Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts’ rise from a poised rookie to a Super Bowl MVP isn’t just a story of athletic dominance — it’s a master class in financial strategy. Selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft, Hurts entered the league with a four-year, $6 million rookie contract, a modest sum by NFL standards.
Yet, even in the early days of his career, Hurts showcased a level of financial discipline and foresight that set him apart. One of his first major moves? Allocating $70,000 for his younger sister’s college education — an investment in family that underscored his values and long-term thinking.
In a touching 2021 GQ Sports interview, Hurts disclosed that he hadn’t shared this plan with anyone – not even his parents or his sister Kynnedy, who was 16 at the time.
“She’s going to go to college one day. She’s going to do great things,” Hurts said. “Just in case she needs it, I have $70,000 set aside for her to go to college.”
This gesture was especially meaningful because, despite Kynnedy’s potential to earn an athletic scholarship as a standout volleyball player at Channelview High School, Jalen wanted to guarantee she could go to college no matter what.
Hurts’ prudent approach to finances extended to his housing choices. Unlike many rookies who splurge on luxury homes, he opted for a modest $2,000 monthly apartment in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
“I didn’t buy a house or anything like that when I got drafted because it was just me. I didn’t need this big place just for myself,” he explained to AL.com.
At the time, with his million-dollar income, he allocated $20,000 toward business fees to manage his brand and $10,000 for training and self-care to maintain peak performance.
Prioritizing his family, he contributed $15,000 to his mother’s home improvement projects and gifted his brother $1,000 for his wedding. He also covered a $10,000 car payment and set aside $15,000 for future vacations, in addition to the money for his sister.
Additionally, Hurts donated $60,000 to charitable causes and budgeted $30,000 for living expenses.
This disciplined approach laid the groundwork for strategic real estate investments, including a $215,000 home in Humble, Texas, purchased for his parents – a property that has since appreciated to between $250,000 and $300,000.
His team’s recent Super Bowl LIX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, with a decisive 40-22 score, earned Hurts and his teammates a $171,000 bonus each, according to The Bleacher Report.
While significant for many players, this bonus pales in comparison to Hurts’ landmark contract extension signed in 2023, which made him the highest-paid player on an annual basis in NFL history at the time, USA Today reports.
The five-year, $255 million extension, negotiated by his agent Nicole Lynn, includes $179.3 million in guarantees, with $110 million fully guaranteed at signing.
Lynn’s achievement marked a historic moment as she became the first Black female agent to secure the largest contract in NFL history. The deal’s structure provides Hurts with $64 million by the end of 2024 and includes potential incentives that could boost its total value to $274 million by 2028.
Despite his newfound wealth, Hurts has maintained his strategic approach to real estate investment.
In 2021, he purchased a $6 million 1950s mansion near his parents’ home, complete with 6,000 square feet of living space on 10 acres. The property, registered under his father’s name, features six bedrooms, six bathrooms, a swimming pool, and multiple garages. In a savvy move, he also acquired the adjacent property for $2.68 million.
In 2023, he further expanded his portfolio with a $500,000 home in Houston, registered under his mother’s name.
Hurts’ financial acumen stands in stark contrast to concerning statistics about NFL players’ financial outcomes.
According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, one in six NFL players files for bankruptcy within 12 years of retiring.
His advice to incoming rookies reflects this reality: “Be wise with your choices and decisions. I know you have things that you’ve always dreamed of having maybe, and that’s perfect like, go get it… But also be smart and mindful and prepared. It goes by quick.”
From setting aside money for his sister’s education to making strategic real estate investments while avoiding unnecessary luxuries, Hurts has demonstrated that success on the field can be matched by wisdom off it. His journey from a thoughtful rookie to Super Bowl MVP shows that athletic excellence and financial prudence can go hand in hand.
