The “modern” spring football era has been around since 2022 according to “super fans” of the league consisting of the UFL, USFL, and third iteration of the XFL. As franchises begin their 5th year of play several players have begun making solid names for themselves since finding their footing and spring boarding their way onto NFL rosters.
With the success of joining an NFL roster, comes the stability of not only a job, or a contract but also a nice pay bump. Below are some of the most financially successful players who have made their mark on an NFL roster since 2022.
Quarterback: Adrian Martinez San Francisco 49ers
Earnings: 1.2 million dollars
Martinez has managed to take a practice squad opportunity into now being the 49ers QB2 after being cut from the NY Jets. The former UFL MVP has managed to find a decent niche in the Bay Area and even made his NFL debut this season due to the unselfishness of Mac Jones. Martinez has the ability to possibly cement himself in San Francisco especially if Mac Jones plays at a high level leading to a redemption contract.
Running Back: Jacob Saylors Detroit Lions
Earnings: 840k
Saylors has found a nice niche since being signed to the Lions active roster. He’s currently on pace for 1,000 all-purpose yards becoming a special teams ace for Detroit adding six tackles along with his return ability. Saylors’ versatility may have him playing in the NFL for a while leaving his Battlehawks days behind him.
Wide Receiver: KaVontae Turpin Dallas Cowboys
Earnings: 8,069,135 million dollars
Four seasons post his USFL-MVP season and KaVontae Turpin has managed to earn the lucrative second contract. Turpin signed a three-year contract extension that is paying him 5.5 million this season with a possible 8 million over the next two years. At the end of his extension Turpin will have earned a little over 16 million dollars after six years in the NFL along with multiple post season accolades.
Wide Receiver: D.J. Montgomery Indianapolis Colts
Earnings: 1.2 million dollars
Montgomery has done rather nicely for himself since taking a flier with the Michigan Panthers in 2023. He saw extensive regular season action for the Colts in 23′ and spent 2024 on their practice squad. Montgomery is currently dealing with and is earning $548,820 (per spotrac) on injured reserve.
Wide Receiver: Maurice Alexander Chicago Bears
Earnings: 1.3 million dollars
Alexander has had a decent tenure in the NFL since signing with the Lions in 2022 after playing with the Philadelphia Stars. Despite some rough patches Alexander has managed to appear in several NFL games, and has a nice connection with current Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson who signed him to the Bears upon his departure from Detroit.
Tight End: Josh Pederson Houston Gamblers
Earnings: 341k
Tight End’s haven’t had much success in translating from spring football to the NFL (in the modern era) but Houston Gamblers (turned Roughnecks now back to Gamblers) Tight End Josh Pederson did manage to spend the full 2023 season on the Jaguars practice squad (his father was the Head Coach). Pederson would appear in 3 NFL games in 2023 however, was released at the conclusion of training camp and now back in spring football.
Offensive Tackle: Alex Akingbulu Dallas Renegades
Earnings: 1.3 million dollars
Akingbulu managed to register two seasons on an NFL roster with the Washington Commanders after his 2022 season with the Philadelphia Stars. Akingbulu would make his NFL debut with Washington, before being released in 2024. Akingbulu currently is with Dallas Renegades heading into 2026.
Offensive Tackle: Barry Wesley Birmingham Stallions & Seattle Sea Dragons
Earnings: 706k
Wesley is on his 2nd NFL stint after spending 2023 with the Atlanta Falcons after his season with the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons. After a 2024 hiatus, Wesley’s 2025 season with the Birmingham Stallions earned him an opportunity with the New Orleans Saints where he is currently designated to return from injured reserve.
Offensive Guard: Kohl Levao San Antonio Brahmas
Earnings: 515k
After an IFL stint in 2022, followed by two strong showings with the San Antonio Brahmas (earning All-UFL honors in 2024) Levao has managed to find a spot with the New York Jets for the past two seasons. Levao earned his first elevation a couple weeks back with New York however, has yet to make his NFL debut.
Offensive Guard: Liam Fornadel D.C. Defenders
Earnings: 395k
Fornadel has scratched and clawed to remain in the NFL and has essentially played almost 24 months of football to do so. After finishing 2024 with the New England Patriots, Fornadel is now nestled on the Jets practice squad right now.
Center: Alec Lindstrom Memphis Showboats
Earnings: 226k
Lindstrom bounced around in 2024 but he did earn himself a bit of change last year. He became the first member of the “rebooted” (now defunct) Memphis Showboats to appear in an NFL game and earned an NFL contract in 2025 with the New England Patriots.
Defensive Lineman: LaCale London St. Louis Battlehawks
Earnings: 1.8 million
London seems to be in a decent spot with the Falcons going into year three with Atlanta. He’s started to become a bit more involved in the Defensive Line rotation including a 2.0 sack game.
Defensive Lineman: C.J. Brewer Houston Roughnecks
Earnings: 1.8 million
Brewer has had an identical reboot to his career as LaCale London since his time in the XFL. Going on year three with the Buccaneers. Brewer hasn’t been as involved in the Bucs defense as 2024 however, does have the opportunity to continue to take advantage of a coaching stash that enjoys having him around.
