Each week during the NFL season, I presented the key stats and contributions from former spring football players. For several years, I’ve also done a write-up at the close of the season, summarizing their performances, using data from Pro Football Focus (PFF), and previewing their next season’s role (with contract info from Over the Cap).
This is part four and the finale of my multi-part series breaking down those key components again, looking back on 2025 and ahead to 2026. This feature focuses on former UFL players that ended the season on practice squads and have been signed to futures contracts.
Part one, on former USFL players, can be found here.
Part two, on former XFL players, can be found here.
Part three, on former UFL players that ended the season on active rosters or on I.R., can be found here.
DT Kyler Baugh, Pittsburgh Steelers (St. Louis Battlehawks)
In 2025: Despite being available for over a month prior, many former UFL players were signed on the eve of NFL training camps, or a few days after they began. Baugh was one of them, inked by the Steelers at the beginning of August. Aside from a five-day gap in late December (that sadly included Christmas), Baugh was on the team’s practice squad all season, though he was not elevated for any games. He signed a futures deal after the final week.
2026 outlook: The Steelers are not usually pulled into silly season, but they were this year when head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down. That resulted in changes all around the staff. It’s a rare fresh start in the city, which could benefit Baugh.
LS Peter Bowden, Los Angeles Chargers (Michigan Panthers)
In 2025: One of the top snappers on the workout circuit, Bowden didn’t sign with a team until the Chargers came calling in November. He lasted about a week as insurance for their injured snapper, Josh Harris. Despite not being on the practice squad at the end of the year, the Chargers came back and signed him to a futures contract
2026 outlook: Harris is an unrestricted free agent this off-season. He currently makes $1.4 million with $1.9 million guaranteed. If Los Angeles doesn’t re-sign him, they have a cheaper, capable option waiting in the wings in Bowden. They have the third-most cap space of any team, so if L.A. wants to bring in a veteran to compete with Bowden, they can certainly afford to pay someone to do so.
TE Sal Cannella, Cleveland Browns (Arlington Renegades)
2025 stats: 2 games, 2 receptions, 11 yards (5.5 avg.)
In 2025: Five years removed from being a part of the NFL Draft class and six spring football seasons later, Cannella finally saw action in his first NFL game. Not only that, but Cannella recorded the first two receptions of his career as well. What seemed like yet another year spent wasting away on a practice squad turned into real opportunity in the final two weeks of the season. Cannella signed a futures deal after the season, which will likely break his streak of spring football appearances.
What PFF tells us: Cannella had a 51.3 grade in 29 offensive snaps. His two games were very different: A 64.0 in his debut against Pittsburgh and a 37.6 a week later against Cincinnati. A dropped pass could’ve played a part in that lower grade. He was targeted five times in those two games. Sixteen of his snaps came from the traditional inline TE position, while he lined up in the slot another seven snaps. He was active as a blocker on the kick return team in both games.
2026 outlook: Starter David Njoku is a free agent, but it’s likely Cleveland will either draft or sign his replacement rather than move everyone on the depth chart up one. The Browns have once again changed coaches with offensive-minded Todd Monken taking over. Monken has emphasized a strong run game in the past so the ability for tight ends to block will likely be a key necessity at the position.
G Liam Fornadel, New York Jets (D.C. Defenders)
In 2025: Two seasons with the D.C. Defenders landed Fornadel two NFL contracts – the first with the New England Patriots in 2024 and the most recent with the New York Jets. He spent most of both seasons on the practice squad. While he wasn’t re-signed by New England in 2024 (in fact was released in December), the Jets did sign him to a futures contract.
2026 outlook: Fornadel played some center in the pre-season to make him more valuable moving forward as a backup interior lineman. While the Jets have holes all over their roster, it’ll still be an uphill battle for him to make the team among impending free agent signings and rookie additions.
LB Jonathan Garvin, Chicago Bears (Birmingham Stallions)
In 2025: Garvin’s second year in San Francisco ended much like his first year: Cut at the end of training camp. However, this time, he didn’t get a practice squad reprieve with the team. He had to wait two months to be signed by the Chicago Bears.
