:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67024768/1174617756.jpg.0.jpg)
The first thing I thought when I saw that the Kansas City Chiefs signed superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes to a 10-year $450 million extension was, “Damn, I wish I was a pro-athlete.” I’ll settle for being old, slow, and a member of the sports media for now.
Mahomes’ $45 million average salary eclipses Seattle Seahawks’ QB Russell Wilson’s deal by $10 million a season, making him the highest paid player in the league by a country mile.
San Francisco 49er’s signal caller Jimmy Garoppolo made the most money in the NFL in 2018, after signing a five-year deal worth $137.5 million. Now? Garoppolo is outside of the top-10. What a different two years makes.
As 49ers Web Zone’s David Bonilla points out, Jimmy G is now the 11th highest paid player in the NFL. Here are the 10 who rank ahead of him:
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs, $47,700,000
Russell Wilson, Seahawks, $35,000,000
Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers, $34,000,000
Aaron Rodgers, Packers, $33,500,000
Jared Goff, Rams, $33,500,000
Kirk Cousins, Vikings, $33,000,000
Carson Wentz, Eagles, $32,000,000
Dak Prescott, Cowboys, $31,409,000
Matt Ryan, Falcons, $30,000,000
Ryan Tannehill, Titans, $29,500,000
Garoppolo’s average works out to $27.5 per year. Out of the 10 players listed above, there are four who have no business making more than Jimmy G. Roethlisberger has had a great career, but there’s no way he should be making $34 million in 2020 while at the age of 38, while Tom Brady and Drew Brees each earn an average of $25 million.
Jared Goff and Ryan Tannehill made their money off of having one good season, while Kirk Cousins is ... Kirk Cousins. You can also make a case that Jimmy G should be paid more than Wentz and Prescott, who looks like he is playing next season on the franchise tag.
Garoppolo led the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance in his first full season as the lead dog. The 28-year-old is 21-5 as a starter, finishing the 2019 season with 3,978 yards for 27 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. Garoppolo’s 58.8 QBR ranked No. 12 among all NFL quarterbacks last year.
Despite his success, Garoppolo still has his share of doubters. His ugly fourth quarter performance in the Super Bowl brought out the wolves, with some NFL pundits questioning if he has the capabilities to lead his squad to a championship.
How do you think Garoppolo’s contract stacks up against his peers?
On to some links:
The Niners’ secondary could look a whole lot different going into the 2021 season, but the group of corners should be among the league’s best in 2020. PFF ranks the unit as the second best in the NFL behind one AFC team. (h/t NBC Bay Area’s Dalton Johnson)
San Francisco has an elite defense that is returning most of the starters from last season. Fansided’s Peter Panacy looks at three players who could surprise and play some big minutes next year.
Who are the best players to wear each number in NFL history? Josh Edwards of CBS Sports put together his list, and the 49ers are well represented with 12 former players making the cut.
The Niners and Cowboys are two of the league’s most prominent franchises. Jude Paulite of Clutch Points looks back at some of the biggest moments between the two rivals during their peak in the 80s and 90s.
I think it’s fair to say we all love the legendary Joe Staley. Although he’s retired from the game, the big man is keeping active. Bonilla wrote about Staley losing 50 pounds since he announced he was walking away from the game.
What are some of the best trades in Bay Area sports teams’ history? The Athletic’s Steve Berman came up with his top-20 deals, and two 49ers trades top the list.