Heading into Week 12, some of the highest-paid starting quarterbacks have been replaced by much lower-paid backups. The New York Giants, dissatisfied with their $40 million a year starter Daniel Jones, have turned to a backup. Injuries have sidelined two of the three highest-paid starters: Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys and Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Kansas City Chiefs are no longer undefeated, after losing to the Buffalo Bills in Week 11. The Detroit Lions, though, are viewed as favorites to win the Super Bowl and could upend the Chiefs' quest for a three-peat. While some quarterbacks, such as Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers, are a bargain (because he’s still in his rookie contract), other teams are spending heavily for their quarterbacks to get them to “the big game.”
Quarterbacks with lucrative contracts get signed amid confidence from the team’s management that their signal callers will get them a championship ring. This season’s starters include 8 Heisman Trophy winners.
Quarterbacks who started the season but are now sidelined
Dak Prescott
- Team: Dallas Cowboys
- Age: 31
- 2024 average salary: $60,000,000
- 4-year contract total: $240,000,000
- Years into contract: 1
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 9
Prescott started his ninth season with the Cowboys under a new, 4-year contract valued at $240 million. Of that, he is guaranteed $231 million. Prescott suffered a hamstring injury against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9.
Trevor Lawrence
- Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
- Age: 24
- 2024 average salary: $55,000,000
- 5-year contract total: $275,000,000
- Years into contract: 1
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 4
Lawrence is the youngest among active quarterbacks with the largest contract by total value. Lawrence suffered a shoulder injury in the Jaguars' Week 9 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. He's been replaced by former New England Patriots QB1 Mac Jones.
Deshaun Watson
- Team: Cleveland Browns
- Age: 28
- 2024 average salary: $46,000,000
- 5-year contract total: $230,000,000
- Years into contract: 3
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 8
Watson was a top draft pick in 2017 and spent his first five years with the Texans before being traded to the Browns in 2022. In 2020, Watson signed on to a four-year contract valued at $177.5 million, which at the time was the second most lucrative contract in the NFL, after Aaron Rodgers’. Watson suffered an Achilles injury in Week 7's loss against the Cincinnati Bengals and Jameis Winston took over QB1 duties
Daniel Jones
- Team: New York Giants
- Age: 27
- 2024 average salary: $40,000,000
- 4-year contract total: $160,000,000|
- Years into contract: 2
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 6
In Daniel Jones’ first year of his four-year contract, the Giants went 6-11 for the 2023–2024 season. After going 2-8 heading into Week 12, management decided to bench Jones in favor of third-string quarterback Tommy DeVito, who was a fan favorite last season.
Jacoby Brissett
- Team: New England Patriots
- Age: 31
- 2024 average salary: $8,000,000
- 1-year contract total: $8,000,000
- Years into contract: 1
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 9
Jacoby Brissett first played for the Patriots in 2016 but has also played for four other NFL teams before taking on the starting quarterback position this season under new head coach Jerod Mayo. He was replaced by rookie Drake Maye in Week 6.
Starting quarterbacks
Find out how much starting quarterbacks on the NFL’s 32 teams are getting paid on average this year, based on data from Over the Cap, which compiles contract information.
32. Tommy DeVito
- Team: New York Giants
- Age: 26
- 2024 average salary: $915,000
- 1-year contract total: $915,000
- Years into contract: 1
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 2
Tommy DeVito replaces Daniel Jones, who was benched after Week 11 for poor performance. DeVito replaced Jones last season after Jones injured himself, and DeVito is looking to do better than his 4-5 start in his rookie year with the Giants.
31. Brock Purdy
- Team: San Francisco 49ers
- Age: 24
- 2024 average salary: $934,253
- 4-year contract total: $3,737,012
- Years into contract: 3
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 3
Brock Purdy led the 49ers to Super Bowl LVIII, but they lost to the Chiefs. He is eligible to negotiate for a new contract in 2025, which some reports say could be at least $60 million a season.
Related: NFL change will make Wall Street very happy
30. Russell Wilson
- Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
- Age: 35
- Salary: $1,210,000
- 1-year contract total: $1,210,000
- Years into contract: 1
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 13
Russell Wilson is being paid a base salary of $1.2 million by the Steelers, but he is still being paid $39 million for the season by the Denver Broncos as part of the terms of his guaranteed $124 million contract.
29. Will Levis
- Team: Tennessee Titans
- Age: 25
- 2024 average salary: $2,385,541
- 4-year contract total: $9,542,162
- Years into contract: 2
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 2
Will Levis started as quarterback for the first time in an opening season game.
