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Breaking The Bank: The 15 Highest Paid Quarterbacks In The NFL

You won't believe how much some of these franchise QB's are making!

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(Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)

In the NFL, there is no position more important than the quarterback. They are tasked with guiding their offense while simultaneously being a leader on and off the field. Some of the highest paid quarterbacks in the NFL were dominant right out of college, throwing the most rookie passing yards in NFL history. Others broke records for passing touchdowns or even rushing yards. However, if you REALLY want to get paid in the NFL, the surest way to secure a bag is to win championships. Here is a breakdown of the 15 highest paid quarterbacks in the NFL today.

RELATED: Best Left Handed Quarterbacks In NFL History, Ranked

Who is the highest paid quarterback in the NFL in 2024?

As of right now, the highest paid QB in the NFL is Patrick Mahomes, who signed a 10-year, $450 million in July of 2020, at the time the biggest contract in sports history. The deal was restructured before the past season to net the Super Bowl champion a whopping $210.6 million over four years.

The 15 Highest Paid Quarterbacks In The NFL in 2024

  • 1. Patrick Mahomes: $450 Million
  • 2. Joe Burrow: $275 Million
  • 3. Justin Herbert: $262 Million
  • 4. Lamar Jackson: $260 Million
  • 5. Josh Allen: $258 Million
  • 6. Jalen Hurts: $255 Million
  • 7. Russell Wilson: $245 Million
  • 8. Kyler Murray: $230.5 Million
  • 9. Deshaun Watson: $230 Million
  • 10. Daniel Jones: $160 Million
  • 11. Dak Prescott: $160 Million
  • 12. Matthew Stafford: $160 Million
  • 13. Derek Carr: $150 Million
  • 14. Jared Goff: $134 Million
  • 15. Ryan Tannehill: $118 Million

The Highest Paid QBs In the NFL

1. Patrick Mahomes: $450,000,000

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Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
  • Average Annual Value: $45,000,000
  • College: Texas Tech 
  • Career Stats: 219 Touchdowns, 28,424 Passing Yards, 96 Games Played

It should be no surprise that the three time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes is atop this list. At only 28-years-old Mahomes is on a a trajectory that we have never really seen before, with the possibility of ending his career as the GOAT. Before this past season Mahomes restructured his deal, making him the highest paid quarterback in the NFL.

2. Joe Burrow: $275,000,000

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(Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
  • Average Annual Value: $55,000,000
  • College: LSU
  • Career Stats: 97 Touchdowns, 14,083 Passing Yards, 52 Games Played

Only one quarterback in the NFL today can say they bested Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs, and that is Joe Burrow. After running the greatest college football offense of all time at LSU, Burrow guided the Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance in 30+ years. He signed his extension in September of 2023, but was sidelined most of the season due to injury.

3. Justin Herbert: $262,500,000

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(Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
  • Average Annual Value: $52,500,000
  • College: Oregon
  • Career Stats: 114 Touchdowns, 17,223 Passing Yards, 62 Games Played

Justin Herbert has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL since being drafted sixth overall out of Oregon. He has helped the Chargers build a prolific offense, despite not reaching the postseason. He agreed to his new five year contract in July of 2023. With Jim Harbaugh now coaching the Bolts, if Herbert can reach his full potential, his next contract could be outrageous!

4. Lamar Jackson: $260,000,000

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(Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)
  • Average Annual Value: $52,000,000
  • College: Louisville 
  • Career Stats: 125 Touchdowns, 15,887 Passing Yards, 86 Games Played

Many NFL executives wanted Lamar Jackson to switch positions when he entered the NFL, but he stayed true to himself and the Ravens chose him to be their franchise quarterback. After winning a league MVP and rewriting the record book for a mobile QB, Jackson signed a five year deal with the Baltimore Ravens. He rewarded the team for their confidence in him by winning yet another MVP this year.

5. Josh Allen: $258,000,000

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(Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
  • Average Annual Value: $43,000,000 
  • College: Wyoming
  • Career Stats: 167 Touchdowns, 22,703 Passing Yards, 94 Games Played

When Josh Allen first joined the Buffalo Bills, many questioned if he was an NFL caliber quarterback. Allen has more than silenced the haters, distancing himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL today. Despite being turnover prone, Allen has helped solidify the Bills as contenders every season. Allen signed a six year extension back in 2021.

