These players are on the books in 2020 for $17,000,000 or more, the salary Tony Romo will be earning as part of his landmark deal with CBS, a landmark contract for a sports analyst. Of course, more players figure to be added to the list through upcoming free agency and some could drop off if teams decide to rid themselves of the big pacts. Information courtesy of Spotrac.com.
Aaron Donald $17M
Okay, okay. The Rams’ star defensive lineman will only equal the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback at $17M in 2020.
Khalil Mack $17.2M
The Bears’ great linebacker checks in at $17.2M for the upcoming season. In 2020, Mack will earn a base salary of $13,300,000 and a roster bonus of $3,900,000.
Andy Dalton $17.7M
While he has been rumored to be on the trading block with the Bengals having the No. 1 overall pick — Joe Burrow, anyone — Andy Dalton is currently on the books for $17.7 million, which breaks down as follows: Dalton will earn a base salary of $17,500,000 and a workout bonus of $200,000.
Von Miller $18M
Denver’s defensive force will come in at a nice, neat $18M. That is part of a six-year, $114,100,000 contract, including a $17,000,000 signing bonus, $70,000,000 guaranteed. In 2020, Miller will earn a base salary of $17,500,000 and a workout bonus of $500,000.
Derek Carr $19M
The Las Vegas Raiders’ QB — for now — will reel in will earn a base salary of $18,900,000 and a workout bonus of $100,000. That is unless the team decides to move on from him and bank on another franchise QB.
Cam Newton $19.1M
In 2020, Cam Newton will earn a base salary of $18,600,000 and a workout bonus of $500,000, while carrying a cap hit of $21,100,000 and a dead cap value of $2,000,000. The question is whether it will come from Carolina or potentially another home.
Ezekiel Elliott $19.8M
Dallas’ elite running back Ezekiel Elliott will earn a base salary of $6,800,000 and a signing bonus of $13,000,000 in 2020. The workhorse will see the ball plenty of times to make sure he earns that dough.
Joe Flacco $20.25M
Joe Flacco figures to be one of the players who could be at-risk for 2020. Denver’s future and present is Drew Lock. Flacco wants to start but it is hard to believe John Elway & Co. will go in that direction For the time being, Flacco will earn a base salary of $20,250,000.
Matt Ryan $20.5M
The longtime Atlanta Falcons starting QB, Matt Ryan,will earn a base salary of $8,000,000 and a restructure bonus of $12,500,000. This is part of a five-year, $150,000,000 deal he is working through.
Ben Roethlisberger $21M
The Steelers hope Ben Roethlisberger returns and stays healthy for 2020. The first-round QB from the 2004 trifecta that delivered Eli Manning and Philip Rivers to the NFL is going to earn a base salary of $8,500,000 and a roster bonus of $12,500,000.
Trent Brown $21.5M
An offensive lineman appears on this list as the Raiders’ Trent Brown surfaces with a base salary of $21,250,000 and a workout bonus of $250,000.
Julio Jones $22.2M
The great Atlanta Falcons’ wide receiver, Julio Jones, joins Matt Ryan as those making more than Romo. Jones will reel in a base salary of $11,200,000 and a signing bonus of $11,000,000.
Jimmy Garoppolo $25.2M
Jimmy Garoppolo helped the Niners’ turnaround that got them to the Super Bowl after the 2019 season. The quarterback will will earn a base salary of $17,200,000, a roster bonus of $150,000 and a workout bonus of $600,000.
Frank Clark $27M
Frank Clark left Seattle for Kansas City. The defensive lineman brought a winning pedigree and helped lead the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl title in 50 years. He’s going to have a fancy ring and will earn a base salary of $17,000,000, a signing bonus of $9,500,000 and a workout bonus of $500,000.
Tom Brady $30M
This is one that is definitely subject to change due to Tom Brady’s impending free agency. One can be sure he won’t sign for less than the base salary of $30,000,000.
Kirk Cousins $30M
How time flies? Kirk Cousins will earn a base salary of $29,500,000 and a workout bonus of $500,000. This is the final year of the three-year, $84,000,000 contract he signed with Minnesota when he exited Washington before the 2018 season. Wonder if he is hoping for another deal that provides such riches after this one.
Jared Goff $31.042M
Jared Goff gets plenty of heat when the Rams fall. He can comfort himself by knowing he will earn a base salary of $10,042,682 and a roster bonus of $21,000,000 in 2020.
Carson Wentz $39.38M
Carson Wentz came out of the same NFL Draft as Jared Goff and is also enjoying the riches of being a starting QB. Philly needs him to stay healthy and be on the field while earning his base salary of $1,383,000, roster bonus of $8,000,000 and signing bonus of $30,000,000.
Russell Wilson $53M
For the time being, Russell Wilson tops the list. He will earn $18,000,000 in salary with a $13,000,000 signing bonus.
