Steelers QB Will Howard took pay cut to join NFL

Top college stars are now making more through NIL deals than their rookie NFL contracts.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 4:10pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football game, with sharp planes of navy blue, gold, and crimson red overlapping to create a dynamic, abstract composition.The complex economics of college and professional football are deconstructed in this cubist-inspired illustration.Today in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard revealed that he is making less money with the Steelers than he did at Ohio State due to his lucrative NIL deal in college, which included a Ford Bronco, an apartment, and seven-figure compensation. Howard's current NFL contract with the Steelers pays him around $1.1 million per year, less than what he earned in college. This trend is not unique to Howard, as Indianapolis Colts rookie Riley Leonard also said he is making less with the Colts than he did at Notre Dame.

Why it matters

The rise of NIL deals in college football has allowed top prospects to earn significant sums of money, sometimes more than what they would make as NFL rookies. This raises questions about the economics of college and professional football, and whether the NFL's rookie pay scale needs to be reevaluated to better compensate the best young talent.

The details

Will Howard, the Steelers' 2025 draft pick, told The Athletic's David Ubben that his NIL deal at Ohio State included a Ford Bronco, an apartment, and seven-figure compensation. However, Howard's current contract with the Steelers pays him roughly $1.1 million per year, less than what he earned in college. Riley Leonard, a 2025 rookie with the Indianapolis Colts, also said he is making less money with the Colts than he did at Notre Dame.

  • Will Howard was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2025 NFL Draft.

The players

Will Howard

The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback who revealed he is making less money in the NFL than he did at Ohio State due to his lucrative NIL deal.

Riley Leonard

The Indianapolis Colts' rookie who also said he is making less money in the NFL than he did at Notre Dame.

David Ubben

The Athletic reporter who interviewed Will Howard about his NFL contract and college NIL deal.

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What they’re saying

“Will Howard got to live the dream of every college prospect last April when he heard his name called by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2025 NFL Draft. What likely wasn't in his dream, though, was making less money than he did in college.”

— Jarrett Bailey, Author

“Since the NIL era began, top college stars have been able to make millions of dollars, which is a very good thing and long overdue. It is crazy, however, that when they reach the pinnacle of their chosen profession, many of them are taking initial pay cuts to go from college football to the NFL.”

— Jarrett Bailey, Author

What’s next

The NFL and NFLPA may need to reevaluate the rookie pay scale to ensure top college talent is adequately compensated when transitioning to the professional level.

The takeaway

The rise of lucrative NIL deals in college football has created a situation where some top prospects are making more money in college than they do as NFL rookies. This highlights the need to address the economics of the transition from college to professional football.