Mid-Tier Quarterbacks Shine Amid Rising Salaries

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – As NFL teams are investing heavily in top quarterbacks, a group of mid-tier players is defying expectations this season. The contracts for quarterbacks have skyrocketed, making it essential for teams to strike a balance between cost and performance.

Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins signed a stunning four-year deal worth $53 million annually in 2024, despite not winning a playoff game. Not long after, Dak Prescott secured a record-setting $60 million per year extension with the Dallas Cowboys. The trend indicates that to compete for a Super Bowl, having a top-tier quarterback is paramount.

This season, 15 quarterbacks earn at least $45 million per year, while a mix of rookies and backups makes less than Cam Ward’s initial salary of $12.2 million. Seven quarterbacks find themselves in a “mid-tier” contract range, earning between 5% and 15% of their team’s salary cap.

One standout in this mid-tier group is Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones. Signed for just one year at $14 million, Jones has propelled the Colts to a 7-1 record, averaging 33.8 points per game. He currently ranks second in expected points added (EPA) per play.

Another success story is Sam Darnold, who led the Minnesota Vikings to a 14-3 record in 2024. Although the Vikings let him go, the Seattle Seahawks acquired him for three years at $100 million. Darnold stands fourth in EPA per play this season.

Baker Mayfield, the 2018 No. 1 overall pick, has experienced a rollercoaster ride. After being traded by the Cleveland Browns for a fifth-round pick, he found new life with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023. Leading the team to the playoffs, he signed a three-year contract worth $100 million, and the Buccaneers hold a 6-2 record.

The success of mid-tier quarterbacks is not new. The Tennessee Titans recorded back-to-back double-digit wins while paying Ryan Tannehill $29.5 million annually. In 2020, the Colts made the playoffs with Philip Rivers earning $25 million, while the Buccaneers captured the Super Bowl with Tom Brady taking a pay cut to also earn $25 million.

However, not all mid-tier contracts have panned out. The New York Jets, with a two-year, $40 million deal for Justin Fields, stand at 1-7 this season. Similarly, Geno Smith‘s recent tenure with the Las Vegas Raiders has struggled, with a current record of 2-5.

Interestingly, the top four Super Bowl contenders, according to DraftKings, feature superstar quarterbacks. Yet, four of the seven teams employing mid-tier quarterbacks boast at least 25-to-1 odds to win the championship, while six out of the 15 high-salaried quarterbacks have similar odds.