xSICKxWITHxITx Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 Other NFC South QBs lag in salaryJuly, 11, 2012JUL 1111:29AM ETBy Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.comRECOMMEND1TWEET9COMMENTS28EMAILPRINTAll the talk about Drew Brees' quest for a new contract that will make him the highest-paid player in the NFL got me thinking about quarterback salaries and average per year. It remains very likely that, sometime between now and Monday afternoon, Brees and the Saints will work out a contract that pays him somewhere around an average of $20 million per season. That would put Brees on top of the list of quarterback pay. He’s earned that honor. But what about the rest of the NFC South quarterbacks? First off, let’s be clear that none of them are at the same level as Brees. But two of them are likely to come up for contract extensions sooner rather than later and Brees could help raise the bar. As it stands right now, Atlanta’s Matt Ryan is tied for No. 13 in average per year at $11.25 million. Ryan’s contract currently runs through the 2013 season and there have been some rumblings the Falcons could start looking to extend him. Unless he goes out and wins the Super Bowl this season, I don’t think Ryan falls into the category of elite quarterbacks, but I think it would take an average of somewhere between $14 million and $16 million a season to lock him up. Tampa Bay’s Josh Freeman ranks No. 22 with a $5.24 million average per year. Freeman’s coming off a tough season, but still has plenty of upside and also has a contract that expires after the 2013 season. If the Bucs really believe he is their franchise quarterback, they might be wise to try to extend him before Freeman gets a chance to get back on the field and really drive his price tag into the upper echelon. Then again, the Bucs might want to wait a bit to see if Freeman can recapture his style of play from the 2010 season before making any big commitment. Carolina’s Cam Newton is No. 21 with a $5.506 million average salary. Although he was the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft, Newton’s first contract was less than a lot of guys drafted in the years just ahead of him because the league put in new rules last year that limit rookie contracts. If Newton continues to play like he did as a rookie, he could be looking at numbers like Brees a few years down the road. I’ve assembled a list of the top 32 quarterbacks, based on average salary per year. Here it is: Quarterback Salaries and Average Per YearQuarterback Team SalaryPeyton Manning Broncos $19.2 millionTom Brady Patriots $18 millionEli Manning Giants $16.25 millionMichael Vick Eagles $16 millionPhilip Rivers Chargers $15.3 millionJay Cutler Bears $14.7 millionBen Roethlisberger Steelers $14.66 millionMark Sanchez Jets $13.492 millionSam Bradford Rams $13 millionAaron Rodgers Packers $12.704 millionKevin Kolb Cardinals $12.422 millionMatthew Stafford Lions $12.25 millionTony Romo Cowboys $11.25 millionMatt Ryan Falcons $11.25 millionCarson Palmer Raiders $10.75 millionRyan Fitzpatrick Bills $9.833 millionMatt Cassel Chiefs $9.67Alex Smith 49ers $8 millionMatt Hasselbeck Titans $6.67 millionMatt Flynn Seahawks $6.5 millionCam Newton Panthers $5.506 millionJosh Freeman Buccaneers $5.24 millionJoe Flacco Ravens $4.76 millionTarvaris Jackson Seahawks $4 millionJason Campbell Bears $3.5 millionKyle Orton Cowboys $3.5 millionChad Henne Jaguars $3.375 millionDavid Garrard Dolphins $3.35 millionJake Locker Titans $3.147 millionSeneca Wallace Browns $3.067 millionBlaine Gabbert Jaguars $3 millionTyler Thigpen Bills $3 million Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler11 Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 Kolb at $12.4 million - ouch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jah Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 lol @ the eagles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjerry Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 Rodgers will be 31 when his current contract expires, and will probably look to put himself at the top of that list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phattywankenobi Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 All 3 other QB's "lag" in salary because they are still playing from their rookie contract. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blizzard_falcon Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 I think if we extend Ryan later this year or early next year, we can use that Rivers-Cutler-Roethlisberger range as a base for his new contract. Top 10, but not Top 5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Right Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 I think if we extend Ryan later this year or early next year, we can use that Rivers-Cutler-Roethlisberger range as a base for his new contract. Top 10, but not Top 5.I'd put him at Fitzpatrick and Cassel range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
putnam6 Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 I can't wait for the **** season to get here.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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