10 Current NFL Quarterbacks Whose Contracts Make Less Sense Than Andy Dalton's

Andy Dalton's contract doesn't make much sense, but there are far worse deals in today's NFL.

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

For those of you who were asleep at the wheel yesterday, Andy Dalton — the "star" quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals — signed a six-year, $115 million deal with more than $18 million guaranteed. Yes, that Andy Dalton. The same Andy Dalton that has gone 0-3 in his last three trips to the postseason with six picks, a 56.2 Rating, and only one touchdown. A $115 million contract.

Now some people will tell you this deal isn't nearly as grand as it appears and that it's actually quite reasonable by current quarterback contract standards, but $115 million is still $115 million. The deal still gives the red-haired gunslinger a lot more ginger bread, and even eclipses Colin Kaepernick's recent $126 million contract in terms of guaranteed money. 

More guaranteed money to an 0-3 playoff starter than for a guy who went to back-to-back NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl? Welcome to the nonsense world of NFL contracts.

NFL contracts have long proven problematic for people using logic or common sense, and Andy Dalton's recent payday fits right in with the rest. Throw nine more interceptions than touchdowns? Don't worry you're still due over $16 million next season, Eli. Throw 27 touchdowns and only two interceptions? Sorry, Nick Foles, NFL rules prevent you from making more than $700,000.

In a league with as much parity as the NFL and at a time when the "Not For Long" moniker fits the extreme level of roster turnover, it's amazing how quickly a contract can go from paying a deserving player to crippling a franchise's chances. What seems like good money today can turn into paying Matt Ryan $20 million a year tomorrow. With so many underpaid and overpaid signal callers in the NFL, we present 10 Current NFL Quarterbacks Whose Contracts Make Less Sense Than Andy Dalton's.

Matt Ryan

Not Available Interstitial

Sam Bradford

Not Available Interstitial

Matt Stafford

Not Available Interstitial

Tony Romo

Not Available Interstitial

Russell Wilson

Not Available Interstitial

Eli Manning

Not Available Interstitial

Jay Cutler

Not Available Interstitial

Joe Flacco

Not Available Interstitial

Nick Foles

Not Available Interstitial

Carson Palmer

Not Available Interstitial

Latest in Sports