Every August, NFL franchises are required to trim their rosters ahead of the new season. During this stage, practice squads are also finalized to provide coverage in case of emergencies and to set up valuable training partners before games.
How do practice squads work? Take a look at details on rules, salary, and eligibility below:

When did the NFL introduce practice squads?

Cleveland Browns coach Paul Brown built the first unofficial practice squad back in 1946. By 1950, after merging with the All-America Football Conference, the NFL officially adopted practice squads.

How many players can NFL practice squads have?

The 1993 Collective Bargaining Agreement set the limit at five players. After NFL owners voted in April 2004, the number increased to eight. From 2014 through 2019, squads were capped at 10 members. When rosters were disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the league allowed 16 players. In 2025, practice squads can hold 17 players, with one condition: one member must come from the NFL’s International Pathway Program. Of the other 16, 10 need to be rookies or second-year players.

What other rules apply to practice squad players?

Up to six of the 17 players can now have unlimited NFL experience, which marks a significant change from the old system, where no more than two accrued seasons were allowed.
Every Tuesday, four players can be labeled as “protected,” making them off-limits from being signed by other teams until kickoff.
On game days, two players may be temporarily promoted to the active roster. Afterward, they return to the squad unless a one-year deal is offered.
A player cannot be elevated more than twice; after that, the team must decide if he’ll be permanently promoted.

How much do NFL practice squad players earn?

Pay is split into two categories: players with fewer than two years of service and those with two or more.

2025 pay scale:

Players with two years or less: $13,000 weekly.

Players with two or more years: minimum $17,500 per week (up to $22,000).

Salaries will continue to increase through 2030 under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement. Like active players, they’re paid over 18 weeks of the season but don’t receive signing bonuses or guaranteed money.

Do practice squads count against the salary cap?

No, they do not. If a player is promoted, his salary will be at the league minimum, which doesn’t significantly affect the cap.

When can players sign with practice squads?

Following final roster cuts, players who clear waivers can join squads.

2025 schedule:

Final roster cuts: August 26 at 4 p.m. ET.

Signings start: August 27 at noon ET.

What does an average day look like for practice squad members?
They follow the same weekly routine as active players: practice, film study, meals at the facility, and even traveling for away games. On game day, however, they remain in street clothes unless promoted.

Can practice squad players be traded?

Do they have job security?

Only active roster players can be traded. Practice squad members can be signed one week and released the next.

What happens once the season ends?

Practice squads operate only during the regular season and playoffs. Once finished, most members are signed to reserve/futures contracts, making them part of the team’s off season roster when the new league year begins in March. Usually, practice squad deals end one week after the last game of the season.

Do they get Super Bowl rings?
Yes, per the CBA, practice squad players are awarded Super Bowl rings, though they are often less valuable than those of active roster members.

Who fits best on practice squads?

Once mostly for rookies needing extra development, practice squads now also include NFL veterans open to structured workouts, paid practice time, and the chance of being called up on game days.

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