Jalen Milroe might make less money in the NFL in 2025 than he could have in college football in 2025. Seriously.
The landscape isn’t what it once was. With revenue sharing expected to start this fall in college and athletes able to earn money off their name, image and likeness, the NFL isn’t the only place where substantial money can be made. In fact, the money and compensation can be similar depending on where a player is drafted.
Milroe is set to make about $1.14 million this season with the Seattle Seahawks after they selected him with the 92nd overall pick in the third round of the NFL Draft, according to the NFL’s rookie wage scale via Spotrac.
That’s in the ballpark of what quarterbacks are understood to be making in college football in the current market.
“The top quarterbacks are expected to land one-year financial agreements ranging between $750,000 to $2 million,” On3’s Pete Nakos wrote in late November.
The top of the market is believed to be somewhere between $3-4 million; CBS reported Duke signed quarterback Darian Mensah to a deal that averages about $4 million a year.
Milroe might not have commanded that much money on the open market, but it’s not implausible to think he might have made somewhere near the number the Seahawks will pay him this season. Milroe had one season of eligibility remaining but he decided to declare for the NFL Draft. Perhaps if he stayed in college, whether it be at Alabama or another college, Milroe could have improved his draft stock and increased his compensation considerably.
By comparison, Tennessee selected Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the top overall pick. Ward is set to make $8.865 million this season in that slot, per the NFL’s rookie wage scale. Every pick thereafter makes slightly less and less.
Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for Follow him on X and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
