New York Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo is raising concerns about how college athletes’ earnings through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals may be reshaping attitudes among players entering the NFL.
In a recent interview, Skattebo said that the influx of money available to top college athletes has led some young players to arrive in the NFL with a sense of entitlement rather than a willingness to earn their place. He contrasted that mindset with earlier eras, when professional football was often the first time players received significant financial compensation.
Skattebo, who joined the New York Giants after a standout college career, explained that many players now make substantial sums before ever playing a down in the NFL. According to him, that financial head start can distort expectations and reduce the urgency to work, develop, and compete at the professional level.
The running back emphasized that while NIL opportunities can be positive—helping athletes support themselves and their families—they also come with unintended consequences. He suggested that teams may increasingly need to evaluate not just talent, but maturity and mindset, when drafting or signing young players.
Skattebo’s comments add to a broader debate within National Football League circles about how NIL compensation is affecting player development and locker room culture. Coaches and executives across the league have voiced mixed opinions, with some praising NIL for empowering athletes and others warning it may weaken traditional merit-based progression.
As NIL continues to reshape college athletics, league observers say the NFL will likely face growing challenges in balancing opportunity with accountability for the next generation of players.
Image: AP Photo/Seth Wenig
