Josh Allen shows true colours with contract comments after NFL rivals' new deals

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has opened up about his massive $258million contract extension inked back in 2021, which at the time made him the second highest-paid NFL star annually.

Fast forward three years and the game's financial landscape has shifted. Allen, aged 28, finds himself slipping down the quarterback pay rankings.

His once eye-watering deal averages $43m a year, positioning him at a surprisingly modest 13th among his peers. Meanwhile, guarantees of $100m place him 11th overall, and despite the hefty total sum, he ranks sixth in value.

Amidst a flurry of quarterbacks securing fatter wallets with new deals, Allen's paycheck looks increasingly lean in comparison to his rivals. But, speaking to WIVB, he shrugged off suggestions that he might feel shortchanged, stressing his contentment and fair-minded take on the evolving market.

He said: "Listen, everyone's going to have their day. I'm happy that everyone's getting what they're worth, right? And I think that as the game progresses and guys keep getting paid, the market is the market.

"I've got no problem with where I'm at right now. And, you know what, I had my day a couple years ago, and I'm sure someday I'll have it again. But I think the main thing is the main thing, and that's playing football to the best of my ability, and everything else will take care of itself."

Allen's earnings over the next three years are also revealing, as he's set to receive the 20th-highest salary in the NFL through the 2026 season, totalling just over $95m (£74m). In comparison, Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson tops the list with over $155m (£121m), while less accomplished quarterbacks Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence, Kirk Cousins and Kyler Murray all earn more on average annually.

Three non-quarterbacks San Francisco 49ers' Nick Bosa, Minnesota Vikings' Justin Jefferson and Kansas City Chiefs' Chris Jones all out-earn Allen. Despite leading the Bills to a fifth consecutive playoff appearance in 2023, Allen doesn't seem too concerned about his contract.

Allen's response mirrors what Chiefs' Super Bowl-winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes said when asked a similar question. Despite differences in how Allen and Mahomes' deals are structured, there are similarities between their contracts, and both have seen less experienced quarterbacks surpass them in certain financial aspects of their agreements.

Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, opened up about his contract situation back in July, saying: "I know every time a contract comes up, everybody looks at my APY (average per year) and everything like that," and added, "I'm doing pretty well myself. For me, it's just about going out there trying to win football games, trying to make money for my family at the end of the day. I feel like I'm doing a great job of that."