4 quarterbacks who deserve to make way more money than Daniel Jones
By Kristen Wong
Better than Daniel Jones QB #2: Jalen Hurts
The last time the Philadelphia Eagles gave a quarterback a long-term deal, they got kicked in the rear. With the shadow of Carson Wentz still looming overhead, the Eagles’ trust issues could prevent them from extending Jalen Hurts sooner.
The once oft-doubted leader of the Eagles nonetheless took Philly to the playoffs in back-to-back years, and Hurts is no Carson Wentz. He is going to get his due.
Daniel Jones’ $40 million average set the benchmark for above average quarterbacks. Hurts, an MVP-caliber quarterback who belongs in a higher tier, will likely receive north of $45 million, possibly maxing out at close to $50 million a season.
That salary number makes it tough for the Eagles to build around Hurts, but such is the NFL. Rookies can’t stay rookies forever.
Currently, Hurts remains under contract for the 2023 season at a measly $4.2 million. If Philly is truly sold on Hurts, it would make sense for the Eagles to start negotiations as early as this offseason.
Getting an extension done earlier would reduce the Eagles’ salary cap space in 2023, adding possibly $10-15 million to Hurts’ cap hit. Yet locking Hurts down now would allow Philly to start building a more sustainable future, spreading out Hurts’ cap hits in a team-friendly-ish deal so that the front office knows what amount of salary cap it has to work with in the coming years.
Like Daniel Jones, Hurts also recorded his career-best season in 2022. Unlike Jones, he finished as the league MVP runner-up and possesses a much higher ceiling. As the Eagles’ franchise star and arguably the best quarterback in the NFC East, Hurts is next in line for a monstrous payday.