NFL Quarterbacks: Who Delivers the Best Performance for Their Salary?
Statistical analysis has become an integral part of the NFL, giving fans and experts a granular look into player performances and team strategies. One often-overlooked metric is how a quarterback’s compensation compares to their actual on-field output. To shed light on this, we analyzed which NFL quarterbacks provide the most value for money when comparing their base salaries to passing yards achieved partway through the 2019 season.
Comparing QB Salaries to Passing Yardage: Who Stands Out?
Quarterback pay in the NFL can vary dramatically. At the high end, Kirk Cousins commands an annual base salary of $27.5 million, while rookie Kyler Murray earns $495,000—a standard figure for newcomers to the league. With such financial disparity, teams expect their most highly paid quarterbacks to deliver top-tier returns. However, our analysis revealed that high compensation doesn’t always translate to proportional productivity.
Kyler Murray, selected out of college as the first overall pick, leads the league in value, costing the Cardinals just $172.71 per passing yard. For a team searching for a franchise quarterback for years, this is an impressive payoff.
By contrast, Kirk Cousins, despite guiding the Minnesota Vikings toward playoff contention, is the most expensive quarterback per yard, costing the team $9,069.92 for every passing yard this season. This figure is more than double that of Tom Brady, who is often cited as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.
Patrick Mahomes, the reigning MVP at the time of analysis, also delivers strong value, costing the Kansas City Chiefs $216.23 per yard—despite missing several games due to injury. Jameis Winston, on the other hand, is the second-highest-paid quarterback with an annual salary of $20,922,000 but costs the Buccaneers $5,717.96 per yard, a number that far outpaces his effectiveness on the field given his high interception rate.
Lamar Jackson and Russell Wilson have also distinguished themselves, with Jackson’s cost per yard coming in at $359.61—raising questions about why his seemingly dominant performance doesn’t place him higher for value. As we’ll see, more factors are at play than passing yards alone.
Assessing the Impact of Dual-Threat Quarterbacks
The NFL has witnessed the rise of the mobile quarterback, a trend that’s changing how player value is calculated. Lamar Jackson, for example, is rewriting the script—having already rushed for 977 yards partway through the season, challenging Michael Vick’s longtime single-season record for rushing yards by a quarterback (1,039 yards).
Other notable dual-threat quarterbacks include Kyler Murray (446 rushing yards), Deshaun Watson (300), and Russell Wilson (284). Traditional pocket passer Tom Brady, by contrast, logged just 12 rushing yards, highlighting how some top QBs are less reliant on mobility.
Given this shift, it’s vital to consider rushing stats alongside passing when measuring a quarterback’s overall contribution. Factoring in both, Lamar Jackson’s total yardage (passing plus rushing) jumps to 3,509, dropping his cost per yard to $259.48 and painting a much clearer picture of his value.
Yet Kyler Murray remains the league leader, with an adjusted cost per yard of $149.46 when both passing and rushing are included. This underscores his all-around impact for the Cardinals, in spite of the team’s less-than-stellar record at the time (3-7-1).
Key Takeaways: Value Beyond Just Passing Stats
While Kyler Murray delivers the most value for his salary among NFL quarterbacks, Kirk Cousins stands at the opposite end with the least favorable dollar-per-yard ratio. The evolving role of the quarterback means that rushing yards now play an essential part in evaluating overall performance and value.
- Quarterback contracts don’t always align with actual on-field production.
- Younger, mobile quarterbacks often provide higher value due to lower rookie contracts and versatility.
- As the NFL continues to embrace player mobility, value calculations will increasingly factor in combined rushing and passing metrics.
Keep in mind, however, that statistics alone don’t capture a quarterback’s leadership, decision-making, or influence in crucial game moments. As teams adjust rosters and draft strategies, the search for that perfect blend of value and performance remains as fierce as ever in the NFL.
Data Sources:
NFL Salary Data
ESPN Player Stats
Spotrac QB Base Salaries
Note: All stats and financials accurate as of December 4, 2019.
For more insights into NFL signal-callers, see our deep dive into the best quarterbacks in NFL history.
