Highest-Paid Quarterbacks: NFL’s Top Earning Players 2025

NFL quarterbacks make more money than ever before.

Right now, there are 11 quarterbacks earning over $50 million every single year!

That’s an incredible amount of money. More than most people will see in their entire lives.

Why do they earn so much? Because quarterbacks are the most important players on the field.

They touch the ball on every play. They make split-second decisions. They lead their teams to victory.

Today’s quarterbacks are like movie stars. They face huge pressure, carry their teams, and get the biggest paychecks.

Highest-Paid Quarterbacks

This article explores the Top 10 Highest-Paid NFL Quarterbacks of All Time based on their average annual value.

We’ll look at their contracts, their teams, and why they’re worth so much money.

Get ready to see some mind-blowing numbers!

How NFL QB Salaries Skyrocketed Over Time?

NFL quarterback salaries have grown like crazy over the years.

Back in the 1990s, the top quarterbacks made about $5 million to $10 million per year.

That was considered a lot of money back then!

Fast forward to 2025, and the highest-paid QB now makes $60 million yearly. That’s six times more!

So what changed?

• More fans started watching football. TV networks pay billions to show games. Teams earn more money from ticket sales and merchandise.
• The salary cap increased. The NFL salary cap is the total amount teams can spend on players. As TV money grew, so did the cap.
• Quarterbacks became more valuable. Teams realized that a great QB can win championships. They’re willing to pay whatever it takes.

Every year, it seems like a new record gets broken.

What once seemed impossible is now normal. The Top 10 Highest-Paid NFL Quarterbacks of All Time prove this trend!

Top 10 Highest-Paid NFL Quarterbacks of All Time

Here’s the complete list of the highest-paid quarterbacks based on average annual value:

Rank	Quarterback	Team	Average Annual Value (AAV)	Contract Details
1	Dak Prescott	Cowboys	$60,000,000	4-year, $240M deal (2024), $231M guaranteed
2	Josh Allen	Bills	$55,000,000	6-year, $330M deal (2025), $250M guaranteed
3	Joe Burrow	Bengals	$55,000,000	5-year, $275M deal (2023), $219M guaranteed
4	Trevor Lawrence	Jaguars	$55,000,000	5-year, $275M deal (2024), $200M guaranteed
5	Jordan Love	Packers	$55,000,000	4-year, $220M deal (2024), $160.3M guaranteed
6	Tua Tagovailoa	Dolphins	$53,100,000	4-year, $212.4M deal (2024), $167.2M guaranteed
7	Jared Goff	Lions	$53,000,000	4-year, $212M deal (2024), $170.6M guaranteed
8	Brock Purdy	49ers	$53,000,000	5-year, $265M deal (2025), $182.5M guaranteed
9	Justin Herbert	Chargers	$52,500,000	5-year, $262.5M deal (2023), $218.7M guaranteed
10	Lamar Jackson	Ravens	$52,000,000	5-year, $260M deal (2023), $185M guaranteed

These numbers are mind-blowing!

Each player earns more money in one year than most people do in a lifetime.

Now let’s learn about each quarterback and what makes them worth so much money.

1. Dak Prescott – Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott sits at the top of the list with a massive $60 million per year!

He signed a four-year, $240 million deal with the Dallas Cowboys in September 2024.

That contract included $231 million in guaranteed money. That means even if he gets injured, he still gets paid!

Dak is the leader of “America’s Team.” The Cowboys are one of the most popular teams in sports.

Fans across the country watch every Cowboys game. Dak handles that pressure every single week.

He started his NFL career as a fourth-round pick. Nobody expected him to become this good!

But Dak proved everyone wrong. He became a Pro Bowl quarterback and the face of the Cowboys franchise.

The Cowboys trust him to win big games and lead them to the Super Bowl.

His loyalty to one team paid off with the biggest contract in NFL history.

Fun fact: Dak earns about $164,000 per day, even in the off-season!

2. Josh Allen – Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen earns $55 million per year with the Buffalo Bills.

He signed a six-year, $330 million extension in 2025 with $250 million guaranteed.

Allen has been the heart and soul of the Bills’ success over the past several years.

He has a cannon for an arm. He can throw the ball 70 yards in the air!

But he’s not just strong — he’s also tough. Allen runs the ball himself when needed and isn’t afraid of contact.

The Bills went from a struggling team to Super Bowl contenders because of Josh Allen.

Fans in Buffalo absolutely love him. They call themselves “Bills Mafia” and support their team through snow and cold.

Allen has led the Bills to multiple playoff appearances and division championships.

Allen has a big arm, a big heart, and now — a big bank account.

The Bills believe he’s the quarterback who can finally bring them their first Super Bowl championship.

3. Joe Burrow – Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow makes $55 million per year with the Cincinnati Bengals.

His five-year, $275 million deal, signed in 2023 includes $219 million guaranteed.

Burrow transformed the Bengals from a losing team to Super Bowl contenders.