28. Mac Jones
- Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
- Age: 26
- 2024 average salary: $2,785,410
- 1-year contract total: $2,785,410
- Years into contract: 1
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 4
Mac Jones starts in place of an injured Trevor Lawrence, who is in the first year of his 5-year, $275 million contract.
27. Cooper Rush
- Team: Dallas Cowboys
- Age: 31
- 2024 average salary: $2,875,000
- 2-year contract total: $5,000,000
- Years into contract: 2
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 7
Cooper Rush replaces Dak Prescott, who injured a hamstring in Week 9. Rush has gone on to lose in Weeks 10 and 11.
26. Jameis Winston
- Team: Cleveland Browns
- Age: 30
- 2024 average salary: $4,000,000
- 1-year contract total: $4,000,000
- Years into contract: 2
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 10
Jameis Winston took over quarterback duties from Deshaun Watson, who injured himself in Week 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Winston led the Browns in an upset victory against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8 and was then named QB for the remainder of the season.
25. Bo Nix
- Team: Denver Broncos
- Age: 24
- 2024 average salary: $4,653,292
- 4-year contract total: $18,613,166
- Years into contract: 1
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 1
Bo Nix is in his rookie season after having played seven years of college football.
24. Anthony Richardson
- Team: Indianapolis Colts
- Age: 22
- 2024 average salary: $8,498,508
- 4-year contract total: $33,994,030
- Years into contract: 2
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 2
Anthony Richardson, drafted by the Colts in 2023, got his job back as QB1 in Week 11 after veteran Joe Flacco temporarily filled in for Weeks 9 and 10. Richardson was the number 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
23. C.J. Stroud
- Team: Houston Texans
- Age: 22
- 2024 average salary: $9,069,812
- 4-year contract total: $36,279,246
- Years into contract: 2
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 2
C.J. Stroud starts with the Texans for the second season. He was the number 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
22. Drake Maye
- Team: New England Patriots
- Age: 22
- 2024 average salary: $9,159,941
- 4-year contract total: $36,639,764
- Years into contract: 1
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 1
Rookie Drake Maye took over QB1 duties in Week 6, replacing veteran Jacoby Brissett.
21. Jayden Daniels
- Team: Washington Commanders
- Age: 23
- 2024 average salary: $9,436,663
- 4-year contract total: $37,746,650
- Years into contract: 1
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 1
Jayden Daniels starts his rookie season with the Commanders, which have not had a winning season since 2016. He was awarded the Heisman Trophy in 2023.
20. Bryce Young
- Team: Carolina Panthers
- Age: 23
- 2024 average salary: $9,488,769
- 4-year contract total: $37,955,074
- Years into contract: 2
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 2
Bryce Young gets his starting job back, in place of Andy Dalton, who moved up from the backup role in Week 3 and stayed until Week 7, before sustaining an injury off the field.
19. Caleb Williams
- Team: Chicago Bears
- Age: 22
- 2024 average salary: $9,871,515
- 4-year contract total: $39,486,058
- Years into contract: 1
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 1
Caleb Williams starts his rookie season with the Bears after being the number 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
18. Sam Darnold
- Team: Minnesota Vikings
- "Age: 27
- 2024 average salary: $10,000,000
- 1-year contract total: $10,000,000
- Years into contract: 1
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 7
Sam Darnold was the number 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft and first played for the New York Jets. The Vikings are his fourth NFL team.
17. Gardner Minshew
- Team: Las Vegas Raiders
- Age: 28
- 2024 average salary: $12,500,000
- 2-year contract total: $25,000,000
- Years into contract: 1
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 6
Gardner Minshew starts in an opening game of the season for the first time in his NFL career since 2020 after largely playing as a backup in the previous five seasons.
16. Geno Smith
- Team: Seattle Seahawks
- Age: 33
- 2024 average salary: $25,000,000
- 3-year contract total: $75,000,000
- Years into contract: 2
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 11
Geno Smith joined the Seahawks in 2020 but didn’t make a major impact until the 2022 season, when he started for all 17 games.
15. Baker Mayfield
- Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Age: 29
- 2024 average salary: $33,333,333
- 3-year contract total: $100,000,000
- Years into contract: 1
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 8
Baker Mayfield plays for a second season with the Buccaneers, after signing on as a free agent in 2023 for $4 million for one year.
