Jeremiyah Love's rookie contract will set RB record
Love will be one of the highest-paid running backs in the NFL before even stepping on the field.
The Arizona Cardinals made running back Jeremiyah Love the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft on Thursday. He was the highest running back drafted since Saquon Barkley went second overall in 2018. While no one is denying Love's talent and potential impact on the field, many question drafting him that high for financial reasons?
Why? Love will be one of the highest-paid running backs in the NFL before even stepping on the field, and will set an NFL record for guaranteed money for a running back. According to Spotrac , Love's projected contract will be four years worth about $53 million with a $35 million signing bonus.
It will be fully guaranteed, as all first-round contracts always are. The per-year average of more than $13 million when he signs his contract will rank seventh among running backs, behind Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, Derrick Henry, Ken Walker, Breece Hall and Jonathan Taylor. Love's contract will be fully guaranteed.
Barkley's full guarantees of $36 million is the current record for running back. Love's will be the whole value of the contract. If he is great, the money won't matter, although it will make him a very expensive running back for his fifth-year option and a second contract, but with the increasing salary cap, it probably will be fine.