NFL’s Highest-Paid Quarterbacks Who Have Never Won A Playoff Game

Sportscasting.com collected and analyzed the data for the list of the NFL’s highest-paid quarterbacks who have never won a playoff game.

Key Highlights

• Derek Carr ($195.7 million) is the highest-paid quarterback who has never won a playoff game (0-1).
• Andy Dalton ($110.6 million) is tied with Y.A. Tittle for the most career playoff starts without winning a game (0-4).
• 8 of the 10 highest-paid quarterbacks who have never won a playoff game are on active rosters.

Derek Carr, Kyler Murray Headline The List

The dream that finally came true:

"For the time in 31 years!! Cincinnati!! Your Bengals has won a playoff game!!"

– Mike Tirico#RuleTheJungle pic.twitter.com/PLfHupRsJE

— Serhan Dayi (@SerhanOnX) January 11, 2023

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is the highest-paid quarterback to have never won a playoff game. Through 2024, Carr’s career earnings exceed $195 million.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is second on the list at $138.1 million, followed by Carson Wentz at $132.8 million.

Eight of the 10 quarterbacks on the list are still in the NFL. During their careers, Sam Bradford and Ryan Fitzpatrick never started playoff games.

NFL’s Highest-Paid QBs Who Have Never Won A Playoff Game

*Active players. Numbers via Spotrac.com on 10/30/2024.

10. Tua Tagavailoa – $73.5 million

Playoff record: 0-1

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is No. 10 on the list at $73.5 million.

Tagovailoa had a career season in 2023, leading the Dolphins to the playoffs and being named to the Pro Bowl.

However, Tagovailoa and the Dolphins ran into the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card round, managing just 264 yards of total offense in a 26-7 loss.

9. Jameis Winston – $76.1 million

Playoff record: 0-0

Quarterback Jameis Winston is currently the backup to Deshaun Watson in Cleveland.

The former No. 1 pick has accumulated over $76 million in career earnings.

Winston’s 5,109 passing yards were the most in the NFL during the 2019 season. However, Winston has never started a playoff game.

8. Tyrod Taylor – $76.6 million

Playoff record: 0-1

New York Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor is currently backing up Aaron Rodgers.

Drafted in the 2011 NFL Draft, Taylor led the Buffalo Bills to the playoffs during the 2017 season. The Bills ost to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card round by a score of 10-3.

Despite serving as a backup for the majority of his career, Taylor’s career earnings still exceed $76 million.

7. Ryan Fitzpatrick – $82.1 million

Playoff record: 0-0

Name a team in the NFL. Chances are that Fitzpatrick played for it.

During his 17-year career, Fitzpatrick played for the St. Louis Rams, Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, and Washington Football Team.

Fitzpatrick earned over $82 million while playing quarterback in the NFL, with his biggest contract being a six-year, $59 million extension with the Bills in 2011.

6. Justin Herbert – $96.2 million

Playoff record: 0-1

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is one of the most talented players in his position.

The Oregon product signed a massive five-year, $262.5 million contract extension before the 2023 regular season.

In his lone playoff start, Herbert and the Chargers blew a 27–0 lead and lost 31-30 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2023 Wild Card round.

5. Andy Dalton – $110.6 million

Playoff record: 0-4

Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton, the fifth-highest quarterback on the list, is tied with Y.A. Tittle for the most playoff starts (4) without a victory.

Dalton’s last playoff start came during the 2014 season for the Cincinnati Bengals, losing to the Indianapolis Colts in the Wild Card round.

Despite his lack of playoff success, Dalton is still a solid quarterback and currently starts for the Panthers.

4. Sam Bradford – $130 million

Playoff record: 0-0

After winning the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma, Bradford was selected with the first pick in the 2010 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams.

Bradford signed a six-year, $78 million deal, the largest ever for a rookie.

Injuries plagued Bradford’s career, as he never started a playoff game. Bradford last played with the Arizona Cardinals in 2018.

3. Carson Wentz – $132.8 million

Playoff record: 0-1

Wentz was on his way toward winning the MVP for the Philadelphia Eagles before tearing his ACL late in the 2017 season.

Wentz’s replacement, Nick Foles, led the Eagles to the franchise’s first-ever Super Bowl victory later that same season.

Things were never the same for Wentz, who currently serves as the backup to Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City.

2. Kyler Murray – $138.1 million

Playoff record: 0-1

During the 2021 NFL season, Murray led the Cardinals to an 11-6 regular season record.

The Cardinals lost 34-11 in the Wild Card game to the eventual Super Bowl champion, the Los Angeles Rams.

Before the 2022 season, Murray signed a five-year, $230.5 million contract extension with the Cardinals.

1. Derek Carr – $195.7 million

Playoff record: 0-1

While playing for the Oakland Raiders in 2016, Carr led the team to a 12-3 record before a leg injury ended his season. The Raiders lost to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round.

Carr’s one playoff start occurred during the 2021-2022 NFL season for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Carr completed 29 of 54 for 310 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the Raiders’ 26-19 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card round.

Carr is the current starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints after signing a four-year, $150 million contract during the 2023 offseason.