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Before Jeremiah Love takes a snap in the NFL, veteran running backs must already be pretty jealous of him.
That’s because the third overall pick in last month’s NFL draft officially signed his $53 million rookie contract on Friday.
Love’s deal is the most guaranteed money ever given to a running back in NFL history, by far.
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Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiah Love runs during rookie minicamp at the Arizona Cardinals Dignity Health training facility in Tempe, Arizona on May 8, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
The previous record was the $36 million Saquon Barkley got when he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025. Just below that is Ashton Jeanty’s rookie contract of $35.9 million.
Love impressed Notre Dame and exploded up the draft boards, and the Arizona Cardinals didn’t pass him up.
He rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns last season for the Fighting Irish, while passing 100 yards in six of his 14 performances. He even rushed for 228 yards against the USC Trojans.
Love became the highest-drafted running back since the New York Giants selected Barkley second overall out of Penn State in 2018. And he joins a Cardinals offense that will be revamped under new head coach Mike LaFleur.
Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiah Love runs during rookie minicamp at the Arizona Cardinals Dignity Health training facility in Tempe, Arizona on May 8, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
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Despite the payday, Love has already decided he will be careful with his money.
“I’m not spending any of my NFL checks.” Love says to BRGridiron. “All this money, my financial advisor is going to take care of all that. I don’t know, it’s not my job. He’s going to be there to make more and more money.”
Instead, Love said he would spend his money over the course of his career. Even then he doesn’t think of a sumptuous lifestyle for himself.
“The first thing I could buy with my marketing money is a house for my parents and a car for my father,” he said. “Shoot, I’ll put myself last. I’ll take care of my family first.”
The running back market has been stalled for a while, but over the past few offseasons, it appears front offices have reversed course.
Jeremiah Love of Notre Dame celebrates after being selected as the third overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 23, 2026. (Émilee Chinn/Getty Images)
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But if Love doesn’t live up to his salary, he could be a pioneer in how front offices view the position in the future.
