The Jacksonville Jaguars signed QB Trevor Lawrence to a new contract. How does Lamar Jackson’s stack up after one year?
On April 27, 2023, the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson agreed to a five-year deal that made him the highest-paid player in the NFL. The contract was a five-year, $275 million deal, eclipsing Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts’ five-year, $255 million deal 10 days prior.
Just over a year has passed and numerous quarterback contracts have followed. Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow, Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert, Detroit Lions’ Jared Goff and Jacksonville Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence have all signed contracts with higher numbers in various areas.
So, I felt a breakdown was in order of the Top 10 quarterback contracts by total value.
Far and away, Mahomes’ deal still stands supreme. You’d have to add second-ranked Burrow’s and 11th ranked Kirk Cousins’ deal of $180 million together to surpass the near half-billion dollar deal Mahomes penned with the Chiefs.
But, the deal signed by Mahomes in 2020 has quickly lost its seismic AAV of $45 million in the four years, now ranking No. 8.
Jackson’s deal, signed just one year ago, has gone from the highest-paid deal in the NFL to No. 5 in a 14-month span.
Where things have completely ramped up are the guarantees.
Mahomes’ total guaranteed and fully guaranteed money rank last of the Top 10 biggest quarterback contracts. In fact, Mahomes’ fully guaranteed money ranks No. 14 among all quarterbacks and No. 20 among all active players. His average guaranteed money per year among players who’ve signed a contract of $80+ million ranks 60 of 64.
The other incredulous outlier is the signing of Deshaun Watson by the Cleveland Browns. In March 2022, they signed Watson to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million deal. Since then, the highest in fully guaranteed money has been Burrow with $146.5 million, and percentage-wise it goes to Goff, who’s new extension with the Lions accounted for 53.6% of the total value.
Jackson’s contract, signed one year ago, has been surpassed twice in fully guaranteed money, ranking him No. 4, and No. 3 by percentage of the deal guaranteed among the Top 10 deals.
Takeaway
The earlier you sign your quarterback, the better. If they’re among the best, paying them is in your best interest. The Ravens learned that by having a two-year negotiation with Jackson. The Dallas Cowboys have learned that multiple times over with Dak Prescott and are doing so once again this season. The price doesn’t go down with top-tier quarterback deals, nor any other upper echelon stars.