Two young football stars are drawing big attention in 2025 for their earnings and potential. Puka Nacua is making his mark in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams. Meanwhile, Arch Manning is leading the charge in college football at the Texas Longhorns. Their money stories could not be more different. Here’s a clear, simple look at what each is earning and how their careers are unfolding.
Puka Nacua’s 2025 salary with the Rams
Puka Nacua’s base salary in 2025 is $1,030,000. He signed a four-year deal in 2023 worth about $4,084,980. That contract came with a signing bonus of around $244,980, and guaranteed money of the same amount. Analysts say that while his salary is modest now, his performance so far could trigger a much larger extension soon.
Arch Manning’s 2025 NIL earnings and deals
Arch Manning, playing college football at Texas, has not signed an NFL contract yet. Instead, his earnings come from name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. His NIL valuation in 2025 is estimated at $6.8 million, making him the highest-valued college athlete in the United States. He has deals with big brands like Red Bull and Panini America and more. While he is expected to start for Texas in 2025, his income is coming from these endorsements rather than a professional salary.
Puka Nacua vs Arch Manning: Who earns more in 2025
In 2025, Arch Manning clearly earns more than Puka Nacua, $6.8 million versus roughly $1.03 million. But the nature of their earnings is different. Puka Nacua’s salary is for playing in the NFL, a guaranteed contract, while Manning’s money is coming from endorsements and NIL, and not a professional salary. Over time, if Nacua gets the big extension analysts expect, he could close or even reverse the gap.
Puka Nacua vs Arch Manning: Recent updates and future outlook
Recently, Puka Nacua has been described as the “best bargain in the NFL,” given his low salary compared to impact. For Arch Manning, there has been discussion of him stepping into the starting quarterback role at Texas and dealing with huge expectations. In short, Arch Manning leads now in earnings, and Puka Nacua holds a strong foundation for a major payday ahead.