Ranking the NFL's Top 10 QBs Based on Overall Value

The NFL is a business. 

This phrase has been uttered so often it's now considered a cliche. 

Value is often forsaken during contract negotiations, particularly when a team enters into talks with its franchise quarterback. But not all quarterbacks are created the same, nor do they hold the same value based on production and overall success.

Some teams are simply getting more value from their quarterbacks than others based on each individual contract situation. 

On the heels of the Carolina Panthers signing Cam Newton to a five-year, $103 million contract, according to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the NFL landscape continues to evolve. 

Newton is the eighth quarterback to claim a contract that can equal or exceed $100 million over the length of the agreement. 

He follows in the footsteps of Jay Cutler, Joe Flacco, Colin Kaepernick, Aaron Rodgers, Tony Romo, Matt Ryan and Drew Brees. 

A quick inspection of those names doesn't just include some of the top quarterbacks in the business. Rodgers and Brees are. Romo and Ryan aren't far behind. But very few count Cutler, Flacco or Kaepernick among the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and the trio owns the top three contracts in the NFL based on potential earning power. 

It's time to take a closer look at which teams get the most bang for their bucks. 

In doing so, criteria need to be set to determine which quarterbacks are truly valuable to their teams. Four categories were considered: 

• Monetary value of contract
• Overall production
• Team success
• Postseason performances

With those in mind, these are the top 10 quarterbacks who present the best value.

10. Cam Newton

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Current Contract: five years, $103 million

The NFL's newest $100 million man might not be viewed as the one of the league's best overall values, but it's all a matter of perspective. 

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Newton will make $30 million in the first year alone and $67.6 million over the first three years of the contract. These are excessive numbers and industry firsts, but the actual makeup on the agreement as it pertains to the salary cap—which are the most important numbers for any contract—has yet to be revealed. 

Based on Rapoport's information, the deal will be front-loaded. However, Newton's overall worth throughout the course of the $103 million contract still ranks seventh among quarterbacks.

This was the Carolina Panthers' only course of action.

The team could have waited one more year as Newton played out the final year of his contract, but the NFL is a quarterback-driven league, and Newton is a rare talent at the position. He owns prototypical size and one of the game's strongest arms. He is also the leading rusher for quarterbacks in three of the past four seasons. The offense is even built around the threat of him running the football. 

The quarterback has also been asked to carry a heavy burden. A year after finishing 12-4 overall during the 2013 season, the Panthers needed to replace four of Newton's top targets at wide receiver and the left side of the offensive line. Aside from the acquisition of Kelvin Benjamin, the organization didn't do either adequately. Still, Newton helped lead his team to a second consecutive playoff appearance with a 7-8-1 record in 2014. 

Bottom line: Newton is the catalyst of the Panthers, and he was paid as such. 

At a time when the NFL is made up of haves and have-nots based on the caliber of quarterback each team claims, the Panthers have a talented quarterback who allows them to be competitive each and every season. 

9. Alex Smith

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Current Contract: four years, $68 million

The Kansas City Chiefs' Alex Smith isn't considered the most physically gifted or productive quarterback. Most like to highlight the weaknesses in his game 

No one, however, can deny the Chiefs' success since he's taken over the reins of Andy Reid's offense. He became a stabilizing force behind center. 

The team is 20-12 over the past two seasons and made a playoff appearance after the 2013 season. If the Chiefs defense didn't completely melt down against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half of their wild-card meeting, Smith might be viewed very differently today. 

That's not the case, though, but Smith's reliability cannot be overlooked. Since becoming the Chiefs' starter, Smith completed 62.9 percent of his passes for 6,578 yards, 41 touchdowns and only 13 interceptions. 

Plus, the $68 million contract extension he signed last summer averages only $4.75 million per season in guaranteed money throughout its entirety, which is the 19th-highest average among the NFL's starting quarterbacks. 

Smith might not be the most dynamic quarterback, but he comes at a very good value based on the stability he's provided for the franchise. 

8. Philip Rivers

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Current Contract: six years, $91.8 million

Philip Rivers' time in San Diego may be over sooner rather than later and in more ways than one. 

Despite being the focal point of trade rumors, Rivers was never dealt on draft day. Instead, the Chargers decided to retain their franchise quarterback. But he's a free agent after this season who may not be willing to re-sign with the team if they move from San Diego to Los Angeles. 

Until then, everyone is operating under what is currently known. That includes the Chargers playing in San Diego this year with Rivers operating under what is essentially a one-year deal with a $17.416 million cap hit. He originally signed the six-year, $91.8 million contract in 2009. While it was a massive contract at the time, it now ranks 16th out of 110 quarterback contracts.

His cap hit is seventh-highest in the league, but when the overall contract is taken into context, the guaranteed money per year actually drops to ninth overall. 

Even at a higher overall cap number, Rivers' value to the franchise as its one constant originally made him an untradeable asset. 

Two of the best seasons of his career came within the past two years. In 2013, Rivers set a career high with a 69.5 completion percentage, which was followed by his second-best effort of 66.5 percent last season. He also threw for 30 or more touchdowns for the first time in consecutive seasons. 

