Quarterbacks Are Eating, But the Linemen Deserve More
We're in a new era of NFL money, and if you play quarterback, you're set for life. Patrick Mahomes’ 10-year, $450 million deal with the Chiefs back in 2020 really reset the market, making him the king of guaranteed money at $141.48 million for a long time. That’s a staggering number, even for a two-time Super Bowl MVP. But his reign at the top of the guaranteed pile for quarterbacks didn't last forever.
Thing is, Deshaun Watson swooped in with his five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract from the Browns in 2022. Every single penny of that deal is locked in, making him the true king of guaranteed cash for signal-callers. That’s a whole lot of faith for a guy who hadn't played in a year and a half. Kyler Murray isn't far behind either, with his five-year, $230.5 million extension from the Cardinals including $189.5 million guaranteed. It’s clear teams are willing to bet the farm on their franchise QBs, even if the on-field product hasn't always matched the paycheck.
Running back money is, frankly, a joke compared to the rest of the offensive skill positions. Christian McCaffrey, before his trade to the 49ers, signed a four-year, $64 million deal with the Panthers in 2020, with $30.06 million guaranteed. That’s the high-water mark for guaranteed money at the position. For wide receivers, Tyreek Hill's four-year, $120 million extension with the Dolphins in 2022 included $72.2 million guaranteed. That’s more than twice what the top running back gets, and Hill was a dominant force for Miami last season, hauling in 1,710 receiving yards. Tight ends are still fighting for respect, but T.J. Hockenson’s four-year, $66 million deal with the Vikings this past August came with $42.5 million guaranteed, setting a new bar. He’s a big target for Kirk Cousins, and the Vikings clearly value his role.
**The Unsung Heroes (and Their Paychecks)**
On the offensive line, it’s all about protecting those ridiculously expensive quarterbacks. Laremy Tunsil, the Texans’ left tackle, signed a three-year, $75 million extension in March 2023 that came with $60 million guaranteed. Protecting the blind side pays big. Quenton Nelson, the Colts' guard, got a four-year, $80 million extension with $60 million guaranteed in 2022. Those guys are literally the foundation of an offense, yet their guaranteed money often pales in comparison to a top-tier wideout. That’s a problem.
Defensively, Aaron Donald remains an absolute anomaly. His three-year, $95 million restructured deal with the Rams in 2022 included $65 million guaranteed. He’s a defensive tackle who makes quarterback money – and he’s earned every cent with three Defensive Player of the Year awards. Nick Bosa, the 49ers' edge rusher, just signed a five-year, $170 million deal with $110 million guaranteed in September 2023, making him the highest-paid non-QB in terms of guaranteed money. That kind of pass rush is invaluable. Roquan Smith, the Ravens' middle linebacker, locked in a five-year, $100 million deal with $60 million guaranteed in January 2023. He immediately transformed that Ravens defense.
For cornerbacks, Denzel Ward’s five-year, $100.5 million deal with the Browns in 2022 included $71.25 million guaranteed. He’s a lockdown corner, and Cleveland paid him like one. And Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Steelers' safety, got four years and $73.6 million with $36 million guaranteed in 2022. Look, the value of a dominant defense is clear, but the disparity in guaranteed money between even the best offensive and defensive players (outside of Bosa and Donald) is pretty stark.
Here's the thing: while quarterbacks are clearly crucial, the gap in guaranteed money between them and the elite offensive linemen who protect them is too wide. Those tackles and guards are just as vital to offensive success, if not more so, than some of the highly paid skill players. My bold prediction? Within the next three years, we'll see an elite offensive tackle sign a deal with over $100 million in guaranteed money. It’s coming.