Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter signed a four-year deal on Sunday worth $46.6 million with a $30.5 million signing bonus.
The receiver/defensive back will receive his entire signing bonus up front, making him the first non-quarterback not drafted first overall to get the entirety of the signing bonus up front, ESPN reported.
A league source, however, argued that Hunter is not the first non-quarterback not taken first overall to receive his full signing bonus up front. Both Nick Bosa and Chase Young got their full signing bonuses up front, the source added. (It is significant to note that the numbers involved were, however, smaller).
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Hunter was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after the Jaguars traded up to select him ahead of the New York Giants.
He was the last of the top 10 draft picks to sign his contract, and Jacksonville plans to play him on both sides of the ball. Colorado did the same when he won the 2024 Heisman Trophy. Colorado recently retired his number #12 jersey after Hunter posted a career year on both sides of the ball — posting 96 receptions, 1,258 receiving yards, and 15 receiving touchdowns as a wide receiver and 25 tackles, 11 pass deflections, and four interceptions as a cornerback.
READ ALSO: How college football star Travis Hunter just made NIL history with new deal
Hunter is expected to star as a receiver on offense and at cornerback on defense in his rookie season. However, per NFL rookie contracts, the player’s draft position determines their contract.
It is only in Hunter’s second contract that he will have a chance to get paid for playing both positions. He won’t be eligible for that until after his third regular season ends, NBC Sports reported.
Last year, even before going professional, Hunter began making impactful financial decisions with his name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal.
In September, it was reported that he will now be working with the finance platform NerdWallet, making him the first college football player to sign with the platform, which assists consumers in comparing and finding top financial products.
He joined USC superstar basketball player JuJu Watkins and former Kentucky freshman sensation Rob Dillingham on NerdWallet’s NIL roster, according to NIL Daily.
As part of the deal, Hunter was given three smart money options and he eventually chose to put 20% of the money earned into a savings account after completing a self-evaluation of his finances.