The Chargers, meanwhile finished 18-14 over that time and even captured a wild-card win against the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2013 playoffs. 

Rivers' overall value will change at some point in the coming year, but right now, he's the right price for the Chargers.

7. Drew Brees

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Current Contract: five years, $100 million

Drew Brees' production over the course of his current contract is mind-boggling. 

Brees signed a five-year, $100 million extension with the New Orleans Saints in 2012. During the first three seasons, the diminutive signal-caller threw for 15,291 yards and 115 touchdowns. 

While it's not hard to argue that a decline in play has been seen over the past two seasons for the 36-year-old quarterback, his production remains among the best in the league. Last year, Brees tied for the lead league with the Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger when they threw for 4,952 passing yards. 

Brees does own a massive $27.4 million cap number in 2016, but he's been well worth the contract over its entirety. His average of guaranteed money per year actually ranks fifth in the league. When he's producing like one of the top two or three quarterbacks in the league, one can actually argue he's been a bargain. 

The Saints are also one year removed from an 11-5 season and a playoff appearance. The team nearly pulled it together in time for another playoff run despite a 7-9 season last year, but the team feel flat during the finale against the Carolina Panthers, who claimed a division crown despite a sub-.500 season. 

Brees may be one of the previously mentioned $100 million quarterbacks, but his level of production certainly rivals his paycheck. At the very least, the Saints got their money's worth out of the contract even if they're still dealing with salary-cap issues. 

6. Peyton Manning

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Current Contract: five years, $96 million

As future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning teeters on the brink of retirement, he remains well compensated yet more than worthy of his yearly salary. 

His $96 million contract is surprisingly affordable considering his level of play the past two seasons. 

Manning's yearly average of $19.2 million actually ranks eighth among starting quarterbacks. This year's rate of $17.5 million is sixth.

The biggest difference in Manning's contract is the guaranteed money he's owed. The $18 million guaranteed over the length of the contract ranks 20th overall. Recent draftees Jameis Winston and Blake Bortles actually have more guaranteed money on their current contracts than Manning. 

During previous seasons, though, his yearly salary became guaranteed upon passing a physical due to his previous neck issues. 

Still, Manning is in the twilight of his career. He remains well compensated, but his continued production still makes him one of league's elite signal-callers. 

Since taking over at quarterback three seasons ago, Manning shattered passing records, led the Broncos to Super Bowl XLVIII and won 38 regular-season games. The veteran quarterback combined to throw for 14,863 yards and a whopping 131 touchdowns, including a record-shattering 55 scoring tosses in 2013, during that span. 

Manning's decline certainly seemed to be in effect toward the end of the 2014 campaign, but let's not forget that this is a team that was dealing with Tebow-mania before Manning took the reins of the franchise. An investment into Manning was a no-brainer then, just as it is now. 

5. Aaron Rodgers

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Current Contract: five years, $110 million

What is the value of having the NFL's top quarterback on your roster?

The Green Bay Packers answered the question when the organization offered Aaron Rodgers a five-year, $110 million contract extension prior to the 2013 season. 

On the surface, Rodgers is certainly paid like the NFL's top quarterback. His current contract maintains the highest yearly average and most overall guaranteed money. However, his $18.25 million cap hit for the 2015 season actually ranks fourth among quarterbacks for the upcoming year behind the New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees, New York Giants' Eli Manning and Atlanta Falcons' Matt Ryan. 

Those are all fine players with plenty of previous success on their resumes, but none of them are the league's reigning MVP. 

Rodgers' level of play over the course of the past four seasons bordered on the level of obscene. Once he signed the contract, he continued to get even better. Rodgers started out very well during the first half of the 2013 campaign before he was put on a hiatus because of a broken collarbone. Last season, though, there was nothing holding him back, and he finally claimed the hardware as the league's Most Valuable Player after throwing for 4,381 yards, 38 touchdowns and a meager five interceptions. 

The Packers also captured four straight division titles. They'll be expected to continue the streak this fall. 

This ranking is also slightly based on future markets. While we can only form arguments on what is known, Rodgers likely won't receive top billing in the aforementioned contract categories for long. The Seattle Seahawks' Russell Wilson and Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck could all surpass him once they strike new deals. 

In the end, Rodgers is currently the best at what he does. The going rate for that caliber of player is steep, but it's well worth the investment.

4. Ben Roethlisberger

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Current Contract: five years, $87.4 million

When the game's best quarterbacks are mentioned, Ben Roethlisberger is rarely named with the same reverence as the Denver Broncos' Peyton Manning or New England Patriots' Tom Brady. He's usually not placed in the same breath as highly productive superstars like the New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees or Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers. And at 33 years old, he's certainly not one of the league's upcoming young guns. 

It's almost like NFL fans have this pristine yet outdated vision of the Pittsburgh Steelers winning games via a dominant defense and a physical running attack. 

