Love's rookie contract sets RB guaranteed money record

Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love signed a $53 million rookie contract on Friday. The deal includes the most guaranteed money awarded to any running back before an NFL snap, surpassing prior records by a wide margin. Love, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, joins the Cardinals without playing a regular-season game.

The Cardinals selected Love out of Notre Dame after his rise on draft boards. He joins a revamped offense under new head coach Mike LaFleur. Love ranks as the highest-drafted running back since the New York Giants took Saquon Barkley second overall in 2018.

Love rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns in 14 games last season at Notre Dame, topping 100 yards in six outings. He ran for 228 yards against USC. His guarantees exceed Barkley's $36 million from his 2025 Eagles contract and Ashton Jeanty's $35.9 million rookie deal.

Love plans to avoid spending his NFL earnings. "I’m not spending any of my NFL checks," he told BRGridiron. "All that money, my financial advisor’s going to take care of all of that." He intends to use endorsement income for family purchases, starting with a house for his parents and a car for his father.