
Braxton Berrios Contract: The Brilliant and Brutal Truth Behind the NFL’s Most Stylish Journeyman in 2026
Introduction
You might know him as the speedy slot receiver who keeps landing new NFL deals. You might know him as the boyfriend of TikTok and fashion sensation Alix Earle. Either way, Braxton Berrios has built a career that is as dynamic off the field as it is on it.
The Braxton Berrios contract story is one of the most fascinating in recent NFL history. It is not a tale of one mega deal. It is a series of smart, strategic one-year agreements across five teams over eight years. Each contract reflects a player who knows his value, plays his role, and keeps showing up when it matters.
But there is a fashion dimension to this story that most people overlook. Berrios moves in spaces where sport meets style. He sits front row at ESPYs red carpets, vacations on the Italian coast, and stands beside one of the world’s most influential fashion creators. His contract journey and his life off the field tell the same story: a man who understands branding, image, and how to make every opportunity count.
In this article, you will get a complete breakdown of his entire contract history, his fashion-world connections, and what his latest New York Giants deal means for his legacy.
Who Is Braxton Berrios? The Player Behind the Contracts
Before you dive into the numbers, you need to understand the man. Braxton Berrios was born on October 6, 1995, in Raleigh, North Carolina. He stands at 5 feet 9 inches and weighs 185 pounds. In the NFL, that makes him one of the smaller players on the field.
But what he lacks in size, he more than makes up for in speed, precision, and football intelligence.
He played college football at the University of Miami from 2014 to 2017. He finished his college career with 100 receptions, 1,175 receiving yards, and 14 touchdowns. In 2017, he earned Third-Team All-ACC honors.
The New England Patriots selected him in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft with the 210th overall pick. That is not exactly a glamorous entry into the league. Most sixth-round picks disappear before their second season. Berrios did not disappear. He built something.
His career has taken him through five franchises:
- New England Patriots (2018)
- New York Jets (2019 to 2022)
- Miami Dolphins (2023 to 2024)
- Houston Texans (2025)
- New York Giants (2026 to present)
Through 91 games and six starts, he has caught 140 passes for 1,360 yards and six touchdowns. He has also returned the ball explosively, totaling over 3,395 return yards in his career.

The Full Braxton Berrios Contract Timeline
2018: The Rookie Deal That Started Everything
When the Patriots drafted Berrios, they signed him to a standard four-year rookie contract worth approximately $2.57 million. His average annual value at this stage was about $1.1 million per year.
He never played a game for New England. He spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve. Despite that, he picked up a Super Bowl LIII championship ring when the Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams.
That ring matters. It is the kind of credential that follows a player everywhere. Even at 22 years old, sitting on injured reserve, Berrios was already collecting the right associations.
The Patriots released him before the 2019 season. The New York Jets claimed him off waivers on September 1, 2019. That waiver claim changed the entire trajectory of his career.
2019 to 2021: Building Value with the Jets
Berrios spent four seasons with the Jets. These were quiet years in terms of headlines, but they were the years that built his market value.
He worked as a slot receiver and return specialist. He developed his craft. He made himself indispensable on special teams. And then, in 2021, he had a season that changed everything.
In 2021, Berrios led the entire NFL in kickoff return average at 30.4 yards per return. That performance earned him First-Team All-Pro honors as a return specialist. For a sixth-round pick who was once released before ever playing a game, that achievement was extraordinary.
2022: The Jets Give Him a $12 Million Extension
After his All-Pro 2021 season, the Jets rewarded Berrios with a two-year contract extension worth $12 million. Here are the key details of that deal:
- Total value: $12 million over two years
- Average annual salary: $6 million
- Signing bonus: $5,465,000
- Guaranteed money: $7 million
This was the richest Braxton Berrios contract of his career. It reflected the premium the Jets placed on his special teams excellence and his reliability as a slot option. A signing bonus of over $5 million told you exactly how much leverage his All-Pro year had given him.
Unfortunately, the Jets released him in March 2023, clearing $5 million off their salary cap. He did not finish the deal. But he had already earned his money and proven his value to the rest of the league.
2023: Miami Picks Him Up and Signs Him to $3.5 Million
After the Jets released him, the Miami Dolphins claimed Berrios off waivers. Miami then signed him to a one-year contract worth $3.5 million. The contract details were as follows:
- Total value: $3.5 million for one year
- Base salary: $1.5 million
- Guaranteed money: $3 million
- Signing bonus: $1.5 million
This was a strong deal for a player who had just been cut. Miami recognized his value immediately. He appeared in 16 games that season, caught 27 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown, and averaged 24.5 yards on kickoff returns.
He fit well in Miami. The city suited him. And not just because of the football.
It was during his time with the Dolphins that his relationship with Alix Earle became public knowledge. The fashion and lifestyle dimensions of his personal brand started to flourish in ways that no previous team environment had offered.
