đź’µ What NFL rookies did with their first paycheck
ESPN · 2026-08-12
NFL rookies from the 2026 class are demonstrating diverse approaches to spending their initial professional earnings, largely influenced by prior Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) experiences and a strong emphasis on financial prudence. Many, including Round 1, No. 3 pick Love with a $53.9 million guaranteed contract and Round 1, No. 5 pick Reese ($47.8 million guaranteed), plan to save or invest their NFL paychecks, living instead off endorsement deals from brands like PayPal, New Balance, and Celsius. Love, whose NIL valuation at Notre Dame was around $600,000, aims to "not touch the money" and live normally. Lawrence (Round 1, No. 23) and Woods (Round 1, No. 29) also prioritize saving, citing concerns about post-NFL bankruptcy rates, with Lawrence stating he wants to be in the "30%" who avoid it. Branch (Round 3, No. 79) invested in the S&P 500, aspiring to "create generational wealth" and eventually enter real estate.
Other rookies are making significant purchases, often for family. Price (Round 1, No. 32) used part of his $8.7 million signing bonus to buy his family a new house in Denison, Texas. Cisse (Round 2, No. 52) purchased a house for his family in Green Bay due to the birth of his daughter. Tyson (Round 1, No. 8) sent money to his father and bought himself a house, while Young (Round 2, No. 45) is helping his 11 siblings and parents with home renovations and rent. More personal splurges include Miller (Round 1, No. 17) seeking a home, Rodriguez (Round 2, No. 43) buying a Tempur-Pedic bed after years of sleeping on college mattresses, Lomu (Round 1, No. 28) getting a new golf set, Tate (Round 1, No. 4) acquiring a Star Wars Lego Ultimate Collector Series set and a house, and Regis (Round 3, No. 81) investing in a high-end gaming PC and monitor. Davis (Round 3, No. 72) eyes a $58,950 18-carat rose gold Day-Date Rolex. Uniquely, Banks (Round 1, No. 18) expanded his exotic pet collection to include a tarantula and three more snakes, adding to his two bald pythons, chameleon, and Cane Corso dog.
*The full article also explores the financial backgrounds and family influences that shape these rookie decisions, along with deeper insights into their investment strategies and personal motivations.*