NFL teams are increasingly signing quarterbacks to contracts exceeding $50 million per year, a figure that some analysts and team executives believe is creating an unsustainable market for even average performers. This trend started with contracts like Aaron Rodgers' in 2013, which set a new benchmark, and has accelerated, with players like Joe Flacco and Andy Dalton signing deals in the range of $120-125 million, representing a significant portion of their team's salary cap. More recently, Jalen Hurts secured a $255 million deal over five years, only to be surpassed by Lamar Jackson's $260 million contract, with expectations that Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert will soon break these records.
Historically, median starting quarterbacks commanded around 6% of a team's payroll. However, with contracts now reaching $50 million, this figure can jump to 16.6% or more of the salary cap. For example, Joe Flacco's contract, representing about 13% of the team payroll, diverted approximately $8 million annually that could have been used to sign one high-quality veteran or two very good veterans at other positions. This allocation of a substantial portion of the salary cap to a single player, particularly an average one, can limit a team's ability to build a well-rounded roster, potentially leading to long-term mediocrity.
While some quarterbacks who signed contracts for at least 16.6% of the salary cap since 2013 have a median win percentage of 0.553, the high cost still raises questions about value. Many general managers and head coaches express concern over one player consuming nearly 20% of their cap, making it challenging to assemble a competitive 53-man team. Despite these concerns, the market continues to inflate, with the going rate for top quarterbacks soaring from around $20 million to $35 million per year since 2015, a 75% increase that outpaces the NFL's salary cap growth.
