NFL Star Continues to Drive His Pre-Owned Subaru Following $60M Contract Signing

      Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir has just secured a substantial contract extension: four years totaling $60.2 million, with $32 million guaranteed. This averages out to over $15 million each year. If I were in his position, I would skip the press conference and go straight to a Porsche dealership. However, Shakir is still driving a 2021 Subaru and doesn’t appear eager to switch it out.

      “I’m going to put myself on the spot here, but I drive a Subaru,” Shakir said with a smile during the press conference announcing his extension. “The guys always tease me about my choice of car.”

      He hasn’t specified the model—only noting that it’s white with tinted windows—but it seems he plans to keep it for the foreseeable future. Will he purchase something extravagant now that he’s earning more in one season than many people could hope to earn in a lifetime? “I don’t really splurge; that’s just not my style. But, yeah, I’ll probably get a new car, though it won’t be anything outrageous.”

      Even if he gets a new vehicle, he doesn’t intend to part ways with his Subaru. When asked if he would sell his old car, which aligns with his blue-collar image, Shakir replied, “I actually don’t think I want to get rid of it. Maybe I’ll just drive something else occasionally so [teammate Curtis Samuel] sees it and stops making jokes.” Although Shakir’s Subaru may not stand out among the array of luxury vehicles in the Bills parking lot, he appreciates it all the same.

      “He’s a true lunch-pail Buffalonian,” remarked Bills General Manager Brandon Beane. “I know he’s not from Buffalo, but he doesn’t complain; he just shows up every day. He’s Mr. Dependable, and when the ball finds him, he usually makes the catch.”

      Shakir isn’t the only NFL player with a more common vehicle. Many NFL players own full-size pickup trucks, as they are among the few cars that can accommodate their size. Running back Alfred Morris notably drove a 1991 Mazda 626—his college car that he bought for just $2 and had restored by Mazda. Wide receiver Darius Slayton has a Dodge Challenger Hellcat, being a fan of the brand. But they are not alone in this trend.

      While it may seem surprising to categorize NFL players among the lesser-paid professional athletes in America, considering one is set to earn at least $32 million over four years, the NFL has a salary cap restricting what teams can pay their entire roster each year. As a result, only the standout stars receive massive contracts. Lower-round draft picks like Shakir (a fifth-round pick in 2022) earn less than $1 million annually on their initial contracts. Although that amount is still substantial for most of us, these players understand the importance of saving money during their first contracts, as there’s no guarantee of securing a second.

      Shakir’s extension is well-earned, as he quickly became one of star quarterback Josh Allen’s preferred targets. He could easily be excused for rushing out to buy a Lamborghini tomorrow. However, it’s likely that the Subaru-driving Bills fans in Buffalo would much prefer the idea of sharing their cars with one of their favorite players.

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