Top 2026 Quarterback Salaries
Top 2026 Quarterback Salaries
Quarterback is undeniably the most important position in football, and an examination of the top 2026 quarterback salaries finds a whopping 13 players making at least $30 million this season. 5 quarterbacks even top the $40 million mark in 2026. We take a closer look at the top 2026 quarterback salaries and see how each team´s quarterback salary stacks up against the league.
13 Players Making $30 Million Plus: Top 2026 Quarterback Salaries
Top 2026 Quarterback Salaries: Stafford, Herbert, Prescott, Allen, Watson Earn $40 Million Plus
Player Team Position Salary Cap Hit
Matthew Stafford Los Angeles Rams QB $48,266,668
Justin Herbert Los Angeles Chargers QB $46,345,675
Dak Prescott Dallas Cowboys QB $44,589,885
Josh Allen Buffalo Bills QB $44,228,000
Deshaun Watson Cleveland Browns QB $40,959,128
Baker Mayfield Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB $39,975,000
Sam Darnold Seattle Seahawks QB $37,900,000
Jared Goff Detroit Lions QB $37,600,000
Joe Burrow Cincinnati Bengals QB $37,599,784
Jordan Love Green Bay Packers QB $36,122,437
Patrick Mahomes Kansas City Chiefs QB $34,653,888
Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens QB $34,394,080
Jalen Hurts Philadelphia Eagles QB $31,971,800
Trevor Lawrence Jacksonville Jaguars QB $24,000,000
Brock Purdy San Francisco 49ers QB $23,709,530
Aaron Rodgers Pittsburgh Steelers QB $22,500,000
Daniel Jones Indianapolis Colts QB $19,180,000
Bryce Young Carolina Panthers QB $12,076,614
C.J. Stroud Houston Texans QB $11,543,396
Cameron Ward Tennessee Titans QB $11,099,913
This top tier is understandably filled by starters, as each quarterback is either an established franchise quarterback or a young quarterback hoping to get to that level (Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, Cam Ward)
Top 2026 Quarterback Salaries: Backups and Rookie Contracts
Top 2026 Quarterback Salaries
Sep 27, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) practcies before the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Player Team Position Salary Cap Hit
Anthony Richardson Indianapolis Colts QB $10,816,283
Caleb Williams Chicago Bears QB $10,768,925
Fernando Mendoza Las Vegas Raiders QB $10,412,836
Jacoby Brissett Arizona Cardinals QB $10,365,000
Jayden Daniels Washington Commanders QB $10,304,741
Drake Maye New England Patriots QB $9,992,663
Davis Mills Houston Texans QB $8,125,000
Jarrett Stidham Denver Broncos QB $8,000,000
Marcus Mariota Washington Commanders QB $7,340,000
Michael Penix Jr. Atlanta Falcons QB $6,250,919
J.J. McCarthy Minnesota Vikings QB $5,960,399
Gardner Minshew Arizona Cardinals QB $5,690,000
Malik Willis Miami Dolphins QB $5,672,000
Bo Nix Denver Broncos QB $5,076,318
Jameis Winston New York Giants QB $5,000,000
Tyson Bagent Chicago Bears QB $4,750,000
Mason Rudolph Pittsburgh Steelers QB $4,622,500
Ty Simpson Los Angeles Rams QB $4,620,392
Mitchell Trubisky Tennessee Titans QB $4,250,000
Kenny Pickett Carolina Panthers QB $4,000,000
This tier has one rookie(Ty Simpson), a mix of veterans, and a slew of quarterbacks playing on their rookie contracts. At least four in the bunch have huge contracts in their near future: Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, and Bo Nix. The list also includes the #1 pick in the 2026 draft, Fernando Mendoza, who likely will get an extension in the coming years.
Top 2026 Quarterback Salaries: Backups
Player Team Position Salary Cap Hit
Jaxson Dart New York Giants QB $3,858,620
Aidan O’Connell Las Vegas Raiders QB $3,801,345
Joe Flacco Cincinnati Bengals QB $3,333,333
Geno Smith New York Jets QB $3,300,000
Mac Jones San Francisco 49ers QB $3,130,000
Carson Wentz Minnesota Vikings QB $3,050,000
Justin Fields Kansas City Chiefs QB $3,000,000
Tyrod Taylor Green Bay Packers QB $2,852,941
Drew Lock Seattle Seahawks QB $2,750,000
Sam Howell Dallas Cowboys QB $2,500,000
Trey Lance Los Angeles Chargers QB $2,500,000
All but one quarterback in this tier is a backup, that being Jaxson Dart of the New York Giants.
The Last Word
Quarterback salaries have zoomed ahead in line with the explosion of the NFL´s revenue expansion and paired salary cap growth. The fact that thirteen quarterbacks now make more than $30 million this season is quite a statement. A huge takeaway from the top 2026 quarterback salaries is that teams
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Main Image: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images