Now more than ever, it pays to be an NFL quarterback.
As Joe Burrow proved in his new deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, teams place a huge priority on having a top-flight QB under center. Burrow'sfive-year, $275 million contract extension made him the league's highest paid player – surpassing the previous record-holder, Justin Herbert – at a staggering average annual value of $55 million.
Herbert struck a five-year extension with the Los Angeles Chargers in July worth $262.5 million. Burrow and Herbert were joined among quarterbacks by the the Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson and Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Hurts in receiving lucrative contracts in 2023.
According to OverTheCap.com, the NFL's top 15 players in average annual salary are all quarterbacks. San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa is the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league after signing a five-year, $170 million extension.
Who is the highest-paid NFL player in 2023?
Here isOver The Cap's full listof the top 11earners in the leagueby annual average salary:
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- 1. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals: $55 million
- 2. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers: $52.5 million
- 3. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens: $52 million
- 4. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles: $51 million
- 5. Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos: $49million
- 6. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals: $46.1 million
- 7. Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns: $46 million
- 8. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: $45 million
- 9. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: $43 million
- T10. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams: $40 million
- T10. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: $40 million
- T10. Daniel Jones, New York Giants: $40 million
What about Aaron Rodgers?
The four-time MVP was third on the list at $50.2 million under his former contract with the Green Bay Packers, but he just agreed to a new contract with the New York Jets that will lower his salary cap hit and give him a fully guaranteed $75 million over the next two seasons.
Rodgers is tied with Derek Carr of the New Orleans Saints with an average salary of $37.5 million, putting them just outside the top 10.