2026 outlook: Following Chicago’s playoff loss, Garvin was signed to a futures contract. Teams are always looking for players that can affect the passer, and that’s the main part of Garvin’s game. So long as he can continue to show that skill, he’ll have a chance.
TE Thomas Gordon, Detroit Lions (San Antonio Brahmas)
In 2025: A 2025 draft-eligible player who was scooped up by the Brahmas in May, Gordon spent a little less than a month in training camp with the Bears, then was on their practice squad late in the season. After Chicago opted not to sign him to a futures contract after the season, the Lions did so at the end of January.
2026 outlook: Gordon did not stand out as a pass-catcher in college at Northwestern, so he’ll have to make his hay by showing his blocking skills, something Lions head coach Dan Campbell will certainly be able to appreciate.
K Lucas Havrisik, Green Bay Packers (Arlington Renegades)
2025 stats: 3 games, 7-9 extra points, 4-4 field goals, 61 long, 19 points
In 2025: Green Bay’s Brandon McManus suffered through some injuries in 2025, and when he did, the Packers called upon Havrisik as his replacement. He ended up on the active roster for about a month-and-a-half, finally released when McManus was full healthy. He did re-sign to the practice squad, where he spent the final month. Havrisik’s 61-yard field goal had fans clamoring for him to replace McManus outright, though that enthusiasm was eventually tempered by two missed extra points.
What PFF tells us: Havirisik earned a 67.7 grade for his field goal prowess, including a 90.6 for the game in which he hit his long field goal. In his last game against the Giants, he missed both of his extra point tries, bringing that game grade down to a 29.4.
2026 outlook: While McManus is under contract for next year, the team can save $1.9 million by cutting him. He hit 80% of his field goals last year so he’s not at the point where his performance has dropped off significantly. Nevertheless, it appears as if he’ll have to fend off Havrisik to retain his job next summer.
CB Keni-H Lovely, Jacksonville Jaguars (Michigan Panthers)
In 2025: Playing in nine games for Michigan in 2024, with an interception and nine pass break-ups, Lovely was noticed by the Arizona Cardinals, who signed him in late July. He lasted a week with them and a few days later signed with Jacksonville. With the Jaguars, he was on the practice squad all of the regular season, though he was never elevated for gameday.
2026 outlook: A futures signing after the season, Lovely will be brought in to camp in 2026 to compete for a back-end defensive back and special teams role with Jacksonville.
OT Ricky Lee, Jacksonville Jaguars (Arlington Renegades)
2025 stats: 1 game played
In 2025: The starting left tackle for the Arlington Renegades worked out for several NFL teams before signing with Jacksonville on August 1. He was elevated for and played in one game in September, spending the entire year on the team’s practice squad.
What PFF tells us: Lee played exclusively on special teams in his one game of action, with all six snaps coming on the field goal/extra point team as a blocker. His grade in those snaps was a 60.4.
2026 outlook: Teams are always looking for offensive line depth and Lee provides that. Whether he’ll get a real opportunity to make Jacksonville’s 53-man roster next year after signing a futures contract is up for debate. The Jaguars are four-deep at the tackle position and that’s before free agency and the draft. Perhaps another year on the practice squad will be Lee’s best-case scenario.
QB Adrian Martinez, San Francisco 49ers (Birmingham Stallions)
2025 stats: 1 game, 1 rushing attempt, -1 yards
In 2025: It was a bit of an odd year for Martinez. After losing out on the number three QB job with the Jets to rookie free agent Brady Cook, Martinez hooked on with the 49ers practice squad. Injuries to Brock Purdy led to him being elevated to the gameday roster several times, even being a member of the active roster for over a month. In December, he was released and the next day, the Jets signed him to the practice squad as they were dealing wiht injuries at the position. He was elevated for the next game then released and re-signed by San Francisco; it seemed clear there was an agreement here to release Martinez so that he could sign with the Jets (and get a game day check), a team he played for last year, with the 49ers knowing he’d be back with them after that stint.