6. Jalen Hurts: $255,000,000

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(Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
  • Average Annual Value: $51,000,000
  • College: Alabama 
  • Career Stats: 67 Touchdowns, 11,764 Passing Yards, 62 Games Played

The Eagles won their franchise's first Super Bowl in 2018 with backup quarterback Nick Foles leading the way. Despite a Super Bowl win the Eagles knew they needed a young franchise quarterback, so they took Jalen Hurts in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He's already led the Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance and has proved to be one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL. Hurts inked his five year deal in April of 2023.

7. Russell Wilson: $245,000,000

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(Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
  • Average Annual Value: $49,000,000
  • College: Wisconsin 
  • Career Stats: 334 Touchdowns, 43,653 Passing Yards, 188 Games Played

If you're looking for a 'dangerussly spicy' quarterback, look no further than Russell Wilson. In what is probably the biggest quarterback flop in recent memory, Wilson signed a massive five year extension when he was traded from the Seahawks to the Broncos. Things have gone wildly astray in Denver as Wilson has shown a huge decline in ability on and off the field. It is up in the air if Wilson will even be a starting quarterback in the NFL next season.

8. Kyler Murray: $230,500,000

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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
  • Average Annual Value: $46,100,000
  • College: Oklahoma 
  • Career Stats: 94 Touchdowns, 15,647 Passing Yards, 65 Games Played

Semi-professional Call of Duty streamer Kyler Murray nabs the 8th spot as the highest paid quarterback in the NFL after the Cardinals invested longterm in 2021. Murray turned heads when he was drafted in the top ten of both the NFL and MLB draft, but he ultimately chose to play football. After being sidelined in 2023, the Cardinals suffered a tough season and their future is very murky.

9. Deshaun Watson: $230,000,000

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(Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
  • Average Annual Value: $46,000,000
  • College: Clemson
  • Career Stats: 118 Touchdowns, 16,756 Passing Yards, 66 Games Played

The Browns signed quite possibly the worst deal in NFL history when giving Deshaun Watson a guaranteed $230 million contract. Watson, who has dealt with injuries and off the field legal issues, had a very unproductive 2023. The Browns have built one of the best defenses in the league and it is genuinely sad to see it wasted. Fortunately for the Browns, Joe Flacco filled in admirably after Watson went down with an injury this year, securing the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in the process.

10. Matthew Stafford: $160,000,000

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(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
  • Average Annual Value: $40,000,000
  • College: Georgia 
  • Career Stats: 357 Touchdowns, 56,047 Passing Yards, 206 Games Played

Matthew Stafford played the majority of his career in Detroit, losing in almost every season there before being traded to the Los Angeles Rams. He more than delivered, winning the franchise a Super Bowl in his first year there. Stafford signed his deal with the Rams after that Super Bowl victory and he will most likely end his career in Los Angeles.

11. Dak Prescott: $160,000,000

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(Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
  • Average Annual Value: $40,000,000
  • College: Mississippi State
  • Career Stats: 202 Touchdowns, 29,459 Passing Yards, 114 Games Played

12. Daniel Jones: $160,000,000

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(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
  • Average Annual Value: $40,000,000
  • College: Duke
  • Career Stats: 62 Touchdowns, 12,512 Passing Yards, 60 Games Played

13. Derek Carr: $150,000,000

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(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
  • Average Annual Value: $37,500,000
  • College: Fresno State
  • Career Stats: 242 Touchdowns, 39,100 Passing Yards, 159 Games Played

14. Jared Goff: $134,000,000

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(Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
  • Average Annual Value: $33,500,000
  • College: Berkeley 
  • Career Stats: 185 Touchdowns, 30,429 Passing Yards, 117 Games Played

15. Ryan Tannehill: $118,000,000

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(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
  • Average Annual Value: $29,500,000
  • College: Texas A&M 
  • Career Stats: 216 Touchdowns, 34,881 Passing Yards, 155 Games Played
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