As part of this expansion, the NFL will merge with the United Football League (UFL), transforming it into a minor league system with 36 teams. Current UFL players will remain with their teams, and additional talent will be acquired through an expansion draft. This draft will include free agents from the UFL, CFL and other leagues, as well as undrafted players from both the NFL’s expansion draft and the NFL draft.
The UFL’s role as a minor league system will allow players to develop their skills and work toward an NFL call-up, creating a seamless pathway for talent development.
A new two-way contract structure will also be introduced for players selected in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds of the NFL draft. This system would allow teams to move players between the NFL and their UFL minor league affiliate, making talent development more efficient. Players selected in those rounds, as well as undrafted players, can sign a two-way contract.
Similar to the NHL, if a player on a one-way contract is sent to the minors, they must first pass through waivers. Any player can sign a two-way contract, but their salary will be capped at a maximum of $1 million per season and a minimum of $750,000, even if they are on an NFL roster. As a result, this contract structure will primarily be used for players unlikely to make an immediate impact on game day or for veterans whom teams want to keep in the building.
Each organization will have a maximum of 16 two-way contract slots. Players on these contracts can participate in either NFL or UFL (minor league) games but cannot play in both within the same week, as UFL games will take place on Fridays.
Teams will still be allowed to elevate two players per week, as they do now, but those players cannot participate in both leagues’ games in the same week. After three elevations, a player on a two-way contract will automatically convert to a one-way contract on the NFL roster, increasing their salary and limiting the team’s ability to send them back down.
This system is designed to improve player development, keep promising talent within the NFL’s ecosystem longer and enhance trade opportunities. Teams will be able to build a farm system leveraging prospects along with draft picks and current players to improve their rosters.