While the cliché might say that defense wins championships, the modern NFL is all about good quarterback play. The man under center, after all, touches the ball on virtually every offensive snap, so it makes sense that he'll shape your offense. And that importance means that signal-callers command top dollar whenever it's time to head to the negotiating table.
But have you ever wondered who's the most expensive quarterback in the current NFL? With that in mind, we've pulled together a list ranking them by cap hit and total cash; that way, either definition of expensive is covered. And, as a caveat, these numbers are from before the start of the 2024 offseason, so any new deals and potential restructures/extensions aren't reflected as of yet.
Let's get down to business.
2024's Most Expensive Quarterbacks by Cap Hit
As noted above, "expensive" can be defined in several different ways within the NFL world. Cap hit, however, captures how much of a financial burden a player's contract is to the team. Even if the actual cost is lower in a given season, the salary cap number ultimately matters—you can't exceed the league's annual ceiling.
Through that lens, here are the highest quarterback costs for the 2024 campaign.
10. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions: $32,300,064
While Goff might not be the first name you think of when it comes to a star quarterback, he was a key part of the Lions' 2023 resurgence. Look for him and his teammates to try to keep the ball rolling in the new season. They won't be catching anyone by surprise anymore.
9. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens: $32,400,000
Jackson has faced criticism for his inability to get things done in the postseason, but it's impossible to argue with his raw talent. With two NFL MVP titles to his name, you could do much worse than having the signal-caller accounting for just over $32 million toward your salary cap.
8. Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos: $35,400,000
If you can't complain about Jackson's price, Wilson's contract is a bit more questionable. The Broncos paid a premium for the former Seahawks QB to Denver, but the results haven't been there.
And, on the subject of struggles in the AFC West, it's possible that Wilson won't even be on the roster next season. If that's the case, his new cap hit (wherever that might be) would be quite a bit smaller.
7. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: $47,056,281
Allen is another quarterback who clearly possesses talent but has yet to get his team over the hump in the playoffs.
Do you think that he's worth the money and simply has the misfortune to be in the AFC at the same time as Patrick Mahomes? Or do you think he's too imperfect of a player to take up nearly $50 million of salary cap space?
6. Daniel Jones, New York Giants: $47,105,000
By landing at No. 6 on the cap-hit list, Jones is probably punching a bit above his weight. The New York Giants QB is entering the second year of his four-year deal, and while he hasn't exactly been set up for success by the personnel around him, he doesn't look like a nearly $50 million per season player.
It's also worth noting that his deal has a potential out after the 2024 season, meaning this could be a put up or shut up campaign. If things go south, he could fall out of this list in the future.
5. Matthew Stafford, LA Rams: $49,500,000
When a player leads a team to a Super Bowl title, he's going to be rewarded. In Stafford's case, that meant a four-year, $160 million contract extension.
Is the QB overpaid at this point of his career? Probably, but no one can take away his championship ring or his guaranteed money.
4. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals: $51,857,000
While injuries have slowed him down, Murray was supposed to be the Cardinals' franchise quarterback. And while that explains why they locked him up in a sizable deal, it does put the club in somewhat of a bind.
The QB is on the books through 2028 and there isn't an out until before that final season. If there is a silver lining, though, it's that Murray's deal becomes significantly more movable after the 2024 season.
3. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: $58,608,269
Now this one makes sense.
Whether you love or loathe the Chiefs, it's tough to argue that Mahomes doesn't deserve virtually any amount of money. And while his deal does create a salary cap crunch at times, it also comes with plenty of restructure potential, giving Kansas City the ability to make things happen during the offseason.
2. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: $59,455,000
While this cap hit could change if Prescott signs a long-term deal, the Cowboys quarterback is taking up nearly $60 million of the Cowboys' cap space. Is that the wisest use of resources, especially given the club's inability to get over the hump?
You (and Jerry Jones) can decide for yourself.
1. Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns: $63,977,000
The Browns went all in to acquire Watson, but, thus far, the gamble hasn't paid off. He's played only 12 games across two seasons, and Cleveland hung tough when Joe Flacco replaced him under center.
For better or worse, Watson will get a chance to prove he's worth the money. Given that his costly deal was fully guaranteed, it's almost impossible for Cleveland to move him.
2024's Most Expensive Quarterbacks by Total Cash
But wait, you might be saying, salary cap cost doesn't equate to being expensive in 2024. What about the money that the quarterbacks are earning during the season?
With that in mind, here are the top 10 signal-callers ranked by total cash. And while you'll see plenty of familiar names, there are some key differences.
10. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: $34,000,000
While Prescott is a bit lower on this list, he still cracks the top 10. And while there's still the possibility of a change should a new deal arrive, that would probably move him up the list. A new deal would probably bump up any 2024 earnings with a signing bonus and other guaranteed money.
9. Daniel Jones, New York Giants: $36,000,000
Once again, Jones is reaping the rewards of his new contract with plenty of take-home cash in 2024. Will this be his biggest payday for a while? Only time will tell.
8. Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets: $38,161,112
Our first difference between the two lists makes sense. Rodgers was brought to New York to be a difference maker, and his salary reflected that expectation. And while an injury meant he barely saw the field, he'll still be expected to lift the Jets in 2024.
7. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals: $38,850,000
Murray also carries over from the first list, although his total 2024 cash is a bit lower than his cap hit. We'll have to see if he can get back to his best and be worth that paycheck after a normal offseason and training camp.
6. Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos: $39,000,000
In Wilson's case, his total cash is actually higher than his 2024 cap hit. That reality, however, doesn't change the fact that he hasn't been worth the money in Denver. And, again, it remains to be seen if he'll stay under contract this season.
5. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles: $40,000,000
While the Eagles regressed a bit in 2024, Jalen Hurts has proved to be a uniquely talented quarterback. Whether you want to credit him or the overall Eagles offense with the success of the "Tush Push," being able to turn virtually every drive into a four-down situation is a game changer.
Add a career-high 23 passing touchdowns into the mix and you've got a quarterback worthy of commanding a sizable salary.
4. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: $45,750,000
Again, you could argue that Mahomes is underpaid. Given that he took the Chiefs, a franchise that couldn't get out of its own way, to the promised land on three separate occasions, he's pretty much worth whatever he tells KC's brass to pay him.
It's also worth noting, though, that this wage could plummet if the club restructures Mahomes' deal, which seems more and more necessary as the offseason progresses.
3. Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns: $46,000,000
No matter which way you slice it, Watson has yet to live up to the Browns' investment in him. Can that change over the coming years? Maybe, but he's overpaid as of now.
2. Justin Herbert, LA Chargers: $56,600,000
While this massive number is largely due to a 2024 option bonus, Herbert is still being paid upward of $55 million during the upcoming campaign. And while there was a time when he looked like the AFC's next elite signal-caller, he has yet to take that jump.
With Jim Harbaugh taking over the Chargers, will the QB take a step forward? Or will he remain and will the Bolts remain in limbo?
1. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals: $65,714,000
As with Herbert, a good chunk of Burrow's 2024 wages are tied to a single, sizable bonus. But regardless of where the number comes from, the Bengals' QB is taking home a massive paycheck during the upcoming season.
And while he looks like a safer bet after guiding Cincy to a Super Bowl, there are still questions about Burrow moving forward. The 2023 campaign was largely lost to injury, and while a calf problem and a wrist problem are unrelated, it's understandable to feel a bit gun-shy moving forward.
Can 2024 be a season where everything goes right, and Burrow takes his Bengals back to the top of the AFC? Or will he be half a step behind in a crowded AFC?
Given his salary, there's not much room to fall short.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Joe Kozlowski is a native New Yorker who joined Newsweek in 2023 as the Sports Team Lead.
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