The 2024 NFL Draft brought a wave of quarterback talent to the league, with Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix among the brightest stars now leading the Washington Commanders and Denver Broncos. As these rookies gear up for their second seasons in 2025, their rookie contracts are making headlines—not just for the dollars involved, but for what they mean for their teams and the jaw-dropping facts behind the money. Let’s break down their deals, compare the numbers, and dig into some wild facts about what they’re earning as they chase greatness on the field.
Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick out of LSU, inked a four-year deal with the Commanders in June 2024 worth $37.75 million, fully guaranteed, with a massive $24.3 million signing bonus and a fifth-year option for 2028. Nix, selected 12th overall from Oregon, signed his contract with the Broncos in May 2024 for $18.61 million over four years, also fully guaranteed, with a $10.36 million signing bonus and a fifth-year option. The difference in their draft positions shows up big-time in their paychecks—Daniels’ deal averages $9.44 million a year, while Nix’s comes in at $4.65 million. That gap highlights the NFL’s rookie wage scale, where top picks like Daniels get a premium, but both contracts give their teams a cost-controlled quarterback to build around.
Let’s talk about those signing bonuses, because they’re eye-popping. Daniels’ $24.3 million bonus is nearly double Nix’s $10.36 million, showing the financial leap between a top-two pick and a mid-first-rounder. Daniels’ bonus alone is more than some late-first-round picks’ entire contracts, and it’s a lump sum he got shortly after signing—a trend for top quarterbacks that gives them a huge upfront payday. Nix’s bonus, while smaller, is still a hefty chunk of change, and like Daniels, he got it in one go, a perk that’s becoming more common for first-round QBs.
Here’s where it gets fun—some cool facts about their earnings that put this money into perspective. Both deals are 100% guaranteed, meaning Daniels and Nix are set to pocket every penny, even if they don’t pan out, which is a rare kind of security in the NFL where most contracts come with no guarantees. Daniels’ $37.75 million total is the second-highest for a rookie QB in the 2024 draft, trailing only Caleb Williams, while Nix’s $18.61 million is more than some veteran backups make, showing how much teams value rookie potential. In 2024, both had a cap hit of $3.384 million, a steal for starting quarterbacks, letting the Commanders and Broncos splurge on other roster spots—like Washington adding veterans Zach Ertz and Bobby Wagner, or Denver bolstering their defense with John Franklin-Myers.
Another wild tidbit: Daniels’ $9.44 million average annual salary is more than double Nix’s $4.65 million, but both are a bargain compared to veteran QBs like Dak Prescott, who signed a $240 million extension last year. The fifth-year option on both contracts is a game-changer—it lets the teams keep Daniels and Nix in 2028 at a set price based on their performance, potentially saving millions if they become stars. For context, Joe Burrow’s fifth-year option in 2023 was $29.5 million after three Pro Bowls, and if Daniels or Nix rack up similar accolades, their options could hit that range too.
Daniels has already shown he’s worth every penny, leading the Commanders to a 12-5 record and the NFC Championship Game in 2024, with 3,568 passing yards, 891 rushing yards, and 31 total touchdowns. Nix wasn’t far behind, guiding the Broncos to the playoffs with 3,775 passing yards, 430 rushing yards, and 33 total touchdowns, as noted in posts on X. Their low cap hits—Daniels at $8.58 million and Nix at $5.94 million in 2025—give their teams breathing room to build contenders, a strategy that’s worked for teams like the Chiefs with Patrick Mahomes on his rookie deal.
For Commanders and Broncos fans, these contracts are a dream come true—two talented quarterbacks locked in at a fraction of their market value, with the potential to lead their teams to Super Bowl glory. Daniels’ No. 5 jersey is already the top seller across all sports in 2025, and Nix’s steady growth has Denver buzzing about a deep playoff run. The money they’re making is impressive, but it’s the wins they’re stacking that have fans believing the best is yet to come. How far can these two take their teams? That’s the question everyone’s asking as the 2025 season unfolds.
