Hours before the Dallas Cowboys took the field in Cleveland on Sunday, quarterback Dak Prescott signed the largest contract in NFL history: a four-year deal worth $240 million. Prescott's extension comes after a series of high-profile paydays in the NFL, with quarterbacks like Jared Goff, Tua Tagovailoa, and Joe Burrow all reaching for the top spot in the offseason.
As the season officially kicks into full gear, here's a breakdown of the 10 highest-paid players in the league, based on the average annual value (AAV) of their current NFL contracts.
In July 2022, Murray signed a five-year contract extension worth $230.5 million. Following the announcement, Murray took to Instagram, expressing his gratitude and humility for the opportunity. Despite facing challenges as a non-traditional player, Murray thanked his parents, family, and the Cardinals organization for their unwavering support.
Murray's season was cut short due to an ACL tear in December 2022, but he made a strong comeback in November 2023, showcasing his talent on the field once again.
In April 2023, Eagles quarterback Hurts signed a five-year contract extension worth $255 million, becoming the highest-paid player in NFL history at the time. His agent, Nicole Lynn, made history as the first Black woman to represent an NFL quarterback in the Super Bowl, negotiating the groundbreaking deal.
Hurts led the Eagles to the Super Bowl in 2022 and continued his impressive performance in 2023, guiding the team to the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
Shortly after Hurts' record-breaking deal, Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens agreed to a five-year, $260 million extension. Jackson, known for representing himself, emphasized the importance of understanding the business side of football and expressed his commitment to self-representation throughout his career.
Jackson's accolades include being named NFL MVP twice and leading the Ravens to the AFC Championship game. He holds the third spot all-time for rushing yards by a quarterback.
Chargers QB Justin Herbert signed a five-year, $262.5 million extension in July 2023, acknowledging the honor of representing the Los Angeles Chargers and the support he has received from fans.
Head coach Dan Campbell led the Detroit Lions to their first NFC Championship game since 1992, with veteran QB Jared Goff signing a four-year, $212 million extension in May 2024. Goff expressed his excitement to continue playing for Detroit and thanked the fans for their unwavering support.
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa agreed to a four-year, $212.4 million extension in July 2024 after a standout season in 2023, leading the NFL in passing yards.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow signed a five-year, $275 million contract extension in September 2023, following his impressive performance that led the team to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1988.
Jaguars QB Lawrence also agreed to a five-year, $275 million extension in June 2024, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to continue his career in Jacksonville and his determination to bring a championship to the team.
Green Bay Packers signed Love to a four-year, $220 million contract extension in July 2024, solidifying his role as the team's quarterback post-Aaron Rodgers era.
Prescott's historic contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys marked a significant milestone in NFL history, making him the highest-paid player in the league. The Cowboys secured a victory in their first game of the season, with Prescott leading the team to a 33-17 win against the Cleveland Browns.
