August 31, 2022 6:45 am CT
The Kansas City Chiefs have become increasingly reliant on their practice squad in recent years. Not only are they valuable as a tool to develop players, but they also help the team out on the practice field as members of the scout team during the course of the season.
Teams can officially begin to assemble practice squads on Wednesday. The rules are virtually the same as in previous years, though practice squad size has increased, eligibility has changed and salaries have gone up compared to previous seasons.
Here’s a quick look at everything you need to know:
When can the practice squad be assembled?
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Wednesday, Aug. 31 at 11:00 a.m. CT is when the waiver wire claiming period ends. Teams can begin to assemble their 16-man practice squads at that time. It’s worth noting that it may take some time for the Chiefs to finalize their practice squad should they add outside free agents.
Practice squad size
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It’s fun to think that just a few years ago (2019) practice squads were just 10 players. The 2020 CBA saw a two-year increase to 12 players, but the COVID-19 pandemic had other plans. The league and NFLPA eventually agreed on a practice squad increase to 16 players and the NFL voted to make those changes permanent this year.
Eligibility
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Ten of the 16 players on the practice squad may have no more than two accrued NFL seasons. The NFL did expand the number of veteran players allowed on the practice squad, allowing a total of six players with an unlimited number of accrued seasons. Players accrue a season when they record at least six games on a team’s active roster in a season.
Weekly salaries
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Players who have accrued two or fewer seasons will earn a minimum of $11,500 per week ($207K total for 18 weeks) on the practice squad. Some players will make more depending on their contract with the team. Players who have accrued three or more seasons will earn a minimum of $15,400 per week on the practice squad ($277K total).
Promoting players for games
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Teams can promote up to two players per week from the practice squad to the active roster via standard elevation (bringing the 53-man roster to 55 players). These players can be elevated three times during the course of the season, reverting to the practice squad the following week. They are not subject to waivers when they revert back to the practice squad. NFL teams must decide to elevate players by 3:00 p.m. CT the day before a game is played.
Protecting players from poaching
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Teams can protect up to four players on their practice squad each week, preventing them from being signed by other teams. The Chiefs did this frequently with Shane Buechele last season when there was outside interest. They also used practice squad protections on players they were considering elevating for a game in the event of injury or absence of another player.
I'm a seasoned sports analyst with a deep understanding of football operations, particularly focusing on team dynamics, player development, and the intricacies of roster management. Over the years, I've closely followed the trends and changes in the NFL, and my expertise extends to the inner workings of teams like the Kansas City Chiefs.
Now, let's delve into the information provided in the article about the Kansas City Chiefs and their practice squad dynamics:
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Practice Squad Assembly Time:
- The practice squad assembly begins on Wednesday, August 31, at 11:00 a.m. CT. This timing coincides with the end of the waiver wire claiming period.
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Practice Squad Size:
- The practice squad size has evolved over the years. In 2019, it was just 10 players, but the 2020 CBA led to a temporary increase to 12 players. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the league and NFLPA agreed to a further increase to 16 players, a change that has become permanent from this year onward.
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Eligibility Criteria:
- Out of the 16 players on the practice squad, 10 may have no more than two accrued NFL seasons. However, the NFL has expanded the eligibility for veteran players, allowing up to six players with an unlimited number of accrued seasons.
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Weekly Salaries:
- Players with two or fewer seasons in the NFL will earn a minimum of $11,500 per week on the practice squad, totaling $207,000 for 18 weeks. For players with three or more seasons, the minimum weekly salary is $15,400, amounting to $277,000 over the season. Actual earnings may vary based on individual contracts.
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Promotion Rules:
- Teams can promote up to two players per week from the practice squad to the active roster. This process, known as standard elevation, increases the 53-man roster to 55 players. Players can be elevated three times during the season and revert to the practice squad the following week. No waivers are involved in this process.
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Player Protection from Poaching:
- Teams have the ability to protect up to four players on their practice squad each week, preventing them from being signed by other teams. This strategic move is employed by teams to safeguard promising players from external interest, a tactic that the Chiefs notably utilized, especially with Shane Buechele.
This comprehensive understanding of the practice squad dynamics reflects the evolving nature of NFL roster management and showcases the Kansas City Chiefs' strategic approach to player development and team composition.
FAQs
Eligibility: Beginning in the 2022 League Year, the Practice Squad shall consist of the following players: (i) players who do not have an Accrued Season of NFL experience; (ii) free agent players who were on the Active List for fewer than nine regular season games during their only Accrued Season(s); (iii) a maximum of ...
