NFL average quarterback salary: Massive gap shows how some players are overpaid

Quarterback is the most important position in football, and NFL teams pay top dollar to sign such individuals to help them win the Super Bowl. However, not everyone can earn mouthwatering money, which creates a pay disparity.

The top quarterbacks usually earn north of $40 million, while the average quarterback salary circles between $8 and $10 million. According to Over The Cap, there are 93 active quarterbacks in the league, spread across the 32 NFL teams, some earning more than others.

During the 2025 free agency window, several quarterbacks bagged new contracts, but it didn’t change the earning gap among quarterbacks. However, there’s a possibility that might change in the following days depending on Aaron Rodgers’ next contract.

Highest-paid NFL quarterbacks in 2025

The easiest way to measure the highest-paid NFL quarterbacks is through their average annual value (AAV). For instance, a quarterback who signed a four-year, $200 million contract earns $50 million per year. A team can always restructure the contract by converting some of it into a signing bonus, affecting the income over the following period.

1. Dak Prescott (age 31)

• Team: Dallas Cowboys
• Contract: 4 years, $240 million
• Average Annual Salary: $60 million

Contract Breakdown

Dak Prescott signed a four-year $240 million contract, including $231 million guaranteed and an $80 million signing bonus, a year after finishing runner-up in the NFL MVP race. The contract earns Prescott $60 million a year, making him the highest-paid quarterback and player in NFL history.

Prescott’s base salary in 2025 is $2 million, $40 million in 2026, $45 million in 2027, and $55 million in 2028, with 2029, 2030, 2031, and 2032 listed as voids, becoming an unrestricted free agent. His contract includes no trade and no tag clause and has a dead cap value of $150.3 million.

The season (2024) after the history-altering deal, Prescott injured himself, and the Cowboys finished 7-10 to miss out on playoff football. Owner Jerry Jones continues to have faith in the 3x Pro Bowler, but after nine seasons with the Cowboys, Prescott only ever won two postseason games from seven attempts.

Conclusion: Cowboys might have overpaid Prescott.

2. Josh Allen (Age: 28)

• Team: Buffalo Bills
• Contract: 6 years, $330 million
• Average Annual Salary: $55 million

Contract Breakdown

Josh Allen signed a six-year $330 million, $56.7 million as a signing bonus, along with a $250 million guaranteed contract with the Buffalo Bills in 2025. Allen’s average annual salary is $55 million, and he will earn $1.255 million as a base salary in 2025, $16.5 million in 2026, $14 million in 2027, $18.5 million in 2028, $17.5 million in 2029, and $27 million in 2030, with a dead cap value of $90.2 million.

The Bills rewarded Allen for his consistent regular-season performances. They won the AFC East five years in a row, playing 13 games in the playoffs and winning on seven occasions. Allen is only the third quarterback to ever defeat Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes in the postseason.

In 2024, Allen recorded 307 completions for 3731 yards, 40 overall touchdowns, and only 6 interceptions. Allen edged out the Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson for his first-ever NFL MVP title.

Conclusion: Allen deserved the extension but needs to reach the Super Bowl within three years.

3. Joe Burrow (Age 28)

• Team: Cincinnati Bengals
• Contract: 5 years, $275 million
• Average Annual Salary: $55 million

Contract Breakdown

Joe Burrow signed a five-year, $275 million contract including a $40 million signing bonus and a $219 million guaranteed extension before the start of the 2023 season. His average annual salary is $55 million. Burrow’s base salary is $25.2 million in 2025, $25.2 million in 2026, $35.5 million in 2027, and $48.03 million in 2028. The following three years are void, making him a free agent.

2023 and 2024 didn’t go according to Burrow’s plans for a second Super Bowl appearance. He only lasted 10 games in 2023 before injuring his throwing hand and sitting out the rest of the year.

In 2024, Burrow threw a career-high 460 passes, 4918 yards, and 43 touchdowns; it wasn’t enough to drag the Bengals into the playoffs. The seventh-worst defense ended any hopes of a post-season football.

Burrow has only ever played postseason football twice but has five wins compared to Prescott’s two, aside from winning the AFC title once in 2021.

