Since assuming the starting quarterback position for the New England Patriots in 2001, Tom Brady has led the team to five Super Bowl victories and eight AFC championships. However, when it comes to salary, Brady is just 16th in the NFL among quarterbacks, even though Brady is easily the most accomplished. Recently, Matt Ryan signed a five-year, $150 million deal, with $100 million in guaranteed money with the Atlanta Falcons. Ryan got the deal one year after leading the Falcons to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Patriots, who came back from a 28-3 deficit.
According to Over the Cap website, Ryan currently leads NFL quarterbacks in average annual salary as he is set to earn $30 million per season in the next five years. Kirk Cousins recently signed a fully guaranteed three-year deal worth $84 million with the Minnesota Vikings, with a salary of $28 million per year. Brady’s former backup, Jimmy Garoppolo, signed a five-year, $137.5 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers after playing just six games last season, with five starts. Garoppolo is set to earn $27.5 million a year in San Francisco.
Other quarterbacks who earn more than Brady
The other quarterbacks who rank ahead of Brady in the salary list in terms of annual average earnings are: Matt Stafford of the Detroit Lions ($27 million), Derek Carr of the Oakland Raiders ($25 million), Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints ($25 million), Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts ($24.59 million), Alex Smith of the Washington Redskins ($23.5 million), Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens ($22.1 million), Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers ($22 million), Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks ($21.9 million), Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers ($21.85 million), Eli Manning of the New York Giants ($21 million), Philip Rivers of the San Diego Chargers ($20.8 million) and Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers ($20.76 million).
Brady came in 16th with a salary of just $20.5 million next season.
Brady could ask for huge contract
According to Ryan Hannable of WEEI, Brady could ask the Patriots for a huge deal and not a mere contract extension. Usually, Brady signs a contract extension with the Patriots if he has two years remaining on his deal. However, he has yet to sign a new extension this offseason, prompting rumors that he wants a raise just like what Ryan received from the Falcons.
Hannable added that a raise could be the reason why Brady decided to skip the team’s voluntary offseason workout, which he usually attends. In an earlier interview with Jeff Howe of The Athletic, Patriots team owner Robert Kraft said Brady’s contract extension is not an issue at the moment. However, Kraft said the team will deal with it once it becomes an issue.
