The NFL is a league of dreams, where the spotlight shines brightest on the stars—quarterbacks slinging touchdown passes, running backs breaking tackles, and wide receivers making acrobatic catches. But beneath the glamour of game day lies a grittier reality, one populated by a group of players who rarely see the field yet are indispensable to every team’s success: practice squad players. Among them, a rare breed stands out—the journeymen, the most traveled practice squad players in the NFL, who bounce from team to team, year after year, chasing a roster spot that always seems just out of reach. These are the unsung grinders of professional football, players whose names may not grace fantasy football rosters but whose perseverance defines the heart of the sport. In this article, we’ll explore the lives and careers of these nomadic athletes, delving into what makes them the ultimate journeymen of the NFL.
The Life of a Practice Squad Journeyman
To understand the journey of these players, one must first grasp the role of the practice squad. These are the players who don’t make the 53-man active roster but remain with the team, practicing daily, mimicking opponents’ strategies, and staying ready to step in at a moment’s notice. They are the scout team warriors, the emergency backups, and often the locker room glue that holds a team together. For some, the practice squad is a brief stop on the way to a breakout opportunity. For others, it becomes a way of life—a cycle of signings, waivers, and short-term contracts across multiple cities, teams, and seasons.
What defines a “most traveled” practice squad player? It’s a combination of factors: the sheer number of teams they’ve signed with, including offseason and practice squad contracts; the volume of transactions they’ve accumulated, from being signed to being waived, promoted, or released; the years spent in the NFL’s orbit without securing consistent active-roster time; and often, a stat line that reflects minimal or no regular-season contributions. These players are the epitome of persistence, clinging to the edges of the league with a tenacity that commands respect.
Josh Johnson: The Gold Standard of Journeymen
If there’s a face to the NFL’s journeyman ethos, it’s Josh Johnson. A quarterback who debuted with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008, Johnson has carved out a career that spans over 15 years and includes stints with an astonishing 14 NFL teams, with multiple stops at some franchises. The Baltimore Ravens alone have signed him four times. His transaction log reads like a novel, with over 25 moves—signings, waivers, promotions, and releases—and counting. Yet, despite this whirlwind of movement, Johnson has started only a handful of games, making his career a testament to resilience rather than stardom.
Johnson’s journey began as a fifth-round draft pick, a mobile quarterback with a quick release and a knack for picking up systems fast. These traits have kept him employed, often as a practice squad mainstay or an emergency quarterback who can step in when injuries strike. Coaches value his ability to run scout team offenses, mimicking opposing quarterbacks with precision. His teammates appreciate his professionalism and leadership, qualities that shine even when he’s not under the Sunday lights. Johnson’s career is a blueprint for what it means to be a journeyman: never giving up, always preparing, and embracing the grind no matter how many times the phone rings with a new area code.
David Fales: The Perennial Third String
Another quarterback who epitomizes the journeyman life is David Fales. Active in the NFL from 2014 to 2021, Fales signed with seven teams, including the Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, and Detroit Lions. His game log is sparse—only three regular-season appearances—but his career earnings, exceeding seven figures, tell a different story. Fales became a go-to practice squad and emergency option, particularly under coaches like Adam Gase, whose offensive system he mastered. His familiarity with playbooks and his reliability in practice made him a valuable asset, even if he never secured a long-term role as a starter or primary backup.
Fales’ story highlights a key aspect of the journeyman experience: adaptability. Each new team brings a new playbook, new coaches, and new teammates. For players like Fales, success isn’t measured in touchdowns or Pro Bowl nods but in the ability to walk into a new facility, learn a complex system in days, and execute it flawlessly in practice. It’s a skill that requires intelligence, humility, and an unshakable work ethic—qualities that keep journeymen like Fales employed long after others might have retired.
Devin Smith: The Speed That Kept Him in the Game
Not every journeyman is a quarterback. Devin Smith, a wide receiver drafted in the second round by the New York Jets in 2015, had all the makings of a star. His elite speed and knack for deep routes drew comparisons to top receivers, but two ACL tears early in his career derailed his promising start. What followed was a journey across eight teams, including practice squad stints with the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Carolina Panthers. Despite his injuries, Smith’s raw athleticism kept teams calling, offering him chances to prove he could recapture his early potential.
Smith’s story is one of what could have been. A high draft pick with undeniable talent, he faced the harsh reality of the NFL’s physical toll. Yet, his persistence in returning to the practice squad, year after year, speaks to a determination that transcends statistics. For every Devin Smith who keeps grinding, there are countless others who step away, making his journey all the more remarkable.
Honorable Mentions: The Unsung Grinders
The list of journeymen extends beyond these three. Chad Kelly, a quarterback known for his college success and brief NFL stints, bounced around practice squads after his time with the Denver Broncos. Travis Vornkahl, an offensive lineman, toggled between the CFL and NFL practice squads, signing with multiple teams despite never seeing game action. Derek Carrier, a tight end, became a practice squad veteran, working with more teams than he caught passes for in regular-season games. Each of these players shares a common thread: a refusal to quit, a willingness to relocate, and a commitment to the grind.
Why Journeymen Matter
Practice squad journeymen are more than just roster fillers. They are the backbone of an NFL team’s preparation. On the scout team, they mimic the opponent’s stars, helping starters fine-tune their game plans. A practice squad quarterback like Josh Johnson might spend a week running Patrick Mahomes’ plays to prepare a defense for a divisional showdown. A wide receiver like Devin Smith might emulate Tyreek Hill’s routes, giving cornerbacks a taste of elite speed. These players are one injury away from the active roster, always on call, always ready.
Beyond their on-field contributions, journeymen often serve as cultural glue. Coaches and teammates frequently praise their locker room presence, noting their ability to stay positive despite constant uncertainty. In a league defined by brutal attrition—where the average career lasts just over three years—these players defy the odds, stringing together careers that span a decade or more through sheer determination.
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