Jaguars star and Heisman winner Travis Hunter signed a $46.6M NFL contract — But why is his net worth only $31M so far?

Travis Hunter arrived in the NFL with massive hype. The Jacksonville Jaguars made the Heisman Trophy winner the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft and handed him a rookie deal worth $46.6 million.At first glance, that number suggests Hunter already secured a huge payday. However, contract trackers currently show his career earnings to be around $31 million. The gap between the headline value of the Travis Hunter contract and the money he has actually earned comes down to how NFL rookie deals are structured and paid over time.According to contract data from Spotrac, Hunter signed a four-year, $46,649,126 contract with the Jaguars in 2025. The deal is fully guaranteed and includes a massive signing bonus of $30,566,636.That bonus forms the biggest part of his early earnings. After signing the contract, Hunter immediately received that payment along with his rookie season salary.In 2025, Hunter earned a base salary of $840,000 plus a small workout bonus. His 2026 season pay includes a $1,005,000 base salary and a $1,955,415 roster bonus. When those numbers combine with the signing bonus, his career earnings reach roughly $31.4 million so far.The remaining money from the Travis Hunter contract arrives later. His salaries and roster bonuses for 2027 and 2028 will push the total closer to the full $46.6 million value.The NFL also spreads the signing bonus across the contract for salary cap accounting. That is why Hunter carries a cap hit above $10 million in 2026 even though his yearly cash salary is much lower.Hunter’s rookie contract may look large, but the real financial debate around him has just started. The former Colorado Buffaloes football star built his reputation as a rare two-way player who dominated at both wide receiver and cornerback.Before the 2025 draft, executives openly discussed that possibility. Andrew Berry compared Hunter’s value to baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani while speaking to reporters before the draft.“It’s a little bit like Ohtani,” Berry said during a 2025 pre-draft media session. “If he’s a pitcher or hitter, he’s outstanding. You get a unicorn if you use him both ways.”Hunter himself made his stance clear during an April 2025 interview with CBS Sports. “It’s never playing football again,” Hunter said. “Because I’ve been doing it my whole life.” That mindset could shape the next deal. Top NFL receivers now average over $34 million per year, while elite cornerbacks earn far less.If Travis Hunter proves he can star on both sides for Jacksonville, the second contract could explode. For now, though, the numbers remain simple. The Jaguars committed $46.6 million. Hunter has only received about $31 million because rookie contracts in the NFL pay out over time, not all at once.