Jalen Hurts becomes highest paid NFL player

Jalen Hurts is making headlines as the highest-paid player in the NFL this week. The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback has extended his contract with the team for five years, for an eye-watering sum of €233 million. This new deal makes Hurts the top earner in the NFL next season, with an annual salary of almost $47 million. This is even more than the likes of Patrick Mahomes, who signed a 10-year contract worth $435 million with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020.

The mega deal with Philadelphia Eagles proves that the team has every confidence in Hurts, who made his breakthrough in the NFL last season. Although the Eagles lost to Mahomes’ Chiefs in the Super Bowl, Hurts set a number of records in the final. While most quarterbacks hit with a pass through the air, Hurts ran the ball into the end zone three times in the Super Bowl for six points.

Interestingly, Hurts wasn’t immediately seen as a potential superstar. In the draft, he was only chosen in the second round in 2020 as 53rd. However, after the Eagles decided to send Carson Wentz to Indianapolis, Hurts was given the opportunity to prove himself as a starting intermediary. And he did not disappoint.

In addition to his record-breaking contract, Hurts’ deal also includes a so-called ‘no-trade’ clause. This means that Philadelphia cannot trade him without his permission. This clause shows that the Eagles are fully committed to their quarterback.

Compared to the top earners in other typical American sports like basketball, baseball, and ice hockey, Hurts outperforms them all. For example, basketball player Stephen Curry signed with the Warriors for four seasons worth €196 million. Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees is the highest paid baseball player with a contract worth €329 million for nine years. Meanwhile, the annual salary of Conor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) is more than €11 million.

Hurts’ record-breaking contract highlights the growing trend of NFL teams investing heavily in quarterbacks. With the salary cap continuing to rise, the most important position on the field is commanding more and more money. This trend is reflected in the recent contracts signed by other NFL quarterbacks such as Dak Prescott, who signed a $160 million deal with the Dallas Cowboys, and Josh Allen, who signed a $258 million extension with the Buffalo Bills.

It’s also worth noting that this kind of investment in a quarterback is not without risks. Although Hurts has shown great potential in his first season, it remains to be seen whether he can maintain that level of performance over the next five years. Moreover, injuries can derail even the most promising careers. For example, Carson Wentz, the quarterback that Hurts replaced, had a promising start to his career with the Eagles before being plagued by injuries in recent years.

In conclusion, Jalen Hurts’ record-breaking contract with the Philadelphia Eagles has made him the highest-paid player in the NFL next season. This mega deal proves that the Eagles have every confidence in their young quarterback, who has already shown great potential in his first season. However, the investment in a quarterback of this magnitude is not without risks, and it remains to be seen whether Hurts can maintain his level of performance over the next five years.