The NFL’s overpaid QB problem
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did something historic on Sunday afternoon: Winning a game where the quarterback was utterly inconsequential. It was the first time since 1974 that a team won a game when the team didn’t complete a single pass, as Baker Mayfield’s job was tantamount to a server, carrying a meal from the pass […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made history on Sunday by winning a game without any significant contribution from their quarterback, Baker Mayfield. For the first time since 1974, the Buccaneers won without completing a single pass, thanks to their strong run game. This win highlights a growing concern in the NFL - the overpayment of quarterbacks for minimal impact.
There are currently 13 quarterbacks in the league with a cap hit of $30 million or more, and many of them have been mediocre this season. Quarterbacks such as Justin Herbert ($46.4M), Dak Prescott ($44.6M), Deshaun Watson ($40.6M), Baker Mayfield ($34M), and Jalen Hurts ($31.9M) are earning large salaries but are performing poorly or are injured.
The trend of overpaying quarterbacks is a result of agents pushing for large guaranteed contracts, leading players to demand more money regardless of their performance. This has created a situation where a single quarterback's salary can be equivalent to 10 to 15 times that of other players on the team, making them a liability rather than an asset.
The NFL must consider a salary reset for quarterbacks, treating them like other positions and drafting them with the understanding that they may not be long-term fixtures on a team. The Buccaneers' success without their quarterback serves as a reminder that the league needs to shift its approach to quarterback management.
Written by urgent.news from SB Nation's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
