NFL Practice Squad Players Earn Up to $400,000 for 18 Weeks of Work
While the spotlight shines on the 53 players of an NFL team's active roster, the league's practice squad members quietly secure substantial paychecks. These 17-player units, which train and travel with teams but don't suit up for games, offer rookies $13,000 weekly and veterans up to $22,000 per week over the 18-week season.
Breiden Fehoko, a defensive tackle recently released by the Pittsburgh Steelers, highlighted the financial upside on social media: "I be laughing when people say 'you're a Practice Squad player bum'—400k for 6 months of work." The compensation structure creates an unusual labor dynamic where developmental players can outearn many white-collar professionals during the season.