10 Highest-Paid Quarterbacks For 2019 NFL Season, Dallas Cowboys Could Put Dak Prescott On List

Dak Prescott is making headlines as he looks to sign a contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys ahead of the 2019 NFL season. The two sides are negotiating a potential deal that could put the fourth-year player among the highest-paid quarterbacks in football.

The Athletic’s Mike Lombardi has reported that Dallas’ offer to Prescott is worth $30 million per year, and according to NFL Network’s Jane Slater, the quarterback is seeking a $40 million average annual salary. Multiple reports have shot down the idea that the Cowboys’ signal caller is demanding a $40 million salary, which would easily make him the highest-paid player the league has ever seen.

After earning just $1.62 million in the first three years of his career, Prescott is likely looking to make at least $30 million a year. Such a salary would tie him for fifth among all quarterbacks, though his decision might ultimately hinge on how much money the Cowboys are willing to guarantee him over the life of the extension. Prescott has a $2.025 million base salary before hitting free agency in 2020.

Here’s a look at the highest-paid quarterbacks ahead of the 2019 NFL season. The ranking is based on the average annual salary of each quarterback’s current contract, per Spotrac.

1) Russell Wilson: $35,000,000

The Seattle Seahawks signed the quarterback to a four-year, $140 million contract in April with $70 million guaranteed at signing. It’s the second-largest contract in league history.

2) Ben Roethlisberger: $34,000,000

The Pittsburgh Steelers gave Roethlisberger a two-year extension worth $68 million a week after Wilson inked his new deal. The two-time Super Bowl champion received a $37.5 million signing bonus.

3) Aaron Rodgers: $33,500,000

The Green Bay Packers gave Rodgers a $134 million contract in August 2018. The deal was technically a five-year, $110 million extension and can ultimately be worth up to $176 million.

4) Carson Wentz: $32,000,000

The Philadelphia Eagles signed Wentz to a four-year, $128 million contract in June. Wentz has played just 40 career NFL games, and the $66.4 million he was guaranteed at signing ranks fifth among all quarterbacks.

5) Matt Ryan: $30,000,000

The Atlanta Falcons signed Ryan to a five-year extension last year, guaranteeing him a record $94.5 million at signing. Four quarterbacks have a higher average salary than Ryan, but his $150 million deal is the most lucrative in NFL history.

6) Kirk Cousins: $28,000,000

The Minnesota Vikings made an unprecedented move by guaranteeing Cousins’ entire $84 million contract when they signed him a year and a half ago in free agency. The quarterback will have earned $125.496 million in his career through the 2020 season.

7) Jimmy Garoppolo: $27,500,000

The San Francisco 49ers were convinced after Garoppolo made just five starts under center in 2017 to sign him to a five-year, $137.5 million contract. The deal paid Garoppolo close to $42 million in 2018 with $74.1 million guaranteed for injuries.

8) Matthew Stafford: $27,000,000

The Detroit Lions agreed to a then-record five-year, $135 million contract with their quarterback just prior to the 2017 season. Stafford received a $60.5 million signing bonus.

9) Derek Carr: $25,000,000

The Oakland Raiders might be regretting the five-year, $125 million contract they gave to Carr in the summer of 2017. The quarterback has since gone 10-21 as a starter.

10) Drew Brees: $25,000,000

The New Orleans Saints signed Brees to a two-year, $50 million contract prior to his age-39 season in 2018. A little more than 40 percent of the deal was guaranteed at signing, though the quarterback will make every penny of the contract before becoming a free agent in 2020.