Three players will begin the 2026 NFL season on the commissioner’s exempt list, a designation primarily pending disciplinary action.
The Commissioner’s Exempt List is a condition issued by Commissioner Roger Goodell that prohibits a player from practicing, playing or participating in games. However, in accordance with the NFL’s personal conduct policy, upon request and club approval, a player may be available for team meetings, individual sports activities and non-football activities. A player on the free list is paid his full salary but does not count against the team’s 53-man active roster. Basically, the free listing is just like the paid license.
The personal conduct policy outlines three situations in which a player may be placed on the exempt list.
1. When a player is officially charged with a felony or a violent crime;
2. When an investigation leads the commissioner to believe that the player may have violated the personal conduct policy;
3. When a violation related to a violent crime is alleged, however, further investigation is required.
The Commissioner has sole authority to place and remove players on the list. Players may spend any time on the roster at the commissioner’s discretion.
The personal conduct policy states that a player may appeal the said exemption list within three days of receiving the notification. The player remains on the exempt list while the appeal is pending.
As detailed in the collective bargaining agreement, players on the free list may miss regular and postseason games due to their eventual suspensions.
What did we learn at the NFL Special League meetings?
Jonathan Jones and Johnny Sweet
Who is on the commissioner’s free list in 2026?
• Green Bay Packers RB Josh Jacob: On May 23, he was accused of causing property damage due to a dispute at his residence.
• Denver Broncos LB Jonathon Cooper: Charges of second-degree assault by strangulation, third-degree assault knowingly or recklessly causing injury, criminal charges, violation of a protective order and domestic violence harassment stemming from two June arrests. Cooper has pleaded not guilty. on Monday for all five charges.
• Seattle Seahawks CB Terrion Arnold: In connection with a kidnapping and armed robbery in Tampa, Florida in February.
