7 highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL (updated 2023)

6. Deshaun Watson: $46 million per year

This has a chance to be one of the riskiest deals we have ever seen in the NFL. Despite the fact that he was involved in very serious civil cases, the Cleveland Browns were not only willing to give up an arm and a leg for quarterback Deshaun Watson, but they also guaranteed every penny of his deal.

Watson's $46 million annually comes in just sixth among current NFL quarterbacks, but the contract was better than he could have asked for. Now barring a future suspension, the veteran quarterback has a total of $230 million coming his way over the next four years (his new contract started in 2022).

Watson still has a lot to prove to the organization, and the results down the stretch weren't exactly what the Browns had hoped for when he returned from suspension. However, he's still just 27 years old and he could have a great playing career ahead of him.

The Browns have been busy trying to load up their roster to ensure that Watson will get a chance to compete in the post-season. In 2020, he was the third-ranked quarterback in the league, according to Pro Football Focus. How he performs from here on out will determine whether or not the Browns made the right decision.