Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love has revealed he plans to put away his record-breaking $53million guaranteed first NFL contract into savings.
The highly-rated Love was selected No. 3 overall by the Cardinals out of Notre Dame in last month’s NFL Draft.
On Friday he formally signed his four-year, $53m deal, which includes the most guaranteed money ever paid to a running back in NFL history.
His $13.25m annual salary also ranks seventh highest among current NFL running backs, despite Love not having played a single snap as a professional yet.
But he revealed after signing the big-money deal that he’s planning to be smart with his lucrative contract.
‘It’s very life-changing. That amount of money would change anybody’s life,’ Love said Friday as Arizona kicked off rookie minicamp.
Jeremiyah Love plans to put away his record-breaking $53m first NFL contract into savings
Love also vowed to take care of his family after signing his big deal with the Arizona Cardinals
‘For me, personally, it doesn’t change my mindset. Obviously, I’m only getting that much because I’m the third pick in the draft. Every high pick is gonna get a lot of money.
‘I still haven’t done anything at the end of the day. I’m coming into the league with a mindset. I’m ready to work, ready to earn the things that I’ve been given.
‘I’m here to play football. You get paid a lot to do it, but at the end of the day, I’ve still got to perform on the field. The money is there, which is a blessing. It’s a lot of money.’
‘I’m not going to touch the money,’ he added. ‘I’m probably going to put it all away and live normally like I’ve been doing now.
‘It’ll be life-changing for them (his family). I’m going to help them out, take care of them.’
Love is believed to have already earned over $1m through lucrative NIL deals while he was still playing in college.
He admitted on Friday he’s ‘pretty well off already so he doesn’t ‘need to touch that money as of right now, which I most definitely will not.’
The highly-rated Love was selected No. 3 overall by the Cardinals out of Notre Dame
Love had his first chance to impress his new coaches as Arizona kicked off rookie minicamp
The 6-foot, 212-pound Love was the earliest running back taken in the draft since Saquon Barkley was selected by the New York Giants with the No. 2 overall pick in 2018.
He’ll join a crowded running back room that already includes James Conner, Tyler Allgeier and Trey Benson. The Cardinals are in the midst of a rebuild after finishing with a 3-14 record in 2025.
Love ran for 1,372 yards and scored 21 TDs combined in his final season, leading the Fighting Irish to a 10-2 record.
His presence in the Cardinals’ offense should provide another potent option next to All-Pro tight end Trey McBride and receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson.
