The short answer
An NFL player's weekly "game check" is his base salary divided by 18. On the 2026 rookie minimum of $885,000, that is $49,167 per game check before taxes, and about $30,334 after taxes and agent fees in Texas. A $10 million base salary is $555,556 per check, about $319,156 after.
Numbers from the KeepMyCheck calculator using 2026 tax rules. Estimates, not tax advice.
The NFL pays base salary in 18 weekly installments across the 17-game regular season plus the bye week. Signing bonuses and roster bonuses are paid separately. If a player is cut, the game checks stop.
| Rookie minimum | $885,000 |
| Divided into 18 checks | $49,167 |
| After tax and agent (Texas) | $30,334 |
| Checks in the offseason | None |
Related questions
- What is an NFL game check?
- One of 18 weekly payments of a player's base salary during the regular season. Each one is 1/18 of the base salary.
- Do NFL players get paid in the offseason?
- Not base salary. Offseason money comes from signing bonuses, roster bonuses, and workout bonuses, if the contract has them.
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