By agreeing to a staggering five-year contract extension for $ 245 million, Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson is now the proud holder of the second highest annual salary in the NFL. The surge of recent years in this position is continuing with renewed vigor.
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With an annual average of 49 million, the new man of confidence of the Broncos sees only one pivot ahead of him in the level of the highest earners. Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers maestro, holds the palm with a recently renegotiated contract which grants him 50.3 million per season.
And to think that as recently as July 2020, when Patrick Mahomes signed a lucrative $450 million 10-year deal with the Chiefs, his annual average of $45 million seemed unattainable. Today, in terms of annual salary, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback has already slipped to fifth among his peers.
A shock exchange
On March 8, the NFL planet was shaken when the Seattle Seahawks traded Wilson to the Broncos after 10 seasons of loyal service.
During that prolific era, the quarterback led his team eight times in the playoffs, including the only Super Bowl victory in franchise history, in 2013.
The Broncos paid top dollar for the services of the 33-year-old, who sent the Seahawks their first-round picks from the 2022 and 2023 drafts, as well as their second-round picks in 2022 and 2023 and their draft pick. fifth round in 2022. They also added three players (Drew Lock, Noah Fant and Shelby Harris)
It must be said that the Broncos have not tasted the playoffs since the retirement of Peyton Manning in 2015. Since then, they have sought desperately for this critical position by using 10 different starting quarterbacks.
Not 100% guaranteed
Where the Broncos and the NFL can claim victory in the balance of power with the players regarding Wilson’s rich contract is that “only” 165 of the 245 million are guaranteed.
Indeed, in March, Deshaun Watson was traded from the Houston Texans to the Cleveland Browns. His new team gave him a fully guaranteed five-year contract for 230 million.
Many in the Goodell circuit believed that fully guaranteed contracts for quarterbacks would become the norm.
However, recently, Derek Carr (Raiders) and Kyler Murray (Cardinals) agreed with their respective teams for contracts that did not include 100% guarantees, just like Wilson on Thursday.
Le cas Jackson
Wilson’s new contract seems to indicate that the Watson case risks becoming an exception rather than a trend. It remains to be seen what will happen to Lamar Jackson, who is also rumored to want a fully guaranteed contract from the Baltimore Ravens.
Jackson issued an ultimatum, telling his team that he would stop negotiating at the start of the season if there was no formal agreement in place.
In total contract value fees, Russell Wilson ($245 million) ranks third in the NFL, behind Josh Allen ($258 million) and Patrick Mahomes ($450 million).
He becomes the highest earner in Broncos history, without even having donned the uniform in a game.
HIGHEST EMPLOYEES (ANNUAL AVERAGE)
1. Aaron Rodgers, Packers (50,3 millions)
2. Russell Wilson, Broncos (49 millions)
3. Kyler Murray, Cardinals (46,1 millions)
4. Deshaun Watson, Browns (46 millions)
5. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (45 millions)
1. Stephen Curry, Warriors (53,8 millions)
2. Bradley Beal, Wizards (50,2 millions)
3. Kevin Durant, Nets (48,6 millions)
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks (45,6 millions)
5. Paul George, Clippers (44,1 millions)
MLB
1. Max Scherzer, Mets (43,3 millions)
2. Mike Trout, Angels (37,1 millions)
3. Anthony Rendon, Angels (36,5 millions)
4. Gerrit Cole, Yankees (36 millions)
5. Jacob DeGrom, Mets (36 millions)
NHL
1. Connor McDavid, Oilers (12,5 millions)
2. Artemi Panarin, Rangers (11,65 millions)
3. Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs (11,64 millions)
4. Erik Karlsson, Sharks (11,5 millions)
5. Leon Draisaitl, Oilers (11,3 millions)
*source : spotrac.com
