Is Manti Te'o Still Playing in the NFL?
Manti Te'o is not currently on an NFL roster. His last NFL regular-season appearance was with the New Orleans Saints in 2016, and he later had brief stints with the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars without appearing in a regular-season game. He has not been on an active 53-man roster since 2017, and no public transactions indicate a return to the league. For the latest NFL roster transactions, refer to the official NFL transactions page on nfl.com.
Te'o's professional career is widely considered to have concluded after his time with the Saints and subsequent practice squad deals. He transitioned into business and media roles, including appearances on reality television and sports commentary. His departure from active play aligns with the typical timeline for players who go undrafted or are released after their rookie contracts, as documented by the NFL Players Association on nflpa.com.
Manti Te'o's NFL Career Earnings and Contracts
Manti Te'o signed a four-year, $11.44 million contract with the San Diego Chargers after being drafted in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, with a $3.91 million signing bonus. The deal included a guaranteed base salary of $2.07 million in 2013 and a cap hit that peaked at $3.01 million in 2014, according to public contract data on spotrac.com.
After his release from the Chargers in 2017, Te'o did not secure a major contract extension or high-value free-agent deal. His subsequent earnings from the NFL were limited to short-term deals and practice squad allocations, which typically carry a weekly salary of around $10,000 to $15,000. His total career NFL earnings are estimated to be in the low millions, a figure that can be verified through salary aggregation platforms like overthecap.com.
Manti Te'o's Current Business and Post-NFL Activities
Te'o has focused on business ventures and media work after leaving the NFL. He has been involved in real estate and brand partnerships, and he has made public appearances on shows like "Dancing with the Stars." His post-football career aligns with a growing trend of former players leveraging their public profiles into entertainment and entrepreneurial opportunities, as reported by Forbes on forbes.com.
While Te'o is not currently earning NFL salary, his name recognition continues to generate opportunities in broadcasting and brand endorsements. His career trajectory illustrates how former players can transition into the business side of sports and entertainment, often using their initial NFL earnings as a foundation for long-term financial stability.