NFL quarterbacks are now getting paid more than ever, but the demands of that current market also has teams wary about the value and worthiness of their hefty investment in their signal-callers.
Now, this isn’t to say that owners are reluctant to spend and commit to historic franchise contracts, as proven by the Giants’ Daniel Jones or Seahawks’ Geno Smith. However, the high demand in the market makes it nearly impossible for them to avoid such expensive investments.
Quarterbacks currently playing on their rookie deals and performing at a high level have never been more of an asset. So who are those fulfilling and satisfying a team owner’s pockets?
After an offseason led by a string of record-breaking deals featuring star players like the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, Eagles’ Jalen Hurts, and the game’s largest contract ever, Chargers’ Justin Herbert, IllinoisBet.com evaluates which teams truly get their money’s worth off the sport’s most important position.
Read on for our analysis, and don't forgert we're home to everything realted to Illinois sports betting.
Most Cost-Valuable Quarterbacks
Methodology
IllinoisBet.com, home to the best Illinois sports betting promos, calculated a value aggregate rank utilizing key QB stats (completion percentage, passing yards, passing touchdowns, rushing touchdowns) from Pro-Football-Reference.com to establish an aggregate passing rank as well as 2023 cap hit rank from OverTheCap.com.
To qualify for this list, players must be the expected starter for 2023 and have started in at least 12 games in 2022.
QBs Delivering Value and Performance Worthy of Their Contract
Jalen Hurts’ performance throughout the 2022-2023 NFL season is a dream scenario for owners.
Delivering on his rookie contract, Hurts led the Philadelphia Eagles to an NFC Championship and a Super Bowl appearance, losing a classic to Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs. Hurts was tied in first, along with Aaron Rodgers, with a 5.5 Value Aggregate ranking. Heading into the 2023 season, Hurts will be the third-lowest-paid quarterback on this list.
However, Hurts and the Eagles agreed on the third-largest NFL contract ever, five-year/$225 million, this summer which will kick in after this season. Those with a BetMGM bonus code Illinois are able to get action on Hurts' MVP odds (+1100) as well.
Rodgers, the highest paid on this list, also shares a 5.5 Value Aggregate ranking. Rodgers will finally enter a new season under a different team for the first time in his career, following 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers. However, Rodgers and the Jets agreed on a restructured deal entering this season, allowing the New York franchise more flexibility this offseason.
Players on this list that played under their rookie contracts during the 2022 season and ranked inside the Top 20 on an Aggregate Passing Rank were Hurts, the Bengals’ Joe Burrow, the Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence, the Chargers’ Justin Herbert, the Bears’ Justin Fields, and the Patriots’ Mac
Jones.
Hurts, Smith, and Herbert were the only quarterbacks to agree on contract extensions this offseason. Next in line will be Burrow, Lawrence, Fields, and Jones.
Will 2023 Be Justin Fields' Year?
For those keeping track of the Bears playoff chances, Fields' appearance on this list should come as a welcome relief. Despite the Bears' lowly 3-14 mark a season ago, there is genuine optimism in the Windy City.
GM Ryan Pace showed faith in Fields by trading the No. 1 overall pick, passing on exciting young QB prospects in Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson to build around Fields. The arrival of wideout D.J. Moore in that trade could go a long way to not only earning Fields that coveted second contract but also returning the Bears to the postseason.
For more NFL coverage, and continuous updating of the Bears Super Bowl Odds, stick with IllinoisBet.com.
