Justin Herbert, quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers, faces a significant reduction in his yearly earnings due to California taxes, taking home just under $24 million from a $52.5 million annual contract. This drastic cut showcases how state and federal taxes heavily impact NFL players’ paychecks in high-tax states like California.
While NFL contracts often list massive figures, not all of this money is guaranteed or received immediately. Signing bonuses and specific guaranteed sums are paid upfront, but base salaries and performance incentives may vary, affecting total income. Nonetheless, using the average annual value (AAV) of Herbert’s contract provides a clear example of the influence of taxes on player earnings.
Breakdown of Taxes Consuming More Than Half of Herbert’s Salary
An aggregator on social media, MLFootball, reported that Herbert’s approximate $52.5 million salary is reduced by over $28 million in taxes. The deductions include $19.45 million in federal taxes, $6.96 million for California state income tax, and roughly $2.1 million for FICA taxes. Other smaller costs, such as the state disability insurance and agent fees, also chip away at his income.
AWFUL#CHARGERS QB JUSTIN HERBERT ONLY MAKES 24 MILLION DOLLARS AFTER TAXES, DESPITE SIGNING A 60 MILLION DOLLAR DEAL.
Federal: $19.4M
FICA: $1.24M
California State: $6.9M
SDI Tax: $630K
Jock: $220K
Total Tax: $28,287,427
Approximate Net Income: $24M
This is brutal pic.twitter.com/eMxGNZXTZl
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) February 11, 2026
Though MLFootball initially misstated Herbert’s salary as $60 million, the core fact remains accurate: California’s tax burden causes the Chargers quarterback to receive less than half his contract’s stated value.
Comparing Other Quarterbacks’ Earnings Across States
Justin Herbert is not alone in facing hefty tax deductions. Matthew Stafford, another Los Angeles QB playing for the Rams, earns around $19.7 million after being taxed on his $44 million contract. He pays $16.2 million in federal taxes, $5.85 million in state income tax, $1.32 million in agent fees, and approximately $665,000 in FICA taxes.
From the Bay Area, Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers also sees a stark tax impact. Despite his $53 million annual contract, his take-home pay drops to about $24.6 million after paying $19.57 million in federal taxes, $7.53 million in California state taxes, and $1.25 million in FICA.
In contrast, quarterbacks in states without income tax enjoy higher net incomes. Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys takes home nearly $40 million from his $60 million contract, benefiting from Texas’s lack of state income tax, although other taxes still apply.
Additional Impact of Jock Taxes During California Events
In addition to income taxes, NFL players incur “jock taxes” when competing in states where they do not reside. For example, during Super Bowl LX in California, some visiting players lost more money due to the state’s high tax rates than they earned in bonuses. Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold triggered a $178,000 bonus for participating in the Super Bowl but faced an estimated $249,000 state tax bill—resulting in a net loss of approximately $71,000 on that incentive alone. Only the potential $1 million Super Bowl victory bonus could offset this deficit for him.
Why These Tax Challenges Matter for NFL Players and the League
The steep tax rates in California drastically reduce the actual earnings of top NFL athletes like Justin Herbert, contrasting sharply with players in states with no state income taxes, such as Texas. This disparity influences where players might prefer to sign contracts and impacts their financial planning. While NFL contracts publicly show eye-popping numbers, the reality of take-home pay is far less impressive once taxes are accounted for, especially in high-tax states.
As the NFL continues to expand and players become more aware of state tax differences, these financial factors may influence contract negotiations and relocations. For Herbert and other California-based quarterbacks, the tax burden remains a harsh reality that cuts deeply into their earnings, despite their elite status and large contracts.
🚨🚨AWFUL🚨🚨#CHARGERS QB JUSTIN HERBERT ONLY MAKES 24 MILLION DOLLARS AFTER TAXES, DESPITE SIGNING A 60 MILLION DOLLAR DEAL.
Federal: $19.4M
FICA: $1.24M
California State: $6.9M
SDI Tax: $630K
Jock: $220K
Total Tax: $28,287,427Approximate Net Income: $24M
This is brutal 😳 pic.twitter.com/eMxGNZXTZl
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) February 11, 2026
