Phase one for the XFL’s offseason is already underway, as the league announced today that a rookie draft will take place on Friday, June 16th. The XFL also announced that their eight teams’ offseason rosters will expand to 90 from 51.
XFL 2023 Rookie Draft/Player Acquisition/Retention Details For the 2024 Season
Information is still coming in on the XFL’s 2023 rookie draft format. However, according to sources, the XFL will also conduct a fall draft after NFL cuts later this year. Similar to last year’s XFL draft in November leading into their 2023 season.
Although XFL team rosters are expanding from 51 to 90, the maximum number will likely not be reached until later in 2023, likely after the league’s rookie and fall draft.
Over 20 XFL players from 2023 have signed NFL contracts as of press time, and the list could grow in the coming weeks and months. If any signed players return to the XFL, their 2023 teams will retain their rights for 2024.
All XFL 2023 players remain under contract until 12/31/23. Players, teams, and the league have a mutual option for 2024 contracts.
2023 returnees and 2024 new league arrivals will all have an NFL out until Week 16 of the NFL season. The same setup the XFL had for its players in 2022. Which saw drafted players like Steven Montez and D’Eriq King sign with NFL squads after being selected by XFL teams before returning to the league for the 2023 season.
The XFL 2024 season kicks off next February. So there’s plenty of time until then. Still, the league’s team personnel evaluators are already in the evaluation process and have scouted the 2023 NFL Draft class, similar to what the league did in 2022, as well as scouting all the players currently on 90-man rosters in the NFL.
The 2023 rookie draft will consist of undrafted—and unsigned college players from the 2023 NFL Draft class. The new player pool will represent the first wave of the XFL’s player evaluation and acquisition process for the 2024 season.
After the one-and-done departure of the original league and the unfortunate end to the second iteration due to a global pandemic, the new XFL is officially headed into its first off-season. Uncharted territory.
Below is the XFL’s official press release today:
The XFL today announced that the XFL Rookie Draft will be held virtually on Friday, June 16, 2023, opening the door of opportunity for undrafted players who meet the following requirements:
○ Eligible to have been drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft
○ Not under contract by a professional football team
XFL personnel directors and coaches have been actively evaluating talent for its 2024 season, including players who were invited to NFL rookie minicamps but did not sign a contract.
To allow for the increased number of players, XFL team rosters will be expanded from 51 to 90 players during the offseason to allow for the increased number of players.
Drafted rookies will be placed on XFL rosters with players who finished the 2023 season on active and reserve lists.
All players who sign an XFL contract, including players who remain under contract from the 2023 season, will have an “NFL Out” until Tuesday, December 26, 2023, following the conclusion of Week 16 of the NFL season.
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