What Jalen Hurts’ record-breaking extension means for Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert
A new quarterback has joined the $50 million club. Not only that, but Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has broken new ground with his record-breaking contract extension. The deal, which makes Hurts the highest-paid player in league history in terms of annual salary, is sure to impact the upcoming deals of Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert.
Hurt’s five-year, $255 million extension will net him a record $51 million per season, just ahead of what Aaron Rodgers ($50.271 million) and Russell Wilson ($49 million) dollars) annually. The deal also includes $179.304 million in guarantees and a no-trade clause.
Here’s a player-by-player breakdown of how Hurts’ deal could affect upcoming deals for Jackson, Burrow and Herbert.
Hurts’ deal shouldn’t change much in terms of Jackson, who is reportedly wanting a deal near $200 million, most of which is guaranteed. It’s safe to say that Jackson would be on board with the deal Hurts just signed.
Jackson is reportedly not asking for the amount of money Hurts just received, so it’s not like Baltimore can use Hurts’ deal as leverage. Likewise, it wouldn’t make sense for Jackson to ask to make more money than Hurts, who narrowly failed in his quest for a Super Bowl win last season.
He may not ask about what Hurts just received, but Jackson doesn’t ask for change. Nor should he, since Jackson is a former league MVP who holds the unofficial title of greatest rushing quarterback in NFL history. And while his recent injuries complicate things even more, Jackson’s work and what he should be able to do should earn him a contract that puts him in the top five highest-paid quarterbacks in the league.
Like Jackson, Hurts Burrows’ deal shouldn’t affect considerations of a new contract. However, it does provide Burrow with an example of what he might be looking for in his next deal, especially when it comes to guaranteed money.
When it comes to his annual salary, Burrow faces a difficult decision. He could certainly ask to be included in the $50 million quarterbacks shortlist, but that would likely mean the Bengals can’t keep Tee Higgins with Ja’Marr Chase’s extension also looming. Burrow’s appreciation for Higgins is well known, and it’s likely he’ll likely leave some money on the table if it means Higgins staying with him for the better part of his prime.
Burrow’s current calculated market value is six years with an average annual salary of $48.150 million, according to Spotrac. That seems like a fair deal for both the Bengals and Burrow, who could potentially take even less money if it means increasing his chances of winning a ring.
This is where it gets interesting. It has previously been reported that Herbert is looking for a deal that will bring him at least $50 million annually. The question now is whether Herbert will attempt to secure a deal that will make him the league’s most-played player annually. He could now request a deal that would net him more than $51 million a season.
However, Herbert’s calculated market value is lower than Burrow’s at age six and an average annual salary of $46.675 million per season. Herbert’s lack of playoff success to date is undoubtedly why his market value isn’t as high as Burrow’s, whose five playoff wins in the last two years are more than any other quarterback.
While his team success isn’t as high as it was at Hurts or Burrow, Herbert’s on-field play justifies his reported contract hopes. Herbert is the first quarterback in NFL history to start his career with three consecutive 4,000-yard passing seasons. It also doesn’t hurt that Herbert is set in Los Angeles, a city that thrives on star power. The Chargers know this and will likely do whatever it takes to keep Herbert powder blue for years to come.
