Jalen Hurts has etched his name into NFL history, not just for his spectacular performance in Super Bowl LVII, but for becoming the first quarterback to win a championship while earning over $50 million per year.
Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chiefs in a 40-22 victory, proving that a high-paid quarterback can still lead a team to a championship. His five-year, $255 million contract, signed in 2023, made him the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL, with an average annual salary of $51 million.
According to NFL contract records, before Hurts, the highest-paid quarterback to win a Super Bowl was Patrick Mahomes, who earns an average of $45 million per season. While other quarterbacks have signed massive deals, only Hurts and Mahomes have reached the Super Bowl under their current contracts.
How the Eagles managed a $255 million contract
Despite Hurts’ record-breaking deal, the Eagles strategically structured his contract to remain competitive. As per salary cap reports, his 2024 salary was only $13.55 million, allowing the team to retain key players.
Here’s a breakdown of Hurt’s cap over the years:
- 2024 – $13.55 million
- 2025 – $21.86 million
- 2026 – $31.97 million
- 2027 – $42.13 million
- 2028 – $47.54 million
- 2029 (Void Year) – $97.55 million (Will be restructured or voided if he does not re-sign)
According to NFL salary cap sources, Eagles GM Howie Roseman strategically spread out Hurts’ signing bonus, prorated options, and guaranteed money to keep his cap number low while maintaining a strong roster.
Can teams win with a high-paid QB?
For years, NFL teams believed the best way to win a championship was by building around a quarterback on a rookie contract or a team-friendly deal. However, Hurts and the Eagles shattered that notion, proving that a team can still win a Super Bowl while paying their quarterback top-tier money.
Other highly-paid quarterbacks like Josh Allen ($43 million) and Lamar Jackson ($52 million) have come close, but only Hurts and Mahomes have reached the Super Bowl under mega-deals.
With a rising salary cap and smart financial planning, the Eagles have shown that even with a $50 million quarterback, a competitive roster can still be built—and Super Bowls can still be won.