Welcome to Question of the Day #5 in Athlete Rep Lab's daily NFLPA practice series.
Every day until the NFLPA Contract Advisor Certification Exam, we'll publish a brand-new, original exam-style question covering important concepts from the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement and the NFLPA Regulations.
Today's topic: Postseason Compensation under Article 37.
Today's Question
A veteran player is released by the No. 1 seed in Week 12 of the regular season and is not signed by any other NFL club. He remains a free agent for the remainder of the season. His former team wins its Divisional Round game and advances to the Conference Championship Game. At kickoff of the Conference Championship Game, the player is not on the club's Active List, Inactive List, or any Reserve List.
Assume his former team wins the Conference Championship Game.
Under Article 37 of the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, is this player entitled to a postseason check for the Conference Championship Game?
A) No. Because he was not on the Active or Inactive roster at the time of the game, he receives $0.
B) Yes. Because he appeared on the roster for at least one regular-season game, he receives 50% of the Conference Championship game check.
C) Yes. Because he spent 3–7 regular-season games on the club's Active, Inactive, or Reserve List, he receives the full (100%) Conference Championship game check.
D) Yes. Because he spent at least eight regular-season games on the club's Active, Inactive, or Reserve List, he receives the full (100%) Conference Championship game check.
Think Before You Scroll
Take a moment to answer the question.
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Correct Answer
✅ D) Yes. Because he spent at least eight regular-season games on the club's Active, Inactive, or Reserve List, he receives the full (100%) Conference Championship game check.
Step-by-Step Explanation
Step 1 – The Player Was Not on the Postseason Roster
At kickoff of the Conference Championship Game, the player was:
Not on the Active List
Not on the Inactive List
Not on any Reserve List
Many candidates immediately assume this means he receives nothing.
That is the exam trap.
Step 2 – Apply Article 37, Section 4
Article 37 provides that certain players who are no longer on the roster may still qualify for postseason compensation based on how many regular-season games they spent on the club's Active, Inactive, or Reserve List.
The key thresholds are:
8 or more regular-season games → 100% postseason check
3–7 regular-season games → 50% postseason check
Fewer than 3 games → No postseason check
Step 3 – Apply the Facts
The player was released during Week 12, meaning he had already spent 11 regular-season games on the club's roster.
Because 11 games exceeds the 8-game threshold, he qualifies for the full Conference Championship game check, even though he was not on the roster when the game was played.
Why the Other Answers Are Incorrect
❌ A) No payment because he wasn't on the roster
This is the most common mistake.
Article 37 specifically allows certain former players to receive postseason compensation based on their regular-season service with the club.
❌ B) 50% because he appeared in at least one game
There is no "one-game" rule for postseason compensation.
The relevant thresholds are 3 games and 8 games.
❌ C) Full payment after 3–7 games
Players who spent 3–7 games on the club's Active, Inactive, or Reserve List qualify for 50%, not 100%, of the applicable postseason check.
Core Concepts for Your Exam
1. Postseason Compensation Is Not Limited to Current Players
A player does not necessarily have to be on the roster during the playoffs to receive postseason compensation.
Always review the player's regular-season service with the club.
2. Memorize the Thresholds
One of the easiest ways to remember Article 37 is:
8+ games = Full postseason check
3–7 games = Half postseason check
Fewer than 3 games = No postseason check
3. Watch the Timeline
The exam often includes unnecessary facts—such as playoff seed, release date, or whether the player signed with another club—to distract you.
Focus on the facts that determine eligibility:
How many regular-season games did the player spend on the club's roster?
Was he under contract with another club in the same conference?
Exam Tip
Whenever you see a question involving:
Released veterans
Former players
Conference Championship compensation
Super Bowl compensation
Postseason player shares
immediately ask yourself:
"How many regular-season games did the player spend on the club's Active, Inactive, or Reserve List?"
That is often the key to finding the correct answer.
Keep Practicing
This is Question of the Day #5.
We'll continue publishing a new original NFLPA-style practice question every day leading up to the NFLPA Contract Advisor Certification Exam.
Our goal is not simply to help you memorize rules—but to help you recognize the subtle distinctions and exam traps that often separate passing candidates from everyone else.
Study consistently.
Practice applying the rules.
And remember:
The NFLPA exam rewards candidates who understand the CBA—not just those who memorize it.