14. Aaron Rodgers
- Team: New York Jets
- Age: 40
- 2024 average salary: $37,500,000
- 3-year contract total: $112,500,000
- Years into contract: 2
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 20
Aaron Rodgers played for 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers. He was injured while playing for the Jets during the opening day of the 2023 season.
13. Derek Carr
- Team: New Orleans Saints
- Age: 33
- 2024 average salary: $37,500,000
- 4-year contract total: $150,000,000
- Years into contract: 2
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 11
Derek Carr played his first nine seasons with the Raiders.
More on salaries & pay:
- PGA caddie salaries: How much do pro golf's loopers make?
- United Airlines pilot salaries: From raises to furloughs in one year
- Post office jobs: How much can you make working for USPS?
12. Matthew Stafford
- Team: Los Angeles Rams
- Age: 36
- 2024 average salary: $40,000,000
- 4-year contract total: $160,000,000
- Years into contract: 4
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 16
Matthew Stafford played his first 12 years with the Detroit Lions and led the Rams to a Super Bowl championship in 2022.
11. Josh Allen
- Team: Buffalo Bills
- Age: 28
- 2024 average salary: $43,000,000
- 6-year contract total: $258,000,000
- Years into contract: 4
- |Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 7
Josh Allen led the Bills to the playoffs in the past five seasons, and the team is looking for more under his signal calling. The Bills had missed the playoffs from 2000 to 2016.
10. Patrick Mahomes
- Team: Kansas City Chiefs
- Age: 28
- 2024 average salary: $45,000,000
- 10-year contract total: $450,000,000
- Years into contract: 5
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 8
Patrick Mahomes is the only active starting quarterback with multiple championships. He led the Chiefs to their third Super Bowl win in five years in 2024.
9. Kirk Cousins
- Team: Atlanta Falcons
- Age: 36
- 2024 average salary: $45,000,000
- 4-year contract total: $180,000,000
- Years into contract: 1
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 13
Kirk Cousins played for the Washington Commanders for his first six years and the Minnesota Vikings for his second six.
8. Kyler Murray
- Team: Arizona Cardinals
- Age: 27
- 2024 average salary: $46,100,000
- 5-year contract total: $230,500,000
- Years into contract: 3
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 6
Kyler Murray was the Heisman Trophy winner in 2018. He led the Cardinals to a winning season in 2021, but the past two seasons resulted in losing records and left the team last within their division.
7. Jalen Hurts
- Team: Philadelphia Eagles
- Age: 26
- 2024 average salary: $51,000,000
- 5-year contract total: $255,000,000
- Years into contract: 2
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 5
Jalen Hurts led the Eagles to the 2022 NFC Championship, but they lost to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII. The contract reflects the team’s confidence in continuing the playoff run into the coming seasons.
Related: NFL fandom is extremely expensive in 2024
6. Lamar Jackson
- Team: Baltimore Ravens
- Age: 27
- 2024 average salary: $52,000,000
- 5-year contract total: $260,000,000
- Years into contract: 2
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 7
Lamar Jackson has spent his entire career with the Ravens, and his contract reflects the organization’s confidence in his ability to get the team into the playoffs and hopefully all the way to a Super Bowl win.
5. Justin Herbert
- Team: Los Angeles Chargers
- Age: 26
- 2024 average salary: $52,500,000
- 5-year contract total: $262,500,000
- Years into contract: 2
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 5
Justin Herbert will play under a new coach, Jim Harbaugh, who left the University of Michigan for the pros.
4. Jared Goff
- Team: Detroit Lions
- Age: 29
- 2024 average salary: $53,000,000
- 4-year contract total: $212,000,000
- Years into contract: 1
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 9
Jared Goff proved his naysayers wrong after being traded from the Rams in 2021. He led the Lions to the 2023 NFC Championship Game before falling to the 49ers, and the organization has rewarded him with a lucrative salary.
3. Tua Tagovailoa
- Team: Miami Dolphins
- Age: 26
- 2024 average salary: $53,100,000
- 4-year contract total: $212,400,000
- Years into contract: 1
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 5
Tua Tagovailoa’s contract is the second largest for a four-year contract after Jordan Love’s, and his pay reflects the Dolphins’ expectations that he will continue to have winning seasons.
2. Jordan Love
- Team: Green Bay Packers
- Age: 25
- 2024 average salary: $55,000,000
- 4-year contract total: $220,000,000
- Years into contract: 1
- Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 5
Jordan Love was a backup for Aaron Rodgers and took over as the Packers’ starting quarterback when Rodgers departed for the Jets in 2023.
