NFL contracts aren’t getting any smaller, and the amounts continue to rise and we wade deeper into an age of guarantees, conditions, bonuses and incentives. Base salaries are now just one factor that must be considered when looking at how much an NFL star is earning over a year, given how much can change.
An NFL player touted to be only the fifth highest-paid player may end up No. 1 if he performs at an elite level, collecting all of his bonuses, while others at the top fall short of hitting incentives. However, it’s safe to say that the Top 5 players by average annual salary (according to Over The Cap) are making a huge amount of money in 2019 whatever happens. The NFL salaries are extremely skewed towards the generals of the gridiron – the quarterback.
In fact, all five of these top paid players are QBs. Let’s have a look.
5. Falcons QB Matt Ryan – $30 million
Ryan performed well in 2018, even if the Atlanta Falcons suffered from a Super Bowl hangover, going 7-9 on the season. Ryan threw 35 touchdowns and almost 5,000 yards, ensuring that the Falcons continue to see him as their long-term answer at the position. The question for Atlanta is whether they need to be dispensing resources elsewhere as they look to rebuild the roster into a contender for the Super Bowl once more. Due to his other earnings, Ryan is also one of only two NFL stars to make Forbes’ Top 10 Highest Paid Athletes of 2019.
4. Eagles QB Carson Wentz – $32 million
The Eagles committed to Wentz in a big way for the upcoming season. Not only did they send rival quarterback Nick Foles to Jacksonville, but they also gave Wentz the most guaranteed money to any player in the NFL when they awarded him a new four-year contract. That’s a lot of faith shown in a guy who has proved he has all the tools to be an elite quarterback in the NFL, if only he can stay healthy and on the field.
3. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers – $33.5 million
Widely acknowledged as one of the best to ever do it, Rodgers surely deserves every bit of his salary in Green Bay. The future Hall of Famer will have a new head coach this year in Matt LaFleur, who may have his work cut out trying to impose a new system on the third highest-paid player in the league. A lot of pressure will be on Rodgers (again) to prevent a disappointing season for the Packers. One thing is for sure though: when the chips are down, he’s the guy you’d want to put money on to save the day.
2. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger – $34 million
Big Ben got his reward in the Steel City. Throwing for 34 touchdowns and over 5,100 yards was enough for Pittsburgh’s top brass to reward the big-bodied QB with a contract that probably guarantees Roethlisberger would retire in black and yellow. The question now will be whether he can continue to earn his paycheck following the losses of superstars Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell.
1. Seahawks QB Russell Wilson – $35 million
The highest paid player – for 2019 at least – is Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson, who gave Seahawks management an ultimatum to get a deal done prior to camp – and it clearly worked. It’s no surprise, given how important Wilson’s creative play is to Seattle’s offensive game, but the team will surely be hoping the massive contract translates to more success on the field. It’s been five years since the Seahawks were last in the Super Bowl, with that infamous last-second defeat to the New England Patriots in which Wilson threw a costly interception to Malcolm Butler.
