Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow warms up during pregame before the start of the NFL preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026.
Joe Burrow Makes Bold Financial Claim About What First-Round Picks Should Do With Rookie Money 1
The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has offered some blunt financial advice for NFL rookies entering the league with life-changing contracts. Burrow believes first-round picks should approach their rookie money differently, while choosing long-term financial security over immediate gratification.
Not every first-round pick develops into a franchise player. So Burrow suggests that young players prepare for that possibility from the moment they enter the league.
Joe Burrow Explains His Financial Advice For First-Round Picks
Cincinnati Bengals, Joe BurrowCincinnati Bengals, Joe Burrow
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws a pass during minicamp, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at Kettering Health Practice Fields in downtown Cincinnati.
Burrow’s counsel comes from someone who understands the financial rewards and uncertainty that come with an NFL career. He entered the league as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and eventually signed a massive contract extension with Cincinnati. While on a recent public conversation, the 29-year-old explained how he believes first-round selections should handle their rookie contracts.
“That first rookie deal, just try to live off your endorsement money. You’ll make enough off the field to live.”
“Going into the NFL, you expect to have a long career and be great, but that’s not always how it plays out.”
“You see guys that spend a lot of their rookie deal money and then they end up stinking, and don’t get a second deal, and now, you got to go find a job immediately because you got bills to pay.”
“Whereas if you position yourself off the field in a way that you can live off of that, if you’re a first-round pick, you should be able to retire after playing four years of football, if you live just on off-the-field money and live within your means.”
Joe Burrow says a first-round pick should be able to retire after four years, but most of them are job hunting by 27.
“That first rookie deal, just try to live off your endorsement money. You’ll make enough off the field to live.”
“Going into the NFL, you expect to have a long… pic.twitter.com/Ynezhp0QU3
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NFL careers can change quickly because of injuries, performance, and roster decisions. A player who expects to receive multiple contracts could suddenly find himself searching for another opportunity. That risk makes financial planning especially important for young players.
Burrow also highlights the value of endorsement income. High-profile first-round picks often enter the league with opportunities outside their playing contracts. Those opportunities can include sponsorships, appearances, and other commercial partnerships. Burrow believes players should use those earnings to cover their lifestyles while protecting their NFL salaries.
The strategy would allow players to preserve more of their guaranteed rookie compensation. That could create a financial cushion if their playing careers do not develop as expected, according to Burrow.
Burrow’s own career demonstrates how quickly an NFL player’s financial outlook can change. The Bengals selected him first overall after his historic final season at LSU. He helped Cincinnati reach Super Bowl LVI during his second NFL season before the Bengals lost to the Los Angeles Rams. Burrow has since established himself as one of the league’s premier quarterbacks. Cincinnati rewarded him with a then-record five-year, $275 million extension in 2023.
However, his situation is far different from that of many players drafted in the first round. Some rookies struggle to establish themselves. Others suffer injuries or fall victim to shifting schemes and roster decisions. A lucrative rookie contract can therefore represent an opportunity that players should protect rather than simply spend.