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Before Jeremiyah Love has even received an NFL snap, veteran running backs must already be pretty jealous of him.
That’s because the third overall pick in last month’s NFL Draft officially signed his $53 million rookie contract on Friday.
Love’s deal is the most guaranteed money ever given to a running back in NFL history, by a wide margin.
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Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love runs during rookie minicamp at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe, Arizona, on May 8, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
The previous record was the $36 million Saquon Barkley earned when he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025. Just below him is Ashton Jeanty’s $35.9 million rookie contract.
Love impressed at Notre Dame and skyrocketed up draft boards, and the Arizona Cardinals didn’t let him pass him by.
He rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns last season for the Fighting Irish, while surpassing 100 yards in six of his 14 appearances. He even rushed for 228 yards against the USC Trojans.
Love became the highest-drafted running back since the New York Giants selected Barkley second overall out of Penn State in 2018. And he joins a Cardinals offense that will be revamped under new head coach Mike LaFleur.
Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love runs during rookie minicamp at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe, Arizona, on May 8, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
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However, despite the payday, Love has already decided that she will be careful with her money.
“I’m not spending any of my NFL checks.” Love spoken to BRGridiron. “All that money, my financial advisor is going to take care of all that. I don’t know, it’s not my job. He’s going to be there making more and more money.”
Instead, Love said he would spend his endorsement money throughout his career. Even then, he’s not thinking of a luxurious lifestyle for himself.
“The first thing I could buy with my marketing money is a house for my parents and a car for my father,” he explained. “Shoot, I’m going to put myself last. I’m going to take care of my family first.”
The running back market was stagnant for quite some time, but in recent offseasons, it appears that management has reversed course.
Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame celebrates after being selected with the third overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on April 23, 2026. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
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But if Love doesn’t live up to the payday, he could set a trend in how front offices view the position going forward.
