Running backs have spent years fighting to be valued at the top of the draft. When the Arizona Cardinals selected former Notre Dame star Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick in the 2026 draft, that argument got a significant data point in its favor.
On Friday, Love officially signed the most guaranteed rookie contract ever awarded to a running back, a four-year, fully guaranteed deal worth $53.02 million, surpassing the $36 million Saquon Barkley received when he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles last year.
When asked what he plans to do with the money, Love’s response was that he’s not planning to spend it. At all.
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love is selected by the Arizona Cardinals as the number three pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love is selected by the Arizona Cardinals as the number three pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The NIL era produced a different kind of rookie relationship with money
“I live in the era of NIL, so I’m pretty well off already,” Love said Friday, via Griffin S. DeMarrais of Arizona’s Family KTVK. “I really don’t need to touch that money, as of right now. I most definitely will not.”
The On3 tweet capturing his remarks put it directly: “I live in the era of NIL, I’m pretty well off already. I really don’t need to touch that money.” Love said his financial advisor will manage the contract, and his plan is to set it aside for future generations.
NEW: Former Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love plans to avoid touching any of his $53M+ rookie contract and put it away💰
“I live in the era of NIL, I’m pretty well off already. I really don’t need to touch that money.”https://t.co/QWlBkwYYpV pic.twitter.com/ZbK1cNIH7o
— On3 (@On3) May 9, 2026
“I’m going to make sure I put that money away for my kids, grandkids, stuff like that, so they can have a better life, financially, than I did growing up,” he added.
Love’s financial position before his NFL career even began speaks to how dramatically NIL changed the economics of elite college athletics. Over his final two seasons at Notre Dame, he produced 40 touchdowns and 3,014 scrimmage yards with a 7.2 yards-per-touch average, making him one of the most productive backs in the country.
Tennessee Titans Jeremiyah Love, NFL Draft
Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (RB11) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
His contract makes him the highest-drafted running back since Barkley went second overall in 2018, and the most richly guaranteed rookie at the position in league history.
The annual value of $13.25 million ranks seventh among current NFL backs, behind Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, Derrick Henry, and Jonathan Taylor, among others.
Cardinals was ranked 31st in rushing last season and is now building under first-year head coach Mike LaFleur. Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort called Love mature and unflappable at the combine.
“We had a great interaction with him. He’s just an impressive kid. Never gets too high, never gets too low,” Ossenfort said.