The quarterback market operates independently from the rest of the NFL's financial ecosphere. While those in other position groups are usually trying to sign market-level deals, with a few exceptions that slightly reset their respective spots, the highest-paid quarterback is generally the one who signs last.
This year, the quarterback market has already been reset on four different occasions.
In April, the Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Hurts became the first NFL player to reach $51 million in average annual salary. Ten days later, the Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson topped that number with a $52 million average. The Los Angeles Chargers' Justin Herbert leapfrogged both at $52.