
via Imago
Jan 18, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) throws the ball during practice at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

via Imago
Jan 18, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) throws the ball during practice at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
“No place I’d rather be,” said Riley Leonard shortly after signing with the Indianapolis Colts. And judging by the numbers behind his new rookie deal, it’s clear the Colts are giving him a real shot to prove himself, even though the quarterback room in the Colts is already crowded with Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones. Leonard wasn’t a first-round pick or a primetime headline grab on draft night.
Taken at No. 189 overall in the sixth round, he flew a little under the radar. But don’t let that draft slot fool you. Leonard, who threw for over 6,200 yards and 46 touchdowns across his college career at Duke and Notre Dame, has both the arm and the drive to outplay his draft position. Between his NFL contract and a rising lineup of endorsement deals, Leonard looks ready to be a quarterback who knows how to win on the field and get the bag off the field. Let’s dive into the dollars, deals, and everything in between.
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What are Riley Leonard’s contract details with the Indianapolis Colts?
The Indianapolis Colts selected Riley Leonard at pick No. 189 in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. After selecting Leonard, Colts general manager Chris Ballard expressed his reason. “At that point in the draft, we liked Riley and we’ve been following him. We follow all these guys for their whole careers. We’ve been following him from Duke, and then he goes to Notre Dame and has a lot of success,” Ballard further said. “He had been training with Philip Rivers. So, of course, that is a definite connection. But good to get him. He’s a good player, a good athlete. We think he’s got some upside. He’ll come in and compete.”
Leonard’s rookie contract is a standard four-year deal valued at $4,435,244, with an average of approximately $1.1 million per year. For the 2025 season, his salary cap charge and cash payout are both set at $840,000, which represented 0.29% of the Colts’ salary cap and 0.31% of the team’s overall spending, respectively, with a cash-to-cap ratio of 1.00.
Leonard’s earnings will be tied directly to his ability to earn and maintain a roster spot. Let’s talk about his league rankings; his contract places him 79th out of 117 quarterbacks, a respectable standing for a developmental player just beginning his journey. While the financial terms are solid for a sixth-round pick, Leonard’s real value lies in the opportunity to grow within a stable Colts organization.
What is Riley Leonard’s salary as of 2025?
As of 2025, Riley Leonard’s financial outlook reflects both his NFL contract and his growing presence in the NIL space. With an actively growing social media presence, Leonard had around 108,000 Instagram followers when he was a college athlete, which is an impressive number, as he was one of the most followed college football athletes. This number helped him boost the number of brand endorsements he secured. Under his rookie deal with the Colts, Leonard will earn a base salary of $840,000 for the 2025 season.
Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 216 pounds, Leonard arrived in the NFL after a strong collegiate career at Duke and Notre Dame, culminating in his selection in the sixth round of the 2025 Draft. His overall contract with Indianapolis is valued at $4,435,244, offering an average annual payout of $1,108,811. Alongside his NFL earnings, Leonard continues to benefit from his NIL activities, holding a deal currently valued at $1.6 million.
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Can Riley Leonard outshine Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones to become the Colts' next star quarterback?
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What are Riley Leonard’s endorsement deals as of 2025?
Beyond his NFL contract, Riley Leonard has built a strong endorsement portfolio valued at approximately $1.6 million as of 2025. While at Notre Dame, he earned national attention for leading efforts to share NIL revenue with teammates, reinforcing his reputation as a team-first athlete. He said, “I try to be a servant leader, and what I really want to do is serve others, showing these guys that I’m no better than them.” This quality of his resonates with many brands.
Leonard’s endorsement lineup features partnerships with major companies across different industries, including personal care brand Gillette; EA Sports College Football 25, a gaming platform that actively features many athletes and their likenesses on their platform; New Era, an apparel brand; retail giant Hollister; Arthrex, a medical devices brand; and popular fast food brand Raising Cane’s.
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He also secured deals with sports memorabilia brands like Leaf, Panini, Wildcard, and Topps, reflecting his growing appeal in the collectibles market. In addition, he signed a season-long agreement with performance apparel company Rhoback, valued at $100,000. Thrilled by his six-figure deal, he said, “I am so pumped to work with Rhoback as my official apparel sponsor and become a leading face of their Rhoback U program.” He further stated, “It’s easy to see why their presence in college athletics has grown so much, and they continue to be one of the fastest-growing activewear brands in the country.”
With a mix of lifestyle, sports, and health brands backing him with his growing social media presence, Leonard’s off-field earning potential is expected to grow further as he begins his NFL career.
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Can Riley Leonard outshine Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones to become the Colts' next star quarterback?