NFL draft in NIL era includes players taking a pay cut to go from college to the pros
The NFL draft is now seeing players take a pay cut to transition from college to the professional league due to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. With college football programs spending significantly on athletes, some top players, particularly quarterbacks, earned over $1 million last season.
Briefing Summary
AI-generatedThe NFL draft is now seeing players take a pay cut to transition from college to the professional league due to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. With college football programs spending significantly on athletes, some top players, particularly quarterbacks, earned over $1 million last season. These players will now earn less in their first year as NFL rookies compared to their college earnings, despite substantial NFL rookie contracts. For example, first-round picks Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson will still see significant NFL earnings, but their initial rookie year pay might be lower than their college NIL income. This shift highlights the players' passion for the game, as noted by Eagles GM Howie Roseman.
Article analysis
Model · rule-basedKey claims
5 extractedThe character of those players, their passion and love of the game come to the forefront even more.
Mendoza’s NFL rookie deal is slotted to top $57 million, including nearly $10.5 million in 2026.
Top college programs are now spending up to $20.5 million on student-athletes.
The minimum salary for an NFL draft pick in 2026 is slotted at $915,120.
Some players will be drafted who topped the million-dollar mark last season and will earn less in the pros.