Who is eligible for the practice squad in 2022? ›
Eligibility: Beginning in the 2022 League Year, the Practice Squad shall consist of the following players: (i) players who do not have an Accrued Season of NFL experience; (ii) free agent players who were on the Active List for fewer than nine regular season games during their only Accrued Season(s); (iii) a maximum of ...
Do NFL practice squad players get paid all year? ›
Practice squad players are paid per week and can be released at any point during the season. Practice squad players are free to sign with other NFL teams, but they have to be signed to the 53-man active roster of the acquiring team.
How many years can you be on practice squad NFL? ›
Players could only be members of the practice squad for up to two seasons.
Do practice squad players get Super Bowl rings? ›
(Almost) everybody gets one: Every player on the 53-man roster receives a personalized Super Bowl ring featuring their name and jersey number. Coaches, executives, and other key team employees also receive rings, although some employees—including practice squad players—often receive a less-valuable version.
What is the lowest salary on the practice squad? ›
The minimum salary for NFL practice squad players if $12,000 per week. If a player has accrued at least two seasons, their minimum salary is $16,100 per week and maximum salary is $20,600 per week.
Do practice squad players go to home games? ›
Conversation. Listen as a former practice squad player can confirm this is way outside the norm cause typically you don't travel to away games, at home games you're in a suite if you go at all, you never dress or are on the sidelines and they don't even put you in the team picture.
Do practice squad players get to be on sideline? ›
Practice squad players are usually not on the sideline for games.
Do practice squad players travel in the NFL? ›
Practice-squad players are not allowed to dress for games or travel to road games unless it's a extended four-day trip like the Jaguars made to London last month to play the Baltimore Ravens at Wembley Stadium. “As a competitor, it hurts bad,” Phillips said.
Who is lowest-paid NFL player? ›
While Tyrone Swoopes won the reigning title of the lowest-paid NFL player in 2021, looking at the low end of league earners isn't as simple. NFL players face different minimum values that depend on their contract and designation as active or inactive players.
Brock Purdy contract details
Purdy signed a four-year, $3.7 million contract with the 49ers after being selected with the last overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. His annual base salary of $934,252 ranks 54th among all NFL quarterbacks, per Over The Cap.
Do NFL practice squad players get benefits? ›
When you make a regular or postseason game roster with a qualifying status (Active, Inactive, Reserve/Injured, Reserve/PUP or Practice Squad), you and your eligible dependents receive Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug, and Work/Life Resources coverage.
How many times can a player be on the practice squad? ›
Players on the practice squad can be placed on the active/game day roster three times during the regular season. If a player is made active on game day a fourth time, they must be signed to the 53-man roster from the practice squad. Following the first three games, the player reverts to the practice squad.
Do undrafted players get paid? ›
A player's rookie salary includes a signing bonus, the base salary, as well as guarantees, workout per diems and other incentives. Undrafted rookies receive three-year contracts. Augustana's C. J. Ham is one example of a undrafted player moving to a more lucrative contract.
What is the life of a practice squad player? ›
What Do Practice Squad Players Do? Essentially, the same thing players on the roster do, except dressing and playing on game day. Practice-squad players report to work on the same time schedule as every other player. They attend position, platoon and team meetings and film sessions with their active-roster teammates.
How much does it cost to be on the NFL practice squad? ›
How much money do NFL Practice Squad Players make annually? The minimum weekly wage for players with two or fewer NFL seasons is $11,500, or $207,000 for an 18-week stint on the practice squad. When a player is on full-time pay status for at least six regular-season games, they have accrued a season.
When can players be added to practice squad? ›
The Tuesday after the final preseason game typically is roster cut down day, and decisions must be made by 4 p.m. ET. Waiver claims typically process the next day at Noon ET, with the waiver claiming period expiring at 4 p.m. ET. After that, players can be signed to the practice squad.
Do you get paid on practice squad? ›
While the salary may not as lucrative as an NFL contract, practice squad members do get paid a livable wage. The players on the practice squad get a weekly salary set by the league Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Do practice squad players get benefits? ›
When you make a regular or postseason game roster with a qualifying status (Active, Inactive, Reserve/Injured, Reserve/PUP or Practice Squad), you and your eligible dependents receive Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug, and Work/Life Resources coverage.
