Jeremiyah Love signed his first NFL contract with the Arizona Cardinals on May 8, describing the experience as “surreal” during a conversation with team owner Michael Bidwill. Later that day, Love participated in his first professional on-field work at the team’s rookie minicamp.
Love’s four-year deal is worth $53 million, fully guaranteed, with a $35 million signing bonus and an average annual salary of $13.3 million. This makes him the seventh highest-paid running back in the league based on average salary. Despite these figures, Love said, “That amount of money would change anybody’s life. For me, it doesn’t change my mindset. I’m only getting that much because I was the third pick in the draft. I still haven’t done anything. I’m ready to earn what I have been given.” He also stated he does not plan to spend any of his NFL earnings immediately: “I don’t even have to touch my NFL money,” Love said. “I live in the era of NIL so I am pretty well off already. I don’t need to touch that money right now.… I’m going to put that money away for my kids, my grandkids, so they can have a better life.” He added later about saving his contract earnings: “That’s the plan,” before acknowledging with humor that plans can sometimes change.
Cardinals head coach LaFleur described Friday’s activities as “an extension of the meeting room,” emphasizing acclimation over competition during this phase of camp due to limited participants and no tryout players present post-Covid changes.
Love expressed confidence in adapting quickly thanks to his college coaching at Notre Dame and noted football knowledge is largely universal across levels: “The switch to the NFL has been pretty seamless for me.” LaFleur said about transitioning as a running back: “It’s semi-fair to say…a halfback compared to someone who has to move around from a formation standpoint…But there is still a lot to learn…Physically he’s a good protector and now we have to teach him the scheme of it…He’s a smart dude. We’re not worried about him picking that stuff up.”
The Arizona Cardinals are part of the NFC West division and host their home games in Glendale while serving fans throughout greater Phoenix; they are recognized as both an NFC champion from 2008 and as one of football’s oldest continuously operating franchises according to their official website.
Looking ahead, Love shared excitement about joining veteran teammates next week for further training sessions: “I just wanted to get into my routine and play ball…I just want to work.”
