Ranking highest paid quarterbacks – Tua Tagovailoa makes $176 million more than Drake Maye

Tua Tagovailoa is overpaid, but Matthew Stafford deserves a raise.

Those are just two of the big conclusions from a look into the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL during the 2025 season.

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Patrick Mahomes, who has been the most successful signal caller of his era, holds the biggest contract in NFL history.

He signed a 10-year, $450 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020.

But Mahomes inked a team-friendly deal designed to make him rich, while still allowing the Chiefs to build around their franchise QB on the field.

In turn, Mahomes’ average annual value (AAV) of $45m is far behind what Dak Prescott and Tagovailoa receive yearly.

Drake Maye, who’s still on a four-year rookie deal valued at $36.6m, is wildly underpaid when compared to Tagovailoa’s huge $212m contract.

Second-year stars Bo Nix and Caleb Williams also must wait to receive their next big deals.

All together, NFL QBs are set to make more than $3 billion on their current contracts.

Who’s making too much and who deserves extra cash?

Let the debate begin as talkSPORT ranks the top-10 highest paid QBs in the NFL based off AAV.

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10. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Jackson has already won two MVPs and he’s become the face of the Ravens, despite not being picked until the final selection (No. 32) during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Since then, Action Jackson has changed the way the QB position is played and has turned ‘dual threat’ into an asset instead of a hindrance.

He finished second to Josh Allen in 2024 NFL MVP voting, yet is still searching for his first Super Bowl appearance.

Contract: $260m total, $52m AAV

9. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers were kicked out of the playoffs by the Houston Texans last season, and Herbert acknowledged the disappointing defeat was on him.

He’s responded with a superb start in 2025, guiding the Chargers to an 8-4 record and second place in the AFC West.

Herbert has a cannon for an arm and he’s exceeded expectations since becoming the No. 6 overall pick in 2020 out of Oregon.

He just needs to win a few big playoff games to justify more than $260m in promised cash.

Contract: $262.5m total, $52.5m AAV

talkSPORT reacts ... Rams smart with Stafford

The Rams got a deal with Matthew Stafford.

While Jacksonville has promised Trevor Lawrence $275 million and has little to show for it, Stafford entered Week 14 as one of the best QBs in the league.

He also agreed in February to a two-year, $84m deal that was a win-win for the 2021 Super Bowl champion and Los Angeles.

Stafford received $42m in AAV but the Rams can financially cut ties in 2027.

It’s a positive for Los Angeles that Stafford isn’t found on this top 10 money list.

Brian T. Smith, Senior US Sports Reporter

Tied-8. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

Goff has been perfect for Detroit since being cast aside by the Los Angeles Rams.

He went 15-2 last season as the Lions made weekly history.

Reaching the Super Bowl is the next big step.

But there’s no doubt that Goff changed the Lions’ franchise with one big trade in 2021.

Contract: $212m total, $53m AAV

T-8. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Mr. Irrelevant is now Mr. Cash.

Purdy raked in the dough after being the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft.

The 49ers also gave Purdy trade veto power normally reserved for only the best in the game.

But he’s only made one Pro Bowl, while the 2024 season was the worst of his career.

Then San Francisco’s franchise QB suffered shoulder and foot injuries to start the 2025 campaign.

Handing Purdy $265m and a powerful no-trade clause doesn’t sit well with some San Francisco supporters.

Contract: $265m total, $53m AAV

6. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

Tagovailoa has led an offense to 70 points in a single game and he can be explosive with the ball in hand.

But the Dolphins were 5-7 entering Week 14 in 2025 and Mike McDaniel isn’t the only big name in Miami fighting for his job.

Tagovailoa has yet to prove he can be a consistent winner in the NFL and he still needs to back up his huge contract.

Contract: $212.4m total, $53.1m AAV

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Tied-5. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers

Love is trying to crack the next level on the field.

He’s proven himself vs Aaron Rodgers and Jared Goff, yet fallen to Bryce Young and Joe Flacco.

Love is good but not elite yet.

With Micah Parsons on defense, the Pack need more from their talented QB.

A big win over the Lions on Thanksgiving was an encouraging sign.

Contract: $220m total, $55m AAV

T-5. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

Seeing Lawrence’s name this high on the list might stun some NFL fans.

He undoubtedly had franchise QB potential at Clemson, when he was viewed as a generational arm.

But Lawrence still hasn’t delivered on his college hype and the former No. 1 overall pick is only 30-42 as a starter.

New Jacksonville head coach Liam Coen was hired to get more out of Lawrence in 2025, and their on-field relationship is critical to the Jags’ success.

Contract: $275m total, $55m AAV

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T-5. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

After leading LSU to a perfect season in college, the former Ohio high school star became the No. 1 overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Burrow has already been to the Super Bowl and has become one of the main AFC rivals for the dominant Patrick Mahomes.

But frustrating injuries are beginning to take a toll on Joe Cool and the Bengals.

Burrow has already won NFL Comeback Player of the Year twice.

He missed several months of the 2025 season but is now trying to carry the Bengals into the playoffs.

Contract: $275m total, $55m AAV

T-5. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

Allen is unquestionably the Bills’ franchise QB.

But will he carry Buffalo where Jim Kelly couldn’t reach?

Kelly made four Super Bowls during the Bills’ glory days in the 1990s.

Allen has impressed since entering the NFL in 2018 as a risky No. 7 overall pick out of Wyoming, which isn’t famous for producing Super Bowl winners.

He’s already reached the playoffs in six seasons and won NFL MVP.

But there’s still another level that Allen can reach and he must get there if he’s going to eventually replace Kelly as the best QB in Bills history.

Contract: $330m total, $55m AAV

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1. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

The richest sports franchise in the world kicked off a new NFL season in 2024 by paying its franchise quarterback.

The Cowboys handed Prescott a massive four-year, $240 million extension, and his AAV is the highest in history.

Prescott is a three-time Pro Bowler and has put up big numbers in the past.

But the 32-year-old QB is just 2-5 in the playoffs and there are looming questions about his ability to lead the Cowboys in the future.

Prescott needs a Super Bowl trophy to pay off on the richest annual contract in the NFL.

The Cowboys started 3-5-1 this season, but they rose to 6-5-1 behind Prescott’s powerful arm.

Contract: $240m total, $60m AAV

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