What have 2026 NFL rookies spent their first paychecks on? - ESPN

For NFL rookies, that first paycheck represents more than just a payday. After years of working toward the league — which kicks off Thursday with a full slate of Week 1 preseason games — many first-year players have used that money on long-awaited purchases and priorities.

For some rookies, it's a new car. For others, it's a house or an opportunity to take care of their parents. And then there are those who aren't ready to spend a dime.

Buffalo Bills fourth-round pick Skyler Bell, who said NIL money at UConn helped him buy his first car, is already eyeing his next ride — «maybe like an AMG [Mercedes] or something.» New Orleans Saints sixth-round pick Barion Brown has a different approach: «Nah, I'm a sixth-round guy, man. I've got to save every penny I can get!»

Here's a look at what some of the NFL's top rookies told ESPN's NFL Nation they have done or plan to do with their first professional paycheck.

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Round 1, No. 3 | Age: 21

Love hasn't been shy about how he's going to spend his rookie contract, which is worth a fully guaranteed $53.9 million over four years — or rather, how he won't be spending his rookie contract. Love said he plans to live off his endorsement money and not spend his NFL paychecks. He has deals with PayPal, New Balance and Celsius. Reports put Love's NIL valuation at Notre Dame at around $600,000, which Love said taught him how to live off what he already makes and not new money.

«I'm not going to touch the money,» he said. «I'm probably going to put it all away and live normally like I've been doing now.»

Round 1, No. 5 | Age: 20

Reese also won't being spending