Tom Brady is undoubtedly the most decorated quarterback of all time, but he’s been underpaid relative to his peers for years. Heading into his 20th NFL season, the 42-year-old quarterback signed a two-year contract “extension” with an annual average value of $28.3 million – which may or may not be a dig at the Atlanta Falcons.
Despite the raise, Brady will earn roughly half of what Ben Roethlisberger does in 2019, excluding endorsements. Here are the eight highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL for 2019, taking into account base salary and bonuses. All contract data via Spotrac.
1. Russell Wilson – $70 million
Russell Wilson became the highest-paid player in the NFL in April, signing a four-year, $140 million extension with a total of $107 million guaranteed, including a $65 million signing bonus.
2. Ben Roethlisberger – $45 million
The 37-year-old veteran signed a two-year contract extension in April that included a massive $37.5 million signing bonus, Big Ben will earn a total of $45 million when you include his base salary and 2019 roster bonus. Roethlisberger is set to make $21 million in 2020 and $19 million in 2021 if the Steelers keep him around that long.
3. Matt Ryan – $44.75 million
Ryan signed a 5-year, $100 million extension in 2018, and agreed in March to restructure his deal to receive a chunk of his salary as a bonus, which helped the Falcons with cap space. In all, Ryan will earn just $2.75 million in base salary, with the rest coming in bonuses.
4. Nick Foles – $30.75 million
Super Bowl XLII MVP Nick Foles cashed in with a move to Jacksonville, signing a four-year deal with $88 million – which can balloon up to nine figures with incentives. The deal included a $25 million signing bonus.
5. Kirk Cousins – $28 million
The Vikings will pay Cousins $27.5 million as a base salary, and a workout bonus of 500k.
6. Kyler Murray – $24.1 million
Murray signed a 4-year deal with the Cardinals worth $35 million, with 100% of the money guaranteed. Murray will earn the bulk of that cash in Year 1, as the deal came with a $23.5 million signing bonus.
T-7. Tom Brady – $23 million
T-7. Drew Brees – $23 million
Two of the most accomplished QBs in the league will be compensated equally in 2019. Brady’s “extension” earned him a raise of $8 million, as he was set to make a paltry $15 million.
