Ranking top 32 highest-paid QBs: Where does Colts' Anthony Richardson land? (2024)

Paul Bretl

June 14, 2024 7:41 am ET

The quarterback market continues to skyrocket, with Trevor Lawrence becoming the most recent player to receive a big payday. For the Colts, from a cap perspective, they have the benefit of still having Anthony Richardson with three years left on his rookie deal plus a fifth-year option.

Richardson’s rookie contract is paying him an average of roughly $8.5 million per year in comparison. His cap hit in 2024 is only $7.725 million. Relatively speaking, with a low cap figure, the Colts are able to invest into other positions. This offseason that included bolstering the defensive front and re-signing or extending key players like Michael Pittman, Zaire Franklin, DeForest Buckner, Kenny Moore, Julian Blackmon, and Grover Stewart.

But in terms of average annual value, where does Richardson’s contract rank among his peers? Lawrence is now the sixth quarterback to earn over $50 million per year, with Jordan Love and Tua Tagovailoa likely next in line to eclipse that mark.

Contract details via Over the Cap, except for Lawrence’s, which were reported by NFL Network.

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1. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati: $55 million per year

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks on during a press conference after at the IEL Indoor Facility in Cincinnati on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

While Burrow and Lawrence have equal average annual salaries now, Burrow wins the tiebreaker in the highest-paid quarterback competition given his $146.5 million in full guarantees, compared to Lawrence’s $142 million.

2. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville: $55 million per year

Dec 10, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) calls out a play during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jared Goff, Detroit: $53 million per year

Oct 15, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrates after beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

4. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers: $52.5 million per year

Nov 26, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws against the against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

5. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore: $52 million per year

Nov 27, 2022; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) warms up before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

6. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia: $51 million per year

Nov 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) reacts after a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

7. Kyler Murray, Arizona: $46.1 million per year

Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a pass during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

8. Deshaun Watson, Cleveland: $46 million per year

Jan 13, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson looks on from the sideline in a 2024 AFC wild card game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

9. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta: $45 million per year

Jun 3, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) shown in action on the field during Falcons OTA at the Falcons Training facility. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Cousins edges out Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes here. They’re tied in average annual salary at $45 million, but Cousins’ contract includes $90 million fully guaranteed compared to Mahomes’ $63.1 million. Mahomes beats Cousins in total guarantees ($141 million versus $100 million) due to the length of his deal, 10 years.

10. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City: $45 million per year

Nov 5, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany, ; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs with the ball against the Miami Dolphins in the second quarter during an NFL International Series game at Deutsche Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

11. Josh Allen, Buffalo: $43 million per year

Dec 6, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) warms up during a snow storm prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

12. Dak Prescott, Dallas: $40 million per year

Nov 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Prescott, Los Angeles’ Matthew Stafford and New York’s Daniel Jones each average $40 million in annual salary and are listed in order of full guarantees as a tiebreaker. Prescott, who is entering the final season of his contract, signed for $95 million fully guaranteed, Jones signed for $81 million and Stafford signed for $63 million.

13. Daniel Jones, New York Giants: $40 million per year

Oct 8, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) attempts a pass agianst the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

14. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams: $40 million per year

15. Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets: $37.5 million per year

Dec 24, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) on the field after the game against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Tied with New Orleans’ Derek Carr in average annual salary, Rodgers wins the tiebreaker here with $75 million fully guaranteed in his deal compared to Carr’s $60 million.

16. Derek Carr, New Orleans: $37.5 million per year

Oct 15, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

17. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay: $33.3 million per year

Nov 5, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

18. Geno Smith, Seattle: $25 million per year

Sep 24, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrates after converting a two-point conversion against the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

19. Jordan Love, Green Bay: $13.5 million per year

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) is pressured by New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) during the first quarter of their game Sunday, September 24, 2023 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.

20. Gardner Minshew, Las Vegas: $12.5 million per year

HENDERSON, NEVADA – JUNE 04: Quarterback Gardner Minshew #15 of the Las Vegas Raiders attends a news conference after an OTA offseason workout at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on June 04, 2024 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

21. Sam Darnold, Minnesota: $10.0 million per year

Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

22. Caleb Williams, Chicago: $9.871 million per year

Apr 26, 2024; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears number one draft choice Caleb Williams at a press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

23. Bryce Young, Carolina: $9.488 million per year

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

24. Jayden Daniels, Washington: $9.436 million per year

Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels poses after being selected by the Washington Commanders as the No. 2 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

25. Drake Maye, New England: $9.159 million per year

Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the New England Patriots as the No. 3 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

26. CJ Stroud, Houston: $9.069 million per year

(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

27. Zach Wilson, Denver: $8.787 million per year

Jan 9, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) throws a pass in the third quarter game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

28. Trey Lance, Dallas: $8.526 million per year

Jun 5, 2024; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance (19) goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports

29. Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis: $8.498 million per year

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) looks over the line of scrimmage Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, during a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston

30. Jacoby Brissett, New England: $8.0 million per year

Jun 10, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (14) hands the ball to running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) at minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

31. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami: $7.568 million per year

Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

32. Marcus Mariota, Washington: $6.0 million per year

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

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