As usual, there was significant movement among NFL players in March during free agency, some of which included former spring football players. Below is a look at how those two offseason roster shakeups have affected USFL, XFL, and UFL alumni.
All contract details thanks to OverTheCap.com.
-The big news was the contract signed by K Brandon Aubrey (Stallions). As expected, the Dallas Cowboys made Aubrey the highest-paid at his position in NFL history. It's a four-year, $28 million extension. He'll make $1.75 million guaranteed this year as per the terms of his old contract. Next year, his base salary increases to $4.75 million with a $5 million guarantee.
-Though K Jake Bates (Panthers) could be in the conversation for a long-term extension with the Detroit Lions at some point, he was tendered as an exclusive rights free agent for 2026. It's a one-year deal where he'll make just over $1 million. He's set to become a restricted free agent next off-season. Bates's teammates in Detroit, CB Nick Whiteside (Battlehawks) and RB Jacob Saylors (Battlehawks) were also tendered as ERFAs right after the season ended. They'll make slightly less than Bates but still more than $1 million each ($1.005 million to be exact). Both will be ERFAs once again next off-season if they make the team and complete the season. Cleveland Browns K Andre Szmyt (Battlehawks) is in the same contractual boat as Whiteside and Saylors, as is Los Angeles Rams K Harrison Mevis (Stallions),
-DE Jalen Redmond (Renegades), who had a breakout 2025 campaign for the Minnesota Vikings, may also be up for a long-term extension at some point. However, he'll play 2026 on an ERFA tender of $1.075 million, the same as Bates. Also like Bates, he'll be a restricted free-agent next year. The same 2026 earnings and 2027 off-season await LB Dondrea Tillman (Stallions) of the Denver Broncos, LS Rex Sunahara (Brahmas) of the Browns, and CB Josh Butler (Panthers) of the Dallas Cowboys.
-Two unrestricted free agents found new homes this spring: QB Josh Johnson (Wildcats) went from the Washington Commanders to the Cincinnati Bengals, while S Elijah Campbell (Defenders) left the Miami Dolphins for the New York Giants. Both are one-year deals. Johnson's is good for $1.3 million with a $200,000 signing bonus. Campbell gets $1.215 million in salary, plus a signing bonus ($50,000), per game roster bonus ($112,000) and workout bonus ($25,000).
-Three spring football players were signed who were not part of NFL teams last year. LS Tucker Addington (Gamblers) and P Seth Vernon (Panthers) were added by the Dolphins, and LS Niko Lalos (Sea Dragons) by the New England Patriots. Vernon was recently released by Miami.
-In total, 20 UFL, XFL or USFL alum who ended the season on NFL practice squads were signed to futures contracts. Those not retained for 2026 were WR Kaden Davis (Panthers), DT C.J. Brewer (Roughnecks) and QB Ben DiNucci (Sea Dragons). Davis has since signed with the Houston Gamblers.
-One spring football player, an unrestricted free agent who did not sign amid the frenzy in March, was LS Scott Daly (NY Guardians). He had to try out at rookie minicamp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It worked: Daly signed with Tampa after last weekend's camp and will compete with incumbent Evan Deckers for the snapping job with the Bucs.