Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson, and 2 other big names are being paid the big bucks, but unfortunately, they won’t be cashing in that money in the NFL playoffs.
Advertisement
NFL contracts have gotten bigger and bigger as every year comes around. Teams are willing to pay their players far more than before, and contracts have risen to match the value that certain players are producing.
The NFL used to lag behind the NBA when it came to these massive deals, but now, they’re bridging the gap, and when it comes to quarterbacks, nobody gets paid more than them.
$50 million used to be a surreal thought before. However, now, it’s a reality. As years pass on, the NFL will start paying its players more than before, and someday, we may even find ourselves discussing contracts worth in excess of $60 or $70 million a year.
NFL teams recently declared unused 2022 cap space rollover amounts (below).
After the playoffs, the NFL will audit incentives, bonuses, etc by team. That figure will be added/subtracted to the number below.
The sum + the 2023 Salary Cap = each team’s 2023 adjusted cap number. pic.twitter.com/GJC8E7EsrO
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 12, 2023
However, money doesn’t always translate to success.
$194 million worth of quarterbacks missed the playoffs including Aaron Rodgers and Deshaun Watson
Who are the top four highest-paid quarterbacks in the league right now? The answer may surprise you. At number one, Aaron Rodgers tops the list with an average salary of $50 million a year.
In second place, Russell Wilson’s contract is worth $49 million a year. In third and fourth place, Kyler Murray and Deshaun Watson are tied for a contract worth $46 million a year. So, the top four highest-paid quarterbacks in the league are Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray, and Deshaun Watson.
Notice a common pattern between the four? These four quarterbacks have a combined salary of $191 million, and yet, all four of them missed the playoffs the season.
The Top 4 highest paid QBs all missed the playoffs this season:
– Aaron Rodgers: $50 Million
– Russell Wilson: $49 Million
– Deshaun Watson: $46 Million
– Kyler Murray: $46 Million pic.twitter.com/TPBAMlmYRl— Barstool Sportsbook (@BSSportsbook) January 11, 2023
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers struggled to find an offensive groove after letting go of Davante Adams, and the team couldn’t beat the Lions in week 18 to secure a playoff spot.
Russell Wilson and the Broncos struggled consistently through the year. Wilson had a career-worst year in terms of passing, and the Broncos will really hope that he can turn things around next year.
Deshaun Watson was suspended for the majority of the year, and when he came back, it definitely looked like he was shaking off some rust as the previous passing leader struggled to find his footing with his new team.
Kyler Murray and the Cardinals had a disappointing season that was defined by poor coaching and injuries. Coming back healthy next year will be the biggest priority for Murray and the Cardinals.
Also Read: Tom Brady to the Dolphins? Could Miami move on from Tua Tagovailoa and nab the NFL GOAT
