John Sigler
June 14, 2024 4:46 pm CT
The New Orleans Saints gave Derek Carr a big bag in 2023, but how does his contract compare to others around the league? With more and more young passers inking long-term extensions, Carr’s number keeps falling down as the market evolves. Still, it’s tough to minimize Carr’s $150 million deal (which came with $100 million in total guarantees, $60 million of which were guaranteed at signing).
Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension worth $275 million, including $200 million in total guarantees and $142 million fully guaranteed, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. And those numbers push Carr down a bit. That doesn’t mean the Saints signed him to a good contract, but it does add context given what other quarterbacks are being paid. Here are the top 20 quarterback contracts in the wake of Lawrence’s big deal, including Carr:
Contract details via Over the Cap, except for Lawrence’s, which were reported by NFL Network.
1. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati: $55 million per year
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks on during a press conference after at the IEL Indoor Facility in Cincinnati on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.
While Burrow and Lawrence have equal average annual salaries now, Burrow wins the tiebreaker in the highest-paid quarterback competition given his $146.5 million in full guarantees, compared to Lawrence’s $142 million.
2. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville: $55 million per year
Dec 10, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) calls out a play during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
3. Jared Goff, Detroit: $53 million per year
Oct 15, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrates after beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
4. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers: $52.5 million per year
Nov 26, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws against the against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
5. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore: $52 million per year
Nov 27, 2022; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) warms up before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
6. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia: $51 million per year
Nov 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) reacts after a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
7. Kyler Murray, Arizona: $46.1 million per year
Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a pass during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
8. Deshaun Watson, Cleveland: $46 million per year
Jan 13, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson looks on from the sideline in a 2024 AFC wild card game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
9. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta: $45 million per year
Jun 3, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) shown in action on the field during Falcons OTA at the Falcons Training facility. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Cousins edges out Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes here. They’re tied in average annual salary at $45 million, but Cousins’ contract includes $90 million fully guaranteed compared to Mahomes’ $63.1 million. Mahomes beats Cousins in total guarantees ($141 million versus $100 million) due to the length of his deal, 10 years.
10. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City: $45 million per year
Nov 5, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany, ; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs with the ball against the Miami Dolphins in the second quarter during an NFL International Series game at Deutsche Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
11. Josh Allen, Buffalo: $43 million per year
Dec 6, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) warms up during a snow storm prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
12. Dak Prescott, Dallas: $40 million per year
Nov 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Prescott, Los Angeles’ Matthew Stafford and New York’s Daniel Jones each average $40 million in annual salary and are listed in order of full guarantees as a tiebreaker. Prescott, who is entering the final season of his contract, signed for $95 million fully guaranteed, Jones signed for $81 million and Stafford signed for $63 million.
13. Daniel Jones, New York Giants: $40 million per year
Oct 8, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) attempts a pass agianst the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
14. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams: $40 million per year
Dec 3, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) reacts after the game against the Cleveland Browns at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
15. Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets: $37.5 million per year
Dec 24, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) on the field after the game against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Tied with New Orleans’ Derek Carr in average annual salary, Rodgers wins the tiebreaker here with $75 million fully guaranteed in his deal compared to Carr’s $60 million.
16. Derek Carr, New Orleans: $37.5 million per year
Oct 15, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
17. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay: $33.3 million per year
Nov 5, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
18. Geno Smith, Seattle: $25 million per year
Sep 24, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrates after converting a two-point conversion against the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
19. Jordan Love, Green Bay: $13.5 million per year
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) is pressured by New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) during the first quarter of their game Sunday, September 24, 2023 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
20. Gardner Minshew, Las Vegas: $12.5 million
HENDERSON, NEVADA – JUNE 04: Quarterback Gardner Minshew #15 of the Las Vegas Raiders attends a news conference after an OTA offseason workout at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on June 04, 2024 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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