Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold have established themselves as vital players for their teams, yet both quarterbacks appear to be significantly undercompensated compared to peers in the NFL. Despite their contributions, an $80-million salary gap separates them from the 15th highest-paid quarterback, highlighting the ongoing issue of their contracts not reflecting their true value. This disparity has raised questions about when either quarterback will receive the raise they likely deserve.
Sam Darnold’s Journey to a Championship and Current Contract Realities
Sam Darnold’s $100.5-million deal aligns with the expectations set when the Seattle Seahawks acquired him. After struggling earlier in his career, Darnold found a resurgence as he led the Minnesota Vikings to a 14-3 regular-season record. However, a disappointing playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round overshadowed that success. Seattle’s decision to sign Darnold as a low-risk investment has since paid off with a Super Bowl victory, though the contract still places him behind many top-earning quarterbacks in total value.
Baker Mayfield’s Strong Performance and Contract Questions
Baker Mayfield’s situation is more puzzling given his consistent performance since joining Tampa Bay. In three consecutive winning seasons, Mayfield has proven his worth, nearly capturing divisional titles were it not for the Carolina Panthers’ late-season surge. His strong passing yards of 4,044 and 4,500 in his first two years with the Buccaneers amplify the question of why his pay has not been adjusted to better reflect his impact on the franchise’s success.
Comparison with Other Quarterbacks’ Contracts and Potential Extensions
Currently, Mayfield and Darnold rank 16th and 17th in terms of total contract value, trailing Kirk Cousins, who sits 15th despite limited justification for his high salary. Given Darnold’s younger age compared to Mayfield, his next contract extension may be longer in duration. However, both quarterbacks are expected to close the gap with Cousins, potentially securing new deals around the $200-million benchmark as their value to their teams continues to rise.
The Broader Impact on Teams and Market Trends
Considering the importance of Mayfield and Darnold to their teams’ success, it is reasonable to expect their contracts to approach the $212 million figures recently earned by Jared Goff and Tua Tagovailoa. While these numbers may seem steep, the inflated quarterback market makes such compensation a necessity, particularly for franchises like the Buccaneers, who cannot afford to lose their starting quarterbacks at this stage.
