NFL contract talks alone can provide limitless conversations for days.
Fans argue if a team got a good deal or a bad deal for a player, based on existing contracts at the position.
Despite the endless banter, one thing’s for sure: NFL players are due for tons of money if they play well and meet certain clauses in their contracts.
Each contract entails several provisions that could earn a player more than their base salary.
When these incentives add up, they could earn as much as their contract’s value that media outfits publish.
But whether they fulfill those clauses or not, these athletes still make the big bucks, especially quarterbacks.
That said, ESPN Stats & Info pointed out the two highest earners in the NFL since 2016.
Since 2016, Kirk Cousins has a cash value of $158.9M, the highest of any player in the NFL.
Second place? Aaron Rodgers at $151.7M. pic.twitter.com/nXfloTJsQJ
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 14, 2022
They tweeted, “Since 2016, Kirk Cousins has a cash value of $158.9 million, the highest of any player in the NFL. Second place? Aaron Rodgers at $151.7 million.”
Obviously, the deals they signed came before Patrick Mahomes‘ ten-year, $450 million contract and Josh Allen‘s six-year $258 million extension.
Even though they both earned huge sums of money, Cousins and Rodgers have contrasting NFL journeys.
Are Cousins And Rodgers Worth The Money?
Cousins earned most of his money when he joined the Minnesota Vikings.
After spending six seasons with Washington, including two franchise tags, Cousins signed a three-year, $84 million deal in 2018.
In 2020, he inked another two-year, $66 million deal.
Finally, the Vikings gave him a one-year, fully-guaranteed $35 million deal to become their quarterback until 2023.
But despite the big bucks, Cousins led Minnesota to the playoffs once, splitting two games.
In contrast, Rodgers won two Most Valuable Player awards since 2016.
He also had two First-Team All-Pro selections and constantly led the Green Bay Packers to the playoffs.
That said, the Packers got their money’s worth, while the Vikings haven’t.
NEXT: NFL Analyst Shares The Fortune Kirk Cousins Has Made
