Quarterback Salary in the National Football League
Faculty Sponsor(s)
Eric Schuck
Subject Area
Anthropology
Description
In this paper we investigate the quarterback position in the National Football League and the factors that influence the salary of a Quarterback. The quarterback position is widely regarded as one of the most important positions in the National Football League. In turn, quarterbacks are some of the most valued players in the league, and typically some of the highest paid players on their respective teams, and in the National Football League as a whole. This paper attempts to identify which specific explanatory variables have the most influence on the annual salary of quarterbacks in the National Football League. Using data from the 2023 season, collected from various sources, it is suggested that Age, Height, Draft Pick, Pro Bowls, Rating, Winning %, and % Salary Cap were all theoretically expected to be the most influential factors in explaining the salary of a quarterback in the National Football League. An econometric regression analysis was run using the variables to best estimate the impact each variable has on quarterbacks’ salaries. The results from the regression that was performed showed that only the variables of Age, Draft Pick, and Rating, were statistically significant, all of which at the 5% level. The results identified in this initial regression can be used to predict what type of contract specific quarterbacks in the National Football League are expected to receive based on the variables of Age, Draft Pick, and (quarterback) Rating.
Recommended Citation
Dupree, Jackson, "Quarterback Salary in the National Football League" (2024). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 33.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2024/all/33
Quarterback Salary in the National Football League
In this paper we investigate the quarterback position in the National Football League and the factors that influence the salary of a Quarterback. The quarterback position is widely regarded as one of the most important positions in the National Football League. In turn, quarterbacks are some of the most valued players in the league, and typically some of the highest paid players on their respective teams, and in the National Football League as a whole. This paper attempts to identify which specific explanatory variables have the most influence on the annual salary of quarterbacks in the National Football League. Using data from the 2023 season, collected from various sources, it is suggested that Age, Height, Draft Pick, Pro Bowls, Rating, Winning %, and % Salary Cap were all theoretically expected to be the most influential factors in explaining the salary of a quarterback in the National Football League. An econometric regression analysis was run using the variables to best estimate the impact each variable has on quarterbacks’ salaries. The results from the regression that was performed showed that only the variables of Age, Draft Pick, and Rating, were statistically significant, all of which at the 5% level. The results identified in this initial regression can be used to predict what type of contract specific quarterbacks in the National Football League are expected to receive based on the variables of Age, Draft Pick, and (quarterback) Rating.
