36
Kayden McDonaldDT
Houston Texans. 4-year deal worth $12,904,752.
Signing bonus
$5,845,272
Guaranteed
$12,904,752
Year one, paid
$6,730,272
Year one, kept
$3,915,039
Whole contract, after taxes and the agent: 59% 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 $30,334 a week, during the season only. The real money for a pick like this is the $5,845,272 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 Texas, 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 Kayden McDonald's rookie contract?+
Kayden McDonald, pick 36 in the 2026 NFL draft, signed a 4-year contract worth $12,904,752 with the Houston Texans, including a $5,845,272 signing bonus.
How much does Kayden McDonald take home after taxes?+
About $3,915,039 of the $6,730,272 paid in the first year, and about $7,560,510 of the full $12,904,752 contract, living in Texas 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.