2024: The Dolphins Re-Sign Him for $2.15 Million
Miami brought Berrios back for the 2024 season on a one-year contract worth $2.15 million. The breakdown included:
- Total value: $2.15 million
- Signing bonus: $450,000
- Guaranteed amount: $1.2 million
- Cap hit: $2,132,352
It was a smaller deal than his 2023 contract, reflecting his age and the market. But it kept him in Miami. It kept him in the spotlight. And it kept him close to the fashion and lifestyle world that had started to define his public image.
The 2024 season turned difficult. He tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a game against the Indianapolis Colts. He finished the season with zero catches in six games before the injury ended his year.
That kind of injury can end careers. For Berrios, it became a turning point in both his professional and personal life.
2025: A Fresh Start in Houston for $1.8 Million
After recovering from his ACL injury, Berrios signed a one-year deal with the Houston Texans on March 10, 2025. The contract details were as follows:
- Total value: $1.8 million
- Signing bonus: $300,000
- Base salary: $1.3 million
- Per game roster bonus: $11,765
- Playtime incentive clause: $200,000
- Guaranteed money: $300,000
This contract was a prove-it deal. Berrios was coming off a serious knee injury and needed to show the league he was still capable. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus of Rosenhaus Sports, negotiated the agreement.
In Houston, Berrios appeared in four games. He caught six passes for 37 yards. He also returned three kicks, averaging an impressive 27.0 yards. Three punt returns averaged 8.3 yards.
The numbers were not explosive. But he showed he could still play. He showed the knee was not the end of his story.

2026: The New York Giants Sign Him for $1.3 Million
On June 1, 2026, the New York Giants signed Braxton Berrios to a one-year contract worth $1.3 million. His cap hit for the 2026 season is $1,075,000.
This signing came directly after Giants wide receiver Gunner Olszewski suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon during OTAs. The Giants needed an experienced return specialist immediately. Berrios was the answer.
The move has extra symbolic weight. Berrios played for the New York Jets earlier in his career. Now he returns to New York with a different team. He responded on Instagram Stories by reposting the Giants’ announcement and writing “Go Big Blue” alongside a Statue of Liberty and Big Apple emoji.
It was a perfect social media moment. Brief, authentic, and brand-consistent. That is exactly the kind of thing that works in both the sports world and the fashion world.
The Career Financial Picture: How Much Has Berrios Earned?
Across his entire NFL career, Braxton Berrios has earned approximately $16.85 million in total contract value. Here is the full summary:
| Team | Year(s) | Contract Value |
|---|---|---|
| New England Patriots | 2018 | $2.57 million (4-year rookie deal) |
| New York Jets | 2022 | $12 million (2-year extension) |
| Miami Dolphins | 2023 | $3.5 million (1-year) |
| Miami Dolphins | 2024 | $2.15 million (1-year) |
| Houston Texans | 2025 | $1.8 million (1-year) |
| New York Giants | 2026 | $1.3 million (1-year) |
That is a career built on resilience and consistency. He never landed a superstar contract. But he kept earning, kept proving himself, and kept finding new teams who wanted him on their roster.
How Fashion Intersects with the Braxton Berrios Brand
This is where Berrios is genuinely different from most NFL players at his level. He does not just play football. He lives at the intersection of sport, celebrity, and fashion.
His Relationship with Alix Earle Changed Everything
Alix Earle is one of the most influential fashion and beauty creators in the world. She has over 4.1 million Instagram followers and millions more on TikTok. She has attended Paris Fashion Week, graced the cover of Vogue Turkey, and appeared in the front row at Miu Miu alongside Korean pop star Jang Won-young and rapper ASAP Rocky.
She is also Braxton Berrios’s girlfriend.
The couple made their red carpet debut at the 2023 ESPYs. Earle wore a faux leather gown. Berrios arrived in a lavender suit. The photos circulated widely across fashion and sports media. It was a clear statement: these two were not just a couple. They were a brand.
Berrios attended Earle’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit show during Miami Swim Week, posing proudly alongside her cover. He traveled with her to Cannes, Venice, and Capri during the NFL offseason. He showed up at Paris Fashion Week coverage alongside her.
Earle even launched a fashion collaboration with FRAME denim, calling the collection “The Alix” skinny jean. She jokingly credited Berrios’s “millennial influence” for convincing her to bring back the style. The collection sold out quickly and received widespread press coverage.
What His Style Says About His Personal Brand
Berrios dresses well. His red carpet appearances show a man who pays attention to fashion. The lavender suit at the ESPYs was a deliberate, fashion-forward choice. It was not the predictable safe option.
He pairs classic menswear silhouettes with a contemporary ease. He looks comfortable in formal settings without appearing stiff. That balance is something stylists spend years trying to achieve with clients.
In an NFL world where personal branding is increasingly important, Berrios has one of the most polished off-field images of any player at his contract level. He earns $1 to $3 million per year in football deals. But his association with Earle and the fashion world places him in rooms and conversations that most NFL players at his salary range never access.
What the Braxton Berrios Contract Journey Teaches You About Value and Branding
If you follow fashion and business closely, you will recognize the pattern here. Berrios has operated like a smart brand for eight years.
He has never tried to be something he is not. He is not a number one receiver. He has never pretended to be. He found his niche — return specialist and slot weapon — and he became genuinely elite within that niche.
