The Jacksonville Jaguars made a bold statement by selecting Travis Hunter second overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, completely rearranging their draft board to accommodate the two-way standout from Colorado.
Shortly after, they solidified their belief in him with a groundbreaking rookie contract-four years, $46.65 million fully guaranteed, including a massive $30.57 million signing bonus paid entirely upfront.
This fully guaranteed deal marks an NFL first: Hunter becomes the highest-paid non-quarterback rookie ever, with his signing bonus alone eclipsing other high-profile deals.
His base salary begins at $840,000 in 2025 and gradually increases to $7.2 million by Year 4, with an option for a fifth season.
A contract designed for a twoway star
The Jaguars didn’t just pay for potential, they structured the contract to reflect Hunter’s two-role usage.
GM James Gladstone has been clear: “His intent is on playing both sides of the ball, as is ours,” with initial training focusing heavily on receiver development, while defensive reps are scheduled to rise by the regular season.
Despite his rookie deal being slotted like any other No. 2 pick, Hunter‘s unique role opens the door to substantial performance-based pay (PBP).
Under the CBA, players earn bonuses based on snap counts, and because Hunter is projected to lead the team, or even the league, in total snaps, he may collect an extra $300k-$400k this season.
Looking ahead, his fifth-year option in 2028 could be shaped by which position he primarily plays. Wide receivers command higher salaries than cornerbacks, and analysts suggest the figure could exceed $24 million if he earns it as a receiver.
Additionally, clauses in his future contracts could allow for bonus incentives tied to performance on both offense and defense, an innovative compensation model that reflects his all-round impact.
Analyst Mike Florio has said: “The only recourse for Travis Hunter is to say, ‘Sorry, I’m only playing one position.’ It gets very interesting if the team tries to tell him he’s going to play two positions. I don’t think it’s going to get to that.
“The more likely outcome is after his third NFL season, once the window opens for a 2nd contract, that’s when he can say, ‘Hey, wait a minute, I’m doing two jobs and you are paying me for one’. That’s got to change.”
Shaping a new standard in NFL contracts
Hunter‘s deal is more than just money, it’s changing the financial blueprint for hybrid athletes. Head coach Liam Coen called Hunter “a rare player,” and the contract backs that claim.
NFL executives are watching closely, not just for Hunter’s on-field performance but for how Jacksonville and the league navigate this unprecedented compensation model.
The Jaguars are essentially creating a new prototype: a player paid like two, both in salary and opportunity. PBP payouts could be maximized, fifth-year options recalibrated, and future deals negotiated with multipositional benchmarks.
If successful, Hunter may well become the NFL’s equivalent of Shohei Ohtani, an athlete whose value transcends the usual boundaries.
Travis Hunter‘s rookie contract is a game-changer, not only in dollar figures but also in conceptual design. Fully guaranteed money, a massive upfront signing bonus, and built-in incentives for dual-role performance make this deal uniquely suited to his skillset.
As he begins his NFL journey in Jacksonville, Hunter carries not just a hefty paycheck, but also the weight of pioneering a new template for valuing versatile talent. The Jaguars, the league, and future two-way players will all be eyeing his performance and the lessons it teaches about the next era in NFL contract strategy.
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