Most Chiefs fans can tell you the range of Patrick Mahomes' mammoth contract, and even slightly casual fans are likely to be able to rattle off a decent estimate of the team's cap space, Chris Jones's contract amount, or Travis Kelce's cap hit. It comes with the territory of being an NFL fan.
What about practice squad players? While they do not command the multimillion-dollar contracts of the league's star players, these athletes still earn a respectable living through their involvement in professional football. Let us delve into the specifics.
Practice squad players receive a weekly salary, which varies based on their experience in the league. As of the 2023 season, practice squad players with fewer than two accrued seasons (essentially those with less tenure in the league) earn a weekly salary of $12,000. Over the course of the 18-week season, this amounts to $216,000—a substantial amount for those who can grab a spot.
Practice squads are vital for NFL teams and yet so little is widely-known about how the NFL's system works for these players.
For those who have accrued two or more seasons, the weekly pay increases to $16,100. This results in a total of $289,800 for the full season, reflecting a higher compensation rate for players with more experience and longevity in the league.
Additionally, practice squad players can be promoted to the active roster for up to three games per season without having to clear waivers upon returning to the practice squad. During these weeks in which they're on the team's active roster, they receive a pro-rated portion of the minimum salary, which gives them a notable increase in their earnings for those weeks.
Practice squad players might not earn the sorts of paychecks that generate headlines, but they can still bring in a substantial income while pursuing their NFL dreams. That's what makes a practice squad role so valuable for a player even if they aren't able to make the initial cut onto an active roster.