NFL insider claims Carson Beck’s $4,000,000 NIL deal could spell trouble for NFL

The reported $4 million NIL deal for quarterback Carson Beck at Miami could reshape how top college football players approach their NFL careers. This development signals a significant shift in the traditional path to professional football.

Mike Florio, a prominent NFL insider for NBC Sports Pro Football Talk, raised these concerns in his latest analysis. His perspective highlights how NIL money might encourage elite players to extend their college careers rather than declaring early for the NFL draft.

On Saturday, Florio published his analysis on NBC Sports Pro Football Talk. He examined the implications of Beck's massive NIL package following his transfer from Georgia to Miami;

"Even though it's clearly not school. As if it has been, for years. It's business. And it had been business for everyone but the people who fueled it," said Florio. "Not long ago, everyone associated with the presentation of a college football game, from the school president all the way down to the guy selling stale popcorn, was getting paid — except the players."

Carson Beck's decision comes after a successful stint at Georgia, where he accumulated 7,426 passing yards over two seasons as a starter. His move to Miami follows a UCL surgery in December 2024, which affected his NFL draft prospects for 2025.

Carson Beck's NIL money creates a new power dynamic for NFL prospects

Carson Beck in action for Georgia Bulldogs during an NCAA football game. (Credits: IMAGN)

The financial implications stretch beyond Carson Beck's situation. As Florio points out, only the top 16 first-round draft picks in 2024 received contracts worth more than $4 million annually. This reality creates an interesting dynamic for players weighing their options.

Athletes with significant NIL earnings may now decline undesirable draft locations. Florio likened this situation to Eli Manning's refusal to join the Chargers in 2004 and John Elway's opposition to the Colts in 1983.

The extended college experience has already shown positive results. Recent examples include Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix, whose additional playing time benefited their NFL development. Their success adds weight to the argument for players staying in college longer when financially viable.

This shifting landscape marks a turning point in college-to-NFL transitions. Players like Carson Beck chose to maximize their earning potential while continuing their development. So, NFL teams might need to reconsider their approach to rookie contracts and draft strategies.