Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson might be jealous of Colin Kaepernick‘s new contract right now, but come next year around this time, they’ll be the talk of the league.
According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, Luck’s and Wilson’s next contract could be worth between $24 and $25 million per year.
Word around NFL is that when Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson get new deals next year, they will come in between $24-$25 million per year.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 5, 2014
Kaepernick’s contract extension is worth $126 million over six years, with $61 million in guaranteed money. But loopholes in the deal actually make it a year-to-year deal, giving the San Francisco 49ers the opportunity to cut the quarterback before April 1 of each year without having to owe him any more money.
Still, Kaepernick’s $21 million per year salary makes him not only the highest-paid quarterback for the 2014 season, but the highest-paid player overall.
Kaepernick, Joe Flacco and Drew Brees all earn between $20 million and $21 million annually, so the next wave of quarterbacks — the Lucks and Wilsons of the world — will naturally see a rise in their paychecks when they’re due.
In fact, USA TODAY Sports projected because Wilson has a Super Bowl victory in his back pocket, he could be in line for the biggest payday — perhaps earning the most guaranteed money in NFL contract history.
Assuming that Wilson doesn’t completely fall apart in 2014, it’s hard not to see him dwarfing those numbers with his own deal by this time next summer. In two seasons he’s already won one Super Bowl, holds a better overall quarterback rating and arguably has done more with less offensive weapons in Seattle.
The Seahawks defense may get all of the flash but if Wilson can enter contract talks with two NFC titles (or even two Super Bowl rings) in three years, their franchise quarterback will be able to ask for the most guaranteed money in NFL contract history. And he’ll get it.
In addition, Cam Newton, Robert Griffin III and Andy Dalton also fit that category. Newton and Dalton each have 48 career starters, while Dalton has led the Cincinnati Bengals to three consecutive playoff appearances.
