The Cincinnati Bengals transformed Joe Burrow into a wealthy individual last Thursday, inking a deal that goes down in NFL history as the most lucrative contract ever. At the age of 26, he’s set to amass an astounding $275 million over the span of five years, with a rock-solid $219.01 million guaranteed. This translates to an impressive annual average income of $55 million. Not too shabby, right?
Burrow joins the ranks of numerous star quarterbacks who’ve recently inked jaw-dropping contracts this summer. Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, and Justin Herbert all secured deals that exceed $50 million annually. While the market for running backs appears to be on the decline, the quarterback market has never been more robust. Top-tier quarterbacks will continue to cash in on sizable paychecks.
With Burrow’s record-breaking contract freshly inked, it’s only a matter of time before another quarterback claims the title of the highest-paid player. Only a select few have the talent to challenge Burrow’s lofty benchmark, but there are a few standout candidates who could be next in line.
NFL Rumors: Dak Prescott May Follow in Joe Burrow’s Footsteps as the Next Big QB Contract
Dak Prescott could potentially become a free agent next summer. Progress on a possible contract extension has been sluggish, and Dallas recently acquired Trey Lance, a move that appears designed to exert pressure on Prescott in his contract year. There’s no guarantee that Dallas values Prescott as a $50 million-per-year player; it’s unlikely.
That being said, the quarterback market is soaring, and Prescott enjoys a strong reputation within the league. He has led highly successful regular-season teams and boasts two Pro Bowl selections. Currently earning an annual average of $40 million, there’s a decent chance that his next contract, whether with the Cowboys or another team, could command an even higher price tag.
Prescott’s fortunes could significantly improve with a deep postseason run. His contract situation will remain a focal point throughout the season for the Cowboys until he either signs a new deal or Jerry Jones states otherwise.
Despite being 30 years old, Prescott still has plenty left in the tank. He missed five games due to injury last season, during which Cooper Rush notably achieved a 4-1 record in Prescott’s absence. However, Prescott returned to his usual efficient form when healthy, completing 66.2 percent of his passes for 2,860 yards and 23 touchdowns while going 8-4 as the starting quarterback. Prescott did throw 15 interceptions, which is a concern and could make the Cowboys think twice about offering him the next mega-deal.
NFL Rumors: Joe Burrow Set the QB Market, and Tua Tagovailoa Could Be Next to Cash In
Tua Tagovailoa is poised to become a free agent in 2025. Although there are lingering concerns about his durability following multiple head injuries last season, the Dolphins’ offense flourished when he was on the field. Tagovailoa led the NFL in yards per completion, touchdown percentage, and quarterback rating. When he’s on top of his game, few are better.
The Dolphins have invested significantly in Tagovailoa’s supporting cast, with Tyreek Hill as one of the highest-paid receivers in football and Jaylen Waddle being a top-10 pick. The team has also shown interest in acquiring disgruntled Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, which would further bolster the offensive arsenal around Tagovailoa.
If Tua can complete a healthy season and lead the Dolphins to the playoffs, it’s highly likely that he’ll secure a lucrative contract extension. Miami lacks a viable successor on the roster, and Tagovailoa’s skill set aligns perfectly with Mike McDaniel’s innovative offense.
During the previous season, Tagovailoa completed 64.8 percent of his passes for 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions in 13 games. At 25 years old, he has ample time to put his injury concerns behind him and establish a long and prosperous career. It’s clear that the Dolphins hope Tagovailoa can achieve NFL success in South Beach.
NFL Rumors: It’s a Matter of When, Not If, the Jaguars Sign Trevor Lawrence to a Big Extension
It took Trevor Lawrence a bit of time to adapt to the NFL, but the former No. 1 overall pick from Clemson is well on his way to becoming a professional star. The Jacksonville Jaguars undoubtedly aim to leverage his talent for postseason success. At just 23 years old, Lawrence has over a decade of potential NFL stardom ahead of him.
While the Jaguars aren’t known for big spending, they wouldn’t have targeted Lawrence on draft night without the intention of developing him into a star and securing him for the long term. Lawrence is a significant financial draw for Jacksonville and represents a ticket to sustained relevance. Now in the penultimate year of his rookie contract, it’s only a matter of time before Lawrence secures his well-deserved payday.
In his second season, Lawrence made notable progress. He appeared in all 17 games and guided Jacksonville to a wild card playoff berth, posting a 9-8 record while accumulating 4,113 yards, 25 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions Less than half of the interceptions he threw during his rookie season, with an impressive 62.9% completion rate.
The Jaguars bolstered Lawrence’s supporting cast in the offseason, most notably with the acquisition of the recently reinstated Calvin Ridley. With a new No. 1 receiver in the mix and an elite running back to support him, Lawrence is primed for another surge in production. With that, a substantial increase in compensation should also be expected.
NFL Rumors: Josh Allen Is Due for Another Big Payday from the Bills
The Buffalo Bills locked in Josh Allen with a six-year, $258 million extension a couple of years ago, which was historic at the time. However, with Burrow, Herbert, Jackson, and Hurts resetting the market, it’s only fair for Allen to anticipate another substantial increase in his annual earnings.
His contract includes a potential opt-out before the 2026 season. While there’s no immediate rush for the Bills, it wouldn’t be wise to risk upsetting a foundational player like Allen. If he demands a revamped extension that matches or exceeds Burrow’s current annual value, the Bills may have little choice but to comply.
Allen is widely regarded as the second-best quarterback in the NFL and is still just 27 years old. He’s the ultimate dual-threat quarterback, gifted with exceptional arm talent and improvisational skills that consistently keep defenses on their toes. Allen can generate yards in the most improbable situations, frequently using his legs to extend plays or make substantial gains along the sideline.
Last season was a superstar-level performance from Allen. Over 16 regular-season games, he achieved a 63.3% completion rate, amassing 4,283 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions through the air. Additionally, he contributed 762 rushing yards and notched seven touchdowns on the ground. The Bills went 13-3 with Allen as their quarterback, emerging as a primary threat to Kansas City in the competitive AFC. Allen is unquestionably one of the few players deserving of a contract that approaches or surpasses Burrow’s current deal.
NFL Rumors: Chiefs Could Revise Patrick Mahomes’ Contract Amid Shifting QB Market
Patrick Mahomes signed a record-breaking 10-year, $450 million contract with the Chiefs in 2020, averaging $45 million annually. Kansas City theoretically has him under contract until 2031. So, why even consider a more expensive contract for him?
Well, because he’s Patrick Mahomes. Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach has stated his intention to monitor the evolving quarterback market concerning his prized superstar. Mahomes is the best player in football, a generational talent who has already delivered two Super Bowl titles to Kansas City. If he expresses a desire for a raise, the Chiefs should accommodate it. There’s no need to disrupt the status quo.
Mahomes has been exceptionally team-oriented, restructuring his contract multiple times to assist Kansas City in retaining other key players and maintaining roster depth. Despite his willingness to cooperate, the Chiefs have still faced challenges in contract negotiations with Chris Jones, a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. If Mahomes’ flexible contract can’t free up enough cap space to sign Jones outright, it’s only a matter of time until Mahomes requests a contract more commensurate with his value as the NFL’s top asset.
Kansas City may have some time and flexibility, but Mahomes is the cream of the crop. He’s under contract for another eight years, but in the rapidly changing landscape of the NFL market, that number holds little significance. While Burrow set a high bar, it’s improbable that he’s worth $10 million more per year than Mahomes. Another record-breaking deal for Mahomes seems almost inevitable.
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