Jeremiyah Love says he has no plans to spend NFL rookie salary: ‘I’m from the NIL era’
By David Wasson
Published:
If Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love is any indication, the current generation of NFL superstars will be looking at their professional earnings in a completely different way.
Love, who was selected by the Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, is slotted to earn just over $53 million in his fully guaranteed rookie contract – money he indicates he will fully set aside for investment due to his already-significant Name, Image and Likeness earnings while at Notre Dame.
“I’m from the NIL (era), I’m pretty well off,” Love recently told reporters. “I really don’t need to touch that money.”
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Love’s NIL deals included a partnership with Samsung alongside other deals with New Balance and Celsius.
Love rumbled for 1,372 yards on 199 carries with 18 touchdowns for Notre Dame in 2025 – good enough to win the Doak Walker Award for the nation’s top running back. His three-year output in South Bend included 2,882 rushing yards, 584 receiving yards and 42 total touchdowns.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
