Jalen Hurts’ new contract from the Philadelphia Eagles is historic and a game-changer for the sport, and there are several elements of the deal that make it shocking when it comes to pay for American athletes.
On Monday, what had been long-rumored was finally realized when Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles came to terms on the biggest contract in NFL history. His new five-year extension will pay him $255 million and now makes him the highest-paid player in the league with an annual average value of $51 million per season. Surpassing Aaron Rodgers’ record deal from 2022 by $1 million per year.
Related: Eagles give Jalen Hurts historic record-breaking $255 million extension
While he didn’t match the $230 million guaranteed to Deshaun Watson from the Cleveland Browns last year, he still has a $179 million guarantee and the biggest contract ever given to a professional football player.
While it could be debated if he is truly worthy of the deal, Jalen Hurts has far exceeded all of the Philadelphia Eagles’ expectations after being taken late in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. In just three years, the 24-year-old has gone from a prospect to a newbie starting quarterback and on to become one of the best signal-callers in the game.
Jalen Hurts stats (2022): 4,461 total yards, 335 total TD, 6 INT, 101.5 rating
In locking up their top player, the Philadelphia Eagles also added some wildly favorable facets to the deal that got lost in the focus on the general numbers in the contract. Firstly, as reported by NFL Media league insider Ian Rapoport, Hurts has the chance to earn $15 million more in incentives that would actually take the grand total of the deal to $274.304 million through 2028.
Then there is the raise he is getting next season, which includes a $23.294 million signing bonus, and means he will make an unbelievable “$64 million through the first new year in 2024.”
Lastly, the contract didn’t just make NFL history, one part of the deal was actually a first in Philadelphia Eagles history. Jalen Hurts’ new contract also includes a no-trade clause. Something no other player in the team’s long existence has ever received. Not Brian Dawkins, not Donovan McNabb, and not Jason Peters.
When Jalen Hurts’ new contract is touted as historic, it is not hyperbole when looking at the impressive details of the pact.