08 March 2023 , 14:34
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The New York Giants were finally able to put an end to their quarterback sage on Tuesday night when they signed Daniel Jones to a new four-year extension deal, in doing so making him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league.
Jones was reportedly asking for as much as $45million per year, a price that many would argue is too much for a quarterback who had struggled through his first three years as a starter, but did agree to take less to remain with the team on the rise.
The parties agreed on a four-year, $160m contract with $35m in incentives with Jones - in a huge showing of faith to the quarterback who has not yet proven to be an above average starter.
After his extension, Jones will make an average of $40m per year for the next five years, likely to receive all of the money with the Giants believing they have found their franchise quarterback.
That is more than five of the best quarterbacks in the league, as the Mirror NFL looks into those who are now criminally underpaid and will be chasing a huge extension in the coming months.
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Joe Burrow ($7 million)
Burrow is now in the final year of his rookie contract and will be eligible for a huge extension this time next summer. In the last two seasons, the former LSU quarterback has played as well as anyone in the league, vaulting himself into the conversation alongside Patrick Mahomes.
If Burrow is able to play at that level for another season, or even greater than, he could ask for north of $50m per year - more than what Aaron Rodgers (the league's highest paid player) currently earns.
Trevor Lawrence and Joe BurrowTrevor Lawrence ($8.7 million)
The first pick of the 2021 class, Trevor Lawrence needed a strong second season in the league and he did just that - separating himself from the other four quarterbacks in that class (Justin Fields, Mac Jones, Trey Lance and Zach Wilson).
Under a good offensive head-coach, Lawrence performed as one of the better passers in the league through the second half of the season while doing so with just average wide receivers.
If he shines once again this season, he could elevate himself into the top five debate along with the likes of Mahomes, Burrow, Justin Herbert and Josh Allen.
Justin Herbert ($5.8 million)
The Chargers quarterback is in the same boat as Burrow after being drafted just a few selections after him in the 2020 class. Although Herbert has not had anywhere near the same team success as Burrow has so far in the NFL, he has shown glimpses of why he could be the best quarterback in the league with some incredible throws.
Herbert will also command a huge deal next summer, when he is eligible to be paid with the Chargers likely more than happy to tie him down to a long-term deal.
Despite all this, Herbert will make just $5.8m this season.
Tua Tagovailoa ($6.7 million)
The Hawaiian quarterback was most likely fighting to keep his starting spot this past season after two disappointing opening years after being drafted so highly, but the former Alabama passer passed the test with flying colours.
Had it not been for three scary concussions, Tagovailoa might well have been in contention for MVP, being aided by his elite receivers in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
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Tagovailoa will be an interesting story to watch next off-season when he is available to be extended - is he worthy of the max deal he will probably ask for?
Jalen Hurts ($5.3 million)
Similarly to Tagovailoa, who Hurts was benched for at Alabama, the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback had to prove himself worthy of keeping the starting spot moving forward after two unconvincing seasons in the league.
But Hurts was one of the best players in the NFL this past season, and was the best player on the field in the Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
He will make $5.3m this season, but will be in line for a max extension if he continues to play at this level.