PHILADELPHIA — Quarterback Jalen Hurts' rapid ascent hit a record high Monday. He and the Philadelphia Eagles agreed to a $255 million five-year contract extension that, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, includes $179.304 million guaranteed.
The $51 million average annual value is the largest in league history, putting him ahead of the likes of Aaron Rodgers ($50.3 million), Russell Wilson ($49 million) Kyler Murray ($46.1 million), Deshaun Watson ($46 million) and Patrick Mahomes ($45 million).
It's dizzying to think about how quickly things accelerated: Hurts was drafted in the second round of 2020 to be Carson Wentz's backup and took over as full-time starter in 2021 after Wentz was traded to the Indianapolis Colts.
Hurts led the Eagles to a 9-7 record and a playoff bid that season with mixed individual results totaling 26 touchdowns (16 passing, 10 rushing) to nine interceptions while finishing 26th in completion percentage (61.3).