Top 10 highest-paid QBs in the NFL ft. Dak Prescott's $240,000,000 extension
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday that Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys have reached an agreement on a four-year, $240 million deal extension just before the team faced the Cleveland Browns in Week 1 of the regular season.
With his new contract worth $60 million annually, Prescott is now the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history. He has surpassed quarterbacks like Tua Tagovailoa, Joe Burrow, Jared Goff, Trevor Lawrence and Jordan Love, who all signed extensions valued at more than $50 million on average annually in the past year.
Let's examine the league's top 10 signal-callers based on their average yearly compensation.
Top 10 highest-paid QBs in the NFL
#10, Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals), $46.1 million per year
Kyler Murray inked a five-year, $230 million contract extension with the Arizona Cardinals in July 2022. A $103 million guarantee, an average yearly salary of $46.1 million and a $29 million signing bonus are all included in the deal.
Murray rushed for 2,448 yards and 26 touchdowns in his first five seasons with the Cardinals while also throwing for 15,647 yards, 94 touchdowns and 46 interceptions.
#9, Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles), $51 million per year
Jalen Hurts, the former Alabama quarterback, briefly held the title of NFL highest-paid quarterback when he signed a five-year, $255 million agreement with the Philadelphia Eagles in April 2023. Hurts is still making a whopping $51 million a year, even though he has since fallen to ninth among the highest-paid average salaries.
#8, Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens), $52 million per year
Lamar Jackson, the NFL MVP in 2019 and 2023, guided the Baltimore Ravens to the top seed in the AFC last season with 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns passing, along with 821 yards and five scores rushing.
Jackson signed a five-year, $260 million contract extension with the Ravens ahead of the 2023 season. The entire amount of guarantees in the contract is $185 million.
#7, Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers), $52.5 million per year
Justin Herbert inked a lucrative contract deal with the Los Angeles Chargers last year that has brought him significant financial stability. He will receive $262.5 million in salary over five seasons from the deal, which will keep him with the organization until the 2029 campaign.
#6, Jared Goff (Detroit Lions), $53 million per year
While with the Los Angeles Rams, many already thought of Jared Goff as a draft bust. But since joining the Detroit Lions, he has performed as one of the league's finest quarterbacks, which has altered the perception of him.
Following a year in which he led the Lions to their best campaign in the Super Bowl era, Goff received a lucrative contract extension worth $212 million, including $170 million guaranteed in May.
Goff will remain under contract with the Lions through 2027.
#5, Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins), $53.1 million per year
Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins came to an agreement in July for a new contract that will keep them together for many years after protracted discussions.
Tagovailoa has undoubtedly become better every year since the Dolphins selected him in the 2020 NFL draft. His incredible 2023 campaign also helped him land a new contract. With his current salary ranking among the highest in the league, he is expected to perform at even higher levels.
Tagovailoa's contract is a four-year, $212.4 million deal with $167 million guaranteed.
#4, Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers), $55 million per year
The Green Bay Packers selected Jordan Love with the 26th draft pick in 2020. He stepped forward to become the starting QB after Aaron Rodgers completed his move to the New York Jets last season.
After leading the Packers to the playoffs in his first season as a starter, Love was rewarded in July with a massive four-year, $220 million contract extension. He was tied for the highest salary of any player in NFL history at the time of that agreement, but he's now tied for second place.
#3, Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars), $55 million per year
The Jacksonville Jaguars announced in June that they had reached a five-year deal with their franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The agreement includes $142 million in fully guaranteed money.
#2, Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals), $55 million per year
In addition to leading the Cincinnati Bengals to consecutive AFC title games in 2021 and 2022, Joe Burrow was a key player in the team's first Super Bowl appearance in over 30 years.
It was no surprise, given his impact, that the Bengals awarded him a lucrative extension ahead of the 2023 NFL season.
The five-year, $275 million deal extension that Burrow has with the Bengals expires in 2029. Burrow received a staggering sum of over $219 million in guaranteed money.
#1, Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys), $60 million per year
According to reports, Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys reached an agreement on Sunday for a four-year, $240 million contract, making the veteran quarterback the highest-paid athlete in NFL history.
Prescott's contract includes $231 million in guaranteed money.