Twitter reacts to Patriots trading up to draft OT Caleb Lomu
Twitter reacts to Patriots trading up for OT Caleb Lomu
Jeremiyah Love, the Cardinals' first-round pick, set a record for the most guaranteed money for a rookie running back. He was selected third overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, joining an elite group of top-5 tailbacks.
Jeremiyah Love contract: How Cardinals first-round pick set record for most guaranteed money for rookie RB originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Jeremiyah Love made history in more ways than one when he heard his name called in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Notre Dame product became one of just five tailbacks to be selected inside the top-5 since the turn of the century when he was taken by the Cardinals with the third overall pick.
That draft slot brings certain expectations. It also brings a gleaming paycheck, one that will put him in the upper echelon of players at his position.
With that, here's what you need to know about Love's contract, one that figures to reset the running back market in 2026 and beyond.
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Love hasn't yet signed his contract. Assuming he does, however, he'll command a record-breaking fee compared to his positional peers.
Love will take home upwards of $50 million over the course of his contract. He will take home the whole of that figure, making him the highest-paid tailback in NFL history in terms of guaranteed money.
Love's contract sees him surpass a host of gifted runners, including Saquon Barkley ($36 million), ($28.82 million), ($24 million) and ($24 million). Love's deal also dwarfs the contract running back -- a fellow top-10 pick -- took home in 2025.
Jeremiyah Love set the record for the most guaranteed money for a rookie running back.
Jeremiyah Love was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals with the third overall pick.
Jeremiyah Love is one of only five running backs selected in the top-5 since the turn of the century.
Love's contract is expected to reset the running back market in 2026 and beyond.
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The figures of Love's contract also make him the highest-paid running back in the league in terms of total cash. He is slated to be the seventh highest-paid running back in the league in terms of average annual value (AAV) in 2026, only bested by Barkley, McCaffrey, Henry, Kenneth Walker III, Breece Hall and Jonathan Taylor.
Love's draft slot puts him in rarefied air among RB earners. He'll look to live up to his top-tier billing with immediate production for the Cardinals.
MORE 2026 NFL MOCK DRAFTS:
Here's a look at the highest-paid running backs in terms of average annual value.
| Rank | Player | AAV | Team |
| 1 | Saquon Barkley | $20.6 million | Eagles |
| 2 | Christian McCaffrey | $19 million | 49ers |
| 3 | Derrick Henry | $15 million | Ravens |
| 4 | Kenneth Walker III | $14.35 million | Chiefs |
| 5 | Breece Hall | $14.293 million | Jets |
| 6 | Jonathan Taylor | $14 million | Colts |
| 7 | Jeremiyah Love | $12.6 million | Cardinals |
| 8 | Alvin Kamara | $12.25 million | Saints |
| 9 | Travis Etienne | $12 million | Jaguars |
| Josh Jacobs | $12 million | Packers |