The United Football League ——it’s a product of the XFL and USFL combined — enters week 4 this weekend. It consists of young players trying to make it in the NFL, former NFL players trying to extend their careers, and players of all experience levels trying to keep their football dreams alive.
How much do players get paid to play in the UFL? According to league rules, each player is paid $50,000, plus a $400 weekly housing allowance that begins at the end of training camp and lasts at least 10 weeks. Players on playoff teams may receive an additional one to two weeks of housing allowance depending on how far the team has advanced.
While $54,000 is great for a few months of work, how does it compare to the salaries of his NFL peers? With the help of ESPN Stats and Data, we selected 10 players and calculated how long it would take them to earn regular season compensation as UFL players.
Players selected include the league’s highest-paid player, reigning three-time Super Bowl MVP, highest-paid defensive player, backup quarterback, kicker and slugger, quarterback with XFL experience, All-Pro player on rookie contract, running back and quarterback for the defending NFC champions. To calculate NFL salaries, we used each player’s three-year average salary (APY) as recorded by ESPN’s roster management system. We also practiced this while playing.
How long it takes to earn $54,000: 60.09 seconds
According to APY, Burrow is the NFL’s highest-paid player. The five-year contract worth $275 million he signed last September averaged $55 million annually. Breaking it down further, Baro earned $53,921.57 per minute, which translates to roughly two plays in a non-halftime or game-ending situation. UFL teams may have to give him two-minute drills or other drills late in the game.
How long it takes to earn $54,000: 1 minute 11 seconds
The reigning Super Bowl champion and MVP will likely play much longer in the UFL than twelve as he renewed his contract in 2020 for 10 years at an average of $46.34 million per year or $45,431.57 per minute. UFL teams will get 71 seconds of playing time, which is enough to make an impact if used correctly. Bills fans can ask Mahomes in 13 seconds.
How long it takes to earn $54,000: 1 minute 37 seconds
Quarterbacks are great, but sometimes you need a game-breaker, and Bosa is their guy. Because he’s also the most expensive five-year extension he signed on the eve of last season’s opener, bringing him $34.2 million annually. That equates to $33,529.41 per minute, so if UFL teams are smart and keep the 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year out of obvious pass-rush situations, they can maximize about 100 seconds of his time.
How long it takes to earn $54,000: 6 minutes 16 seconds
We’ve covered the superstar starting quarterback angle, so how much does the highest-paid backup cost? That’s where Wilson, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft. Wilson is in the final year of his rookie contract, averaging $8.79 million per year, or $8,617.65 per minute. UFL teams could get about half a quarter of the revenue from Wilson, and the Jets could also be willing to achieve this goal.
How long it takes to earn $54,000: 7 minutes 53 seconds
Jones was a standout player for the Packers in seven seasons, rushing for 226 yards in the 2023 playoffs, including a three-touchdown game vs. the Cowboys in the wild card round. That gave him a one-year, $7 million deal that will net him $6,862.75 per minute if he plays for the Vikings this offseason. . The roughly eight minutes that UFL teams could play with him could be valuable, especially given Jones’ ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
How long it takes to earn $54,000: 8 minutes 54 seconds
There’s the kicker, and then there’s Money, who became the highest-paid position kicker in the NFL after signing a contract. A four-year extension to 2022 averages $6.2 million in revenue per quarter. Average $6,078.43 per minute. Because he’s a specialist, a crafty UFL team can get creative with about nine minutes of rotation time. Can play the NFL record holder for longest field goal. Tucker will be a force in the top 20.
How long it takes to earn $54,000: 12 minutes 54 seconds
Parsons’ big stretch for the Cowboys will come soon, but for now he’s still on his rookie contract through 2021, averaging $4.27 million per season, or $62,794.12 per quarter. They’ll get about a quarter of what an All-Pro linebacker makes, which is arguably the second-best contract for an NFL player (we’ll get to the first soon). Quarterback Parsons wreaking havoc on the edge or tracking the ball carrier would be a boon for a lucky UFL team.
How long it takes to earn $54,000: 21 minutes 47 seconds
Heinike knows spring football life as he played in the 2020 edition of the XFL before graduating to his current NFL bridge starting/high end backup role. His recently restructured deal with the Falcons averages $2.53 million per season, or $37,205.88 per quarter. If Heinicke is feeling nostalgic and wants to relive the past, UFL teams can get a quarter and a half from him.
How long it takes to earn $54,000: 32 minutes 59 seconds
The long snapper hasn’t gotten a lot of attention, but Rudd made the most financially as the 2021 All-Pro signed a four-year extension before last season that makes him the NFL’s highest-paid long snapper. The contract averages $1.67 million per season, or $49,117.65 per half. Rhodes could anchor the special teams unit for this lucky UFL team in the first half and nearly three minutes of the third quarter.
How long it takes to earn $54,000: 58 minutes 59 seconds
We mentioned earlier that Parsons was the NFL’s second-best trade. This is the first time Purdy has moved away from the 2022 draft final pick for the NFC championship and single-season passing yardage leader in 49ers history. Purdy is in the third year of his rookie contract and is making an average of $934,000 per season, or $54,941.18 per game. UFL teams can keep Purdy out for just one minute all week.