Roethlisberger actually tied Brees last season as the NFL's leading passer with 4,952 yards. Prior to signing a five-year contract extension worth $87.4 million in March,  the Steelers quarterback threw for more than 4,000 yards in three of the last four seasons. His touchdown production also increased each of the past four years. 

The Steelers, like every other team in the league, are now a quarterback-driven offense, and Roethlisberger is one of the league's most unique due to his size, arm strength and ability to escape defensive pressure.

When his contract is stacked next to the rest of the quarterbacks, Roethlisberger's $31 million in guaranteed money isn't even among the league's Top 10. And his $17.245 cap hit for the upcoming season ranks eighth among starting quarterbacks. 

A two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback who led the NFL is passing yardage last season should be considered a massive bargain when those numbers are taken into context.

Roethlisberger's name might not come up often when discussing the NFL's elite quarterbacks, but he certainly belongs among the league's best. 

3. Andrew Luck

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Current Contract: five years, $22.1 million

In professional sports, it's difficult to live up to expectations. Such is not the case for Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. 

Now, Luck's name comes up even when he's not performing on the field, usually in reference to quarterback prospects. 

The conversation usually goes like this: 

"Well, this is a relatively weak quarterback class."

"There certainly isn't an Andrew Luck available."

"Andrew Luck only comes around once every 20 years."

Before Luck there was Peyton Manning. Before Manning there was John Elway. That's the progression of great quarterback prospects. 

As such, the Indianapolis Colts have benefited greatly from the NFL's rookie-wage scale. 

In three years, Luck set the rookie passing record, led the Colts to three straight playoff appearances and even made it to the AFC Championship Game last season. He's completed 58.6 percent of his passes for 12,957 yards and 86 touchdowns over that span. 

All of this happened while Luck worked under a rookie contract. His current contract is worth $22.1 million and runs through 2017. Thirteen other quarterbacks have more guaranteed money linked to their contracts than Luck. 

Luck is set to receive a massive payday now that the Colts are finally in the window to renegotiate his contract, but his current monetary value pales in comparison to his level of play and ability to exceed all of the expectations placed on him as the next great thing. 

2. Tom Brady

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Current Contract: three years, $27 million

In the era of $100 million quarterback contracts, Tom Brady, who has won four Super Bowls during his career, has never been a part of such a deal. 

At one point after he signed a four-year, $72 million contract extension before the 2010 season, Brady was the NFL's highest-paid player. But he's never eclipsed the century mark over the entirety of a contract. 

When those players who received such bloated contracts are compared to Brady's accomplishments, there is no comparison whatsoever. Brady is the NFL's current standard-bearer—whether he deflated footballs or not. 

Despite his lofty status, the 37-year-old signal-caller isn't at or even near the top-paid quarterbacks after he restructured his contract to three years and $27 million. 

The total value of his contract is 18th in the league, while his $14 million cap hit in 2015 is 11th among quarterbacks. 

Instead of trying to land one big final contract during his latter years, Brady instead continues to rework his agreements to benefit the team. The Patriots quarterback is still well compensated, but players such as the Detroit Lions' Matthew Stafford, Chicago Bears' Jay Cutler, Kansas City Chiefs' Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick, Dallas Cowboys' Tony Romo and Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton all hold a higher cap value than the reigning Super Bowl MVP. 

Meanwhile, all Brady continues to do is produce and win games. He's thrown for more than 4,100 yards in each of the last four seasons. Also, the last time Brady didn't help the Patriots win a division title happened in 2008, because he tore an ACL and MCL in his left knee during the season opener against the Chiefs. 

Brady continues to be one of the best quarterbacks of all time, yet he's essentially operating at a discount price. 

1. Russell Wilson

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Current Contract: four years, $2.996 million

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is one poor coaching decision away from being a two-time Super Bowl champion within the first three years of his professional career. 

Whether he is making the most of any starting quarterback or the least—only the St. Louis Rams' Nick Foles makes less—this scenario presents tremendous overall value. 

In fact, 46 different quarterbacks own a higher cap hit for the 2015 season than Wilson, who is already wearing a Super Bowl ring. 

This is the result of a former third-round pick taking charge from the first day he stepped into the Seahawks locker room. He's been forced to operate under his rookie contract for the first three years despite all of his success. This scenario will change soon. 

Now that he's beyond his third season of his rookie contract, the Seahawks and Wilson are allowed to negotiate a contract extension, but it has yet to occur.

Wilson's upcoming contract could easily eclipse every quarterback in the league in total contract value when it's all said and done, but right now, he's in the same league as Foles, Geno Smith and Derek Carr as the starting quarterbacks making the least amount of money. 

The difference between Wilson and the other three is that the Seahawks signal-caller leads a successful franchise and serves as the NFL's most elusive dual-threat quarterback. In three seasons, Wilson threw for 9,950 yards and ran for 1,877 more. His ability to keep defenses on their heels makes him a dynamic playmaker. 

It's time to pay the man, and it'll happen sooner rather than later. Until then, the Seahawks lay claim to the best bargain in professional football.

All contract information taken from OverTheCap.com. Brent Sobleski covers the NFL draft for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @brentsobleski.