What Is a Backup Qb and How Much Do They Earn
In the NFL, a backup quarterback is the second-string player on the depth chart behind the starter. Their earnings depend on draft status, contract type, and roster spot. The median salary for a backup quarterback in the NFL is around 4 million to 6 million dollars per year, with top backups earning more than 10 million dollars annually. Backup quarterbacks on practice squads or rookie minimum deals often earn between 700,000 and 1.2 million dollars per season. For more details on NFL salary structures, see the NFL salary cap overview on Forbes NFL salary cap explained.
In college football, backup quarterbacks on scholarship typically receive full cost-of-attendance aid, while walk-ons may receive partial or no pay. The financial picture for a backup qb is shaped by roster depth, playing time incentives, and the team's overall payroll. In the CFL and XFL, backup quarterback salaries range from 60,000 to 150,000 dollars per season, with some veteran backups earning more on performance bonuses.
Highest Paid Backup Qbs in the NFL and Their Contracts
Some backup quarterbacks earn high salaries due to veteran contracts, trade packages, or proven starter pedigree. As of the latest available data, the highest paid backup quarterbacks in the NFL include players earning between 10 million and 25 million dollars per year. These contracts often include large guarantees and roster bonuses that exceed their actual playing time. For contract breakdowns and salary cap figures, see the latest NFL contract data on Spotrac NFL contract rankings.
Teams often carry a veteran backup to protect against injury or a struggling starter. In some cases, a backup quarterback earns more than a backup wide receiver or running back because of their higher market value and longer NFL careers. The salary gap between a starting quarterback and a backup can be massive, with the backup sometimes earning only 10 to 20 percent of the starter's annual salary.
How Backup Qb Pay Compares Across Leagues and Roster Levels
In the NFL, the salary hierarchy places starting quarterbacks at the top, followed by backup quarterbacks, then third-string and practice squad quarterbacks. Practice squad quarterbacks earn the league minimum salary, which was around 705,000 dollars for the most recent season, and do not receive the full roster benefits of active players. For current CFL salary figures and roster rules, see the official CFL salary cap page CFL salary cap.
In the USFL and UFL, backup quarterback pay is closer to the league minimum, with most backups earning between 60,000 and 100,000 dollars per season. In the XFL, veteran backup quarterbacks with prior NFL experience can earn higher salaries, sometimes exceeding 150,000 dollars per year. For official XFL roster and salary information, see the XFL player resources page XFL players.