It wasn’t too long ago that incoming NFL rookies were receiving contracts in line with those of their more established peers. In fact, in three successive drafts from 2008 to 2010, the first quarterback off the board reset the high bar for rookie contracts.
It started with the six-year, $70 million deal Matt Ryan got after going third overall to the Atlanta Falcons in 2008. Matthew Stafford topped him the following year with the Detroit Lions, signing for six years and $72 million. The $78 million whopper of a deal that Sam Bradford got from the then-St. Louis Rams in 2010 still stands as the richest rookie deal in league history. That’s largely because Bradford’s enormous contract sparked a change.
See, each of the three young passers mentioned above ranked within the top 10 in terms of average annual compensation at their position in 2011, per Spotrac. There’s a measure of projection involved, obviously, but it’s still hard to believe these then-unproven youngsters were out-earning established pros like Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees while playing on rookie deals.
In an effort to correct this, the NFL, via collective bargaining agreement between league owners and the players’ union, introduced the rookie wage scale in 2011.
What Is the NFL Rookie Wage Scale? And How Much Will 2024 Draftees Make?
The rookie wage scale is simple enough in premise. It’s the range within which a first-year pro can be compensated. The amounts vary depending on what round and draft slot a player is selected at. The higher you’re selected, the more you’ll typically earn. There’s still some wiggle room, but first-year pros signing deals comparable to 10-year vets is a thing of the past.
For perspective, the first man drafted after the implementation of the rookie wage scale, Cam Newton, signed a four-year, $22 million contract after going No. 1 overall to the Carolina Panthers. That’s not chump change by any means, but it’s less than half of what Bradford signed for the year prior.
The Panthers make for a convenient segue in this discussion, as they currently roster the last No. 1 overall pick: QB Bryce Young. The passage of time helped Young to close the financial gap between Bradford and Newton’s first pro contracts, but he still doesn’t make as much as the former Rams QB did a decade-and-a-half ago.
Young, the highest-paid among his 2023 Draft mates, inked a four-year, $37.9 million deal shortly after being drafted.
As you can see from this handy breakdown, each draftee’s contract is worth slightly less than the player preceding them. Each player taken in the top 10 of last year’s draft earned a contract worth at least $5 million annually. By the end of the first round, player salaries hover between $2 and $3 million per year.
On Day 2, rookie contracts range between roughly $1 million to $2.4 million. Come Day 3, player contracts land between around $1 million and the league minimum, $750,000. Given how many late-rounders flame out, it’s not too surprising that most Saturday selectees start out near the minimum.
KEEP READING: Can an NFL Draft Pick Refuse To Sign Their Contract?
But some such men, such as former Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy, wind up providing ample return on investment. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback may only cost $934,000 per due to his draft slot. However, his play will likely net him hundreds of millions in the very near future.