Ranking the highest paid quarterbacks in the NFL right now with Josh Allen’s $330 million deal setting new record

Patrick Mahomes deserves every penny of his massive NFL contract.

But Josh Allen’s record-setting $330 million deal has once again reset the quarterback market.

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With Jalen Hurts leading the Philadelphia Eagles past Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, the QB position is more important than ever — and some of the NFL’s biggest stars are paid like it.

Other deals might leave fans with shaking heads, as teams overpay unproven talent in the desperate search for franchise leaders.

All together, these QBs are set to make more than $3 billion on their current contracts.

Who’s making too much and who deserves extra cash?

Let the debate begin as talkSPORT ranks the top-10 highest paid QBs in the NFL.

10. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers

Love’s huge contract captures how important QBs are.

He’s being paid $220 million to be the franchise face for Green Bay.

But Love is 18-15 as a starter and hasn’t made the Pro Bowl yet.

A stunning $55 million average annual value also makes Love one of the highest-paid QBs in the NFL.

A down year in 2024 means that Love will face more pressure next season.

He’s allowed the Packers to move on from Aaron Rodgers, but Green Bay needs more value from Love on the field.

Contract: $220 million total, $55m average annual value

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9. Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns

The most controversial QB on the list is easily the most overpaid.

Watson is 1-2 in the playoffs and has often been off the field with Cleveland, due to injuries and suspension.

The former Clemson star is a three-time Pro Bowler and spent the 2018-20 seasons as one of the most promising field generals in the game.

But the QB drafted two spots behind Mahomes in 2017 hasn’t been the same since off-field accusations derailed his career.

Another Achilles injury has made Watson’s NFL future completely uncertain, and he might never play for the Browns again.

Contract: $230m total, $46m AAV

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8. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

Murray’s NFL career was also in limbo entering the midway point of the 2023 campaign.`

In college, the 5ft 10in QB bounced from Texas A&M to Oklahoma.

But Murray’s speed and arm helped make him the No. 1 overall pick of the NFL Draft in 2019.

Since then, the Texas native has alternately wowed and disappointed.

Murray hasn’t won a playoff game and missed Arizona’s initial nine games in 2023.

But there’s no doubt that he’s being paid like one of the NFL’s best and priciest QBs.

Murray is also making $500,000 overall more than Watson, which is pennies when hundreds of millions are involved.

Contract: $230.5m total, $46.1m AAV

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7. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

The richest sports franchise in the world kicked off a new NFL season in 2024 by paying its franchise quarterback.

The Cowboys handed Prescott a massive four-year, $240 million extension.

Prescott is a three-time Pro Bowler and has put up big numbers in the past.

But the 31-year-old QB is just 2-5 in the playoffs and coming off a major injury, and there are looming questions about his ability to lead the Cowboys to a Super Bowl victory.

Contract: $240m total, $60m AAV

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6. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

Hurts is due for a pay raise.

He was already overlooked in the NFL Draft, falling all the way to No. 53 in 2020 and initially sitting on the bench in Philadelphia.

Hurts has been an ideal solution for the Eagles after they moved on from Carson Wentz.

The former Alabama and Oklahoma college QB is tough, plays hurt, and has quickly endeared himself to the hard-to-please Philly faithful.

Hurts was the best QB on the field for the majority of Super Bowl LVII.

In Super Bowl LIX, the Eagles got their revenge and Hurts outplayed Mahomes on the biggest stage in American sports.

Contract: $255m total, $51m AAV

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5. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

The biggest contract controversy of the 2023 offseason was answered with one of the biggest contracts in the NFL.

Serving as his own spokesman, Jackson helped negotiate a monster deal that rightfully paid him as one of the best QBs in the sport.

Jackson has already won two MVPs and he’s become the face of the Ravens, despite not being picked until the final selection (No. 32) during the first round in 2018.

Since then, Action Jackson has changed the way the QB position is played and has turned “dual threat” into an asset instead of a hindrance.

He finished second to Josh Allen in 2024 NFL MVP voting, and is still searching for his first Super Bowl appearance.

Contract: $260m total, $52m AAV

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4. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

Herbert is making more than Jackson, which says everything about the sometimes over-inflated value of NFL QB contracts.

There’s no doubt that Herbert is good.

But the Chargers were kicked out of the playoffs by the Houston Texans last season, and Herbert acknowledged the disappointing defeat was on him.

Still, Herbert has a cannon for an arm and he’s exceeded expectations since becoming the No. 6 overall pick in 2020 out of Oregon.

He just needs to win a few big playoff games to justify more than $260m in promised cash.

Contract: $262m total, $52m AAV

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Tied-3. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

Seeing Lawrence’s name this high on the list might stun some NFL fans.

He’s undoubtedly talented and has franchise QB potential.

But Lawrence still hasn’t delivered on his college Clemson hype and the Jaguars disappointed again in 2024, firing Doug Pederson as head coach soon after the season was over.

Through 60 NFL games, the No. 1 overall pick in 2021 is only 22-38 as a starter.

New Jacksonville head coach Liam Coen was hired to get more out of Lawrence in 2025.

Contract: $275m total, $55m AAV

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T-3. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Only Prescott tops Joe Cool when it comes to AAV.

The modern face of the Bengals is averaging a whopping $55m a year, which is tied with three other QBs for the second-most in the NFL.

After leading LSU to a perfect season, the former Ohio high school star became the No. 1 overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Burrow has already been to the Super Bowl and has become one of the main AFC rivals for Mahomes.

Now, the Bengals must find their way back to the top of the conference.

Contract: $275m total, $55m AAV

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2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

Allen is unquestionably the Bills’ franchise QB.

But will he carry Buffalo where Jim Kelly couldn’t reach?

Kelly made four Super Bowls during the Bills’ glory days in the 1990s.

Allen has impressed since entering the NFL in 2018 as a risky No. 7 overall pick out of Wyoming, which isn’t famous for producing Super Bowl winners.

He’s already reached the playoffs in six seasons and Buffalo is a serious AFC contender.

But there’s still another level that Allen can reach and he must get there if he’s going to eventually replace Kelly as the best QB in Bills history.

Contract: $330m total, $55m AAV

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1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

The next Tom Brady is being paid more than Brady ever was.

Mahomes has the largest total QB contract in the NFL, even though he’s underpaid when it comes to AAV.

Mahomes has made six Pro Bowls, been selected to two All-Pro teams, and won three Super Bowl MVPs.

It’s an impressive list for a QB who was doubted coming out of college, lasted until the 10th pick of the 2017 draft, and could have played Major League Baseball.

But the 2025 season is set up to be a revenge year for Mahomes, who didn’t play up to his standards in Super Bowl LIX.

“There’s things that I have to get better at, and they kind of showed today on the biggest stage,” Mahomes exclusively told talkSPORT.

Contract: $450m total, $45m AAV

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