Does anyone remember way back to when Jimmy Garoppolo became the NFL's highest-paid quarterback? Yes, you have to look all the way back to 2018 — you know, two years and some change — to when the San Francisco 49ers quarterback inked a then-record five-year deal with up to $137.5 million.
What a bargain.
That's not what some thought when the deal was signed. At the time, it seemed like a lot of money for a player who had started just seven games. Of course, he had won each of them.
Since then, 10 quarterbacks have leaped past Garoppolo when it comes to an average annual salary. The most recent is the reigning Super Bowl MVP, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who has reportedly agreed to a 10-year extension worth up to ... wait for it ... $503 million. Yes, half a billion dollars. It is the first such contract in sports history and locks up the talented young passer through the 2031 season.
According to Mahomes' agent, within the deal are $477 million in guaranteed mechanisms, on which the quarterback's average annual salary is based.
Congrats to @PatrickMahomes on agreeing to terms on a 10-year extension worth $503 Million. He gets $477M in guarantee mechanisms and ability to have outs if guarantee mechanisms aren't exercised. No trade clause. First half billion dollar player in sports history. History made. pic.twitter.com/beSGN4jyej
— Steinberg Sports (@SteinbergSports) July 6, 2020
That means Mahomes will be on the Chiefs' books for an average of $47.7 million per year. Garoppolo, by comparison, is earning an average of $27.5 million or just over $20 million less than Mahomes.
That's not to say that the two quarterbacks are comparable. Not even the most devout 49ers fan will make that claim. Mahomes, at 24 years old, has already passed for 9,412 yards with 76 touchdowns and 18 interceptions while earning two Pro Bowl selections, being named a first-team All-Pro, a league MVP, and he has won a championship.
Here's a breakdown of the cash flow on Patrick Mahomes' new contract with the #Chiefs. It'll take more than one tweet to fully explain, but the bonuses have varying vesting dates that paint a fuller picture of how the deal works. pic.twitter.com/LepwqYMT0K
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 6, 2020
Garoppolo led his team to the Super Bowl in his first full NFL season as a starter but fell just short of a win against Mahomes and the Chiefs.
Below are the NFL quarterbacks now earning a higher average salary than Garoppolo's $27.7 million, per Spotrac.
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs, $47,700,000
- Russell Wilson, Seahawks, $35,000,000
- Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers, $34,000,000
- Aaron Rodgers, Packers, $33,500,000
- Jared Goff, Rams, $33,500,000
- Kirk Cousins, Vikings, $33,000,000
- Carson Wentz, Eagles, $32,000,000
- Dak Prescott, Cowboys, $31,409,000
- Matt Ryan, Falcons, $30,000,000
- Ryan Tannehill, Titans, $29,500,000