The only instance when Caitlin Clark has been compared to any football personality was regarding her NIL rank. Shedeur Sanders is a bar of comparison; it is the first time Alabama Crimson Tide safety Jaylen Key has entered the chat. The reason is the contract fare for the New York Jets’ latest possession of Mr. Irrelevant. 

The Jets have ultimately found confidence and concluded the 2024 NFL draft with Key as the last pick. As much as the player’s suitability with the program has been scrutinized, his contract has become the talk of the town. 

Rookie contract break up with Key and Clark

As the No. 257 overall and final draft pick, his rookie contract details came to the forefront. As delved by the Spotrac website, Key’s contract is worth four years and amounts to $4.1 million. Not only this, but the remuneration also includes a signing bonus of $80,732. Being under the tutelage of the great Nick Saban in his five-year stint with Alabama Crimson Tide, Key is believed to have all the checkboxes of the Jets’ defensive needs. Hence, they came up with an offer of this amount.

Like Key, Clark got another breakthrough in her professional career—the first women’s player to lead Division I. The basketball phenom is all set to make her WNBA debut with the Indiana Fever. Even though the WNBA players often lag in terms of what their NBA counterparts earn, Clark is breaking traditions as an NCAA star. As released on April 16, her rookie contract amounts to $76,000.   

Baggage of high expectations

Key’s stint in Tuscaloosa was as short as one season. However, he refused to let go of that opportunity and became a starter immediately, finishing the 2023 season with 60 tackles, 1.5 of them for loss. Mr. Irrelevant managed to woo the Jets throughout his college career, having a record of 138 total tackles, three passes defensed, and four interceptions.

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Clark’s college career is over, but her impact on the game is not. Taking a look at some of her national Division I women’s records include 3,951 points. With this, she surpassed the highest bar held by Kelsey Plum, who scored 3,527 points. There have been seven 1,000-point seasons in Division I women’s history, out of which she has two of them. Going by the NCAA Tournament categories, the list includes points (491), assists (152), and 3-pointers (78).    

Being sports apart and in different situations, Key and Clark have evolved into topics of in-depth scrutiny based on their rookie contracts. As they move forward with the baggage of high expectations, it is now to be seen how they wave flags of victory.