Despite its relatively short existence, the UFL has already forged what it has characterized as a positive relationship with the NFL.
The NFL has worked collaboratively with many of the recent spring-league start-ups to test new rules that could potentially enhance the game. This process has helped the NFL discover its dynamic kickoff, which debuted during the 2024 season, and has also allowed the league to assess data on onside kick alternatives and technological innovations to improve its broadcasts.
While the current relationship between the UFL and NFL is mutually beneficial, many are curious as to whether they could eventually expand their partnership. After all, the NFL is the lone major North American sport not to have a minor-league system, so could the league eventually consider loaning some of its back-end roster candidates to the UFL?
‘Boy, I would love that,’ UFL executive vice president Daryl Johnston told USA TODAY in a phone interview.
Could UFL, NFL teams ever share players?
Johnston was quick to clarify there had not been any discussions about a potential path for the UFL and NFL to share players. However, he opined that such an arrangement could benefit both parties.
Why? Because it would allow players more time to get live, on-field reps, which he believes is key in player development.
‘With the restriction in [practice] time at the collegiate level, the restriction in [practice] time at the professional level, sometimes the detail and the time on task is not enough for these guys to really understand,’ Johnston said.
Johnston believes NFL coaches would agree with his assessment, citing a 2019 conversation he had with Philadelphia Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland in 2019 as evidence.
At the time, Johnston was the general manager of the San Antonio Commanders, a member of the short-lived Alliance of American Football (AAF). He and Stoutland were discussing Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata, who was a rugby star before the Eagles selected him in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL draft.
‘The greatest thing in the world would be for Jordan to come down to you and be able to play football and see it at game speed,’ Johnston recounted Stoutland saying.
That’s why Johnston believes the NFL and UFL creating a partnership would be ‘tremendous’ for both leagues. It would add an influx of talent to the spring league while enabling NFL teams to get fringe roster prospects in need of more seasoning – like Mailata in 2019 – live game reps in major roles.
Houston Roughnecks head coach CJ Johnson agrees with Johnston and is confident such a deal will happen sooner rather than later.
‘I guarantee you it’s coming right down the pipe,’ Johnson told USA TODAY of a UFL and NFL player-sharing partnership in a phone interview.
Johnson’s belief stems from the 63-year-old’s communications with NFL personnel. He noted that he has ‘a lot of contacts’ from his 12 NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears and the tone of his discussions with them changed markedly entering his third spring-league season.
‘They are on board with helping us with players,’ Johnson said. ‘Players that they probably want to take an extra look at, [I] call my buddies and they always tell me.’
‘They’ve been phenomenal,’ Johnson added. ‘The first year, not so much. The second year was a click better. But this year, that’s the thing: the partnership with the NFL and the spring league is going really well.’
So, while nothing is imminent for a UFL and NFL player sharing program, the spring league remains hopeful it could be a part of its long-term future.
‘I definitely think the timing is getting to that point where it could be a really, really good fit and a win-win for both sides,’ Johnston said. ‘So hopefully, that’s a conversation we can get on the table here in the near future.’
