Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears’ starting quarterback, recently conducted a private workout at Soldier Field, running through more than 60 plays away from public view. Later that afternoon, Bears backups took the field against the Cleveland Browns in a preseason game watched by paying fans. This contrast highlights a shifting dynamic within NFL preseason football, where established starters often receive their valuable practice time in closed settings while lesser-known players take on the bulk of game snaps and associated risks.

Across the league, teams increasingly limit their starters’ preseason game participation. For example, the Buffalo Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen played only 15 snaps in the team’s preseason opener, which were more than the total snaps he took throughout the previous year’s entire preseason. Allen did not play in a subsequent game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, as coaches preferred controlled practices over game action for their most secure players. Similarly, when the Browns and Bills faced each other recently, both head coaches agreed to minimize their starters’ participation following joint practice sessions earlier in the week.

This trend marks a departure from the NFL’s earlier era of barnstorming preseason tours, when teams played numerous games at various locations, including neutral sites. Now, the preseason has evolved into a stratified environment: seasoned starters conduct much of their preparation privately, while players with smaller contracts and less job security absorb the physical toll in games that fans attend and the league profits from.

For those competing for roster spots, preseason games are critical auditions with high stakes. Injuries pose a significant risk with career-altering consequences. Houston Texans’ quarterback Graham Mertz tore his ACL in the season opener last year and will miss the current season without having appeared in a regular-season game. Baltimore Ravens rookie Bilhal Kone suffered knee ligament damage during his initial preseason game, ending his rookie campaign. Likewise, Browns cornerback Michael Coats Jr., an undrafted player, made a strong case for a roster spot by intercepting a pass but then left the game with an ankle injury; fortunately, he has since returned to practice.

While joint practices present some injury risk, they are more controlled environments compared to the intensity and unpredictability of game situations. Starters often remain on the sidelines during preseason games, while players fighting for a roster position face the physical demands and dangers under the stadium lights.

Financially, first-year players earn a weekly per diem of $2,000 during training camp and the preseason, while veterans receive $3,500. No additional compensation is provided for game participation regardless of snap count, meaning a player who plays extensively and one who does not see the field receive the same weekly amount. Securing a spot on the active roster changes the financial outlook significantly, with rookie minimum salaries starting at $885,000.

Though players share in league revenues and receive medical care if injured, split contracts and waivers can limit financial security for those hurt during preseason games. Injured players might revert to injured reserve or reach settlements, but the lost opportunity to compete and develop cannot be reclaimed.

While eliminating preseason games would remove key opportunities for players trying to make rosters, the current system raises questions about fairness and player protection. Advocates suggest increasing compensation for those who take the field and guaranteeing minimum salaries for preseason injuries to better reflect the risks borne primarily by players with the least job security.

Ultimately, the most valuable preparation for star players is taking place in practice facilities rather than during the preseason games promoted to fans. The preseason remains meaningful, but largely for the athletes on the margins who rely on it to secure their place in the league despite the inherent risks.