Defensive Lineman: Jeremiah Pharms Pittsburgh Maulers
Earnings: 2.3 million
2025 seemed like the year Jeremiah Pharms was going to “pop” after two seasons of getting on the field, and a 2024 season that saw him become a starter for the team. After signing an extension Pharms was regulated to the practice squad and has yet to appear in an NFL game. Regardless, Pharms is definitely a success story especially coming out of the NAIA school Friends in 2020.
Defensive Lineman: Jalen Redmond Dallas Renegades
Earnings: 1.8 million
Redmond should be set to make a decent amount of money come this offseason and is on pace to register 8.0 sacks in his sophomore campaign. Redmond has established himself as an NFL starter with Minnesota and could demand a higher salary going into his third season.
Defensive Lineman: Labryan Ray Philadelphia Stars
Earnings: 3.3 million
Ray like Pharms, was supposed to “pop” in 2025, however an injury has slowed his progress in year three. Ray still has the back half of the NFL season to earn some favor in Carolina however, he may be shaping up for a one-year deal “bridge” defensive lineman.
Linebacker: Dondrea Tillman Birmingham Stallions
Earnings: 1.7 million
Tillman is in a similar situation to Redmond as he’s established himself as a bona-fide NFL starter. While his “sack” numbers are down he’s managed to increase his tackles, while also providing value in pass coverage (two interceptions). Tillman should find himself with a nice pay raise come the off-season.
Linebacker: DeMarquis Gates Birmingham Stallions
Earnings: 771k
Gates seemed prime to be a reserve Linebacker for the Bears, however after two seasons in Chicago it appears that ship has sailed. Gates hasn’t received NFL interest since returning to the UFL in 2024, and while the long time Alt-Football player did managed to make his debut in 2022, it seems he’s been regulated to the UFL. Still based on current metrics it does appear Gates has made a nice living at this point in his career.
Linebacker: Dashaun White Michigan Panthers
Earnings: 269k
White is another linebacker who had to fight for an opportunity taking multiple shots before finding a bit of stability in 2024. He appeared in one game for the San Francisco 49ers in 2024, however was released after the season and now is back with the Michigan Panthers.
Cornerback: Josh Butler Michigan Panthers
Earnings: 1.2 million
Butler was on a meteoric rise to NFL stability with the Cowboys after spending 2023 on their practice squad. Butler was thrust into the starting lineup with Dallas before an ACL injury halted his 2024 campaign. He is currently on injured reserve recovering with Dallas.
Cornerback: Tae Hayes Birmingham Stallions
Earnings: 900k
Hayes was a consistent figure across multiple NFL team’s waiver wires and practice squads after his 2022 career. He even got the opportunity to play to start several games however, an off the field issue seemingly has kept his career on ice since 2024.
Safety: Micah Abernathy Houston Gamblers
Earnings: 2.03 million
An injury ended Abernathy’s 2024 season which may be hampering his 2025 season moving. He put together a solid three seasons with the Falcons (22-24) due to his ability to thrive on special teams. Recently, he worked out for the New York Giants in hopes of getting back to the NFL.
Safety: Lukas Denis St. Louis Battlehawks
Earnings: 216k
Denis is another IFL alum who used the XFL to find his way on the Falcons practice squad in 2023. Despite a strong 2024 preseason Denis was released during training camp, and is back in the UFL.
Kicker: Brandon Aubrey Birmingham Stallions
Earnings: 2.7 million
Aubrey is set to be one of the NFL’s highest paid Kickers as his “rookie” deal is set to expire. Between his 60 plus yard field goals, post-season accolades, and consistency Aubrey has been one of the NFL’s best specialists since coming over from the USFL.
Punter: Daniel Whelan D.C. Defenders
Earnings: 4.8 million
Whelan recently was signed to a contract extension that’ll keep him in Green Bay for a couple more seasons. Whelan has earned 4.8 million dollars so far in his career, and is scheduled to earn 8.9 million dollars by the time his second contract is expired.
Long Snapper: Mitch Fraboni Pittsburgh Maulers
Earnings: 3.9 million
Fraboni is a 2022 USFL alum who earned a contract extension that has him inked through 2027. He’s continued to establish himself as an extra weapon on special teams consistently placing in the top-5 of long snappers for tackles since stepping into the NFL in 2022.
1 Comment
by Gary
Is it even slightly possible the league is trying to reduce the crowd size in St. Louis so a move to Energizer Stadium (Our MLS stadium) can be justified? It seems odd that season tickets go on sale in the market with the largest fanbase and there has been no advertising what so ever. The areas opened up for tickets has also been reduced to “force fans to sit closer together to make it look better on TV.” Not really sure of the wisdom of this. Cutting out the 4th level or upper deck will move a few hundred people down to the other 3 levels but then moving as many as possible to the home side of the stadium is unnecessary. Most times, the lower 3 levels are filled pretty decently, except of course during the 2 Championship Games. Even then we still represented better than any other team’s home or playoff games.
I’m just wondering about the wisdom of condensing the crowd and trying to sell season tickets without letting folks in town know they’re for sale.