When Jalen Hurts stepped onto the field at Super Bowl LVII in February, he was the 35th highest-paid quarterback in the NFL. Not the 35th highest-paid player in the league. Out of all 68 starting and backup quarterbacks in the NFL last season, Jalen was the 35th highest-paid. Jalen’s 2022-2023 base salary was $4.2 million. By comparison, his Super Bowl nemesis Patrick Mahomes earned $40 million last season. At least eight backup quarterbacks made significantly more money than Jalen last year, to mostly ride the bench. Notable higher-paid backups included Jimmy Garoppolo ($7 million), Mitch Trubisky ($7.14 million) and Sam Darnold ($7.5 million).
If you were concerned about Jalen Hurts’ finances, I have good news! With the contract extension he just signed, not only will Jalen be the #1 highest-paid quarterback in the NFL next season, he’ll be the highest-paid player in the league AND the highest-paid player in league history.
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The Richest Contract in NFL History
Today it was confirmed that Jalen Hurts had signed a 5-year, $255 million contract extension with the Eagles. It is the richest contract in NFL history in terms average annual salary.
The record-setting contract comes with $180 million in guaranteed money and an average annual salary of $51 million.
At $51 million, Jalen is the highest-paid player in the NFL by just a smidge. He’ll slightly out-earn the $50.281 Aaron Rodgers is set to earn next season and the $48.5 million owed to Russell Wilson.
Jalen’s $255 million contract eclipses the former richest NFL contract, Deshaun Watson’s $230 million deal signed last year with the Cleveland Browns. Though it should also be noted that Watson’s contract is FULLY guaranteed. So if both players had career-ending injuries on opening day next season, Jalen would “only” go on to make $180 million, while Deshaun would be massaged with the his $230 million.
The 20 Highest-paid NFL Players Next Season
1. Jalen Hurts, Eagles QB: $51 million
2. Aaron Rodgers, Packers QB: $50.28 million
3. Russell Wilson, Broncos QB: $48.52 million
4. Kyler Murray, Cardinals QB: $46.1 million
5. Deshaun Watson, Browns QB: $46 million
6. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs QB: $45 million
7. Josh Allen, Bills QB: $43 million
T-8. Daniel Jones, Giants QB: $40 million
T-8. Dak Prescott, Cowboys QB: $40 million
T-8. Matthew Stafford, Rams QB: $40 million
11. Derek Carr, Saints QB: $37.5 million
12. Kirk Cousins, Vikings QB: $35 million
13. Jared Goff, Lions QB: $33.5 million
14. Lamar Jackson, Ravens QB: $32.42 million (franchise tag figure)
15. Aaron Donald, Rams DT: $31.67 million
16. Tyreek Hill, Dolphins WR: $30 million
17. Ryan Tannehill, Titans QB: $29.5 million
18. T.J. Watt, Steelers OLB: $28.002 million
19. Davante Adams, Raiders WR: $28 million
20. DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals WR: $27.25 million