Henry McKenna
NFL Reporter
There comes a time for each NFL QB when his contract has run its course. Generally that occurs on the literal finish of the deal. Extra usually, the crew and quarterback collide for contract negotiations earlier than the deal is over — or the crew trades (or cuts) the quarterback.
This offseason, we’ve seen multiple crew handle enterprise with its quarterback. Maybe most notably, 49ers QB Brock Purdy inked a five-year extension value $265 million. NFL MVP Josh Allen additionally bought a brand new cope with Buffalo. However it has been a reasonably quiet offseason in comparison with final 12 months, when a number of quarterbacks signed offers that pay them $50-plus million per 12 months.
Over the subsequent 12 months, issues ought to get attention-grabbing once more.
By this time subsequent 12 months, I believe six quarterbacks’ contracts will change into an issue — both for the crew or the participant. So let’s take a look at which conditions may get difficult.
Present deal: 5 years, $260 million, $52 million yearly
Jackson is presently the tenth highest-paid quarterback when it comes to annual pay. He has additionally made $30 million fewer {dollars} than Josh Allen because the two QBs entered the NFL in 2018, which most likely does not sit nicely with Jackson.
The Ravens and Jackson may each win with a brand new deal. The QB is ready to make nearly $30 million in new cash this 12 months, however that quantity will leap to nearly $60 million in new cash subsequent 12 months when his cap hit is $74.5 million. By placing collectively a brand new deal, the Ravens may decrease that 2026 hit to assist with roster-building. So there’s some incentive there.
However how a lot will Jackson need?
As a result of he may simply demand $60-plus million per 12 months.
Jackson is among the prime three quarterbacks within the NFL, and whereas Allen and Mahomes are taking team-friendly offers, they’ve additionally made a complete lot more cash than Jackson thus far. He can go the low cost route on the subsequent deal. Now could be a very good time to money in.
Present deal: 4 years, $36 million, $9 million yearly
Bryce Younger (proper) and C.J. Stroud, the primary two picks of the 2023 NFL Draft, have had their share of ups and downs of their first two NFL seasons. (Photograph by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos)
The 2023 draft has been a combined bag relating to quarterbacks, but when there’s one signal-caller from that class who you possibly can wager will receives a commission huge subsequent 12 months, it’s Stroud.
His rookie season was a masterpiece of effectivity. He threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. And he bought his OC Bobby Slowik into the dialog for a couple of head teaching jobs. In fact, final 12 months, Stroud struggled (3,727, 20 TDs, 12 INTs) and Slowik bought fired. So this 12 months will probably be an enormous one for Stroud to position himself on the prime of the market. And it might nearly be a straightforward dialog if Stroud had an enormous 12 months. The Texans may simply give him someplace round $60 million yearly and lock him up for the longterm.
It will get difficult if Stroud’s 2025 season isn’t nice. As a result of if he struggles to carry out at a excessive stage, then there will probably be questions on his worth. Would he take $50 million per 12 months? Would he take $55 million per 12 months? There may even be questions on whether or not the Texans delay extending him for an additional 12 months.
Present deal: 4 years, $37.9 million, $9.4 million yearly
Bryce Younger confirmed indicators of enchancment late within the 2024 season, presumably placing the Panthers in a diffiuclt spot down the road. (Photograph by Perry Knotts/Getty Photos)
The Panthers are letting Younger run the group on the outset of 2025. Previous that, it’s anybody’s guess. He’s not precisely overpaid, given the inconsistency of his profession up to now. He confirmed indicators of high-level efficiency on the finish of final season. However with a younger core and a powerful head coach, Younger wants to start out profitable video games.
If he can try this — and put up good numbers — the Panthers may simply decide to him for the longer term. However it will get murky if the Panthers aren’t profitable. It will get murkier if Younger’s statistics proceed to be underwhelming. He was dangerous sufficient for Carolina to bench him final 12 months. Younger’s 2025 season should be squeaky clear if he desires to earn himself long-term stability. As a result of in 2026, it’s simple to think about Younger might be making $50-plus million yearly. Or being a third-stringer on one other crew.
That’s how a lot the pendulum may swing.
Present deal: 4 years, $212 million, $53.1 million yearly
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel has a particular relationship together with his quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, however each of their jobs could also be in jeopardy if Miami’s 2025 season does not go nicely. (Photograph by Megan Briggs/Getty Photos)
Can Tagovailoa keep wholesome?
This can be a query for the Dolphins as a lot as it’s for Tua. As a result of he can management his protections earlier than the snap, however he can’t management his offensive line’s execution of these protections. Miami must hope its offensive line is best in 2025. And that Tagovailoa stays clear. And wholesome.
Tua, in the meantime, must cease working headfirst into defenders — like he did final 12 months when he suffered a concussion towards the Payments. If Tagovailoa can keep on the sphere, he may simply get this offense again into the elite type of 2023.
But when not, then his contract may look bloated. Coach Mike McDaniel may like Tua, but when the coach will get fired after one other down 12 months, will the subsequent coach suppose Tagovailoa is value his price ticket? If issues don’t go nicely, there’s an out of doors shot the Dolphins will commerce Tua subsequent offseason — due to his outsized contract.
Present deal: 5 years, $275 million, $55 million yearly
New head coach Liam Coen has an enormous job. He’s accountable for making Lawrence right into a $55 million QB. Final 12 months, Lawrence was not that. He completed with 2,045 yards, 11 passing touchdowns and 7 interceptions in 10 video games. It was a far cry from 2022, when Lawrence threw for 4,113 passing yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions whereas taking his crew to the playoffs.
The Jaguars handed Lawrence an enormous contract, as a result of what else had been they to do? He was the No. 1 total choose. He was a generational prospect. And letting him go away made little sense from a logistical standpoint — and even much less from an optics standpoint.
Every little thing is in line for Lawrence to make good on his contract. Coen is within the constructing. Brian Thomas Jr. is producing like a top-flight receiver. And the Jaguars swung huge with their trade-up for Travis Hunter.
However …
However!
The expectations for Lawrence are that he’ll far exceed what he is achieved in current historical past.
If Lawrence fails to hit ranges of manufacturing he’s by no means managed, then the Jaguars could have some critical questions on why they’re paying Lawrence the identical quantity that the Bengals are paying Joe Burrow.
There won’t be a complete lot the Jaguars can do about Lawrence’s deal within the close to future. But when he cannot elevate his sport, the deal will change into an enormous downside within the close to future.
Present deal: one 12 months, $14 million
Can Daniel Jones play nicely sufficient to be the Colts’ starter for a lot of the 2025 season? And in that case, what would a contract extension appear like? (Photograph by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos)
By placing Jones on this record, I’ve baked in my prediction about how his season goes to go together with Indianapolis. I believe the Colts are going to get nervous about Anthony Richardson’s lack of improvement, largely as a result of the management crew is on the recent seat. So when Richardson struggles, Indy will use these points to justify turning the place over to a extra steady presence: Jones. He’ll most likely begin 12 to fifteen video games. And through that point, he’ll seemingly put up numbers worthy of the Colts contemplating him for QB1 on a short-term deal, possibly two years.
However then what the heck do you pay him? How good would he need to be to make Baker Mayfield cash? Or Geno Smith cash?
I believe there’s an actual shot Jones might be angling for $40 million yearly right now subsequent 12 months. Would the Colts actually pay him that?
Earlier than becoming a member of FOX Sports activities as an NFL reporter and columnist, Henry McKenna spent seven years masking the Patriots for USA TODAY Sports activities Media Group and Boston Globe Media. Comply with him on Twitter at @henrycmckenna.
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