No one expected the 2024 NFL season to start like this. Teams like the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers are leaving fans stunned, keeping up with the reigning Super Bowl champs, the Kansas City Chiefs, and wrapping up Week 3 undefeated. Even more surprising is the impressive quarterback play behind these teams. Players like Justin Fields and Sam Darnold, considered castoffs by many, are now leading their squads to unexpected success.
On the flip side, big-name quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts haven’t been as sharp. They’ve combined for eight interceptions in just three weeks. Meanwhile, Trevor Lawrence and Deshaun Watson struggle to complete even 50% of their throws. With these high-profile passers faltering, fans and analysts alike are starting to wonder: Are big-money quarterbacks really worth the price tag?
Quarterbacks On A Budget: The Value Of The Underdog
Take Justin Fields and veteran Russell Wilson, for example. Fields and Wilson together command only about 10% of what other AFC North teams are paying their quarterbacks. As SportsLine pointed out, if the Cincinnati Bengals only had to pay $5 million for a starter, they could have locked in star wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to long-term deals. If freed from Watson’s massive salary, the Cleveland Browns might have re-signed Joe Flacco and invested more in their offensive line.
But, of course, these are just hypothetical scenarios. Who’s to say Chase and Higgins would stick with the Bengals if the plan was to rent a quarterback for a year? And Cincinnati’s 0-3 start proves Joe Burrow and Chase aren’t the team’s main problem.
What Do The Numbers Say About High-Paid Quarterbacks?
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Looking at the 2024 season so far, the stats tell an interesting story. The top 10 highest-paid quarterbacks have a combined record of 10-18. Meanwhile, the 11th-20th highest-paid signal-callers boast a combined 22-11 record. In short, the “mid-tier” NFL quarterbacks are delivering more bang for their buck.
However, this is a small sample size. Could these mid-tier quarterbacks — like Darnold, Fields, Baker Mayfield, Derek Carr, and Geno Smith — simply be benefiting from better team situations? Absolutely. Fields’ Bears can afford to stack their defense, while the Steelers have invested heavily in players like T.J. Watt and a loaded linebacker group. And then there’s the Buccaneers, who’ve surrounded Mayfield with stars like Mike Evans and a stout defense.
Expensive NFL Quarterbacks Still Hold Value
Even with this mid-tier success, some big-spending teams are still thriving. The Kansas City Chiefs, with Patrick Mahomes, and the Philadelphia Eagles, led by Jalen Hurts, continue to spend big. Both teams rank in the top 10 in 2024 cash spending, according to Spotrac, and both recently made Super Bowl appearances. If you look at the last 20 years of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks, you’ll see an even split between teams paying top-dollar for their quarterbacks and those relying on mid-tier earners.
For example, 12 of the last 20 Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks commanded top-11 salaries, including Mahomes, who won in 2023 with the highest cap hit in the league. While teams like the Seahawks in 2013 won with cheaper quarterbacks like Russell Wilson, who ranked 52nd in cap hit, the data shows a trend: elite quarterbacks often come with elite paychecks.
The Importance Of Generational Talent
Some NFL quarterbacks are just worth the investment. Mahomes and Tom Brady, responsible for eight of the last 20 Super Bowl titles, represent 40% of the last two decades’ championships. These generational talents elevate entire teams. Mahomes and Brady not only bring their own brilliance but also attract talent, creating dynasties.
Like Michael Jordan and LeBron James in the NBA, their presence extends beyond their own play. They improve rosters, inspire coaching, and draw in star players. For these rare quarterbacks, no price is too high. They’re worth every penny but also extremely hard to find.
Also Read: Which QB Holds The Record For The All-Time Highest Rushing Yards In NFL History?
Are Big-Money QBs Worth It?
In the end, it depends on the quarterback. Teams can go two ways: pay big bucks for elite talent or build a balanced roster around a mid-tier quarterback. Both strategies work, but they require careful planning. For example, the 2021 Rams went all in with Matthew Stafford and won it all. The Buccaneers did the same with Brady, while the Eagles spent smartly to stay competitive with Hurts.
But building a team around an expensive quarterback can be risky. The Eagles only made it to the Super Bowl after hitting the reset button on the Carson Wentz era, and now Hurts is playing on a new big-money deal. Meanwhile, teams like the Buccaneers and Rams had to offload key players after winning their Super Bowls with high-paid quarterbacks.
Striking The Right Balance
The key is finding balance. For teams without a generational talent like Mahomes, it’s about building the right supporting cast. Look at the 2023 Chiefs. Even without Tyreek Hill, Mahomes carried his team to a championship with a stronger run game and a tougher defense. The 2024 Bills are another great example, with Josh Allen leading a revamped offense that looks unstoppable despite shifting the receiving corps.
Teams like the Vikings, with a low-cost starter like Sam Darnold, can load up on stars like Justin Jefferson and field a dominant defense. The same goes for the Seahawks with Geno Smith and the Buccaneers with Mayfield. These teams are thriving because they’ve invested wisely around their quarterbacks. But let’s be honest — few teams would’ve gambled on Darnold, Mayfield, or Smith before the season began.
The Safe Bet: Stability Over Uncertainty
Most teams prefer to pay for stability, which is why guys like Jared Goff, Kirk Cousins, and Derek Carr still command high salaries. These quarterbacks may lack MVP-caliber traits, but they provide steady production and leadership. Teams know what they’re getting, and that security is often worth the high price tag.
But in the rare instances when teams take a chance — as the Chiefs did with Mahomes or the Eagles did with Hurts — they sometimes strike gold. The Packers found success with Aaron Rodgers after Brett Favre, and the 49ers are now betting on Brock Purdy after years of uncertainty.
So, are big-money quarterbacks worth it? It all depends. There’s no price too high if you’ve got a generational talent like Mahomes or Brady. But for most teams, success comes down to balance — building a strong supporting cast around a capable quarterback, whether he’s a superstar or a budget-friendly option. At the end of the day, football is a team sport. A great quarterback helps, but the whole roster wins championships.
Also Read: 10 Backup Quarterbacks In The NFL That Will Definitely Start Games In 2024
