Here are the NFL quarterbacks who will get paid more than Cam Newton in 2020

Tadd Haislop

Here are the NFL quarterbacks who will get paid more than Cam Newton in 2020 image

Shortly after news broke that Cam Newton was signing a one-year contract with the Patriots for 2020, we compared the situation to that of the Titans and Ryan Tannehill last year. Like Tennessee did, New England is making a low-risk move in signing a 31-year-old passer to a team-friendly deal.

So Newton can look to the Tannehill saga as a best-case scenario after apparently folding in what otherwise was a fruitless free agency market and signing such a cheap contract with the Patriots.

Tannehill, who also had signed a one-year deal, ended up earning just $5.425 million in cold hard cash last season while he displaced Marcus Mariota as the starting quarterback and helped the Titans reach the AFC championship game. In 2020, after signing a four-year extension, Tannehill will earn $37.5 million in cash from Tennessee.

IYER: Breaking down Patriots' new QB situation

Despite the injury issues that placed Newton in his current situation, he has a league MVP award on his resume, which is the reason people like 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman are baffled as to why the quarterback will make so little in his 10th NFL season.

Also mind-boggling is the amount of NFL quarterbacks who could end up making more money than Newton will from his new team in 2020.

How much is Cam Newton's Patriots contract worth?

The specifics of Newton's one-year contract with the Patriots are not yet known, but multiple reports have indicated it's a minimum deal with incentives to be earned. According to NFL Media, those incentives could push Newton's earnings up to a maximum of $7.5 million if he hits them.

Under the new collective bargaining agreement that was reached earlier this year, players with seven or more years of experience will have a minimum salary of $1.05 million in 2020.

Based on the maximum figure of $7.5 million for Newton in 2020, a total of 23 quarterbacks will make more cash from their teams this year. It's worth noting that the list will grow once Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert sign their rookie contracts with the Bengals and Chargers, respectively.

NFL QBs who will make more than Cam Newton in 2020

(2020 total cash figures via Spotrac)

Ranking Player Team Total cash in 2020
1. Russell Wilson Seahawks $53 million
2. Kirk Cousins Vikings $40 million
3. Carson Wentz Eagles $39.383 million
4. Ryan Tannehill Titans $37.5 million
5. Dak Prescott Cowboys $31.409 million
6. Jared Goff Rams $31.043 million
7. Ben Roethlisberger Steelers $26 million
8. Jimmy Garoppolo 49ers $25.2 million
T9. Tom Brady Buccaneers $25 million
T9. Drew Brees Saints $25 million
T9. Philip Rivers Colts $25 million
12. Teddy Bridgewater Panthers $24 million
13. Aaron Rodgers Packers $21.55 million
14. Matt Ryan Falcons $20.5 million
15. Tua Tagovailoa Dolphins $20.189 million
16. Derek Carr Raiders $19 million
17. Alex Smith Redskins $16 million
18. Jacoby Brissett Colts $15.875 million
19. Marcus Mariota Raiders $9.125 million
20. Taysom Hill Saints $8.841 million
21. Matthew Stafford Lions $8.3 million
T22. Ryan Fitzpatrick Dolphins $8 million
T22. Nick Foles Bears $8 million

BENDER: Why Newton improves Pats' title chances

Again, the $7.5 million for 2020 is a reported maximum for Newton. If he doesn't hit all of his incentives, he could drop even lower on the list of highest-paid NFL quarterbacks for 2020.

Below are all of the NFL quarterbacks who will make more than $1.05 million (the veteran minimum for which Newton reportedly signed) in cash for 2020. Total cash figures for 2020 again are courtesy of Spotrac.

NFL QBs who could make more than Cam Newton in 2020

Ranking Player Team Total cash in 2020
24. Case Keenum Browns $5.5 million
25. Tyrod Taylor Chargers $5 million
26. Mitchell Trubisky Bears $4.514 million
27. A.J. McCarron Texans $4 million
28. Baker Mayfield Browns $3.541 million
29. Chase Daniel Lions $3.5 million
30. Sam Darnold Jets $3.32 million
31. Andy Dalton Cowboys $3 million
32. Jameis Winston Saints $2.86 million
33. Patrick Mahomes Chiefs $2.795 million
34. Jeff Driskel Broncos $2.5 million
35. Josh Allen Bills $2.496 million
36. Deshaun Watson Texans $2.354 million
37. Colt McCoy Giants $2.25 million
38. Kyler Murray Cardinals $2.183 million
39. Josh Rosen Dolphins $2.17 million
40. Nathan Peterman Raiders $2.133 million
T41. Chad Henne Chiefs $2 million
T41. Nate Sudfield Eagles $2 million
T41. Robert Griffin III Ravens $2 million
T41. Matt Schaub Falcons $2 million
45. Matt Barkley Bills $1.825 million
46. Daniel Jones Giants $1.752 million
47. Ryan Griffin Buccaneers $1.645 million
48. Jacob Eason Colts $1.342 million
49. Lamar Jackson Ravens $1.341 million
50. Joe Flacco Jets $1.275 million
51. Cooper Rush Giants $1.252 million
T52. Blaine Gabbert Buccaneers $1.188 million
T52. Geno Smith Seahawks $1.188 million
54. Mike Glennon Jaguars $1.162 million
55. Dwayne Haskins Redskins $1.15 million

Patrick Mahomes, Deshaun Watson and Lamar Jackson obviously won't rank so low in cash flow for long, as all three will sign massive contract extensions in the near future. Mahomes surely will become the NFL's highest-paid quarterback.

How Newton's incentives are structured by the Patriots — and therefore what it will take for him to climb the 2020 quarterback cash flow ladder — is unclear. Most incentives in player contracts are tied to both individual (amount of starts, etc.) and team (playoff berth, etc.) success.

Tadd Haislop

Tadd Haislop is the Associate NFL Editor at SportingNews.com.