What happens if a player is claimed off waivers?

When a player is claimed off waivers, the team that successfully claims the player takes over their existing contract. This means that the new team inherits both the rights and responsibilities associated with the player's contractual agreement, including salary and any other terms outlined in the original contract.

This process serves several purposes. It ensures that players who are released but still possess value can continue their careers with a new team, while also providing a mechanism for teams to claim players without needing to negotiate new contracts immediately. It reflects the NFL's structure for managing player movement and contracts.

Claiming a player off waivers can also be strategic for teams looking to add depth, replace injured players, or acquire talent without going through a lengthy negotiation process. By absorbing the contract, the claiming team also becomes responsible for what remains of the player's salary and any bonuses stipulations.