Derek Carr became the highest-paid player in the NFL after signing a mega-deal with the Oakland Raiders last week. Oakland’s quarterback inked a five-year, $125 million contract that will make him the top-paid player in the league. Andrew Luck remains as the one with the highest salary at $140 million across six years. However, Carr will earn more money per year, so that gives him a nod.
There’s no question salaries will continue to go up in the NFL. With the league generating the most revenue ever, franchises are richer and the salary cap should continue to increase as well. This would translate into higher salaries, and there’s no question the quarterback role is the top position in the field.
With that on mind, let’s take a look at three potential players who could become the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL in the coming years. There are several options who could dethrone either Luck or Carr.
Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers is widely considered one of the best quarterbacks of all-time. The Green Bay Packers star has been extremely consistent throughout his career, and the accolades speak for themselves. Rodgers has a Super Bowl ring, a Super Bowl MVP, two regular season MVP and six Pro Bowl selections to show his worth.
The main question is whether he should be the highest-paid player in the league. He’s certainly one of the top earners now with a $22 million wage per year. And he’s on the stage of his career when he has enough for one more big contract. He’s already on a five-year, $110M deal. If nothing strange happens, he should top that mark for quite a decent margin. He’s good enough to deserve another raise. But age might be a factor, because he’s already 33 and should start his decline phase sooner than later.
Tom Brady
Just like Rodgers, Tom Brady is one of the best quarterbacks of all time, but he’s also a veteran who might be closer to retirement than a decline itself. Brady is widely known as an all-time great, but no one can defeat Father Time. And while Brady has defying the odds through much of his career, eventually he will start to decline.
This puts on hold the notion of him being the highest-paid players of the league. The numbers do not lie, though. Brady has won five Super Bowl rings, four Super Bowl MVP, and 12 Pro Bowl selections. However, he will be 40 once the season starts. One could say he doesn’t have much left in the tank. And even though Brady has proven his detractors time and time again, but we have to be honest: It would be crazy to pay him something between $25-30 million range.
Cam Newton
Last but not least, we have Cam Newton. The franchise quarterback of the Carolina Panthers is one of the most versatile players in the league. And he’s been the one leading the way when it comes to a new style of playing. He’s versatile enough to win games with his arms or his legs, and he is the player who exemplifies the term of “dual threat” better than anyone.
However, Newton has a few red flags. He has had two excellent years with Carolina, but he’s been very inconsistent throughout the rest of his career. And last year at times he couldn’t carry with the team. After all, the Panthers missed the playoffs after reaching the Super Bowl in 2015. And do you really want to pay almost $200 million to a quarterback who didn’t even made the postseason in 2016?
All three players are good options for a mega-extension of their current contracts. All three have at least an MVP award, and both Rodgers and Brady are among the top quarterbacks in the history of the league. But there are more factors aside performance and track record to take this kind of decision.
But if we can be sure about one thing, is that Carr will not be the highest-paid player in the league much longer.