NFL agent cap 3%NBA agent cap 4%MLB agent cap 5%Top federal rate 2026 37%Bonus withholding over $1M 37%Texas state tax on wages 0%Florida state tax on wages 0%California top rate 13.3%NBA escrow 10% of each check held backNIL money 1099 income, add 15.3% self-employment taxAgent fees for team salary not deductible on your federal returnNFL players file taxes in about 10 to 14 states a year
2026 NFL draft

20

Makai LemonWR

Philadelphia Eagles. 4-year deal worth $20,810,386.

Signing bonus

$11,594,824

Guaranteed

$20,810,386

Year one, paid

$12,479,824

Year one, kept

$6,824,257

KeepMyCheckPrivate

$20.8M deal. What he keeps.

$11,233,230

Makai Lemon2026

Whole contract, after taxes and the agent: 54% 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 $27,553 a week, during the season only. The real money for a pick like this is the $11,594,824 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 Makai Lemon's rookie contract?+

Makai Lemon, pick 20 in the 2026 NFL draft, signed a 4-year contract worth $20,810,386 with the Philadelphia Eagles, including a $11,594,824 signing bonus.

How much does Makai Lemon take home after taxes?+

About $6,824,257 of the $12,479,824 paid in the first year, and about $11,233,230 of the full $20,810,386 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.