Conclusion: Burrow’s extension affected the Bengals’ spending power. The defense is in shambles.

4. Jordan Love (Age 26)

• Team: Green Bay Packers
• Contract: 4 years, $220 million
• Average Annual Salary: $55 million

Contract Breakdown

Jordan Love signed a 4-year, $220 million contract worth $160 million guaranteed, a $75 million signing bonus, and a $55 million annual salary with the Green Bay Packers in 2024. For 2025, Love’s base salary is $11.9 million, $10.4 million in 2026, $10.4 million in 2027, and $43.9 million in 2028.

The following three years are void, making Love a free agent. He has a cap hit of $49.6 million and a dead cap value of $87.5 million.

The Packers drafted Love in 2020, but he waited until 2023 to bag the starting quarterback job. In his first season as a full-time starter, Love threw 372 completions for 4159 yards, 36 overall touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. The Packers ended the year 9-8, reaching the playoffs where they defeated the Cowboys.

Conclusion: $55 million after only one year showed the Packers’ faith in Love, which he must repay by winning more postseason games.

5. Trevor Lawrence (Age 25)

• Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
• Contract: 5 years, $275 million
• Average Annual Salary: $55 million

Contract Breakdown

In April 2024, Trevor Lawrence signed a five-year, $275 million contract extension, including $200 million guaranteed. His annual salary is $55 million. Additionally, Lawrence bagged $37 million as a signing bonus. For 2025, Lawrence’s base salary is $2 million, along with $6 million in 2026, $11 million in 2027, $50 million in 2029, and $53 million in 2030. He has a cap hit of $17 million and a dead cap value of $133 million.

Lawrence showed potential as the first overall pick. Back-to-back 9-8 finishes with a struggling Jaguars prompted them to tie him down to a long contract. However, 2024 was a complete disaster; winning just 2 games from 10 appearances rapidly decreased his stock.

Conclusion: Shahid Khan has faith in Lawrence, but he undeniably overpaid, considering the guaranteed money is $200 million.

Starting quarterbacks who are the lowest-paid in the NFL (2025)

5. CJ Stroud (Age 22)

• Team: Houston Texans
• Contract: 4 years $36.2 million fully guaranteed
• Average Annual Salary: $9 million
  

Contract Breakdown

The Texans drafted CJ Stroud second overall in 2023. He signed a 4-year, $36.2 million contract, including $23.3 million in guaranteed money and an average annual salary of $9 million. His base salary in 2025 is $1.03 million and $1.14 million in 2026, making him eligible for an extension. He has a cap hit of $9.9 million and a dead cap value of $21.4 million.

The Texans traded places with the Carolina Panthers to take Ohio State graduate Stroud at the second position. He set franchise rookie records for most passing yards (4108), most passing touchdowns (23), and most passing completions (319), leading the team into the playoffs.

Conclusion: Stroud witnessed a slight dip in form in his second season, throwing seven additional interceptions compared to his rookie campaign but has the potential to be special.

4. Anthony Richardson (Age 22)

• Team: Indianapolis Colts
• Contract: 4 years $33.9 million fully guaranteed
• Average Annual Salary: $8.2 million

Contract Breakdown

Just two picks after Stroud went to the Texans, the Indianapolis Colts drafted former Miami QB Anthony Richardson. Richardson signed a four-year, $33.9 million fully guaranteed contract with an $8.2 million average annual salary and $2.8 million as a roster bonus. His base salary in 2025 is $1.03 million, $1.14 million in 2026, has a cap value of $9.2 million, and a dead cap value of $20 million.

Richardson’s time with the Colts is very sketchy. His first year ended after four games, and the following year he won six of eleven appearances before picking up another injury. Richardson ranked dead last with just 44% pass completion and threw 12 interceptions compared to 8 touchdowns.

Conclusion: The Colts are in discussion for a trade, and after signing Daniel Jones, they might go through with it and draft a new quarterback.

