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Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart wants what's best for players and wants them to get their fair share, but that doesn't mean he's loving the current environment in college football. Smart is concerned for players.
"There are players taking pay cuts to go to the NFL," Smart said in an interview with CBS Sports' Josh Pate. "You know, we know what league minimum is in the National Football League."
The NFL's league minimum is $885,000 for rookies in 2026. Of course, some NFL rookies spend a lot of time on the practice squad, where they'd make less than the minimum.
One prime example that has to be brought up is former Miami Hurricanes and Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck. Beck made over $4 million in name, image and likeness money during his one season at Miami. Beck, who the Arizona Cardinals selected with the No. 65 pick in the third-round of the 2026 NFL draft, is expected to sign a four-year, $7.4 million rookie deal that will pay him just $1.34 million as a rookie. That represents a major pay cut for Beck.
Smart knows the income for some college players is not sustainable. NFL careers don't last long for the average player, so he is prioritizing providing financial education for Georgia's players.
"I have convinced myself we have got to show them realistic ways to invest and make money," Smart said. "We bring speakers in to do that. We all talk about tax education, financial education. We're so invested in that now than we ever were before because we see the pitfalls.
"We see what they're, some of these kids, are spending that money on. That's the part I'm like, man, I'm failing these guys if they don't invest in real estate with that money they make."
Smart feels like Georgia "did a good thing" if the Bulldogs can get their players to invest their money in long-term investments. He adds that the transfer portal doesn't help players get the full financial picture.
"So many of the kids move so quickly that they don't have an attachment to a university," Smart added. "Where are you going back to if you went to three different schools."
Smart's not even getting into the challenges an athlete has in obtaining a degree if they attended several different schools. Smart has no magic solution for college football, but it is clear he cares about the sport and all of college sports having a sustainable future.
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This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Pay cuts in the NFL? Kirby Smart exposes grim college football reality
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"There are players taking pay cuts to go to the NFL," Smart said in an interview with CBS Sports' Josh Pate. "You know, we know what league minimum is in the National Football League."
The NFL's league minimum is $885,000 for rookies in 2026. Of course, some NFL rookies spend a lot of time on the practice squad, where they'd make less than the minimum.
One prime example that has to be brought up is former Miami Hurricanes and Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck. Beck made over $4 million in name, image and likeness money during his one season at Miami. Beck, who the Arizona Cardinals selected with the No. 65 pick in the third-round of the 2026 NFL draft, is expected to sign a four-year, $7.4 million rookie deal that will pay him just $1.34 million as a rookie. That represents a major pay cut for Beck.
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Smart knows the income for some college players is not sustainable. NFL careers don't last long for the average player, so he is prioritizing providing financial education for Georgia's players.
"I have convinced myself we have got to show them realistic ways to invest and make money," Smart said. "We bring speakers in to do that. We all talk about tax education, financial education. We're so invested in that now than we ever were before because we see the pitfalls.
"We see what they're, some of these kids, are spending that money on. That's the part I'm like, man, I'm failing these guys if they don't invest in real estate with that money they make."
Smart feels like Georgia "did a good thing" if the Bulldogs can get their players to invest their money in long-term investments. He adds that the transfer portal doesn't help players get the full financial picture.
"So many of the kids move so quickly that they don't have an attachment to a university," Smart added. "Where are you going back to if you went to three different schools."
Smart's not even getting into the challenges an athlete has in obtaining a degree if they attended several different schools. Smart has no magic solution for college football, but it is clear he cares about the sport and all of college sports having a sustainable future.
Kirby Smart's interview with Josh Pate
Follow UGA Wire on Instagram, Facebook, X, or Threads for more Georgia football coverage!
This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Pay cuts in the NFL? Kirby Smart exposes grim college football reality
Continue reading...
