Cardinals’ Jeremiyah Love makes stunning claim on rookie contract

The Arizona Cardinals handed Jeremiyah Love a record-setting NFL rookie contract this week, but the No. 3 overall pick says he has no plans to spend the money anytime soon.

Love, selected third overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, signed a fully guaranteed four-year deal worth more than $53 million on May 8. The contract makes him one of the NFL’s highest-paid running backs before taking a professional snap.

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Yet the former Notre Dame star said his NFL salary will stay untouched.

“I live in the era of NIL, so I’m pretty well off already,” Love said, via Griffin S. DeMarrais on X. “So, I really don’t need to touch that money, as of right now. I most definitely will not.”

“I’m gonna make sure I put that money away for my grandkids, my kids, and stuff like that, so they can have a better life financially than I did growing up. So, that’s the plan. Plans change sometimes. Plans can change sometimes, but that’s the plan.”

The statement drew attention across league circles because of how rare it is for a rookie, especially a running back, to discuss long-term financial planning so openly.

Love called the contract “life-changing” but acknowledged the payday came largely because of draft position, not NFL production.

“Every high pick is going to get a lot of money,” Love said. “I still haven’t done anything at the end of the day. I’m coming into the league with a mindset. I’m ready to work, ready to earn the things that I’ve been given. But, I mean, it’s very life-changing.”

Cardinals need more than financial maturity from Love

Arizona’s investment in Love reflects both his talent and the organization’s desperation for offensive stability after a disastrous 3-14 season in 2025.