Jalen Hurts has become the highest paid NFL player in history. The Philadelphia Eagles reached an agreement with the quarterback to extend his contract for five more seasons, for which he will pocket $255 million.
The Eagles announced the deal via their Twitter account, though they did not disclose the figures of their star's new contract:
Keeping the main thing in Philly.
We've agreed to terms with Jalen Hurts on a 5-year extension through the 2028 season.@JalenHurts | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/etgYG5rSpf
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 17, 2023
Hurts' new contract thus surpasses the one signed by Deshaun Watson with the Cleveland Browns last year ($230 million). As sources close to the deal told ESPN, the quarterback of last year's Super Bowl runner-up is guaranteed $180 million. The remaining amount comes in the form of incentives.
Jalen Hurts, 24, finished second in the NFL's Most Valuable Player voting last season despite the Eagles' 38-35 Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The quarterback recorded a 66.5% completion percentage and tallied 3,701 passing yards and 22 passing touchdowns.
It's a smart move by the Eagles, who are securing one of the league's best quarterbacks for five seasons with the goal of winning the franchise's second Super Bowl in its history.
Hurts enters the list of highest paid athletes in 2023
Having signed the largest contract in NFL history, Jalen Hurts will rank among the highest paid athletes in 2023.
Based on the ranking provided every season by Forbes magazine, there were 14 football players among the 50 highest paid athletes in 2022. Jalen Hurts' name did not appear on that list. The 2023 list will surely include him.
