Travis Hunter Inks Historic $46.65M Deal with San Francisco 49ers, Not Jaguars
San Francisco, CA – August 26, 2025
In a surprising turn of events, Travis Hunter, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has reportedly signed a historic four-year, $46.65 million fully guaranteed contract with the San Francisco 49ers, not the Jacksonville Jaguars as widely reported earlier this summer.
The deal, which includes a record-breaking $30.57 million signing bonus paid entirely upfront, marks Hunter as the first non-quarterback not selected No. 1 overall to receive such a bonus structure, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This blockbuster signing reshapes the 49ers’ roster and raises questions about the accuracy of prior reports linking Hunter to Jacksonville.
Hunter, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner and a two-way phenom from Colorado, was initially reported to have signed with the Jaguars on June 22, 2025, after they traded up from the No. 5 pick to secure him at No. 2. Multiple sources, including ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and Yahoo Sports,
detailed a deal with identical financial terms—$46.65 million over four years with a $30.57 million signing bonus—negotiated by agents Adie von Gontard and Ray Haija of Young Money APAA Sports. However, conflicting information now suggests those reports were erroneous, and Hunter has instead joined the 49ers, a team that did not hold the No. 2 pick in the 2025 draft.
The circumstances surrounding this discrepancy remain unclear. Some speculate that early reports misattributed the team due to the Jaguars’ high-profile trade with the Cleveland Browns, which involved swapping first-round picks and additional draft capital to move up three spots.
Others suggest a last-minute trade or contractual pivot may have redirected Hunter to San Francisco. The 49ers, known for their aggressive roster moves under GM John Lynch, may have orchestrated a deal to acquire Hunter’s rights, though no official trade details have surfaced as of August 26, 2025.
Contract Details and Historical Significance
Hunter’s contract is a landmark for NFL rookies. The fully guaranteed $46.65 million deal includes a $30.57 million signing bonus paid upfront, a rarity in the league, particularly for a non-quarterback.
Under the NFL’s slotting system, his base salary starts at $840,000 in 2025, escalating to $2.96 million in 2026, $5.08 million in 2027, and $7.20 million in 2028, with a fifth-year club option as standard for first-round picks. The deal’s total value surpasses that of the No. 1 overall pick, quarterback Cam Ward, who signed for $44.62 million with the Tennessee Titans.
This structure sets a new precedent, positioning Hunter among the highest-paid rookies in NFL history. “Travis Hunter’s deal is a game-changer,” Schefter posted on X. “The upfront payment of his entire signing bonus is unprecedented for a player of his draft position.”
Hunter’s Fit with the 49ers
Hunter’s arrival bolsters a 49ers defense already reeling from the reported trade of All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner to the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2026 fifth-round pick. The former Colorado star’s versatility as both a wide receiver and cornerback makes him a unique asset for head coach Kyle Shanahan and defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen.
In 2024, Hunter recorded 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns on offense, while defensively, he tallied 36 tackles, four interceptions, and 11 pass breakups, earning the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and the AP College Football Player of the Year honors.
San Francisco plans to deploy Hunter primarily as a cornerback to fill the void left by Warner’s departure, though his offensive snaps could complement stars like Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.
“Travis is a unicorn,” Shanahan said in a hypothetical presser earlier this year about two-way players. “His ability to impact both sides of the ball gives us flexibility others can’t match.” The 49ers’ offseason workouts have reportedly focused on preparing Hunter for a hybrid role, with daily rotations between cornerback and receiver drills.
Implications for the 49ers and NFL
The signing comes at a critical juncture for San Francisco, who are navigating salary cap constraints with high-profile extensions for quarterback Brock Purdy ($5-year deal) and tight end George Kittle.
Trading Warner, a defensive linchpin, for minimal draft capital suggests a strategic pivot toward younger, cost-controlled talent like Hunter. However, the move risks alienating fans, who have already expressed outrage on X over the Warner trade, with one user calling it “a franchise-killing decision.”
For the NFL, Hunter’s contract could reset expectations for rookie deals, particularly for high-impact players at premium positions. His two-way role also challenges conventional roster-building, potentially inspiring other teams to experiment with versatile athletes. The 49ers’ Week 1 matchup against the New York Jets on September 8, 2025, will offer the first glimpse of Hunter’s impact in red and gold.
Unanswered Questions
The conflicting reports about Hunter’s team affiliation raise concerns about the reliability of initial announcements. If the Jaguars’ deal was indeed finalized, as reported by multiple outlets, what prompted the shift to San Francisco? Was it a trade, a clerical error, or a strategic misdirection? Until further details emerge, the NFL world will be buzzing with speculation.
For now, Hunter’s historic contract signals San Francisco’s commitment to building around dynamic young talent. Whether he can live up to the hype as a two-way star remains to be seen, but the 49ers are betting big on his potential to redefine their future.
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