Should Michigan Get Its NIL Money Back From Underwood?

Bryce Underwood fell short of expectations at Michigan and was benched, while Tommy Carr stepped in to lead the team to a win. Should Underwood have to return some of his NIL money?

Michigan's Bryce Underwood Benched

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Bryce Underwood has struggled at Michigan, with inconsistent play and costly decisions contributing to his difficulties. He’s had trouble protecting the ball, made costly turnovers, and struggled to read defenses and react quickly.

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Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham hinted at possible changes after losses to Iowa and Minnesota but didn’t directly say Bryce Underwood would be benched. After Underwood threw two interceptions in the first half against Penn State, Whittingham and offensive coordinator Jason Beck benched him.

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Freshman quarterback Tommy Carr stepped in and helped lead Michigan to a 21-18 win over Penn State. After Underwood managed just 80 yards of offense in the first half, Carr completed five of seven passes for 47 yards without an interception or passing touchdown. He also rushed for 36 yards and a touchdown, helping the Wolverines finish with 221 total yards and three touchdowns.

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It’s only one game, but the outcome was noticeably different. Whittingham hasn’t said who will start against Indiana this weekend, but his comments at the weekly press conference seemed to suggest a shift away from Underwood.

Bryce Underwood and NIL: Should He Return the Money?

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If Underwood remains benched for the rest of the season or spends the next two years as a backup, should he have to return some of his Name Image and Likeness money for failing to meet expectations?

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Underwood’s NIL valuation has been estimated at $10.5 million to $12.5 million over four years. At roughly $3 million annually, that would work out to about $250,000 per game over a 12-game regular season. That’s a lot of money for a player who’s sitting on the bench.

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Under typical NIL arrangements, Underwood generally wouldn’t have to return money simply because he underperforms or gets benched. NIL deals are typically structured as marketing, endorsement, or service contracts, not salaries tied directly to on-field performance.

Underwood would presumably rather be on the field, and he could still start this weekend. But even if he stays on the bench, he’ll still be laughing all the way to the bank.

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