Is there such a thing as holding an NFL training camp? Do players just trying to make an NFL roster make any money if they don't make the cut? What about veterans under contract with a team? How much do they earn during one of the harshest parts of the year?
These are all questions that most fans don't know.
Everything you need to know about NFL salaries during training camp
The quick answer is that everyone who attends has an NFL training camp contract. Whether it's an undrafted rookie just hoping to hit the mark or a player who just signed one of the biggest contracts in NFL history, no one enters training camp for free.
The only problem is that an NFL training camp contract is not the same. Let's try to clear up some of these questions regarding how much players make during NFL training camp.
Who decides training camp salary?
A player's salary in NFL training camp is determined by the current collective bargaining agreement. The current CBA was negotiated and ratified in 2020 and continues to limit how much money players make during training camp. The current CBA is in effect until 2031.
However, the current agreement works for regular wage increases every few years in hopes of keeping up with inflation and the overall increase in player salaries across the league.
How much do veterans make?
According to the CBA, players with at least one year of service time in the NFL earn $3,200 per week during training camp. This is less than a salary and more of a per diem to provide them with a little money to cover any costs they may have while in pre-season camp.
The $3,200 per week is the pay veteran NFL players receive during training camp in both 2023 and 2024. However, that number will increase to $3,500 per week during training camp in 2025 and 2026.
How much do juniors make?
Any rookie — or any player without a full year of service in the NFL — will receive significantly less than veterans during training camp. For these players, their per diem is just $1,850 per week, at least through the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
During the 2025 and 2026 NFL seasons, all first-year players will receive a $2,000 weekly per diem during training camp.
What else do players get during training camp?
In addition to their weekly per diem during training camp, NFL teams are also required to provide players with room and board. This is one reason why teams don't always use their regular practice facilities during training camp. Most teams move to campus where it is more convenient to provide room and board for the players for the duration of training camp.
The CBA also has additional requirements regarding players who do not yet reside in their team's city. This mostly refers to rookies, as well as players who have joined a new team. For these players, teams must provide housing between the end of training camp and the Tuesday before the first week of the season.
This is intended to ease the burden on rookies who may not have been sure they would make the team's Week 1 roster and were not sure they would need housing in that particular city.
What about the players who make up the practice squad?
At the end of training camp, players who do not qualify for the 53-man roster can still join the practice squad. Although it's not the same as joining the team, the practice squad salary represents a significant increase from training camp.
Players on the practice squad with two years or less NFL experience make $12,000 per week. Players with more than two years of service time will receive between $16,100 and $20,600 for being on the practice squad. For young players, even joining the practice squad can be a nice reward after training camp, as it will keep them on the team's radar and just one step away from making an NFL roster.
