Welcome to the golden era of quarterback contracts, where even “Mr. Irrelevant” becomes Mr. $265 Million. The San Francisco 49ers just locked up Brock Purdy—a seventh-round pick turned NFC Championship staple—with a five-year, $265 million extension, solidifying their commitment to a player whose rise is as improbable as it is lucrative. But Purdy’s deal is just the latest domino to fall in what’s becoming an all-out arms race among NFL franchises.
Purdy’s Payday: A Cinderella Story in Cash
Brock Purdy’s extension carries an average annual value (AAV) of $53 million, tying him for seventh among quarterbacks. The deal reportedly includes $181 million in guarantees, which would place him eighth in that category. This is not a fluke contract for a feel-good story—Purdy has been effective and playoff-tested, and the 49ers clearly see him as the long-term answer under center.
Considering where he started—the very last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft—this extension is seismic. Purdy now sits in the company of league elites, trailing only Mahomes, Allen, Burrow, Lawrence, and Prescott in total value. Not bad for a guy who once had to fight just to make the roster.
Allen’s Megadeal and the Price of MVP Performance
Of course, Purdy’s contract pales next to the blockbuster extension Josh Allen inked with the Bills: a six-year, $330 million pact with a record $250 million guaranteed. Allen’s résumé supports the investment—he’s the only player in league history with 25+ passing TDs, 10+ rushing TDs, and fewer than 10 interceptions in a single season.
Still, Allen’s story is as much about growth as it is about greatness. Once doubted for his erratic accuracy, he’s evolved into one of the NFL’s most dangerous offensive weapons. But while his 76-34 regular season record and 7-6 playoff mark shine, the shadow of Patrick Mahomes looms large. Kansas City has bounced Buffalo in four of the last five postseasons, including this year’s AFC title game.
Allen’s new deal keeps the Buffalo Bills in the hunt for years to come—but until he gets past Mahomes in January, it’s all just numbers on a page.
Big Contracts, Small Super Bowl Yield
What’s striking about the current quarterback market is how disconnected it is from championship hardware. Of the top 10 highest-paid quarterbacks by AAV, only Jalen Hurts has a Super Bowl win—and that was over Mahomes.
Even Patrick Mahomes, with his jaw-dropping 10-year, $450 million contract, now ranks 15th in AAV, proving just how quickly the salary landscape evolves. Mahomes’ deal still leads in total value, but the annual dollar arms race is sprinting ahead.
The NFL Market’s Message
This is a quarterback-driven league, and these contracts aren’t just about past performance—they’re about positional security, brand value, and upside. If you have a QB who can win you games in December and January, you pay him—even if he hasn’t hoisted a Lombardi yet.
The top-dollar club now includes:
- Dak Prescott ($60M/year, no MVP, no Super Bowl)
- Josh Allen ($55M/year, 1 MVP, no Super Bowl)
- Joe Burrow ($55M/year, 0 MVPs, 0-1 in Super Bowls)
- Trevor Lawrence ($55M/year, 1 playoff win)
- Jordan Love ($55M/year, breakout season, unproven)
- Tua Tagovailoa ($53.1M/year, 0-1 in playoffs)
- Brock Purdy ($53M/year, NFC title experience)
Lock in Your Guy Before it’s Too Late
Brock Purdy’s massive extension doesn’t just signal belief from the 49ers—it’s a message from across the league: If you’ve found “your guy,” pay him before someone else resets the market again.
The deals are getting bigger. The expectations? Even more massive.
Now the question looms: Who’s next to break the bank—and who will actually break through Mahomes’ postseason wall to justify it?
