The Pittsburgh Steelers secured Aaron Rodgers, a key player who is expected to give them a high-level boost in their pursuit of success this NFL season. They opened against the New York Jets and pulled off an incredible comeback in a game where Justin Fields also tried to make an impact.
The matchup between two quarterbacks—one nearing the twilight of his career and the other still viewed as a rising talent—now carries a new layer of intrigue: money. The salary gap between them reflects the different philosophies of their teams and the bets they are making on their paths to success this season.
According to Spotrac, Aaron Rodgers’ salary with the Steelers stands at $13.65 million. For a quarterback of his caliber, a multi-time MVP winner, this number is surprisingly low. His deal is considered a clear “championship discount,” as Rodgers is willing to earn less in order to give the team more financial flexibility to build a stronger roster. It underscores his priority of winning another Super Bowl.
A difference of nearly $7M between Rodgers and Justin Fields
On the other side, Justin Fields is earning $20 million in his new deal with the Jets. That figure, well above Rodgers’ salary, represents a major investment by New York in Fields’ potential.
The Jets are paying for the hope that Fields will finally maximize his talent and become the franchise quarterback many envisioned when he entered the league. It is a high-risk, high-reward gamble that highlights the team’s faith in his upside despite inconsistency in his early years.
Quarterbacks compared to Rodgers and Fields
The highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL now sit in an elite tier, commanding contracts that surpass $50 million per season in average annual value. Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, and Lamar Jackson headline that group, having secured long-term deals that cement them as the cornerstones of their franchises.
When compared to those elite deals, the contrast for Rodgers and Fields is striking. Rodgers’ $13.65 million contract with the Steelers ranks outside the top 25 salaries for quarterbacks, a staggering placement for a player with his resume. Fields’ $20 million salary is also well short of the league’s top tier, though it remains significantly higher than Rodgers’ figure.
Here is the current top five of the NFL’s highest-paid quarterbacks:
- Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals): approximately $55 million per season.
- Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers): approximately $52.5 million per season.
- Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens): approximately $52 million per season.
- Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles): approximately $51 million per season.
- Russell Wilson (Pittsburgh Steelers): approximately $49 million per season.