If you`re a fan of football, then you may have heard the term “futures contract” thrown around in the NFL. But what exactly is a futures contract in the context of professional football?

Simply put, a futures contract is a type of contract that allows NFL teams to sign players for the following season. These contracts can be signed by any player who was not on an active NFL roster at the end of the previous season, such as players who were on practice squads, free agents, or players who were not drafted.

Futures contracts are typically signed in the offseason, after the regular season has ended and before the start of the new league year. They are a way for teams to add depth to their rosters and potentially find hidden gems who could become valuable players in the future.

One key feature of futures contracts is that they do not count against a team`s salary cap until the start of the new league year. This means that teams can sign players to futures contracts without having to worry about how it will impact their current salary cap situation.

Another important aspect of futures contracts is that they are not guaranteed. Players who sign futures contracts are essentially auditioning for a spot on the team`s roster for the following season. If they impress coaches and show potential during offseason workouts and training camp, they may earn a spot on the team. But if they fail to impress or don`t show enough improvement, they may be cut before the start of the regular season.

Futures contracts are an important tool for NFL teams as they look to build their rosters for the future. They allow teams to take a chance on players who may have gone overlooked in the past and give those players an opportunity to prove their worth. So the next time you hear the term “futures contract” during the NFL offseason, you`ll know exactly what it means.