There will be massive contracts signed during 2026 NFL free agency. But what’s the lowest amount a player can make as teams fill out their rosters?
NFL free agency is filled with reports of players signing “veteran minimum” contracts.
The minimum salary for an NFL player depends on how many credited seasons they have in the league.
Under the current collective bargaining agreement, the 2026 minimum salary ranges from $885,000 for rookies to $1.3 million for players with seven or more credited seasons.
Here’s how the minimum salary breaks down for the 2026 season.
NFL minimum salaries for 2026
Players earn a credited season by being on full-pay status for at least three games during the year.
How NFL players are paid during the season
NFL players are paid in 18 weekly installments during the regular season, including their bye week.
That means a player on the 2026 veteran minimum of $1.3 million would earn about $72,222 per week. A rookie making the $885,000 minimum would earn about $49,167 per week.
Those payments are only made during the regular season. Offseason workouts, bonuses and incentives can add to a player’s earnings depending on the structure of the contract.
During free agency, many depth players and veterans sign one-year deals at or near the minimum salary, allowing teams to add roster depth without taking on large salary cap commitments.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: What is the NFL veteran minimum salary in 2026? Here’s how much players earn
Reporting by Ryan Miller, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
