NFL: Top 10 Highest Paid Quarterbacks in NFL Heading Into 2015
It's hard to believe it's been five months since the New England Patriots defeated the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl. Seahawks fans are still trying to wrap their head around that final play call on the 1-yard line.
NFL fans are ready to go for a new year. As we all know, quarterbacks are the highest paid position players on the field. By far the biggest surprise heading into 2015 is Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. Wilson is scheduled to be the 28th highest paid quarterback in the league and the 377th highest paid player overall by base salary.
Here are the top 10 highest paid quarterbacks for 2015.
1. Drew Brees: 18.75 (26.4)
2. Eli Manning: 17 (19.75)
3. Philip Rivers: 15.75 (17.4)
4. Jay Cutler: 15.5 (16.5)
5. Peyton Manning: 15 (17.5)
6. Sam Bradford: 12.985 (12.985)
7. Alex Smith: 11.9 (15.6)
8. Matt Ryan: 11.5 (19.5)
9. Colin Kaepernick: 10.4 (15.2)
10. Matthew Stafford: 9.5 (17.72)
All amounts shown above are in the millions. First amount is base salary. Amount shown in parenthesis is the cap hit number.
New Orleans Saints' Brees stands on top in both categories. Not only will Brees make more than any other quarterback, any other player, but he also has the single largest salary cap hit in the league. In other words, Brees' bank account is set to accelerate quite a bit this year.
The only problem here for Saints fans is depth. With Brees' salary counting so much against the cap, the Saints were forced to make some big roster moves. This offseason they had to trade away superstar tight end Jimmy Graham to the Seahawks. The Saints also don't have a great defense.
The name that really stands out on that list to many NFL fans is Bradford. Bradford is the only quarterback in the top 10 who has never even made the playoffs. He's coming off two consecutive years with a torn ACL, and now he's with the Philadelphia Eagles with Chip Kelly. This is Bradford's final year under contract before he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
In case you were wondering, Tom Brady is scheduled to make $8 million in 2015, the 11th most of any NFL quarterback.
Of the top 10 highest paid quarterbacks, only three have been able to win a Super Bowl. Those three are Brees, Peyton Manning and Eli Manning. Another interesting fact is that only three of the quarterbacks listed above play in the AFC: Rivers of the San Diego Chargers, Manning of the Denver Broncos and Alex Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs. Manning is the oldest quarterback, listed at 39 years old, while Matthew Stafford, Colin Kaepernick and Sam Bradford are all 27 years old.
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