Find out how much money Sam Darnold and Drake Maye earned this season

Maxime Thériault
Find out how much money Sam Darnold and Drake Maye earned this season
Credit: YouTube

The NFL season has highlighted two diametrically opposed trajectories at the quarterback position, both in terms of sports and finances.

Sam Darnold, now with the Seattle Seahawks, and Drake Maye, a young prospect with the New England Patriots, have both made headlines, but their earnings for the current season perfectly illustrate the gap between an established veteran and a player still under rookie contract.

Two very different contractual situations

Sam Darnold, 28, leveraged his experience and market value to sign a very lucrative contract with Seattle. For the current season, he is earning an estimated $35 million, including his base salary and various guaranteed bonuses. This amount places him among the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league, a direct recognition of his status and the confidence his organization has in him.

In contrast, Drake Maye is still at the beginning of his professional career. Selected in the first round of the draft by the Patriots, he is playing under a fully guaranteed four-year rookie contract. For the current season, his earnings are estimated at approximately $8 million, which includes his annual salary, a portion of his signing bonus, and certain incentives related to his presence in the lineup.

A financial gap that doesn't tell the whole story

While the salary difference between the two quarterbacks is striking, it does not tell the whole story. Drake Maye enjoys financial stability for his first few years in the NFL, while also having the opportunity to negotiate a much more lucrative contract if he confirms his potential. For his part, Sam Darnold is currently maximizing the value of his best seasons, at a time when experienced quarterbacks are in high demand.

A typical reality in the modern NFL

This comparison between Sam Darnold and Drake Maye illustrates a well-known reality in the NFL: rookie contracts limit short-term earnings but provide an ideal platform for building the future. Conversely, successful veterans reap the financial rewards of their careers. Two different trajectories, but both strategically advantageous depending on the stage of their careers.

This content was created with the help of AI.

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