3. Michael Penix Jr. (Age 24)

• Team: Atlanta Falcons
• Contract: 4 years $22.8 million fully guaranteed
• Average Annual Salary: $5.7 million

Contract Breakdown

The Atlanta Falcons drafted former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. 8th overall in 2024. He signed a four-year, $22.8 million fully guaranteed contract, including a $13.4 million signing bonus. Penix’s average annual salary is $5.7 million. His base salary is $960,000, $1.1 million in 2026, and $1.2 million in 2027. He has a cap hit of $5.2 million and a dead cap hit of $18.7 million.

Penix impressed the Atlanta crowd in his three appearances in 2024, completing 61 passes for 775 yards, four overall touchdowns, and three interceptions.

Conclusion: Penix will be the starter for the Falcons in 2025 with Kirk Cousins as backup.

2. Bo Nix (Age 25)

• Team: Denver Broncos
• Contract: 4 years $18.6 million fully guaranteed
• Average Annual Salary: $4.6 million

Contract Breakdown

The Denver Broncos drafted former Oregon quarterback Bo Nix 12th overall in 2024. Nix signed a four-year $18.6 million fully guaranteed contract with the Broncos, with $10.3 million as a signing bonus, and his average salary is $4.6 million per year. His base salary for 2025 is $960,000, $1.1 million in 2026, and $1.2 million in 2027. Nix has a cap hit of $4.2 million and a dead cap hit of $15 million.

Sean Payton chose Nix in the loaded 2024 NFL quarterback class. Nix contributed 3,775 yards from 376 completions for 32 overall touchdowns and 12 picks with a completion rate of 66.3. The Broncos finished 10-7 and played in the wild card.

Conclusion: Nix fits Payton’s system, but they must improve the run game by adding a star running back.

1. Brock Purdy (Age 25)

• Team: San Francisco 49ers
• Contract: 4 years, $3.7 million
• Average Annual Salary: $934,252

Contract Breakdown

Brock Purdy was the last overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. He signed a 4-year, $3.7 million contract, including a $77,008 signing bonus, $77,008 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $934,25. Purdy’s base salary in 2025 is $5.3 million—has a cap hit of $5.3 million and carries a dead cap value of $19,252.

Despite being the last pick, Purdy beat the odds by leading the 49ers to consecutive NFL title games and a Super Bowl appearance in 2023. He completed nearly 70% of his passes for 4280 yards (9.6 yards per throw), 33 overall touchdowns, and a league-leading 113 passer rating.

2024 was a massive down year for the Iowa State graduate. He threw more interceptions, and his completion, passer rating, passing yards, and completion percentage dropped.

Conclusion: The 49ers remain locked in contract talks with Purdy, who is expected to earn north of $55 million. They must decide quickly whether to give Purdy an extension or trade him and either go for a veteran bridge quarterback or draft one to avoid paying him.

Quarterback with the most guaranteed money

Prescott bagged $231 million (more than 90%) in guaranteed money in his $240 million extension with the Cowboys, but it was shattered by Allen when the Bills awarded him $230 million guaranteed in six years.

However, the quarterback with the most guaranteed money was Deshaun Watson when he signed for the Cleveland Browns from the Texans. Watson signed a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed deal with the AFC North side in 2022.

Biggest contract signed by an NFL quarterback

Following their Super Bowl victory, the Kansas City Chiefs decided that they would do something historic. Clark Hunt gave quarterback Patrick Mahomes a 10-year $477 million contract with an additional $26 million in potential bonuses for a total of $503 million in 2020.

A year later, Mahomes restructured his contract to save the Chiefs $17 million in salary cap space. Two years and another Super Bowl win later, Mahomes agreed on another restructure, giving him $210.6 million between 2023 and 2026 (most in a four-year span in NFL history).

Highest-paid backup quarterback in the NFL

Kirk Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with $90 million guaranteed and $50 million in signing bonuses with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024.

Cousins played 14 games for the Falcons, achieving a 7-7 record before the brass decided to demote him. Michael Penix replaced Cousins as the starter, and according to sources, he will be their starting quarterback in 2025.

The 37-year-old Cousins also bagged an additional $10 million as a roster bonus in 2025. The Falcons could have avoided it by trading him to another team but didn’t opt for that route. Instead, Cousins will stick around in Atlanta, making him the highest-paid backup quarterback in NFL history.