He took them to the Super Bowl in just his second healthy season! That’s incredible.

Joe has a calm, cool personality. Nothing seems to rattle him, even in the biggest moments.

His teammates trust him completely. He makes everyone around him better.

Burrow’s accuracy and decision-making are elite. He rarely makes mistakes that cost his team games.

Burrow’s calm style and confidence made him worth every dollar.

Even though he hasn’t won a Super Bowl yet, the Bengals believe he will eventually.

His contract reflects their faith in his ability to lead them to championships.

4. Trevor Lawrence – Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence earns $55 million annually with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

He signed a five-year, $275 million extension in 2024 with $200 million guaranteed.

Lawrence was the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Everyone expected him to be a star.

After a rough rookie year, he bounced back and led the Jaguars to the playoffs.

Trevor has all the physical tools — height, arm strength, and mobility.

He’s also smart and works hard to improve every year.

The Jaguars believe Trevor will take them to the playoffs again and again.

At just 25 years old, he’s one of the youngest quarterbacks on this list.

The Jaguars locked him up long-term because they see him as their franchise player for the next decade.

With Lawrence at quarterback, Jacksonville’s future looks bright!

5. Jordan Love – Green Bay Packers

Jordan Love makes $55 million per year with the Green Bay Packers.

His four-year, $220 million extension, signed in 2024 includes $160.3 million guaranteed.

Love had big shoes to fill. He took over after Aaron Rodgers left Green Bay.

Many fans were nervous. Could Jordan Love be as good as the legendary Rodgers?

He answered that question quickly. Love played amazing football in his first season as a starter!

He threw for tons of touchdowns and led the Packers to the playoffs.

Jordan Love showed Green Bay fans they still have a bright future.

The Packers rewarded him with one of the biggest contracts in NFL history.

Love is proof that patience pays off. He waited three years behind Rodgers before getting his chance.

Now he’s one of the highest-paid players in the entire league!

6. Tua Tagovailoa – Miami Dolphins

Tua Tagovailoa earns $53.1 million annually with the Miami Dolphins.

He signed a four-year, $212.4 million deal in 2024 with $167.2 million guaranteed.

Tua’s journey wasn’t easy. He faced injuries early in his career that made people doubt him.

But he kept working hard and improving. His accuracy and quick release are special.

In recent seasons, Tua has been one of the most productive quarterbacks in football.

He throws for tons of yards and touchdowns. His connection with speedy receivers is electric!

Tua’s calm throws and smart plays made him one of the richest QBs in 2025.

The Dolphins believe Tua is the quarterback who can finally bring Miami another championship.

His contract shows their commitment to building around him for years to come.

7. Jared Goff – Detroit Lions

Jared Goff makes $53 million per year with the Detroit Lions.

His four-year, $212 million extension in 2024 includes $170.6 million guaranteed.

Goff’s story is really special. Many people thought his career was over when the Rams traded him.

He arrived in Detroit when the Lions were one of the worst teams in the NFL.

But Goff helped turn everything around! The Lions became playoff contenders under his leadership.

His accuracy and experience helped the team win tough games.

Detroit loves him because he changed the team’s story.

The Lions went from laughing stock to legitimate contenders with Goff at quarterback.

He proved that with the right situation, he could still be an elite NFL quarterback.

Detroit rewarded his success with a massive contract extension.

8. Brock Purdy – San Francisco 49ers

Brock Purdy earns $53 million annually with the San Francisco 49ers.

He signed a five-year, $265 million extension in 2025 with $182.5 million guaranteed.

Purdy’s story is like a movie. He was the very last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

They call the last pick “Mr. Irrelevant” because nobody expects them to succeed.

But Purdy became the starting quarterback and led the 49ers to the Super Bowl!

His accuracy, intelligence, and poise are incredible for such a young player.

Purdy was once called “Mr. Irrelevant” but now he’s a millionaire star.

He went from the last pick to one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in just three years!

It shows how dreams come true in the NFL with hard work and opportunity.

The 49ers believe Purdy will eventually win them a Super Bowl championship.

9. Justin Herbert – Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert makes $52.5 million per year with the Los Angeles Chargers.

His five-year, $262.5 million extension, signed in 2023 includes $218.7 million guaranteed.

Herbert has one of the strongest arms in NFL history. He can make throws that other QBs can’t.

He’s also incredibly accurate. He rarely misses open receivers.

Since becoming the starter as a rookie, Herbert has been consistently excellent.

He throws for over 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns almost every season.

Herbert’s big plays and strong throws made the Chargers pay him big time.

The Chargers hope Herbert can lead them to their first Super Bowl victory.

With his talent and their investment in him, anything is possible!

10. Lamar Jackson – Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson earns $52 million annually with the Baltimore Ravens.

He signed a five-year, $260 million deal in 2023 with $185 million guaranteed.

