Top 10 Highest Paid NFL Players of 2024

Johnny Monroe

August 26, 2024  •  5 Minute Read

Holidays

At CreditSoup, while most of the time we talk about various credit offers, how to save money, or even how to find solutions for paying off debts, today we are changing that up a bit. Keeping in tune with the financial discussions, we’re talking about something that might pique some interest this season – the NFL and its highest paid players. And as Labor Day kicks off, so does football season!

It’s no secret that when you make a name for yourself in the NFL, you’re in for a huge payday. How much you can earn as an NFL player depends on a variety of factors: your position, how much salary cap a team has available, how well you perform, how badly the team wants to keep you, and how good of an agent you have, among many other things.

While being in the NFL can set you up for years beyond your active career, not everyone pulls the same weight when it comes to padding your pockets. For example, practice squad players make between $216,000-$370,800 per year, while the highest paid QBs in the league are making over $50 million per year. With that being said, here is a list of the top 10 highest paid NFL players of 2024.

10. Deshaun Watson (QB), Cleveland Browns - $46 million

After a suspension in 2022 and shoulder injury last season, Watson has only had 12 starts with the Browns. In those 12 games he averaged 14.4 points per game and completed 59.8% of his passes. (Source: ESPN) We will see if he can complete a season healthy and free of criminal charges to live up to the $46 million price tag.

9. Kyler Murray (QB), Arizona Cardinals - $46.1 million

Being kept out of this preseason, the Cardinals are hoping to keep Murray healthy and ready to make some noise this year. Throwing for 1,799 yards in 2023, we may see that number on the rise this season with hyped rookie receiver, Marvin Harrison Jr., added to the mix.

8. Jalen Hurts (QB), Philadelphia Eagles - $51 million

Failing to make it back to the Super Bowl in 2023, Jalen Hurts is back with a vengeance. With 15 rushing touchdowns and 3,858 passing yards in the 2023 regular season (source: ESPN), Hurts has consistently been one of the top QBs in the NFL. With a strong receiving corp, a consistent offensive line, this season may prove to be no different.

7. Lamar Jackson (QB), Baltimore Ravens - $52 million

Entering his seventh pro season and after missing his ticket to the Super Bowl by 7 points, the reigning NFL MVP has got his sights set on a Lombardi trophy this year. In 2023, Jackson played in 16 games a posted a career-high total passing cards of 4,102 in the regular and postseason. (source: ESPN) All things go as planned, Lamar Jackson worth every penny of the $52 million he is eligible to earn this year.

6. Justin Herbert (QB), Los Angeles Chargers - $52.5 million

Despite Herbert being one of the more talented QBs in the league, the Chargers have faced some struggles in the past few seasons. After throwing for 3,134 yards in 2023 (source: ESPN), Herbert and the Chargers finished the season 5-12. Although Jim Harbaugh has been named the new head coach, without any weapons at wide receiver to support Herbert it seems that the Chargers may be in for another rebuilding season.

5. Jared Goff (QB), Detroit Lions - $53 million

Coming off one of the most dominant seasons in Lions’ history, Jared Goff is ready to make another run at the Super Bowl. Throwing for 4,575 yards in 2023, Goff was second in the league for passing yards and fourth in the league in passing touchdowns (source: ESPN). After falling to the 49ers by a narrow margin of 3 points in the NFC championship game, it’s safe to say that Jared Goff and the Lions may be a legitimate Super Bowl contender in 2024.

4. Tua Tagovailoa (QB), Miami Dolphins - $53.1 million

Tua finished the 2023 season leading the league with 4,624 passing yards and threw for 29 touchdowns (source: ESPN). After making the playoffs for two consecutive seasons and adding Odell Beckam Jr. to the receiving corps, Tua may be set up to have another dominant season and lead the Dolphins to the playoffs for a third time in a row.

3. Joe Burrow (QB), Cincinnati Bengals - $55 million

Plagued with calf and wrist injuries in 2023, Bengals star QB finished the season with only 2,309 yards (source: ESPN) and missed the playoffs, finishing last in the AFC north. This performance is a far contrast with the 2022 season after leading the Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance in 33 years. With that notch under his belt and coming into this new season healthy, we should expect to see a rebound season for Burrow and a potential run deep into the playoffs.

2. Trevor Lawrence (QB), Jacksonville Jaguars - $55 million

The 2021 number 1 overall draft pick has yet to showcase whether or not he is worth the $55 million price tag. Being one of four NFL teams that has never made a Super Bowl appearance, Jacksonville was hoping to find their franchise quarterback in Lawrence. Despite making a run at the playoffs in 2022, only 2 years after finishing the last in the league, Lawrence still has yet to showcase if he is the answer that Jacksonville has been looking for.

1. Jordan Love (QB), Green Bay Packers - $55 million

Coming into his first season as a starter, filling the shoes of future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers, it is an understatement to say that the expectations were high. After a weak start to the first half of the season, Love stepped up to the plate and finished the season as one of the top QBs of the NFL. Breaking first season-as-a-starter records of both Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre, it was made clear that Love has the potential to be the next great Packers quarterback. Will he live up to the $55 million price tag? We will see if last season was a fluke or if he really has what it takes to lead the next generation of Packers.

Wrapping it Up

To put it short and sweet, don’t be afraid to reach for those seemingly unattainable dreams. They may lead to a massive payout with hard work, determination and the right mindset.