Well, first off while the 55K number is far more sustainable, it's hardly something to get excited about. Remember this is taxable income, so they have to pay taxes, they have to pay their food and rent like most people, and if they get hurt or struggle? They're going to fall well short of 55K.
Contrast that to the poor downtrodden college players, and they get not just a full ride scholarship and a stipend guaranteed, but they don't have to worry about rent, don't have to worry about food, it's technically a four year scholarship and they don't even have to play to earn it! So, to be honest I'm a bit perplexed that people can look at 27K base pay or I guess we can say guaranteed? Not sure how guaranteed even that is, and go yeah that's fine for something between college and NFL level professional compensation, but then at the same time be like man but those poor college players, they're really taking advantage of them.