What Happens To UFL Players Who Don’t Make NFL Rosters

For fans of the UFL, one of the most exciting aspects of the current NFL preseason was tracking the number of UFL players who signed with NFL teams. The number of player signings increased daily, resulting in a record-breaking total of 77 NFL contracts. But of those 77, only two UFL athletes ended up making their team’s roster. The Detroit Lions signed Michigan Panthers standout field goal kicker, Jake Bates and the Minnesota Vikings signed former Arlington Renegades defensive end Jalen Redmond.

So what happens to the 75 other UFL players who were cut and didn’t make their team’s NFL roster? Where are those players now?

What Happens To UFL Players Who Don’t Make NFL Rosters

The NFL Practice Squad

Many of those UFL players were signed later that same day to their team’s practice squad. Every NFL team maintains a 16-player practice squad in addition to their 53-man roster. For those UFL players who weren’t named to the roster, the practice squad offers a nice option. Popular UFL stars such as former San Antonio Brahmas running back Anthony McFarland, D.C. Defenders wide receiver Kelvin Harmon, and Michigan Panthers quarterback, E.J. Perry were all assigned to NFL team practice squads.

Rules and Regulations

The practice squad participates in team practices during the week with the rest of the team, helping to simulate a realistic game against their opposition. Practice squad members assume the role of designated opposing players to mimic their style of play and allow the active team players to adjust their game in preparation.

Practice squads combine veteran NFL players with younger less experienced players. Veterans are players with three or more years of active NFL experience. NFL rules dictate that the practice squad roster is limited to no more than six veteran players.

This year, NFL practice squads include familiar players such as veteran running back Frank Gore, Jr. and former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder. Once a veteran is waived by his team, he becomes a free agent and other teams can sign him. As soon as Ridder became a free agent, the Arizona Cardinals signed him to their practice squad.

UFL League MVP and Birmingham Stallions star quarterback Adrian Martinez had an extremely impressive preseason debut with the New York Jets. Although Martinez failed to make the active roster, he was signed to the New York Jets practice squad this week. Hanging onto Martinez seems like a very smart move for the Jets, given the fact that they are relying heavily on an aging quarterback coming off a season-ending injury. In addition to Martinez, the Jets also signed D.C. Defenders wide receiver Brandon Smith and San Antonio Brahmas offensive lineman Kohl Levao to their practice squad.

Salary Terms

Currently, there are 18 former UFL members signed to NFL practice squads. There is a tremendous wage gap between UFL star players and the NFL. Earning a spot on the NFL practice squad represents a huge wage increase with rookie or second-year players making a minimum of $12,500 per week and veteran talent bringing home a weekly paycheck that could exceed $21,000 per week. For someone accustomed to the paltry UFL salaries, the opportunity to earn between $225,000-$385,000 during the NFL season is a nice consolation prize for not making the 53-man roster.

Practice Squad-A Stepping Stone To The Active Roster

The practice squad can also be a stepping stone to the active roster. Throughout the season, a player could be activated from the practice squad to the game-day roster to cover for an injured or inactive player. Typically, the squad player is activated for a single game and returns to the practice squad the next day. However, if an individual player is activated for more than 3 games during an NFL season, he is then required to be added to the active NFL roster. Many players including Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert found their way onto an active roster through the practice squad.

Other Scenarios

While this is good news for these talented UFL players, some of the biggest names in the UFL were waived by their teams earlier in the week. Both the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, Hakeem Butler and Breeland Speaks were waived ahead of the final roster cuts. In addition to Butler and Speaks, former Arlington Renegades quarterback Luis Perez was also waived. In Perez’s case, the news is not surprising, given the fact that he was only signed by the Los Angeles Chargers less than two weeks ago. In all likelihood, Perez wasn’t given enough time to prove his worth.

Finally, talented wide receiver and return specialist, Samson Nacua was released by the New Orleans Saints after an impressive preseason. Nacua almost scored a 109-yard kick return touchdown but he was pushed out of bounds at the three-yard line.

Butler, Speaks and Perez are now all free agents and could be signed to active NFL team rosters. As a player with less NFL experience, Nacua will hopefully be signed to an NFL practice squad, perhaps even the Los Angeles Rams where he would be reunited with his brother, Puka.

Main Image: Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

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