The UFL has been off to a fiery start to the 2026 offseason, with the league already seeing 20 players sign NFL contracts in the first three days after being officially allowed to sign.
One of the more active NFL teams with the UFL has been the Denver Broncos, who have already signed two UFL players: St. Louis Battlehawks wide receiver Hakeem Butler and defensive back Sean Fresch. Broncos head coach Sean Payton spoke to the media, sharing his thoughts on how the UFL is helping develop players into NFL-quality talent.
“I asked the question of the scouts the other day like, ‘UFL or CFL? Where are we getting the better (players)?’ I don’t know how many years in, five, six, seven with the UFL, and I think it’s kind of becoming that, ‘OK, where’s the next market?’ They’re getting developed somewhere. Where are they if they’re not in our league? I think to their league’s credit, it’s helping us.”
Sean Payton believes in what the UFL is doing with players
This is in line with how many NFL coaches feel about the UFL. Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has been very vocal about how great the UFL has been for his team. The Lions, of course, have one of the UFL's best players ever with kicker Jake Bates, and Detroit has already signed Louisville Kings wide receivers Lucky Jackson and Tarik Black.
As UFL News Hub reporter Pat Rifino pointed out on X, the UFL saw 20 players get signed by July 28th last year, but already has 20 through three days. It shows that the NFL is starting to respect the UFL a lot more than it has in the past.
It also speaks to the UFL's talent level and how the league approaches player development. This season was the strongest season for talent in the league's three-year existence, as the parity of the league was at an all-time high. All eight teams were all eligible to make the playoffs at Week 9, which is unheard of for spring football.
More players are expected to jump off the board in the upcoming weeks, but the UFL is off to a fast start, and the NFL has taken notice of the great work being done. UFL fans have known this for a long time with everyone catching up now.