The NFL is a world of haves and have-nots. Either you have a franchise quarterback to build around or you don't. But what's interesting is that even within the small group of haves there exists a lot of differentiation. Contracts for franchise quarterbacks can vary greatly, either empowering or hampering a team from making further roster improvements based on a number of factors.
Recently, ESPN NFL Insider Mike Sando put together a list of the top QB contracts in the NFL. The list covered 18 signal-callers earning at least $9 million annually (with Tom Brady being an exception due to the guaranteed money). Listed for each player are his rankings among the 18 quarterbacks included in average money per year (APY), true guarantees and three-year APY.
So take a guess who No. 1 was.
"1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Contract ranks: 1st APY, 1st true guarantee, 3rd three-year APY
Three-year Total QBR: 76.7 (2nd)
"Rodgers had two years remaining on his previous deal when he negotiated this one. That helped the Packers get reasonable terms for the best quarterback in the game, with much of his salary compressed into the final two years, when it is not guaranteed."
Rodgers obviously has the stats (4,381 yards with 38 touchdowns, five interceptions and a 65.6 completion percentage in 2014) and the hardware (one Super Bowl ring, two MVPs) to back up his claim as the best quarterback in the league. But it is ability to carry his team from week-to-week that more than justifies the five years (including 2015) and $22 million per year he has left on his contract.
