The 2020-2021 NFL season isn't underway yet, of course, as it's only April! However, with the COVID-19 pandemic, no one, not even Roger Godell, is sure if it will begin on time when it will begin, or if it will begin at all. Fingers crossed that the world has this virus beat by August so we can get our football fix from both the NFL and NCAA. Not only that, but there are also some fat NFL quarterback contracts out there and the guaranteed money of the 10 highest paid quarterbacks is pretty insane!
Consider the fact that NFL contracts are not all that player-friendly. Fully guaranteed contracts are nearly non-existent. The average NFL career only lasts three years as well, so it can be hard to make a lot of money—as we know from all the stories of former professional football players that are broke after their NFL career ends. If you're a quarterback, the chance of a guaranteed contract and making good money are an easier proposition, as you can see from the 10 quarterbacks below. From Matt Ryan to Tom Brady, these athletes will take home a guaranteed amount ranging from $50 million to $94.5 million from their current contracts.
Tom Brady comes in 10th on the list of the richest NFL quarterback contracts with the $50 million he's guaranteed to make with his brand new two-year contract with Tampa Bay. Speaking of Brady, it's going to be weird seeing him in a Buccaneers jersey and how long will it take Pats fans to get over losing their golden boy? The Atlanta Falcons' Matt Ryan has the richest contract of any NFL quarterback. He earns $30 million a year and is guaranteed to make $94.5 million on his current five-year contract, which started with the 2019-2020 season.
There are a lot of familiar names on the list of players with the richest NFL quarterback contracts, so let's dive right into it.
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#10. Tom Brady – $50 million guaranteed
Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Total Contract: 2 years, $50 million
Details: Brady and Tampa agreed to a two-year, $50 million, fully guaranteed contract. The contract also includes up to $9 million in additional incentive and the Bucs have agreed not to use the franchise tag on him or trade him when the deal expires. Brady will be 45-years-old when this contract expires, so one can speculate that he will retire at that point.
#9. Alex Smith – $55 million guaranteed
Team: Washington Redskins
Total Contract: 4 years, $94 million
Details: Smith and the Redskins agreed to a four-year, $94 million contract including a $27 million signing bonus. His average annual salary during the contract period is $23.5 million. In 2020, Smith's base salary is $16 million.
#8. Jared Goff – $57.04 million guaranteed
Team: Los Angeles Rams
Total Contract: 4 years, $134 million
Details: In 2019, Goff signed a four-year, $134 million contract extension. The contract keeps Goff in Los Angeles playing for the Rams through 2024.
#7. Matthew Stafford –$60.5 million guaranteed
Team: Detroit Lions
Total Contract: 5 years, $135 million
Details: In 2018, Stafford signed a five-year, $135 million contract with the Lions that included a $50 million signing bonus and an average annual salary of $27 million. In 2020, Stafford will earn a base salary of $7.8 million and a workout bonus of $500,000.
#6. Ryan Tannehill – $62 million guaranteed
Team: Tennessee Titans
Total Contract: 4 years, $118 million
Details: In 2020, Tannehill signed a four-year, $118 million contract extension with an average of $29.5 million guaranteed each year.
#5. Kirk Cousins – $66 million guaranteed
Team: Minnesota Vikings
Total Contract: 2 years, $66 million
Details: In 2020, Cousins signed a two-year contract extension worth $66 million. Overall, his deal comes in at $96 million over three years.
#4. Carson Wentz – $66.47 million guaranteed
Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Total Contract: 4 years, $128 million
Details: Wentz signed a four-year, $128 million contract with Philadelphia. The contract includes a $16.4 million signing bonus and an average salary of $32 million. In 2020, Wentz will make a base salary of $1.4 million, a roster bonus of $8 million, and a signing bonus of $30 million.
#3. Russell Wilson – $70 million guaranteed
Team: Seattle Seahawks
Total Contract: 4 years, $140 million.
Details: In 2019, Wilson agreed to a four-year, $140 million contract extension with Seattle. Amusingly, he announced it from his bed with his wife, R&B singer Ciara. The contract included a $65 million signing bonus and an average annual salary of $35 million. At the time Wilson signed the new contract, it was the biggest signing bonus in NFL history.
#2. Aaron Rodgers – $78.7 million guaranteed
Team: Green Bay Packers
Total Contract: 4 years, $134 million
Details: In 2018, Rodgers signed a new four-year contract with a $57 million signing bonus. The contract will keep Rodgers, 36, in Green Bay for the remainder of his NFL career.
#1. Matt Ryan – $94.5 guaranteed
Team: Atlanta Falcons
Total Contract: 5 years, $150 million
Details: Ryan was going into the final year of his six-year, $103.75 million contract when he signed a new five-year, $150 million extension with Atlanta last year. The new contract included $94.5 million. Over the next two seasons, Ryan is set to bring home a base salary of $8 million and $23 million.
