10 Biggest NFL Rookie Contracts in History

NFL players are one of the best professional athletes around the world. They have to operate at the highest level during the entire 60 minutes of gameplay with speed, power, endurance, and durability. Games are won during the final few minutes as well so it is important that players are mentally and physically fit to start at the biggest stage in football.

Players train from their childhood to become the best athlete at their positions and continue to do so once they enter the league. That is why they are paid bucketloads of money by teams to win the Super Bowl. Quarterback is the most important position in football so they are the highest-paid players. Currently, Aaron Rodgers is the highest-paid quarterback with an average annual salary of $50 million.

Players like Rodgers are veterans who have been at the top of their position for years for multiple regular seasons and can easily ask teams to pay such lucrative deals. Rookies, on the other hand, are paid comparatively less amount of money because they haven’t proved themselves in the NFL just yet. Even the first-round pick isn’t given a contract of more than $40 million in his rookie deal. The rookie wage scale is considerably lower than that of veterans. 

Just as there is an exception to every rule, the draft picks, or more precisely “the rookies” in NFL history have been paid an extravagant amount of money. Let’s take a look at the ten biggest rookie contracts in NFL history.

Explore Further:  What is Patrick Mahomes’ ethnicity?

10. Aaron Curry, Seattle Seahawks: $60 million

Aaron Curry was selected fourth overall by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2009 NFL draft and was touted to be the best linebacker available in the draft. He signed a six-year $60 million contract with $34 million fully guaranteed which was the most guaranteed money offered to a player other than a quarterback. Despite being one of the best linebackers in his draft class, Curry’s NFL career didn’t play out the same.

He played in Seattle for just three years before being traded to the Oakland Raiders where he spent two years before retiring from the NFL in 2013. Post his professional career, Aaron Curry ventured into coaching and currently is the inside linebackers coach for Pittsburgh Steelers.

9. JaMarcus Russell, Oakland Raiders: $61 million

JaMarcus Russell was supposed to be the next best thing at quarterback given his 6-foot-5-and-a-half size and crazy arm strength. He was selected first overall in the 2007 NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders. However, Russell didn’t turn out to be the guy that draft experts predicted him to be. The Raiders were initially unable to reach a contract agreement and Russell refused to participate in team practice and play in the Week 1 game. Finally, the Raiders signed a six-year contract worth $68 million, including a $31.5 million in guarantee with the supposed star quarterback.

This contract signed by JaMarcus Russell has now landed into the record for being one of the biggest rookie contracts unlike the quarterback himself who turned out to be the biggest bust in the NFL. His short three-year tenure in the league was defined by his questionable work ethic and poor playmaking ability. The Raiders really regretted that decision and have marked this as one of the bad deals.

8. Jason Smith, Saint Louis Rams: $61 million

Selected second overall in the 2009 NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams, Jason Smith disappeared as fast as he rose to the top of the draft. Smith signed a six-year contract worth up to $61 million, which had $33 million fully guaranteed. He was a highly recommended offensive tackle but couldn’t make his mark in the NFL. His five-year career saw him play for the Rams, Jets, and Saints. Looks like signing one of the biggest rookie contracts did not turn out to be a great decision for the Rams.

7. Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints: $62 million

Reggie Bush entered the 2006 draft after a successful college career where he won the Heisman Trophy. The running back was selected second overall by the New Orleans Saints and signed a six-year deal worth $62 million, with over $26.5 million guaranteed. Bush was supposed to be one of the best running backs in the league but turned out to be just another average player. In his 11-year-long career, Reggie Bush has just two 1000 rushing yards seasons and retired with 5,490 yards and 36 touchdowns.

6. Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $63 million

The last four players with one of the biggest rookie contracts in NFL history didn’t turn out to be great players but thankfully Gerald McCoy has starred to save the list. The defensive tackle was selected third overall in the 2010 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. McCoy signed a five-year, $63 million contract with the Bucs and spent the majority of his career with them. Gerald McCoy definitely earned his pay as he was nominated to the Pro Bowl six times in his career.

5. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions: $64 million

Now this list is getting interesting! Calvin Johnson or ‘Megatron’ is widely considered to be one of the greatest wide receivers of all time. The 6 ft 5 wideout was selected second overall in the 2007 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions and signed a rookie contract worth up to $64 million with $27 million fully guaranteed. Johnson played his entire career in Detroit where he won several accolades including – six Pro Bowl nominations, 2x NFL receiving yards leaders (2011, 2012), 2012 reception leader, and 2008 receiving touchdowns co-leader. Megatron also holds the record for the most receiving yards in a single season: 1,964.

4. Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions: $68 million

Another great steal by the Detroit Lions! Ndamukong Suh was the second overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft and quickly turned out to be a great tackle for the defense. He signed a five-year contract worth up to $68 million with the Lions. Suh is a five-time Pro Bowler and has played in the Super Bowl three times with three different teams. He won Super Bowl LV as part of the Buccaneers. Suh also made it worthwhile for the Lions to give him one of the biggest rookie contracts. He was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2010 and was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.

3. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons: $72 million

No need to bring 28-3 to your minds after reading Matt Ryan’s name on this list. Matt Ryan was selected third overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2008 NFL draft and signed a massive six-year, $72 million contract making him the fourth highest-paid quarterback in the league at the time. In his 15-year-long illustrious career, Ryan has won the Offensive Rookie of the Year, NFL MVP, and Offensive Player of the Year awards in 2016.

Matt Ryan proved to be worth his rookie contract but all of his awards and record won’t be remembered as much as Super Bowl LI. Ryan led the Falcons to a great start and had a 25-point lead until the third quarter of the game. However, Tom Brady entered GOD mode and destroyed the Falcons’ defense and made one of the biggest comebacks in Super Bowl history and tied the game, and won it in overtime.

2. Matt Stafford, Detroit Lions: $72 million

The Lions had signed three of the biggest rookie contracts between 2007-2010 and still couldn’t manage to win a Super Bowl! Matthew Stafford was the first overall pick of the 2009 NFL draft. Stafford was a great quarterback and created many records as a Lion but couldn’t seem to lead them to a successful postseason. He won the 2011 Comeback Player of the Year and was nominated to the Pro Bowl in 2014. However, these were his only achievements with the Lions.

Matthew Stafford was a completely different player once he mutually agreed to part ways with the Lions and sign with the Rams in 2021. In his first season as a Ram, Stafford lead them all the way to Super Bowl LVI and won the Lombardi Trophy. Looks like the Rams benefitted more than the Lions did by giving the quarterback the second-highest rookie contract in league history.

1. Sam Bradford, Saint Louis Rams: $78 million

The highest-paid rookie contract in NFL history was given to Sam Bradford by the Saint Louis Rams. After a successful collegiate career where he won the 2008 Heisman Trophy, Sam Bradford was selected first overall in the 2010 NFL draft. The Rams signed a six-year $78 million contract with $50 million in guarantees with a max value of $86 million which was the biggest contract ever awarded to a rookie.

Sam Bradford did look like he would do justice to his contract after winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award but just like the majority of the players on this list, he too tanked. In his nine-year career spread across four different teams, Bradford never had a winning season.

After seeing the performance of these touted players, NFL owners stopped giving out such huge rookie contracts and maybe it’s for the best as teams can’t judge players based on their college performance because even a sixth-round pick can turn out to be the greatest player of all time.

Do follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Related: How much money do NFL kickers make?

Related: How did Jerry Jones make his money?

Stay Updated!

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW