How many quarterbacks make more than Rams QB Matthew Stafford?

Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford is entering his age-36 season in the NFL, and could be in line for one final major payday. And when you consider just how many quarterbacks make more than him, and who makes the same amount as him, it's logical to think that the Rams and Stafford can, at some point, agree to a pay raise.

The QB was excellent in 2023, and even though his numbers do not jump off the page, he was crucial in the Rams winning 10 games and earning a surprising postseason berth. The Super Bowl in 2021 is also another great reason to give Stafford a raise before the end of his career comes. But before we could discuss what Stafford could demand in a contract extension, let's look at all the QBs who make more than him for 2024.

How many quarterbacks make more than Rams QB Matthew Stafford?
Josh Allen - $43m per year

Josh Allen is one of the best dual-threat QBs in the NFL, and should end up signing a richer extension in the very near future, I would assume.

Kirk Cousins - $45m per year

Signing this current deal this offseason, Kirk Cousins might be the most overpaid quarterback on this list, but is still efficient if nothing else. $45 million per year for a 36-year-old QB coming off of a torn Achilles is a heavy bet for the Falcons.

Patrick Mahomes - $45m per year

Signing this deal after winning the Super Bowl back in 2019, Patrick Mahomes will always be financially taken care of by the Kansas City Chiefs. He's already an all-time great, and could end up being like Tom Brady - where taking less money gives the front office a chance to load up the roster more in pursuit of winning.

Deshaun Watson - $46m per year

Maybe the worst contract in all of sports, Deshaun Watson makes $46 million per year on a fully-guaranteed deal from the Cleveland Browns. Yuck. He's started just 12 games for them in two seasons.

Kyler Murray - $46.1m per year

A QB that I believe is better than people currently think, this contract make actually look like a bargain when the 2024 NFL Season is over, as I am very high on the Arizona Cardinals. They're clearly still another year away from being a playoff team, but Murray and the Cardinals can make some noise.

Jalen Hurts - $51m per year

Another horridly overpaid player, Jalen Hurts has one season of note in four years in the NFL, and he's never been a prolific passer by any means. To me, this is a huge year for Hurts, as if he cannot return to his 2022 form, we may need to start having some conversations about the QB.

Lamar Jackson - $52m per year

Now with two NFL MVP awards, Lamar Jackson is building a Hall of Fame career for himself, but limited playoff success is hanging over his head like a dark cloud. Jackson and the Ravens will need to at least make a Super Bowl run for that talk to stop.

Justin Herbert - $52.5m per year

Just a bigger and stronger version of Kirk Cousins, what has Justin Herbert done to earn $52.5 million per year on a contract? He entered the league in 2020 as a B+ quarterback, and four years later, is still a B+ quarterback.

Jared Goff - $53m per year

Signing an extension this offseason, Jared Goff has thrown 59 touchdown passes over the last two seasons and has helped the Detroit Lions get back on track. While this may seem like a steep number for Goff, he's been crucial in getting the Lions to where they are now. Goff is deserving of this deal.

Joe Burrow - $55m per year

There might be only one quarterback in the NFL right now who can go toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs, and it's Joe Burrow. Burrow has now suffered two season-ending injuries, which is something to follow, and he's also never suited up for every game in a season yet.

The Cincinnati Bengals are Super Bowl contenders with Burrow, but staying on the field has become an issue.

Trevor Lawrence - $55m per year

This has been a contract extension that many people have bashed, but it's clear that Jaguars GM Trent Baalke is betting on Lawrence playing more like his 2022 self, and to be fair, much of what he produced in 2023 was due to his wide receivers messing up, so the statistics are a bit misleading.

Of all of the quarterbacks who make more than Matthew Stafford, just one, Patrick Mahomes, has won a Super Bowl. Mahomes and the Chiefs have won three of the last five, and Stafford and the Rams took care of business in 2021, beating Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals.

You could genuinely argue that Matthew Stafford could ask for $56 million per year from the LA Rams on a short, two-year contract extension. He's got the hardware to warrant the high cost, and there might not be many QBs on this list who are better than Matthew Stafford.