Jalen Hurts just became the highest-paid player in the NFL with the five-year, $255 million contract extension he got from the Eagles. But Hurts' average annual salary reign vs. fellow young veteran quarterbacks won't last too long with Joe Burrow needing to get paid big-time soon by the Bengals.
Hurts, only 24, has gone from second-round pick in 2020 to getting $51 million per season. His deal includes $179.3 million in guaranteed money and a no-trade clause. Burrow, the No. 1 overall pick in '20, is now a lock to get well more than that.
There has been much speculation on what Burrow's post-rookie contract will look like. Given Aaron Rodgers was earning an average of $50.271 million annually before Hurts signed, what Hurts got per year ($51 million) was more the floor than ceiling for what Burrow can expect to average a season.
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There has been a gradual bump in such salaries with the latest top QBs getting paid. Now including Hurts and with the notable exception of Patrick Mahomes, who got an unique $450 million decade-long deal with the Chiefs, here are the five other quarterbacks who have a total contract value of more than $230 million:
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (five years, $255 million)
- Josh Allen, Bills (six years, $258 million)
- Russell Wilson, Broncos (five years, $242.588 million)
- Kyler Murray, Cardinals (five years, $230.5 million)
- Deshaun Watson, Browns (five years, $230 million)
Now here's looking at the top five quarterbacks in practical guaranteed money:
- Deshaun Watson, Browns ($230 million, 100 percent)
- Kyler Murray, Cardinals ($189.5 million, 82.2 percent)
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles ($179.3 million, 70.3 percent)
- Russell Wilson, Broncos ($161 million, 66.4 percent)
- Aaron Rodgers, Packers ($150.815 million, 100 percent)
Watson has proved to be guaranteed money anomaly given the desperate situation of the Browns in his move from the Texans. Wilson also got a helpful bump from being traded from the Seahawks.
Rodgers was appeased short-term in Green Bay a year ago to return for his Age-38 season ahead of his pending trade to the Jets this offseason. Hurts was in the same draft class as Burrow with also one recent Super Bowl appearance, but Murray previously provided the best the preceding parameters for Burrow.
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The only question is whether Burrow will also get a five-year deal. Given how his cemented status in Cincinnati to parallel to that of Mahomes in Kansas City, it would not surprise anyone if Burrow, 26, locks in for much longer.
The spread-out nature of Mahomes' deal gives the Chiefs more financial flexibility to keep winning big with him. It paid off right away with him leading them to a second Super Bowl ring in four seasons. Burrow has been smart to talk about how keeping the championship window open however long he plays is important to him.
Based on the market now, Burrow signing anywhere from 8 years and $440 million to 10 years and $550 million makes sense in relation to what Mahomes got just three years ago.
Using that $55 million per season, a five-year deal would be valued around $275 million. That would be a near 8 percent bump from Hurts, who got a 10 percent bump from Murray. Shorter term, keeping that in mind, Burrow can justify asking for $56 or $57 million per season.
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Burrow. like Hurts or Lamar Jackson, can't expect a fully guaranteed contract that Watson got. But asking for 75 percent guaranteed is reasonable. Burrow should easily clear $200 million total guaranteed, whatever ends up being the length of his contract.
The Bengals have the right numbers right in front of them with Burrow, but they just need to determine the right years and how to make sure stays well ahead of the other first-round QB from the 2020 draft about to break the bank, the Chargers' Justin Herbert.
Burrow already was guaranteed to get the NFL's next "record contract". The Eagles moving on Hurts before the draft only expedites the extension toward more favorable financials.
