The quarterback extension market sees ballooning costs year over year. Patrick Mahomes leads the way, with his newest extension reaching a $64 million average annual value (AAV). Every position group has seen raises as the salary cap continues to grow, but no other contract is more important than quarterback for both player and team.
Signal callers try to play into generational wealth while teams look to keep stability and reliability at the position. Brock Purdy making $53 million may start a debate, but the 49ers are happy about not stressing over the position.The cost of doing business with a young franchise quarterback has already reached $55 million, but the pressure and scrutiny are more intense than ever. The 2026 season is proving to be a massive year for six quarterbacks.
Quarterback Extension No. 1: C.J. Stroud
Probably the most polarizing name on this list, Stroud is in a curious position. He burst onto the scene as a rookie, posting a 4,000-yard season with 23 TDs to five picks, winning the division, a playoff game, and Offensive Rookie of the Year. Since then, his production has consistently declined.
Despite his slipping production, Stroud has still managed to make the postseason and win a playoff game every year of his career, which makes him the most confusing player on this list. How much of the Texans’ success has been the defense versus how much has his game management kept them on track?
It’s easy to attribute the team’s success to the defense and blame the quarterback for not achieving more, but the front office hasn’t done much to help their young guy grow either. Stroud’s rookie season featured a mediocre running game, and there was an attempt to solve that issue by bringing in Joe Mixon. The former Bengal did post a 1,000-yard season in 2024, but then was injured for all of 2025.
On the other hand, Houston has butchered the offensive line during Stroud’s tenure. His rookie season had the most continuity among the unit. In year two, the o-line had two new starters, Tytus Howard moved from left guard to right tackle, and injuries eliminated consistency. How did the front office attempt to fix that? They gave him four new linemen, including trading away his best one, left tackle Laremy Tunsil, to start a rookie drafted in the second round.
Stroud has to own some of his mistakes and lack of progression, but he hasn’t been set up to succeed so far outside of the defense. 2026 is different, though. Houston brought in seasoned running back David Montgomery and proven pieces on the offensive line. Stroud had his fifth-year option picked up, so they haven’t given up on him completely. This season is huge for him to show he is worth that extension.
Quarterback Extension No. 2: Bryce Young
The former first overall pick is puzzling for opposite reasons. Young came into the league with massive hype, but with questions about his size. His rookie year was abysmal, to say the least, and he was benched two games into his second season. That reset turned out to be a benefit, as he added 30 yards to his per-game passing totals, his passer rating jumped 16 points, and he posted a nearly 3:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
2025 produced more growth for Young. He finally surpassed 3,000 yards and posted career-best marks in completion percentage, touchdowns, and passer rating. Unlike his draft classmate Stroud, Young has seen consistent growth in his career. While the numbers still aren’t staggering, he’s trending in the right direction.
Young is in the same position as Stroud, having his fifth-year option selected, but the narrative is completely different. Between his benching and how he’s trending, the Panthers quarterback has garnered more sympathy than Stroud, who is viewed as strictly underperforming.
The bottom line is that Young needs to take a big leap this year if he wants to get locked up long-term. Progression is nice, but he has to start stacking wins if he wants to make himself a $55 million man.
Quarterback Extension No. 3: Caleb Williams
The 2024 draft class becomes extension-eligible after this season, and Williams is going to lead that discussion. He is a special talent who’s shown his wizardry can win games, but also make an offense spin in its tracks. Though he showed massive growth in his second season, specifically cutting down on taking sacks, he still has a lot of room for improvement.
Williams still led the Bears to a division title and a playoff win, and his calling card last season was his play in fourth quarters. He was at his best in the most crucial moments, producing a league-leading six fourth-quarter comebacks.
The Chicago quarterback’s level of polish is debatable, but he finds ways to win games. If he can take another step with the help of Ben Johnson, he won’t just earn himself an extension. A quarterback with his talent showing signs of greatness could completely reset the market.
Quarterback Extension No. 4: Drake Maye
With all the good things that can be said about Williams’ jump in year two, Drake Maye can steal a lot of the attention away. He went from a rookie with decision-making issues and struggling to get to 175 yards per game to a hyper-efficient gunslinger who finished second in MVP voting.
The Patriots quarterback is the opposite of Williams. He’s the new model of the classic quarterback. He’s bigger, stronger, more efficient, and more willing to stay in the pocket and deliver strikes. That style of play makes him easier to quantify because people around the NFL have seen that work before.
There is little with Maye to be wary of in terms of his financial security. Barring a massive unforeseen regression, he has all but guaranteed himself an extension. The question won’t be whether he gets the deal; it’ll be for how much.
Quarterback Extension No. 5: Jayden Daniels
The Commanders quarterback is in another situation surrounded by questions. Daniels burst onto the scene, going 12-5 and making the NFC Conference Championship en route to his Offensive Rookie of the Year honor. His first season was efficient under center and he added almost 900 rushing yards to his passing production.
Year two was a different story. Daniels entered the league with questions about his slim frame, and his biggest skeptics seemed to be vindicated, as he missed the majority of the season due to injury. The elbow dislocation that ended his season was more of a one-off, but his hamstring and knee injuries earlier in the year brought the critics out.
Daniels’ style of play is dynamic, but the concern is durability. If he is going to put himself in harm’s way with his build, he has to be smarter. Others like Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray, and Russell Wilson have been able to avoid contact as much as possible; a skill Daniels needs to refine.
The most important thing for the former Heisman winner this year is to turn in another healthy season. The talent is obviously there; he just has to stay on the field. If he can do that, he can start building his case for an extension, even though it doesn’t seem likely to happen this upcoming offseason.
Quarterback Extension No. 6: Bo Nix
If anyone thinks they know exactly how good Bo Nix is at this point, they’re lying. He inherited one of the best play callers in the history of the sport, and a defense that has led the league in sacks over the last two seasons. His first two years are reminiscent of Brock Purdy’s career. How much is the quarterback responsible for the team’s success, and how much is it him having a perfect situation?
To his benefit, Sean Payton raves about Nix. The guy who got to coach Drew Brees for over a decade, being on his quarterback’s side will help at the negotiating table. While he wins games, his numbers aren’t astonishing. He was great in late-game situations last year, but he was largely the reason for being in those situations in the first place.
Davis Webb is taking over the play-calling duties this season, so it does feel like there will be answers. If Nix struggles with that change, the argument can be made that Payton is the engine that drives the offense, not the quarterback. The Broncos may want to handle their situation with patience to make sure Nix is the guy, but if he’s able to turn in another productive season and make the playoffs, it might force their hand, and they’ll sign him to save money in the future.