1. Joe Burrow
Team: Cincinnati Bengals
Age: 27
2024 average salary: $55,000,000
5-year contract total: $275,000,000
Years into contract: 2
Seasons in NFL (inclusive): 5
Joe Burrow won the 2019 Heisman Trophy. In his second year with the Bengals, he led the team to Super Bowl LVI in 2022 but lost to the Rams. In 2023, he signed a record contract for $275 million.
2024–25 NFL starting quarterback pay at a glance
| Rank | Player | Team | Age | Average Annual Salary | Total Contract Value | Years Under Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Joe Burrow |
Cincinnati Bengals |
27 |
$55,000,000 |
$275,000,000 |
5 |
2 |
Jordan Love |
Green Bay Packers |
25 |
$55,000,000 |
$200,000,000 |
4 |
3 |
Tua Tagovailoa |
Miami Dolphins |
26 |
$53,100,000 |
$212,400,000 |
4 |
4 |
Jared Goff |
Detroit Lions |
29 |
$53,000,000 |
$212,000,000 |
4 |
5 |
Justin Herbert |
Los Angeles Chargers |
26 |
$52,500,000 |
$262,500,000 |
5 |
6 |
Lamar Jackson |
Baltimore Ravens |
27 |
$52,000,000 |
$262,000,000 |
5 |
7 |
Jalen Hurts |
Philadelphia Eagles |
26 |
$51,000,000 |
$255,000,000 |
5 |
8 |
Kyler Murray |
Arizona Cardinals |
27 |
$46,100,000 |
$230,500,000 |
5 |
9 |
Kirk Cousins |
Atlanta Falcons |
36 |
$45,000,000 |
$180,000,000 |
4 |
10 |
Patrick Mahomes |
Kansas City Chiefs |
28 |
$45,000,000 |
$450,000,000 |
10 |
11 |
Josh Allen |
Buffalo Bills |
28 |
$43,000,000 |
$258,000,000 |
6 |
12 |
Matthew Stafford |
Los Angeles Rams |
36 |
$40,000,000 |
$160,000,000 |
4 |
13 |
Derek Carr |
New Orleans Saints |
33 |
$37,500,000 |
$150,000,000 |
4 |
14 |
Aaron Rodgers |
New York Jets |
40 |
$37,500,000 |
$112,500,000 |
3 |
15 |
Baker Mayfield |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
29 |
$33,333,333 |
$100,000,000 |
3 |
16 |
Geno Smith |
Seattle Seahawks |
33 |
$25,000,000 |
$75,000,000 |
3 |
17 |
Gardner Minshew |
Las Vegas Raiders |
28 |
$12,500,000 |
$25,000,000 |
2 |
18 |
Sam Darnold |
Minnesota Vikings |
27 |
$10,000,000 |
$10,000,000 |
1 |
19 |
Caleb Williams |
Chicago Bears |
22 |
$9,871,515 |
$39,486,058 |
4 |
20 |
Bryce Young |
Carolina Panthers |
23 |
$9,488,769 |
$37,955,074 |
4 |
21 |
Jayden Daniels |
Washington Commanders |
23 |
$9,436,663 |
$37,746,650 |
4 |
22 |
Drake Maye |
New England Patriots |
22 |
$9,159,941 |
$36,639,764 |
4 |
23 |
C.J. Stroud |
Houston Texans |
22 |
$9,069,812 |
$36,279,246 |
4 |
24 |
Anthony Richardson |
Indianapolis Colts |
22 |
$8,498,508 |
$33,994,030 |
4 |
25 |
Bo Nix |
Denver Broncos |
24 |
$4,653,292 |
$18,613,166 |
4 |
26 |
Jameis Winston |
Cleveland Browns |
30 |
$4,000,000 |
$4,000,000 |
1 |
27 |
Cooper Rush |
Dallas Cowboys |
31 |
$2,875,000 |
$5,000,000 |
1 |
28 |
Mac Jones |
Jacksonville Jaguars |
26 |
$2,785,410 |
$2,785,410 |
1 |
29 |
Will Levis |
Tennessee Titans |
25 |
$2,385,541 |
$9,542,162 |
4 |
30 |
Russell Wilson |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
35 |
$1,210,000 |
$1,210,000 |
1 |
31 |
Brock Purdy |
San Francisco 49ers |
24 |
$934,253 |
$3,737,012 |
4 |
32 |
Tommy DeVito |
New York Giants |
26 |
$915,000 |
$915,000 |
1 |
Related: Veteran fund manager sees world of pain coming for stocks
