New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Analyst offers solution to combat overpaying middling starting QBs

By Ethan Scott | Last updated 2/2/23

A prominent NFL agent told Heavy.com impending free agent Daniel Jones of the Giants could "command at least $30M annually."

Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports believes that Jones may demand even more, stating, "Considering the contract Ryan Tannehill signed in 2020 pays him an average of $29.5 million, and Derek Carr makes an average of $40.5 million on the deal he signed in April, the idea of Jones getting $40 million per season isn't crazy."

Is Jones, who threw for only 15 TDs in 2022, worth $40 million annually?
Probably not, but the way the quarterback market has escalated the past few seasons, $30 million to $40 million for quarterbacks look like the new normal.

Kyle Brandt of NFL Network's "Good Morning Football" believes there must be a "middle class" for quarterbacks and that Jones is not worth $35 million or more annually.

Kyle Brandt says there needs to be a middle class when it comes to quarterbacks getting paid, but there isn’t one.

He says that the idea of Daniel Jones being paid $35-$40M per year is “absurd”pic.twitter.com/Y5fA4Zamyh
— JPA (@jasrifootball) January 31, 2023

In hindsight, the Carr and Tannehill contracts look like major overpays.

The Las Vegas Raiders are already looking to move on from Carr less than 12 months after he signed the megadeal. The Tennessee Titans seem to be in no-man's land with Tannehill, who has underperformed.

Once a franchise commits a massive deal to a quarterback, it complicates adding more pieces due to the financial commitment.

The Giants are not a Super Bowl contender yet. A commitment of $40 million annually to Jones would put them in a tough financial spot, hindering the overall roster building.

If a middle class were created for QBs, say in the range of $18 million to $28 million, team building would become more feasible.

Elite quarterbacks will always be coveted and paid handsomely, but middle-tier quarterbacks such as Jones making $35 million or more seems outrageous.

Something must change. The NFL must hold the line on commitments to QBs who aren't elite. As Brandt stated, the league needs a middle-class financial tier.

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