteed)
Average annual value: $52 million
Final year of contract: 2027
One thing to know: Jackson's deal was one of the more contentious negotiations among top athletes in recent years. He acted as his own agent and eventually suspended negotiations during the 2022 season before requesting a trade earlier this year. A month later, he signed his big deal.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills — $258 million
Contract terms: 6 years, $258 million ($150 million guaranteed)
Average annual value: $43 million
Final year of contract: 2028
One thing to know: Allen has already entered the restructuring phase of his contract that often comes with these deals. His cost against the salary cap was set to jump from $16.4 million to $39.8 million this season. Instead, he and the team agreed to adjust the money, dropping his cap hit to $18.6 million for 2023. But that is just a temporary fix as his cap number jumps up to a whopping $47.1 million next season, meaning another restructuring will be due then.
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles — $255 million
Contract terms: 5 years, $255 million ($179 million guaranteed)
Average annual value: $51 million
Final year of contract: 2028
One thing to know: Again, it is all about the timing. Before Joe Burrow became the highest-paid player, Justin Herbert held the title for a little more than a month. And before Herbert, Hurts was king of the hill for about three months.
Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos — $243 million
Contract terms: 5 years, $243 million ($161 million guaranteed)
Average annual value: $48.5 million
Final year of contract: 2028
One thing to know: If Wilson can't revive his career in Denver, he might not see the end of this contract. His 2023 and 2024 salaries and bonuses are guaranteed, but his $37 million salary in 2025 is not.
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals — $231 million
Contract terms: 5 years, $231 million ($160 million guaranteed)
Average annual value: $46.1 million
Final year of contract: 2028
One thing to know: Murray's contract caused a minor uproar around the NFL when it was revealed that it included a "homework clause" requiring him to study film for at least four hours every week. The odd mandate suggested that the team was worried he was not doing the necessary work to improve. The clause was later removed, but the damage to his reputation was done.
Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns — $230 million
Contract terms: 5 years, $230 million ($230 million guaranteed)
Average annual value: $46 million
Final year of contract: 2026
One thing to know: Watson has started just six games in the past two seasons due to his suspension over sexual misconduct. Before the league officially suspended Watson and while he was still facing allegations from 22 women, the Browns traded for him. They then gave him a $230 million contract that was fully guaranteed, the largest guaranteed deal in NFL history. Needless to say, the contract was slammed by many.
Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers — $170 million
Contract terms: 5 years, $170 million ($123 million guaranteed)
Average annual value: $34 million
Final year of contract: 2028
One thing to know: Bosa ended his holdout just before the 2023 season, becoming the only defensive player on this list. His average annual salary of $34 million makes him the highest-paid defender in NFL history.
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys — $160 million
Contract terms: 4 years, $160 million ($126 million guaranteed)
Average annual value: $40 million
Final year of contract: 2024
One thing to know: Prescott's $29 million salary for 2024 — and the $59.5 million cap hit that comes with it — are not guaranteed. If the Cowboys don't take a step forward in the playoffs this year, his days in Big D could be numbered with former first-round pick Trey Lance on the bench.
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams — $160 million
Contract terms: 4 years, $160 million ($130 million guaranteed)
Average annual value: $40 million
Final year of contract: 2026
One thing to know: The Rams took a big step back in Year 2 after trading Jared Goff and two first-round picks for Stafford. The Rams won a Super Bowl with Stafford in 2021, but the $90.5 million still owed him through the 2025 season suddenly looks like a liability. The team can get out of the final year of the contract, but that is not until 2026.
Daniel Jones, New York Giants — $160 million
Contract terms: 4 years, $160 million ($92 million guaranteed)
Average annual value: $40 million
Final year of contract: 2026
One thing to know: Jones' deal is probably the weakest on this list. The $92 million guaranteed is the lowest of any of these players. As a result, the Giants could potentially get out of the final two years of the deal if they decide he is not the right fit for them.
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints — $150 million
Contract terms: 4 years, $150 million ($100 million guaranteed)
Average annual value: $37.5 million
Final year of contract: 2026
One thing to know: Starting quarterbacks are so valuable that they rarely become true free agents in the NFL. However, Carr was a rare exception. The Raiders initially wanted to trade Carr to the Saints but wouldn't let him negotiate with other teams, so he refused to waive his no-trade clause. Las Vegas was forced to release Carr and he eventually signed with the Saints anyway.
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