Lamar is unlike any quarterback in NFL history. He’s a former MVP and one of the fastest players ever.

He can beat teams with his arm or his legs. Defenses never know what’s coming!

When Jackson runs, it looks like he’s playing a video game. He makes defenders miss with incredible moves.

Lamar is fast, fearless, and fun to watch. He’s worth every penny.

His contract negotiations took a long time, but he finally got the huge deal he deserved.

Lamar’s contract inspired other quarterbacks to ask for more money, too.

The Ravens are building their entire offense around Jackson’s unique skills.

Biggest NFL QB Contracts by Total Value

Some quarterbacks have huge average salaries. Others have massive total contract values.

Here are the biggest contracts by total money:

Rank	Quarterback	Team	Total Contract Value
1	Patrick Mahomes	Chiefs	$450,000,000
2	Josh Allen	Bills	$330,000,000
3	Joe Burrow	Bengals	$275,000,000
3	Trevor Lawrence	Jaguars	$275,000,000
5	Brock Purdy	49ers	$265,000,000
6	Justin Herbert	Chargers	$262,500,000
7	Lamar Jackson	Ravens	$260,000,000
8	Jalen Hurts	Eagles	$255,000,000
9	Dak Prescott	Cowboys	$240,000,000
10	Kyler Murray	Cardinals	$230,500,000

Patrick Mahomes leads with a stunning $450 million deal!

He signed a 10-year contract back in 2020. At the time, it was the biggest contract in sports history.

These huge deals show how much teams invest in their quarterbacks.

They believe a great QB can change everything about their franchise.

That’s why teams are willing to spend this much money.

Why Quarterbacks Earn So Much Money?

You might wonder why QBs make so much more than other positions.

Here’s why quarterbacks are worth the big money:

• They touch the ball on every play – No other position is involved in every offensive snap.
• They make the hardest decisions – Quarterbacks read defenses, call plays, and make split-second choices.
• They bring fans and TV ratings – Star quarterbacks sell tickets and jerseys. They make teams more money.
• They can lead teams to championships – Look at Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and Peyton Manning. Great QBs win Super Bowls.
• Without a great QB, teams rarely win Super Bowls – It’s almost impossible to win a championship without an elite quarterback.

Teams know this. That’s why they pay whatever it takes to get and keep a great quarterback.

The Top 10 Highest-Paid NFL Quarterbacks of All Time deserve every dollar they earn!

Future of NFL QB Salaries

Quarterback salaries will only keep growing.

Soon, someone will sign a deal worth over $70 million per year. It’s just a matter of time!

Young stars like Caleb Williams and C.J. Stroud are playing amazing football right now.

When their rookie contracts end, they’ll probably break all these records.

Every new deal breaks the record before it.

That’s how it works in the NFL. Each quarterback uses the previous deal to negotiate an even bigger one.

In five years, a $60 million salary might seem normal!

The salary cap keeps growing. TV deals keep getting bigger. Teams keep earning more money.

All of that money flows to the most important position — quarterback.

The future of the Top 10 Highest-Paid NFL Quarterbacks of All Time list will look even crazier!

Why These Contracts Matter to Fans?

You might think, “Who cares how much they make?”

But these contracts actually affect your favorite team!

• Big QB contracts limit other signings – When teams pay their QB $60 million, they have less money for other players.
• They show team commitment – A huge contract means the team is building around that quarterback for years.
• They create pressure – When a QB makes this much, fans expect Super Bowl wins!
• They affect ticket prices – Teams need to pay these salaries somehow, which can raise ticket and merchandise prices.

Understanding quarterback salaries helps you understand how NFL teams are built.

Other Notable High-Paid Quarterbacks

Not everyone made the top 10, but they still earn incredible money.

Jalen Hurts makes $51 million with the Eagles. Patrick Mahomes averages $45 million with the Chiefs.

Even backup quarterbacks make millions! Kirk Cousins signed with Atlanta for $45 million per year.

The list of the Top 10 Highest-Paid NFL Quarterbacks of All Time keeps changing as new deals get signed.

By next season, this entire list might look different!

That’s how fast things change in the NFL.

Conclusion: Quarterbacks Rule the Game and the Paychecks

Quarterbacks don’t just lead teams — they lead the bank accounts too!

Every throw, every touchdown, and every win make them richer.

The Top 10 Highest-Paid NFL Quarterbacks of All Time earn a combined $540 million per year!

That’s more money than most people can even imagine.

But here’s the thing — they’re worth it.

These quarterbacks carry enormous pressure. Millions of fans watch their every move.

One bad throw can cost a game. One great season can win a championship.

They train year-round, study endless film, and sacrifice their bodies for the game.

In today’s NFL, being a quarterback isn’t just about football.

It’s about being a leader, a superstar, and the face of a franchise.

That’s why they earn the big money. And that’s why they’re worth every single dollar.

For more NFL stories, player updates, and everything about America’s favorite sport — stay tuned for the next big game!

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