7 quarterbacks are paid more than 25 million; Only 3 in playoffs in 2013
The quarterback position has become the most prestigious position in the NFL because teams claim they need to have a franchise guy to lead their organization. While I would have agreed with that statement, I am in complete shock after reviewing ESPN’s 25 highest paid athletes list. What I found out was their are 7 quarterbacks in the NFL that are making more than 25 million dollars a year.
The stat that upset me though was not the fact that a guy was getting money, but the fact that the guys getting paid all the money are not even super stars at their position. Here is a list of the highest paid quarterbacks on the list.
Aaron Rodgers – 40 million
Matthew Stafford – 31.5 million
Tom Brady – 31 million
Matt Ryan – 30 million
Joe Flacco – 30 million
Tony Romo – 26.5 million
Peyton Manning – 25 million
Only three of those players made the playoffs in 2013. The four guys that did not make the playoffs had more losses than wins in 2013. They were a combined 27-37 on the season. That is horrible in a game that relies so much on their franchise guy. I don’t know about you, but the Quarterback position seems overrated to me.
Did you know that 6 of the 12 playoff teams quarterbacks had the lowest salary in the NFL? A matter of fact the second lowest paid quarterback in the league is the Super Bowl Champion…….
Name | Team | Total Value | 2013 Cash | Overall Pick | Free agency year |
Cam Newton | Panthers | 4 years, $22M | $2.38M | 1 | 2015 |
Andrew Luck | Colts | 4 years, $22.11M | $1.39M | 1 | 2016 |
Robert Griffin III | Redskins | 4 years, $21.12M | $1.35M | 2 | 2016 |
Jake Locker | Titans | 4 years, $12.59M | $1.52M | 8 | 2015 |
Ryan Tannehill | Dolphins | 4 years, $12.67M | $965k | 8 | 2016 |
Blaine Gabbert | Jaguars | 4 years, $12.01M | $1.47M | 10 | 2015 |
Christian Ponder | Vikings | 4 years, $10.16M | $1.3M | 12 | 2015 |
E.J. Manuel | Bills | 4 years, $8.89M | $5.25M | 16 | 2017 |
Nick Foles | Eagles | 4 years, $2.769M | $390k | 88 | 2016 |
Andy Dalton | Bengals | 4 years, $5.22M | $849k | 35 | 2015 |
Colin Kaepernick | 49ers | 4 years, $5.13M | $840k | 36 | 2015 |
Russell Wilson | Seahawks | 4 years, $3M | $526k | 75 | 2016 |
Russell Wilson made 526k which is probably the work out bonus for someone like Tony Romo. Cam Newton, Andrew Luck, Nick Foles, Andy Dalton, Colin Kaepernick and Wilson rounded out six of the teams that made the 2013 playoffs. If I were their agent, I would be demanding a pretty penny SOON.

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