121
Kaden WetjenWR
Pittsburgh Steelers. 4-year deal worth $5,506,916.
Signing bonus
$1,126,916
Guaranteed
$1,126,916
Year one, paid
$2,011,916
Year one, kept
$1,137,941
Whole contract, after taxes and the agent: 57% of the headline.
Where the money goes
Every 2026 NFL rookie earns the same $885,000 base salary in year one, paid in 18 weekly game checks. After taxes that is about $29,051 a week, during the season only. The real money for a pick like this is the $1,126,916 signing bonus, which lands as one lump sum.
Bonus checks are withheld at a flat 22% federal on the first $1 million and 37% above that, plus Medicare and state tax. Many states tax a signing bonus only where the player lives, which is why where a rookie lives the day it is paid can matter.
These figures assume he lives in Pennsylvania, files single, and pays a standard agent fee. Change any of that in the calculator to see your own version.
Quick answers
How much is Kaden Wetjen's rookie contract?+
Kaden Wetjen, pick 121 in the 2026 NFL draft, signed a 4-year contract worth $5,506,916 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, including a $1,126,916 signing bonus.
How much does Kaden Wetjen take home after taxes?+
About $1,137,941 of the $2,011,916 paid in the first year, and about $3,164,686 of the full $5,506,916 contract, living in Pennsylvania and paying a standard agent fee. Estimates for education.
Contract figures from Spotrac, Over The Cap, and Hoops Rumors (2026). Take-home is a KeepMyCheck estimate using 2026 tax rules. Not affiliated with the player, team, or league. Education only.