Oct 27, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) warms up before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

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Top 5 Highest-Paid Quarterbacks in NFL History ft. Dak Prescott & Joe Burrow

The NFL’s top-paid quarterbacks in history, led by Dak Prescott and Joe Burrow’s monumental deals.

The quarterback position stands as the NFL’s most prized role.

Just hours before the 2024 season’s first Sunday matchups, Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys sealed a record-breaking four-year, $240 million contract, according to multiple reports. This agreement crowns Prescott as both the highest-paid quarterback and player in NFL history.

Prescott’s new contract guarantees $231 million, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Unsurprisingly, quarterbacks dominate the list of the league’s 18 highest-paid players. But who ranks at the very top?

Here’s a breakdown of the five highest-paid quarterbacks for the 2024 NFL season, based on their most recent contracts’ average annual value (AAV).

Ranking the highest-paid NFL QBs

Here are the NFL’s top-paid quarterbacks by average annual value, according to data from Spotrac.

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: $60 million AAV

Dak Prescott broke new ground as the first QB to reach the $60 million per season mark. In a push to finalize the deal before their 2024 season opener, the Cowboys announced a four-year, $240 million extension for Prescott on September 8, just before Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns.

Breaking: The Cowboys have reached an agreement with QB Dak Prescott on a four-year contract, $240 million extension that will make him the highest-paid player in NFL history, sources told @AdamSchefter. pic.twitter.com/xFW8Zkr7Qj
— ESPN (@espn) September 8, 2024

This contract edged Browns QB Deshaun Watson, with his $46 million per season, out of the top 10 list. Prescott’s deal includes a guaranteed $231 million with a massive $80 million signing bonus, securing him as the Cowboys’ quarterback through the 2028 season.

This is Prescott’s second major contract with Dallas, following a four-year, $160 million contract in 2021.

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals: $55 million AAV

Joe Burrow’s contract held the top spot briefly, with a five-year, $275 million extension and $219 million in guarantees signed in September 2023. This deal covers him through the 2029 season, with free agency expected in 2030.

Bengals, QB Joe Burrow agree to new 5-year, $275M deal.

(via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/ztuMh5xkNu
— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2023

The Bengals have potential exit clauses, including one after the 2027 season, but it would require significant changes for that option to become relevant.

Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars: $55 million AAV

After just three seasons, Trevor Lawrence’s stats—11,770 passing yards and 58 touchdowns—secured him the Jaguars’ trust. Jacksonville awarded him a five-year, $275 million extension, identical to Burrow’s, with $200 million in guarantees, including $142 million fully guaranteed at signing.

NEWS: #Jaguars Trevor Lawrence
says he TOOK LESS MONEY so the team could be better.

“Wasn’t worth sacrificing having a good team just so I can make some money.”

Lawrence just signed a 275 MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT 😳😳😳 pic.twitter.com/g3UhOq4TjF
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) June 21, 2024

This extension keeps Lawrence in Jacksonville through 2030.

Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers: $55 million AAV

A solid 2023 season landed Jordan Love a four-year, $220 million deal with Green Bay. After backing up Aaron Rodgers, Love took charge in 2023, guiding the Packers to a playoff berth and logging 4,159 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, and his first postseason win.

Jordan Love is about to sign a $50M APY extension, Justin Fields got traded for a conditional 2025 6th-rounder with a year left on his rookie deal. pic.twitter.com/algLJl8iNV
— J.J. Lahey 🧀 (@JJLahey) March 17, 2024

His new deal includes a record $75 million signing bonus, surpassed only by Prescott’s $80 million bonus, and will keep him in Green Bay until 2028.

Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins: $53.1 million AAV

Tagovailoa’s extension positioned him among the top earners, though he later dropped after Love’s deal with Green Bay. Despite concerns over injuries, Tagovailoa played all 17 games in 2023, recording 4,624 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Tua’s four-year, $212.4 million contract includes $167.1 million in guarantees, keeping him with Miami through 2028.

Tua Tagovailoa & Dolphins Agree To 4-Year $212.4 Million Contract Extension #nfl #nfltrending #nflviral #trending #dolphins pic.twitter.com/frbiwXv9LJ
— Ty (@iamtylertnt) July 26, 2024

As NFL teams continue investing in top quarterback talent, the bar for quarterback earnings keeps rising, making the role more vital and competitive than ever. These lucrative deals ensure that the highest-paid quarterbacks remain the backbone of their franchises, shaping the league’s future.

Read More: Haason Reddick’s Revised Contract: Bonuses and Details Revealed After Jets Holdout

Image Credit: © Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

top 5 highest-paid quarterbacks in NFL history

Natasha Bose

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