Broncos legend John Elway points to one modern-day-NFL change he’d enjoy more than $220,000,000 deals

John Elway wrapped his career just before the Tom Brady era began. Despite wrapping his career roughly 25 years ago, Elway hasn't shied away from the spotlight. After 15 years since his NFL retirement, he won another Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos as a general manager.

However, the early topic of conversation in an interview on Monday's "Pardon My Take" podcast episode concerned his playing career. Elway compared the NFL games of the '80s and '90s to today's. He claimed he would trade today's massive, earth-shattering deals, like Jordan Love's historic $220 million deal, for the same level of protection today's quarterbacks receive.

“I look at how they get protected now. They get protected a heck of a lot more now than we did when we played. I think I’d enjoy that probably more than the money and played a little longer,” Elway said.

Of course, Elway came from an era where most QBs hung it up in their mid-30s. Considering the sport's brutality, Players like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers playing into their 40s was uncommon. Plus, with players now armed with additional protection and better medically equipped teams, their longevity in the sport appears to have skyrocketed.

For instance, Matthew Stafford will be just one year younger by the end of the season than Elway was in his final season. Elway's final year was an age-38 season. Of course, many would argue that the quarterback could have played longer, considering he won back-to-back Super Bowls and retired after his second win.

John Elway's net worth shrinks in comparison to recent mega-deals

John Elway at Denver Broncos vs. Las Vegas Raiders (Image source: Getty)

John Elway said no to a hypothetical opportunity to nab an additional $220,000,000 deal in his past life. However, his net worth reveals how big of a personal opportunity he declined. Per Celebrity Net Worth, the QB's entire worth is "just" $145 million.

According to Spotrac, 19 QBs are playing on a single contract, more than Elway's net worth. The player with the closest contract is Derek Carr, who is on a four-year, $150 million contract. That means in just four years, Carr could earn as much money as Elway has retained from his NFL career 25 years later.

That said, if Elway had made proper investments and kept up with them over the last 25 years, his net worth may have reached that level. Either way, Elway's family is set up for generations. That said, his worth doesn't compare to the QB salaries in 2024.

Patrick Mahomes, who has the biggest contract in the NFL, could earn $450 million on his current deal. The deal runs for ten years and is roughly three times Elway's net worth. Of course, this isn't like comparing a $1 candy bar to a $3 candy bar. This is a gap of roughly $300 million.

Who was the highest-paid NFL QB in John Elway's era?

According to Forbes in 1999, Troy Aikman was the highest-paid QB in the NFL when he signed his deal in 1999, right at the end of the Elway era. His contract was worth $86 million over nine years, including a $20 million signing bonus. QB salaries have changed mightily over the years.

If any of the above quotes are used, credit "Pardon My Take" and H/T Sportskeeda.