Do NFL players get paid in preseason? How much?

Since NFL contracts only cover the regular season, players receive a pre-season per diem. We take you through how this works and how much NFL players get paid during the preseason

Reem AbdalazemUpdate: Aug 1st, 2024 11:24 EDT0

Jayne Kamin-OnceaUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Whether it’s the NFL roaring through its regular season or the tranquility of early summer, the league remains a year-round source of news and events. Amid discussions of various matters, even the most passionate fans might find themselves in the dark about certain aspects, like pay received by players during the preseason and postseason. Let’s take you through how much NFL players make during the preseason and how it works.

Preseason pay in the NFL

NFL teams come together for training camps annually before the season starts. Within these training camps, players have the opportunity to showcase their value and secure a spot on the team. The NFL preseason ensues after these camps, featuring a series of exhibition matches in which teams face off to gear up for the upcoming season.

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The number of preseason games fluctuates across teams, but usually there are three. These matches maintain a lower intensity level than regular season games, aiding in injury prevention. However, teams remain eager to gauge player performance at game pace, making these matchups the perfect method for evaluation, especially for rookies and backup players making their case for a starting spot on the roster.

It might surprise you, but the preseason paycheck is completely unrelated to the scale of an existing contract (if applicable). Every player, without exception, is provided a “per diem” starting from the very first day of training camp.

During the 2024 season, all veteran players earn $3,200 a week during both training camp and the preseason while first-year players earn $1,850 a week. The most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) outlines the compensation for these two player types, which escalates every two years. These ps are consistent league-wide and do not factor into the team’s salary cap.

Considering there are six weeks during which players can receive compensation, the preseason pay of about $19,000 for veterans may not be exceedingly impactful. Yet, for a rookie aiming to secure a spot on the 53-man roster, the sum of over $11,000 for the preseason holds more significance from a financial standpoint.

When the regular season is underway, the paycheck is calculated at 1/16 of their regular season salary, disbursed each Monday throughout the season.

What about accommodation and meals?

Additionally, as part of the training camp and preseason arrangement, accommodations and meals are extended to every player. Players are reimbursed for meals not supplied by the team on travel days (including preseason, regular season, and postseason) at a uniform rate, regardless of their experience. This rate is around: $38 for breakfast, $48 for lunch, and $66 for dinner.