Quinn Ewers, the former Texas Longhorns quarterback, recently signed a four-year, $800,000 contract with the Miami Dolphins after being selected in the 7th round of the 2025 NFL Draft. What’s drawing major attention, though, is the revelation that Ewers turned down up to $8 million in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) offers to remain in college.
This dramatic pay cut—earning ten times less in the NFL than he was reportedly offered to stay in Austin—has reignited discussions about the evolving economics of college football and NIL. Some key points:
NIL Power: At Texas, Ewers was among the top NIL earners, with offers likely tied to both his talent and brand.
Draft Fall: Despite high expectations earlier in his career, Ewers dropped to the 7th round, impacting his financial upside in the NFL.
Long-Term Bet: By going pro, Ewers may be betting on future success in the NFL that leads to a much bigger second contract.
Would you like a comparison between what top college QBs make via NIL versus NFL rookie contracts?
