The last decade in the NFL has witnessed monumental changes, and it’s no secret. From groundbreaking contracts like Patrick Mahomes‘ in 2020 to historic plays such as Malcolm Butler‘s Super Bowl heroics in 2015, the league has seen its fair share of transformations. But as time continues its march, new changes and record-breaking achievements keep emerging. The pinnacle, once claimed by Aaron Rodgers himself in 2013, has now become a mere fraction of the highest-paid quarterback.

As we step into the 2023 season, the 2x MVP’s colossal $500 million contract has been overshadowed by his fierce divisional rival from the Chargers. Despite clinching the Super Bowl title and retaining the league MVP crown, no. 15 appears to be undervalued, while his competitors are siphoning away his well-deserved elation.

Patrick Mahomes currently stands at 8th

This current season saw a lot of changes in terms of contract restructuring. Surprisingly, the defending Chiefs champ still holds the same contract from 2020, now surpassed by seven other quarterbacks. Even the runner-up champ, Jalen Hurts, makes $6 million more than the 2x MVP. A-Rod’s story with the Jets took a twist with a $35 million pay cut for the team’s sake, knocking him off the top-paid list he once dominated a decade ago.

ESPN recently took to their Instagram to reveal how top-paid athletes have gained momentum in the past decade. From NFL, there stood no other than A-Rod who made $22 million in 2013, a record-breaking annual salary, which has become a mere fraction of today’s highest-paid QB. Chargers’ star Justin Herbert signed a 5-year deal worth $262.5 million, bringing his annual salary to a whopping $52.5 million, a $30.5 million increase from a decade ago.

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Looks Like Patrick Mahomes Is ‘Underpaid’ Compared to $674,000,000 Lionel Messi and $536,336,818 Cristiano Ronaldo Despite Third Largest Contract in Sports History

This remarkable rise is only expected to continue as cap space grows, and teams readily invest in their starters. The list also features athletes from different sports, like basketball, baseball, and hockey.

NFL currently stands at the top?

The list also featured the late basketball legend, Kobe Bryant, whose brilliance outshone a diamond. It’s no surprise that he held the top spot a decade ago with a $30.4 million annual salary, over $8 million more than the NFL’s highest earner that year. However, today, Stephen Curry takes the lead with a groundbreaking $51.9 million annual salary. Interestingly, despite having a smaller roster, Curry’s earnings are still less than the NFL’s top-paid QB.

Notably, baseball has also seen a significant increase, rising from Alex Rodriguez‘s $29 million in 2013 to $43.3 million in 2023. Hockey, on the other hand, lags behind other sports, experiencing only a $2.5 million rise since 2013.

While the NFL dominates with quarterback salaries, running backs have struggled for years with lower pay and no long-term deals. There’s potential for change in the upcoming seasons, but it remains to be seen if this will impact other positions as well.

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