Now that the NFL regular season is over, teams that failed to make the playoffs are looking ahead to next season and optioning talented UFL players. By signing players to Exclusive Rights as free agents (ERFA) or through reserve/future contracts, teams retain rights to designated players. A reserve/future agreement provides players with an opportunity to attend OTAs and compete for a roster spot during training camp. The following list of players signed with NFL teams this week:
Exclusive Rights Free Agent Signings:
Detroit Lions -RB Jacob Saylors
Former All-UFL and St. Louis Battlehawks running back Jacob Saylors is one of the UFL to NFL success stories this year. He began the season as one of the handful of spring stars who made a 53-man roster out of training camp. Saylors joined a crowded Lions RB room featuring the elite talents of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. But he carved out a niche for himself as a kick return specialist, recording 33 kickoffs for 897 yards with a long of 39 yards. Playing against the Clevleand Browns in Week 4, Saylors added two carries for 11 yards.
Detroit Lions -CB Nick Whiteside
Former St. Louis Battlehawks cornerback Nick Whiteside had an impressive training camp last summer with the Detroit Lions, but he didn’t make the 53-man roster. However, he impressed the coaching staff enough that he was brought back later in the season and elevated from the practice squad. Making his NFL Debut in Week 7, Whiteside was outstanding, playing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As a recently called-up reserve, Whiteside brilliantly defended an end zone pass, broke up two other passes, and contributed two solo tackles. He turned in such an impressive performance that he was awarded a locker room game ball and became part of the backup group of defenders that week, nicknamed the “Legion of Whom” for their unknown status.
Reserve /Future Signings:
New York Jets -OL Liam Fornadel
After spending most of the season on the New York Jets practice squad, former D.C. Defenders offensive lineman Liam Fornadel has signed a reserve /future contract with the Jets. This is Fornadel’s second NFL team opportunity after spending the 2024 season on the New England Patriots’ practice squad.
Cleveland Browns -TE Sal Cannella
Former Arlington Renegades TE Sal Cannella had a promising training camp tryout with the Browns last summer, but failed to make the 53-man roster. However, later in the season, Cannella was brought back to the practice squad and elevated for the final two games. He caught two passes for 11 yards in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cannella was signed this week to a reserve/ future contract with the Browns.
New Orleans Saints -CB Jayden Price
Arlington Renegades cornerback Jayden Price is one of two former UFL players signed to a reserve /future contract with the Saints. After a training camp tryout with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, Price was waived in August. The following spring, Price joined the Renegades, where he recorded 27 tackles, was credited with half a sack, and did double duty as a punt returner. His 194 punt return yards ranked second in the league, along with 337 kickoff return yards.
New Orleans Saints –OT Barry Wesley
The second UFL player signed by the Saints this week to a reserve /future contract is former Birmingham Stallions tackle Barry Wesley. After beginning his spring football career with the Seattle Sea Dragons in 2023, Wesley joined the UFL Stallions, where he started in nine games. He spent time on the Saints’ practice squad in 2025 and was elevated for one game in Week 13 against the Miami Dolphins.
With the NFL Wild Card games beginning this weekend, expect to see more UFL talent signed in the coming weeks as teams are eliminated from the playoffs.
