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After Josh Allen’s extension, who are the NFL’s highest-paid quarterbacks?

We take a look at the most highly paid quarterbacks entering the 2021 NFL season following Josh Allen’s $268 million extension. Who is making the most money at the quarterback position?

By kate.magdziuk
Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills watches a drill during training camp at Highmark Stadium on July 31, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images

The Buffalo Bills announced Friday that franchise quarterback and 2018’s 7th overall pick, Josh Allen, has received a big-time extension worth $258 million, including $150 million in guarantees.

After a big-time third-year leap that led the Bills to a 13-3 regular season record and their first trip to the AFC conference finals since the 1993 season, Allen’s earned himself a deal that lands him among the league’s highest paid quarterbacks. Allen now breaks the record for most guaranteed money among NFL quarterbacks ($150 million) and most guaranteed money upon signing ($100 million) in NFL history.

There are four quarterbacks left among 2018 first-round picks who have yet to sign a long-term extension with their current rosters. These include first overall pick Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen and Lamar Jackson. Darnold enters the 2021 season as a Carolina Panther after being traded from the New York Jets, who drafted him No. 3 overall, while Rosen sits third on the depth chart for the 49ers — the fourth team he’s signed with since drafted in 2018.

Here’s a look at the quarterback contracts with the highest total values, average annual salaries and most guaranteed money heading into the 2021 NFL season. Salary information comes courtesy of Over The Cap.

QB contracts with the highest total value

  1. Patrick Mahomes — $450 million
  2. Josh Allen — $258 million
  3. Dak Prescott — $160 million
  4. Deshaun Watson — $156 million
  5. Matt Ryan — $150 million
  6. Russell Wilson — $140 million
  7. Jimmy Garoppolo — $137.5 million
  8. Matthew Stafford — $135 million
  9. Aaron Rodgers, Jared Goff — $134 million

QBs with the highest average annual salary

  1. Patrick Mahomes — $45 million per season
  2. Josh Allen — $43 million per season
  3. Dak Prescott — $40 million per season
  4. Deshaun Watson — $39 million per season
  5. Russell Wilson — $35 million per season
  6. Aaron Rodgers, Jared Goff — $33.5 million per season
  7. Kirk Cousins — $33 million per season
  8. Carson Wentz — $32 million per season
  9. Matt Ryan — $30 million per season

QBs with most guaranteed at signing

  1. Josh Allen — $100 million
  2. Dak Prescott — $95 million
  3. Matt Ryan — $94.5 million
  4. Aaron Rodgers — $78.7 million
  5. Deshaun Watson — $74.9 million
  6. Russell Wilson — $70 million
  7. Carson Wentz — $66.5 million
  8. Patrick Mahomes — $63 million
  9. Ryan Tannehill — $62 million
  10. Kirk Cousins — $61 million

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