Seahawks can’t be happy with Matt Ryan deal. Russell Wilson will get paid.

SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks scrambles with the ball in the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at CenturyLink Field on December 31, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr /Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks scrambles with the ball in the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at CenturyLink Field on December 31, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr /Getty Images) /
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Aaron Rodgers
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 17: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers reacts during their game against the Carolina Panthers. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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Who’s stealing money and who’s working for pocket change?

Pocket change is relatively speaking, of course. We’d all love to be so terribly underpaid. But in context, yes, some players are getting paid far less than they’re worth. And some are getting too much.

Based on this, a few things stick out. Joe Flacco with his 84.1 career rating is seriously overpaid. He’s only topped a passer rating of 90 twice in his career. He isn’t bad, but he certainly isn’t great.

Washington’s Alex Smith doesn’t look too great either with that career rating of 87.4, until you take into account his rating with the Chiefs was 94.8 in 76 starts. He had just one season with a rating under 90 with the Chiefs, and that was his first in Kansas City when he scored a rating of 89.1.

There are a couple of guys who will really cash in soon

A few more things before I get to the Seahawks signal caller. Is Tom Brady underpaid? Of course he is, we all knew that. As for his former understudy, Jimmy Garoppolo is off to a great start, but it’s just seven starts. Scott Mitchell looked good for seven starts too. Yes, Garoppolo is much better than Mitchell, but it’s early; that’s all I’m saying.

Compared to the nine quarterbacks cashing bigger checks than his, Aaron Rodgers is working for tips. Of course, we’d all settle for a “mere” $22 million per year, but there are very few quarterbacks you can even mention in the same sentence as Rodgers. Brady is one, of course, as is Drew Brees.

The third quarterback that belongs in the conversation is Russell Wilson. He is second in career passer rating for all time in the league, behind only Rodgers. Yes, better than Peyton Manning, Steve Young, Joe Montana, or any other football god you care to trot out. His numbers will likely decline as he ages, unless of course he decides to retire while he’s still on top of his game. But he could certainly increase his rating before any decline even begins. I’d say his chances to stay in the top five all-time are excellent.