In today’s NFL, the quarterback position isn’t just about arm talent or leadership — it’s about timing, leverage, and the ever-inflating market for elite passers. The league is witnessing a reshaping of the quarterback contract hierarchy, and each new deal tells a different story about value, risk, and franchise identity.
Dak Prescott is entering the second year of his deal with the Cowboys, and all eyes are on Dallas. After resetting the quarterback market with his $60 million-per-year contract in 2024, Prescott now holds the criticism of the highest paid player in the league. His cap hit is massive, and the Cowboys’ seeming overpay could cost them more down the line. Though questions remain about his postseason résumé, Prescott’s command of the offense in the regular season cannot go unnoticed, his play is on par with Patrick Mahomes during this time, yet the postseason has brought a different view. Only time will tell if this contract was worth it, but as of now, many will call it a massive overpay.
On the other side of the value spectrum is Brock Purdy, the former Mr. Irrelevant who’s become the NFL’s ultimate outlier. No longer on a seventh-round rookie deal that pays him less annually than most backups, Purdy no longer gives the 49ers one of the biggest competitive advantages in the league. Now being paid $53 million annually, it will be much harder to build a great team around him as they have for his rookie deal. It is too soon to tell if this deal is worth it, though I’m sure many will have opinions already.
Meanwhile, Josh Allen continues to redefine what it means to be a franchise cornerstone. His massive contract already places him near the top of the league, and though he hasn’t broken through to a Super Bowl, his consistent excellence and leadership have Buffalo committed for the long haul. The Bills built around Allen, and Allen has given them stability few franchises can match.
And then there’s Patrick Mahomes, the standard by which every quarterback — and every contract — is measured. His 10-year, $450 million deal was once seen as the most player-friendly megadeal in sports. Now, it’s arguably one of the best bargains in the league. As younger quarterbacks continue to push average salaries beyond $50 and even $60 million per year, Mahomes and the Chiefs are reportedly considering a restructure — one that would better reflect his unrivaled value to one of the league’s reigning dynasties.
The common thread through all these cases is simple: the price of a franchise quarterback is going up — and fast. Whether you’re an established star, a rising talent, or a late-round miracle, the NFL’s economic engine is rewarding quarterbacks like never before. The challenge for teams now isn’t just finding the right guy — it’s figuring out how to pay him without compromising everything else.