Pop the cork, vested veterans. If you were on an NFL team’s roster as of 4:00 p.m. ET Saturday, you’re eligible to receive the full amount of your 2015 base salary, even if you are cut tomorrow.
Under the labor deal, any player with four or more years of service is entitled to receive the balance of his base salary as termination pay, if he’s on the Week One roster and thereafter is released. It’s a benefit available to each player once in his career.
Players just missing the cut by being cut on Saturday were Bears linebacker Sam Acho, Saints running back Tim Hightower, Saints guard Mike McGlynn, Dolphins center Jacques McClendon, and Washington defensive end Frank Kearse.
All other vested veterans currently on a roster are eligible for termination pay. Unless, that is, they’ve already received termination pay once before.