Are Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield the NFL’s Most Underpaid QBs After Super Bowl 2026?

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

With Super Bowl 2026 in the books—the Seattle Seahawks’ dominant 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots on February 8, 2026—the 2026 offseason is already heating up around quarterback contracts. Two former Carolina Panthers veterans who exceeded expectations in 2025, Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield, are drawing fresh attention as potentially underpaid relative to their production and market value.

In a league where elite starters routinely command $50 million+ per year, both Darnold (fresh off a Super Bowl title) and Mayfield stand out as cost-efficient starters on deals signed when their value was perceived as lower. Recent analysis groups them as prime examples of “underpaid” QBs heading into free agency or extension talks.

Sam Darnold: Value Beyond the Numbers

Darnold entered the 2025 season as the new starter for the Seattle Seahawks after signing a three-year, $100.5 million contract in March 2025 (~$33.5 million APY, with heavy front-loading and team-friendly structure). Previously a high-upside but inconsistent quarterback (top-3 pick in 2018), Darnold delivered a career resurgence: He started all 17 regular-season games, throwing for 4,048 yards (5th in NFL), 25 touchdowns (tied-9th), 14 interceptions, a 67.7% completion rate, and a 99.1 passer rating. His QBR was 55.6 (19th), but he ranked highly in yards per attempt and efficiency.

In the playoffs, Sam Darnold went turnover-free in key spots (e.g., 56/91, 672 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INTs across postseason games) and helped lead Seattle to the title, including strong Super Bowl LX play (e.g., 19/ completions for 202 yards and a TD in highlights). This marked his first championship and second Pro Bowl nod.

His contract—structured to allow Seattle flexibility after one year—has been widely called a “steal.” Post-Super Bowl, projections suggest he could command $45 million+ APY on a new extension, with some league sources eyeing an early redo to reward the title run.

Baker Mayfield: Steady Play Worth More

Mayfield had another solid year for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2025, starting all 17 games: 343/543 (63.2% completion), 3,693 yards (10th), 26 touchdowns (tied-7th), 11 interceptions (improved low rate), 90.6 passer rating, and QBR 61.3 (12th). While not a career-high in completion percentage (lower than his 2024 mark), he showed steady leadership and efficiency.

The Buccaneers did not reach the playoffs (NFC South contention fell short), but Baker Mayfield’s production kept them competitive. His three-year, $100 million extension (~$33.3 million APY, signed post-2023 resurgence) ranks him around 19th among QBs—well below top-tier deals. Analysts note his 2026 cap hit (~$40-51 million, with restructures) remains a bargain compared to peers, with extension talks potentially pushing toward $50 million+ APY if he sustains his form in 2026.

What Makes Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield “Underpaid”?

Both Darnold and Mayfield entered their current contracts after seasons where:

• Darnold’s market value was depressed by earlier struggles and injuries, leading to a relatively team-friendly extension.
• Mayfield’s 2025 deal reflected stabilization more than premium production, setting his cap figure below peers with similar stats.

In contrast, quarterbacks ranked as franchise cornerstones such as Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and C.J. Stroud command salaries well into the $40 million-plus range per year, commensurate with elite performance and long-term potential.

Conclusion

In a league defined by quarterback value, Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield have quietly built cases as underpaid players based on their 2025 performance. While neither commands the spotlight like the league’s elite superstars, advanced metrics and team impact suggest both deserve better compensation relative to their production.