228
V.J. PayneS
New York Jets. 4-year deal worth $4,538,176.
Signing bonus
$158,176
Guaranteed
$158,176
Year one, paid
$1,043,176
Year one, kept
$562,050
Whole contract, after taxes and the agent: 53% 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 $26,989 a week, during the season only. The real money for a pick like this is the $158,176 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 New Jersey, 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 V.J. Payne's rookie contract?+
V.J. Payne, pick 228 in the 2026 NFL draft, signed a 4-year contract worth $4,538,176 with the New York Jets, including a $158,176 signing bonus.
How much does V.J. Payne take home after taxes?+
About $562,050 of the $1,043,176 paid in the first year, and about $2,419,001 of the full $4,538,176 contract, living in New Jersey 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.