Broncos coach Sean Payton, whose team recently signed UFL receiver Hakeem Butler and UFL cornerback Sean Fresch Jr., was asked on Wednesday whether Denver’s scouts have made a concerted effort to target UFL players.
“I asked the question of the scouts the other day like, ‘UFL or CFL? Where are we getting the better [players]?’” Payton told reporters. “I don’t know how many years in, five, six, seven with the UFL, and I think it’s kind of becoming that, ‘OK, where’s the next market?’ They’re getting developed somewhere. Where are they if they’re not in our league? I think to their league’s credit, it’s helping us.”
Technically, the UFL has been around for only three years. It arose from a merger of the XFL and the USFL.
Payton also was asked whether it helps players with limited NFL experience to get UFL reps.
“Well, they don’t have a choice,” Payton said. “But yes. Do I think guys can go get exposure, get experience, get confidence? History has said there are Hall of Famers now for our league that played up in the CFL.”