There are many different paths to success in the NFL, but effective salary cap management is the most important factor when it comes to sustaining that success.
Some teams prioritize finding a franchise quarterback above all else, while others prefer to build the roster from the ground up before adding a QB.
The Atlanta Falcons fall in the latter category, investing their capital into the offensive line instead of paying top dollar for a quarterback. If Desmond Ridder can develop into a quality starting QB, the team will be set up for success over the next decade.
On the other hand, the Chargers just handed QB Justin Herbert a five-year, $262 million extension. Herbert is an undeniable star, but his extension could limit the team’s cap flexibility going forward.
Let’s check out where all 32 starting quarterbacks are ranked in terms of average yearly salary.
1
Justin Herbert, Chargers: $52.5 million per year
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 06: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers warms up prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 06, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
2
Lamar Jackson, Ravens: $52 million per year
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 23: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws the ball during warmups before the game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
3
Jalen Hurts, Eagles: $51 million per year
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws the ball as Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones (45) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
4
Aaron Rodgers, Jets: $50.3 million per year
Apr 26, 2023; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) (center) poses for a photo with New York Jets owners Christopher Johnson (left) Woody Johnson (right) during the introductory press conference at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports
5
Russell Wilson, Broncos: $49 million per year
Jan 8, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
6
Kyler Murray, Cardinals: $46.1 million per year
Oct 13, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up prior to facing the Atlanta Falcons at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
7
Deshaun Watson, Browns: $46 million per year
Jun 14, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass during minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
8
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs: $45 million per year
From left, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) and Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy on the sidelines as the Chiefs take on the Miami Dolphins during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)
9
Josh Allen, Bills: $43 million per year
Jan 2, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) avoids the tackle attempt of Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (6) during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
10
Matthew Stafford, Rams: $40 million per year
Sep 18, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) celebrates the touchdown scored by wide receiver Allen Robinson II (1) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
11
Daniel Jones, Giants: $40 million per year
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
12
Dak Prescott, Cowboys: $40 million per year
Nov 14, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) celebrates scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
13
Derek Carr, Saints: $37.5 million per year
Jun 13, 2023; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes during minicamp at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
14
Kirk Cousins, Vikings: $35 million per year
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins warms up before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
15
Jared Goff, Lions: $33.5 million per year
Dec 19, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) passes the ball during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
16
Ryan Tannehill, Titans: $29.5 million per year
Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) warms up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Atlanta, Ga.
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17
Geno Smith, Seahawks: $25 million per year
Oct 31, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) looks to pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
18
Jimmy Garoppolo, Raiders: $24.3 million
Mar 17, 2023; Henderson, NV, USA; New Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo speaks to the media at Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
19
Jordan Love, Packers: $13.5 million per year
Aug 25, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
20
Bryce Young, Panthers: $9.5 million per year
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – APRIL 27: (L-R) Bryce Young poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected first overall by the Carolina Panthers during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
21
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars: $9.2 million per year
Aug 27, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) before a game against the Atlanta Falcons before a game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
22
C.J. Stroud, Texans: $9.1 million per year
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – APRIL 27: (L-R) C.J. Stroud poses NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected second overall by the Houston Texans during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
23
Joe Burrow, Bengals: $9 million per year
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) watches an official review on the big screen in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Atlanta Falcons at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022. The Bengals won 35-17.
Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene-The Enquirer
Atlanta Falcons At Cincinnati Bengals Nfl Week 7
24
Anthony Richardson, Colts: $8.5 million per year
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – APRIL 27: (L-R) Anthony Richardson poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected fourth overall by the Indianapolis Colts during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
25
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins: $7.5 million per year
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) looks to pass the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
26
Justin Fields, Bears: $4.7 million per year
Nov 20, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) runs with the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
27
Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers: $4 million per year
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JANUARY 08: Baker Mayfield #17 of the Los Angeles Rams wears a shirt honoring Damar Hamlin #3 of the Buffalo Bills prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on January 08, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
28
Mac Jones, Patriots: $3.9 million per year
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) works against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
29
Kenny Pickett, Steelers: $3.5 million per year
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 04: Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
30
Desmond Ridder, Falcons: $1.34 million per year
Jul 26, 2023; Flowery Branch, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) pass the ball during the first day of training camp at IBM Performance Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
31
Sam Howell, Commanders: $1 million per year
Oct 23, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) on the field before the game against the Green Bay Packers at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
32
Brock Purdy, 49ers: $934,253 per year
Jan 29, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
