NFL agent cap 3%NBA agent cap 4%MLB agent cap 5%Top federal rate 2026 37%Bonus withholding over $1M 37%Texas state tax on wages 0%Florida state tax on wages 0%California top rate 13.3%NBA escrow 10% of each check held backNIL money 1099 income, add 15.3% self-employment taxAgent fees for team salary not deductible on your federal returnNFL players file taxes in about 10 to 14 states a year
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On the bubble

Practice squad. Cut. G League. The real numbers.

Most players are not stars on guaranteed deals. This is for the ones fighting for a spot, where every check matters and nothing is promised.

Statement of earnings

10 weeks on the practice squad

$13,750 a week. Lives in TX.

Not guaranteed
Gross pay$137,500
TaxFederal income tax($21,734)

Top federal rate is 37% on taxable income over $640,600.

TaxMedicare($1,994)

1.45% on every dollar, plus 0.9% on pay over $200,000. No cap.

TaxSocial Security($8,525)

6.2% on the first $184,500 only.

FeeAgent (3%)($4,125)

Taken from the gross, before taxes. For team salary it is not deductible on your federal return.

What you actually keep

$101,122

You keep

74%

Weekly, after taxes

$10,112

Know this

  • A full season on the practice squad is $247,500 before taxes at the 0 to 2 season rate. Most practice squad players are not there all 18 weeks.
  • Practice squad pay is not guaranteed. A team can release you any week, and the checks stop.
  • Any other team can sign you to its 53-man roster at any time. If it does, you are guaranteed at least 3 weeks of pay.
  • Weeks on the practice squad do not count toward the NFL pension. Games you are called up for do.
  • You usually get health insurance, the 401(k), and the disability plan after 3 games on the squad.
Young football player sitting alone in a locker room

The hard truth

Plan like the checks could stop next week

On the practice squad or a non-guaranteed deal, they can. Keep your living costs tied to what is already in your account, save a piece of every check, and start building the next thing now: a degree, a trade, a license, a business. Players who do that land on their feet whether the call comes or not.

Bubble questions

How much do NFL practice squad players make after taxes?+

In 2026 the practice squad pays $13,750 a week for players with 0 to 2 accrued seasons, up to $22,850 a week for veterans. A full 18 weeks at the base rate is $247,500 before taxes, roughly $170,000 to $180,000 after taxes and a 3% agent fee in a no-tax state. Most players are not on the squad all 18 weeks.

Do you keep your signing bonus if you get cut?+

Generally yes, once it has been paid. Teams can only recover signing bonus money for specific breaches, like holding out or retiring, not for cutting a player.

How much do G League players make?+

The G League's first union contract set $45,000 for 2025-26 with 3% raises, about $46,350 for 2026-27 (our estimate), plus housing and health insurance reimbursement. A two-way NBA contract pays $678,882 for 2026-27.