With 257 picks in the books, the 2026 NFL Draft has finished as teams turn to the preseason to begin whittling down rosters to the 53-man limit. But before they start, there’s a whole crop of 2026 NFL undrafted free agents who are waiting to get a contract from one of the 32 teams in the league.
Here’s a look at how much a UDFA makes in 2026, including the details on the contracts and salaries.
How Much Do NFL Undrafted Free Agents Earn in 2026?
Several players have already signed as 2026 NFL undrafted free agents, with the 2026 NFL Draft closing less than 24 hours ago. One name in particular many will be watching for is Heisman Trophy finalist and former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who became the first finalist to go undrafted since Northern Illinois QB Jordan Lynch in 2014.
As far as the money they make, every NFL undrafted free agent is required to sign a three-year contract with league-minimum salaries in each season. In 2026, the minimum salary is $885,000. In 2027, that number will rise to $930,000 for the players who’ll join the league as undrafted free agents.
Rookies drafted after the third round will earn the same minimum base salaries, though their contracts are mandated to be four years instead of three.
While the prospect of being a member of any draft class is quite the honor, toward the end of the draft, some players prefer to become an undrafted free agent rather than get picked in the seventh round, as they’ll have more freedom as a UDFA and can negotiate with multiple teams to find the right roster fit.
However, while there aren’t as harsh limits on the draft picks, the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement limits the amount of total signing bonuses a club can give its entire UDFA class. In 2024, that figure was reportedly $172,337.
MORE: PFSN’s 2026 NFL UDFA Tracker
After their three-year contract is finished, UDFAs will not have accrued enough NFL service time to become unrestricted free agents. Instead, they enter the league’s restricted free agent process, where they can be entered at one of four levels.
While drafted players can’t be extended until their third NFL season is complete, undrafted players can get new deals with their incumbent clubs after just two years. Accessing that second contract one year earlier is a benefit of going undrafted.
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While it’s not the easiest path to make the roster, it’s a chance nonetheless. There have been a few notable names that have been able to make their way through despite being undrafted free agents, like RB Austin Ekeler in 2017, WR Jakobi Meyers in 2019, TE/QB/RB Taysom Hill in 2017, and WR Adam Thielen in 2013, just to name a few.
