To put it in perspective, Quarterbacks make up 15 of the 20 highest paid players in the NFL in 2021. QB’s set the tone for their teams and structure the offense on the field on any given Sunday in the NFL.
In this list we will find some big-time numbers for the offensive marshals of the NFL. Tom Brady is still going strong and is the 18th highest paid player in all of the NFL. Then you have a case like Deshaun Watson who may not even suit up this season.
The usual suspects are on top of the list as Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes are high up there as the league’s best paid players. Over the years one thing has not changed in the NFL, quarterbacks still call the shots and make the big bucks. Here are the top 15 highest paid quarterbacks in the NFL for 2021.
15. Tom Brady – $25 Million
Tom Brady (Getty)
It’s crazy to think that the seven, 7! time Super Bowl champion is at the bottom of the list. Tom Brady is being paid for what he can give now, if this was about merit, then Brady should be number 1 and making a billion dollars.
14. Derek Carr – $25 Million
Derek Carr (Getty)
Derek Carr is entering his eighth NFL season for the Las Vegas Raiders, at a 47-63 record the three-time Pro Bowler is looking to bounce back from some rather subpar seasons.
13. Matthew Stafford – $27 Million
Matthew Stafford (Getty)
Matthew Stafford is entering his thirteenth season as an NFL Quarterback and will do so for the Los Angeles Rams after 12 years with the Detroit Lions. Stafford has various NFL records: Most passing attempts in a single season: 727 (2012), Most 4th quarter comebacks in a single season: 8 (2016), Fastest player to reach 20,000 career passing yards (71 games), Fastest player to reach 30,000 career passing yards (109 games), and Fastest player to reach 40,000 career passing yards (147 games).
12. Jimmy Garoppolo – $27.5 Million
Jimmy Garoppolo (Getty)
Two-time Super Bowl champ Jimmy Garoppolo is coming back after an injury riddled 2020, Garoppolo only played 6 games going 3-3 throwing only 7 touchdown passes. His best season was 2019 where he went 13-3 but lost in the Super Bowl.
11. Ryan Tannehill – $29.5 Million
Ryan Tannehill (Getty)
Ryan Tannehill was the NFL comeback player of the year in 2019 and went 11-5 in 2020 throwing an impressive 33 touchdowns. He will be a fundamental piece of the Titans this season.
10. Matt Ryan – $ 30 Million
Matt Ryan (Getty)
Matt Ryan is making a cool $30 million a year with the Atlanta Falcons, Ryan has the accolades to prove it: NFL Most Valuable Player (2016), NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2016), Five- Time Pro Bowl (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018), and NFL passer rating leader (2016). Last season Ryan went an uneventful 4-12.
9. Carson Wentz – $32 Million
Carson Wentz (Getty)
Carson Wentz had an array of records with the Eagles before moving to the Colts this season, unfortunately Wentz suffered a foot injury that kept him out most of preseason, nonetheless he is making a push to play in week 1.
8. Kirk Cousins – $33 Million
Kirk Cousins (Getty)
Kirk Cousins is the Minnesota Vikings big gun, last season Cousins went 7-9 and managed a healthy 4,265 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. Statistically speaking it was a fantastic season for the QB, but the Vikings were simply not winning games.
7. Jared Goff – $33.5 Million
Jared Goff (Getty)
The Lions have shelled out the big bucks for Jared Goff who comes in with an impressive 42-27 career record with the Rams. Goff set three franchise records in Los Angeles and is regarded as one of the best QBs in the NFL.
6. Aaron Rodgers – $33.5 Million
Aaron Rodgers (Getty)
It was a strange offseason for Aaron Rodgers, who had a very public spout with the Packers brass about his contract, as Rodgers wants to be a free agent at the end of this season, and as such the Packers voided the final year of his contract. Then Rodgers took to the media to air out his feelings about key decisions. Nonetheless Rodgers is one of the best QBs in the NFL. Keep the man happy and he might win you a Super Bowl.
5. Russell Wilson – $35 Million
Russell Wilson (Getty)
Russell Wilson is all bling with an NFL lifetime record of 98-45-1. Wilson has more Seattle Seahawks records than he can remember and is not light in NFL record accolades. Wilson will fight as hard as he can to win his second Super Bowl.
4. Deshaun Watson – $39 Million
Deshaun Watson (Getty)
Deshaun Watson is under contract with the Houston Texans, but the 22 civil lawsuits filed against Watson for sexual misconduct may derail his whole season. It is important to note that Watson has not been charged with any crime, the NFL have begun their own investigation but whether he will play in Houston or not is up in the air. The case is a mix of lawyer egos, FBI involvement, and allegations of blackmail.
3. Dak Prescott – $40 Million
Dak Prescott (Getty)
The man who has the task to lead the Dallas Cowboys back to glory, Dak Prescott, is the third highest paid QB in the NFL. Prescott has a sensational 42-27 record in the NFL and various league and team records. Last season Prescott went down with an injury but is still the team’s franchise player.
2. Josh Allen – $43 Million
Josh Allen (Getty)
Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills want this to be their season. Allen now in his fourth season has impressed with many NFL records such as being the first QB to rush at least 95 years in three consecutive games.
1. Patrick Mahomes – $45 Million
Patrick Mahomes (Getty)
Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes is a man on a mission after missing out on his second Super Bowl last season. Mahomes is the best of the QB crop in the NFL, what else can be said about Patrick Mahomes that we don’t already know? Well deserving of his salary, so much he even bought a piece of the MLS franchise Sporting Kansas City.