What PFF tells us: Martinez played one end-of-game snap in week nine against the New York Giants, his first NFL regular season game. This was orchestrated by QB Mac Jones, who took himself out of the game so that Martinez could play that final snap.
2026 outlook: Brock Purdy and Mac Jones both return in 2026, so Martinez will go into camp with a leg-up on the number three job, potentially having to fend off another rookie free agent (or late draft pick) vying for that job. Pre-season game performance will likely be important once again for Martinez.
LB Garrett Nelson, Denver Broncons (San Antonio Brahmas)
In 2025: With the Denver Broncos in training camp, Nelson wasn’t immediately signed to their practice squad after final cuts. New Orleans scooped him up in September, and he spent a month on their practice squad. Nelson later had two stints on Denver’s practice squad and eventually signed to a futures deal though he was not in their first wave of signings.
2026 outlook: A DE/OLB hybrid, Nelson’s value comes from his pass rush and ability to play special teams. That’s where he will try to make his mark in Denver next year for an already strong defense.
CB Jayden Price, New Orleans Saints (Arlington Renegades)
In 2025: One of the top corners in the UFL in 2025, Price was also one of the first players from the league to sign into the NFL. He spent all of camp with the Saints, then was on their practice squad all season without ever being elevated to the gameday roster.
2026 outlook: Still young at just 25 years old, consider this past season a redshirt year for Price. Being able to develop during camp and the season could pay dividends in 2026 when he returns and competes again for a roster spot.
WR Brandon Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers (D.C. Defenders)
2025 stats: 2 games played
In 2025: Smith’s two games came as part of the New York Jets, one of two teams he spent time with during the 2025 season (the other being the New England Patriots). Smith was mostly on the practice squad, though he was on New York’s 53-man roster for one game. He was released from their practice squad in December and signed by the Patriots, where he spent about 20 days. Pittsburgh signed him to a futures contract on January 15.
What PFF tells us: Smith played eight snaps on offense, the majority on run blocking plays. His overall grade was a 55.8. He played slightly more on special teams – 13 snaps – with a grade of 74.2. Nine of his 13 snaps came on return teams, kick or punt.
2026 outlook: Without having been a part of the team previously, Smith starts at the back end of Pittsburgh’s depth chart heading into 2026. With new coaches in place, that may not be a bad thing as many players will have to prove themselves to the new staff. Smith has impressed in pre-season work and could nab a practice squad spot by doing that again.
WR Malik Turner, San Francisco 49ers (Michigan Panthers)
2025 stats: 3 games played, 3 special teams solo tackles
In 2025: Turner was elevated the maximum of three times during the regular season, and an additional time in the playoffs. He spent the entire season on San Francisco’s practice squad and was signed to a futures contract following their playoff loss to Seattle.
What PFF tells us: Including the post-season, Turner played 21 total snaps on offense for a grade of 42.3, brought down by his playoff grade of 33.5 on just four snaps. All of his snaps came from being split out wide – none were from the slot. His work was much more fruitful on special teams: He saw 38 snaps for an exceptional grade of 90.4. All three of his tackles came in week seven against Atlanta. Most of his work was on the kick return team, though he did play nine snaps on kick coverage and nine on punt return, with two more on punt coverage.
2026 outlook: Turner’s value will come on special teams, and if he makes the team it will be because of that value. Still, it will be an uphill battle competing against rookies for a back-of-the-roster spot.
OT Barry Wesley, New Orleans Saints (Birmingham Stallions)
In 2025: At final cuts, Wesley was placed on injured reserve. Around Thanksgiving, he was activated, but released a week later. Two days after his release, New Orleans re-signed him to the practice squad. He was signed to a futures deal after the season.
2026 outlook: Having a year in the system will be helpful, as is his ability to play both guard and tackle. He’ll be in competition for a roster spot next summer with New Orleans.