Jeremiyah Love enters NFL with record-setting expected contract
Jeremiyah Love’s projected Arizona Cardinals rookie contract could place him among the league’s highest-paid running backs before his first game.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish made a major impact during the first night of the 2026 NFL Draft as running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price both heard their names called. But while the program made history, Love carved out a milestone of his own. Selected No.
3 overall by the Arizona Cardinals, Love is projected to sign a rookie contract worth more than $50 million. The deal would instantly place him among the NFL’s highest-paid running backs before taking a single snap. If the contract is fully guaranteed, Love would set a league record for guaranteed money for a running back.
That would surpass the deals signed by stars like Saquon Barkley, who received $36 million guaranteed. Other stars, such as Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey, also secured around $24 million each. Love’s projected deal would also surpass the contract signed by 2025 No.
6 overall pick Ashton Jeanty with the Las Vegas Raiders. This would put the former Notre Dame star in rare company from the moment he enters the league. The investment reflects how highly Arizona views Love after a dominant final season in South Bend.