Here are the key lessons his contract journey offers:
1. Know your specific value. Berrios did not chase wide receiver contracts. He maximized his value as a return specialist. That clarity led directly to his All-Pro selection and his $12 million Jets extension.
2. One-year deals can build long careers. Most of his post-2022 contracts have been one-year prove-it deals. He has treated each one as an opportunity rather than a consolation. That mindset keeps him employed year after year.
3. Your off-field brand matters. The fashion connections, the high-profile relationship, the red carpet appearances — all of these elevate his public profile beyond what his football salary alone could achieve.
4. Recovery is part of the story. The ACL injury in 2024 was a brutal setback. He came back, signed with the Texans, and landed with the Giants. The comeback is just as important as the original success.
5. Adaptability beats stubbornness. He has played for five different teams. Each move required him to adapt quickly to a new system, new coaches, and new teammates. That flexibility is a skill. In fashion, in business, and in sport — the people who adapt are the ones who survive.
The Giants Chapter: What Comes Next for Berrios
The New York Giants signing is the most recent chapter of a story that keeps evolving. At 30 years old, Berrios arrives in East Rutherford with something to prove.
His $1.3 million deal is modest. His cap hit of $1,075,000 makes him an extremely affordable roster addition. For the Giants, it is a low-risk move with real upside. For Berrios, it is a chance to reclaim relevance on a new stage — in one of the most fashion-forward, media-saturated cities on the planet.
New York suits him. His girlfriend commands the fashion world’s attention. His presence in the city will only amplify her platform and his own visibility. The relationship between sport and fashion is never stronger than when it plays out in New York.
Giants head coach John Harbaugh built his entire NFL legacy on special teams. He knows exactly what Berrios brings. His career kickoff return average of 24.8 yards and his 2021 All-Pro performance will not be forgotten just because his recent numbers are quieter.
Conclusion
The Braxton Berrios contract journey is the story of a player who never became a superstar but never stopped being valuable. He earned a Super Bowl ring without playing a snap. He became a First-Team All-Pro return specialist from a sixth-round draft pick. He signed a $12 million extension. He survived a serious knee injury. And now he starts fresh with the New York Giants.
His total career earnings of approximately $16.85 million tell one story. His red carpet appearances, his fashion-world connections, his relationship with Alix Earle, and his ability to move through spaces well beyond the football field tell another.
Both stories are worth knowing.
If you follow fashion, sport, or personal branding, Braxton Berrios gives you a masterclass in how to build and protect your value across a long career. His story is far from over.
Which chapter of his journey do you find most inspiring? Share this article with a Berrios fan or a fashion follower who would love the full picture.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Braxton Berrios Contract
1. What is the current Braxton Berrios contract? Berrios signed a one-year contract with the New York Giants on June 1, 2026, worth $1.3 million. His cap hit for the 2026 season is $1,075,000.
2. How much money has Braxton Berrios made in the NFL? Across his entire career, Berrios has earned approximately $16.85 million in total contract value across five NFL teams since 2018.
3. What was Braxton Berrios’s biggest contract? His richest deal was a two-year, $12 million extension signed with the New York Jets in March 2022, which included a $5.465 million signing bonus and $7 million in guaranteed money.
4. Why did the Jets release Braxton Berrios? The Jets released Berrios in March 2023, clearing $5 million off their salary cap. It was a financial decision rather than a performance-based one.
5. What teams has Braxton Berrios played for? He has played for the New England Patriots (2018), New York Jets (2019 to 2022), Miami Dolphins (2023 to 2024), Houston Texans (2025), and New York Giants (2026 to present).
6. What injury did Braxton Berrios suffer? Berrios tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a 2024 game against the Indianapolis Colts. The injury ended his 2024 season.
7. Is Braxton Berrios connected to the fashion world? Yes. His girlfriend, Alix Earle, is one of the world’s most influential fashion and beauty creators. The couple has attended major fashion events including the ESPYs red carpet and Paris Fashion Week coverage. Earle also launched “The Alix” denim collection with fashion brand FRAME.
8. Who negotiates Braxton Berrios’s contracts? His agents are Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey of Rosenhaus Sports, one of the most prominent sports agencies in the NFL.
9. Why did the Giants sign Braxton Berrios in 2026? The Giants signed him as a direct replacement for return specialist Gunner Olszewski, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon during OTAs. Berrios’s special teams experience and All-Pro background made him the ideal fit.
10. What is Braxton Berrios’s career return stats? He has accumulated over 3,395 career return yards and one return touchdown. His best season was 2021, when he averaged 30.4 yards per kickoff return and earned First-Team All-Pro honors.
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Author Name: Jordan Mase
About the Author : Jordan Mase is a New York-based sports and lifestyle writer who covers the intersection of professional athletics, personal branding, and fashion culture. With over a decade of experience writing for digital sports media and lifestyle publications, Jordan brings a unique lens to stories that live where sport and style meet. When not breaking down contract details, Jordan is likely browsing menswear lookbooks or debating whether the ESPYs red carpet is actually a fashion week.



