You don’t have to be a star to hit it rich in the NFL as a quarterback. All you have to do is find a way to stick around so the years and dollars continue to pile. A look at 10 quarterbacks — mainly journeymen — who have made an astonishing amount in pro football. Spotrac.com with the assist.
Jacoby Brissett
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett checks in at $17,355,075. He is 12-20 in 32 career starts. With Philip Rivers on the Colts, Brissett will likely move on or make more dough in a backup role.
Blaine Gabbert
Blaine Gabbert’s the backup to Tom Brady in Tampa Bay … for now. While he hasn’t made as much money in his career as the G.O.A.T. will in 2020, Gabbert has reeled in $20,526,851. Pretty good money for a quarterback who is 13-35 as a starter.
Matt Moore
Matt Moore started his career in 2007. He has played in 55 games, going 16-16 as a starter. He has a Super Bowl ring from last season with the Chiefs and has made $26,128,000.
Case Keenum
Case Keenum is on to his sixth team, the Cleveland Browns. He brings earnings of $32,681,151 and a starting record of 27-35.
Chad Henne
Chad Henne is 18-35 as a starter in a career that began with Miami n 2008. Along the way, the Chiefs’ backup has earned $33,330,135.
Chase Daniel
Chase Daniel is another Missouri QB on the list to go with Blaine Gabbert. He has made five starts in a career that began in 2010. Daniel is on to the Detroit Lions where he will add to his NFL bankroll of $34,309,164.
Brock Osweiler
Brock Osweiler wasn’t the answer in Houston or Denver or Miami. However, he can be satisfied to have picked up $41,396,679 in NFL checks in his mediocre career.
Colin Kaepernick
Colin Kapernick was in the NFL from 2011-16. He was 28-30 as a starter and earned $43,479,216. He would have added considerably more to that total if any team had reached out to sign him after the 49ers cut him.
Blake Bortles
How would you like to be the kind of NFL bust Blake Bortles was in Jacksonville and be able to soothe yourself knowing you have earned $47,154,802 for being less than mediocre.
Tyrod Taylor
Tyrod Taylor is in position to be a starter for the Los Angeles Chargers. He’s been in this spot before only to be bumped, like in Cleveland when Baker Mayfield came along. Justin Herbert is in the wings for the Bolts. Taylor won’t have room to complain, though, financially as he has already earned $49,301,548 2hile going 23-21-1 as a starter.
Nick Foles
Nick Foles will be a hero forever in Philly. He went to Jacksonville last season and is on to Chicago now. He has raked in $62,433,535 while going 26-22 as a starter. Twenty-one of those wins came with the Eagles. He is on to his fifth NFL team.
Josh McCown
Josh McCown is the ultimate in career backups. You may as well back up the Brinks truck because he has earned $51,668,000 while going 23-53 as a starter since 2002.
Marc Bulger
Marc Bulger went 41-54 for the St. Lous Rams from 2002-2009. He wound up banking $55,391,000.
Jeff Blake
This one is somewhat surprising. Who knew Jeff Blake made $60,452,200 while playing from 1992-2005 and going 39-61 as a starter for seven teams.
Ryan Fitzpatrick
You don’t need a Harvard education but it certainly helps with keeping your finances in order if you are an NFL QB as long as Ryan Fitzpatrick has been and earned $63,541,098.
