Only 74 days left till the next season starts. As the season looms closer, anticipation builds, and discussions abound regarding which team possesses the most formidable roster and which team has made the most substantial financial commitment to a single player. Time and time again, it’s always a quarterback that comes at the top, be it Patrick Mahomes or Aaron Rodgers. However, this season is a bit different.

It is typically believed that the highest salaries in the league are determined by the athlete’s performance in the previous season. However, if this were to be the case, Mahomes would be the highest-paid quarterback in the league, which is far from the truth.

Patrick Mahomes does not even come close to the top of the list

Following their victory in the 2020 Super Bowl, the Chiefs extended the 2x MVP’s contract with a whopping $450 million contract. However, this substantial payout didn’t secure Mahomes at the top very long, as other teams wasted no time investing significant sums in a highly coveted QB. Currently, Mahomes earns $45 million annually, despite winning the Super Bowl last season. Adding further to the intrigue, the Eagles‘ QB, Jalen Hurts, who finished as the runner-up in last season’s Super Bowl is making $6 million more than Mahomes annually. And even he is not at the top of the list.

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The quarterback who rests at the mountain peak, in terms of annual earnings, is no other than Lamar Jackson. The $260 million extension for a 5-year period with the Ravens has made him surpass every other QB in the league. He is making 52 million dollars annually, while Jalen and Rogers are making 51 and 50 million dollars, respectively. And the most consistent quarterback in the league, who has led his team to two Super Bowl victories, stands at 7th position.

Who wins on-court? Jackson or Mahomes.

Jackson might surpass Mahomes in terms of payout, but Mahomes’s stats are close to unbeatable. The 2x MVP’s exceptional 5250 passing yards outshines Lamar’s 2242. Mahomes even recorded 41 touchdowns last season, which is 24 more than Action Jackson. Moreover, the Ravens quarterback hasn’t managed to win a Super Bowl yet, in his 5-year tenure. Oftentimes, stats speak louder than words, and Mahomes showcases his superior performance by a significant margin.

After Tom Brady’s retirement, Mahomes has been chosen by the NFL world as his successor. At just the age of 27, he’s already dubbed the GOAT of football by many, and it’s not certainly far-fetched. Over the past few seasons, the Chiefs have emerged as the most formidable team, thanks to the 2x MVP. And when it comes to salary considerations, it is evident that the team will want their star QB happy. There are already several contract restructuring rumors, and only time will tell how the negotiation ends up.

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