There is no single NFL salary for a backup quarterback. In the 2026 league year, the active/inactive minimum is $885,000 to $1.3 million depending on credited seasons. Over The Cap’s 2026 contract table lists seasonal cash payouts of $2.25 million to $7 million for four quarterbacks who may serve as backups, but those examples do not establish a league-wide backup salary range or average.
What NFL backup quarterbacks make in 2026
Pay depends on a quarterback’s contract, credited seasons and role. The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement sets minimum Paragraph 5 salaries for players on the active or inactive list, while teams and players agree to individual contract terms above those minimums.
| Credited seasons | 2026 active/inactive minimum Paragraph 5 salary |
|---|---|
| 0 | $885,000 (Over The Cap’s transcription of the NFL CBA) |
| 1 | $1.005 million (Over The Cap’s transcription of the NFL CBA) |
| 2 | $1.075 million (Over The Cap’s transcription of the NFL CBA) |
| 3 | $1.145 million (Over The Cap’s transcription of the NFL CBA) |
| 4–6 | $1.215 million (Over The Cap’s transcription of the NFL CBA) |
| 7 or more | $1.3 million (Over The Cap’s transcription of the NFL CBA) |
These minimums apply to the active/inactive list; they are not practice-squad compensation rates. Credited seasons, rather than simply years since a player entered the league, determine the applicable minimum under the CBA. Over The Cap’s CBA salary table provides the 2026 figures.
Examples of 2026 quarterback cash payouts
Over The Cap’s quarterback contract table lists the following 2026 cash amounts. They are individual contract examples, not a verified roster of backups or a statistical measure of backup pay.
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| Quarterback | 2026 cash payout |
|---|---|
| Marcus Mariota | $7 million |
| Gardner Minshew | $5.75 million |
| Tyler Huntley | $3 million |
| Drew Lock | $2.25 million |
Source: Over The Cap’s 2026 quarterback contract table. The listed cash figures should not be treated as base salaries or salary-cap charges.
Why “salary” can mean different things
For NFL contracts, “salary” may refer to distinct financial measures. NFL Football Operations defines Paragraph 5 salary as “the compensation a player receives during the regular season.” That is different from a contract’s total value, annual average, cash paid in a specific year, or the amount charged against a team’s salary cap.
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- Paragraph 5 or base salary: Regular-season compensation as defined by the NFL. NFL Football Operations explains the contract terminology.
- Cash payout: Money paid to the player in a particular league year, which may include more than base salary.
- Salary-cap charge: The amount assigned to the club’s cap for that year. It need not equal cash paid.
- Contract average: A deal’s total value spread across its years; it does not necessarily show what the player receives in one season.
For example, Over The Cap lists Tyler Huntley’s 2026 cash payout as $3 million and his cap charge as $2.15 million. For Gardner Minshew, the corresponding figures are $5.75 million in cash and a $5.69 million cap charge. Compare players using the same measure and season. Huntley’s contract listing and Minshew’s contract listing show the distinction.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is there an average NFL backup quarterback salary?
A reliable league-wide average or median is not established by the available contract examples. To calculate one, you would need a complete, consistently defined group of players who counted as backups in the same season and a decision about whether to measure base salary, cash, guarantees, contract average or cap charge. Backup status can also change during a season.
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The NFL salary cap was $301.2 million in 2026, compared with $279.2 million in 2025, according to NFL Football Operations. That cap sets a team-wide limit; it does not set a specific salary for backup quarterbacks.
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