In the high-stakes world of professional football, the NFL Commissioner wields significant power, especially when it comes to disciplining players for conduct detrimental to the league. One of the tools at the Commissioner’s disposal is the exempt list, a special roster status that has been gaining attention in recent years. Let’s take a closer look at what the exempt list entails and which players have found themselves on it lately.
Understanding the Commissioner’s Exempt List
The Commissioner’s exempt list is defined in the NFL’s player personnel manual as “a special player status available to clubs only in unusual circumstances.” When a player is placed on this list, they are put on paid leave and do not count against their team’s active roster limit of 53 players. This provides teams with some much-needed roster flexibility when dealing with players facing legal issues or league disciplinary action.
It’s important to note that only Commissioner Roger Goodell has the authority to place a player on the exempt list. He also determines the length of the player’s stay on the list and when they can return to the active roster. Players on the exempt list are permitted to be present at the team facility for meetings, workouts, and medical treatment, but they cannot practice or play in games.
Recent Additions to the Exempt List
In October 2024, two notable players found themselves on the Commissioner’s exempt list:
- Jabrill Peppers, safety for the New England Patriots, was placed on the list following an arrest on charges that included strangulation and drug possession, according to police reports.
- Tashaun Gipson, safety for the Jacksonville Jaguars, landed on the list in July 2024 after being suspended for six games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
The exempt list allowed Gipson to resume practicing with the Jaguars while serving his suspension. However, he was ultimately released by the team on November 4 and signed with the San Francisco 49ers just two days later.
A Brief History of High-Profile Exempt List Placements
While Peppers and Gipson are the most recent additions, the exempt list has been used with increasing frequency since 2014. That year, then-Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson spent an entire season on the list amid child abuse allegations. Other notable players who have been placed on the exempt list include:
- Michael Vick (2009)
- Jonathan Vilma (2012)
- Greg Hardy (2014)
- Josh Brown (2016)
- Reuben Foster (2018)
- Kareem Hunt (2018)
- CeeDee Lamb (2024)
Each of these players faced unique circumstances that led to their placement on the exempt list, ranging from criminal charges to violations of the league’s personal conduct policy. The exempt list allows the NFL to take swift action in removing players from the field while investigations or legal proceedings are ongoing, without forcing teams to make difficult roster decisions.
The Future of the Commissioner’s Exempt List
As the NFL continues to grapple with off-field player misconduct and the need to maintain the integrity of the game, it’s likely that we’ll see more players added to the Commissioner’s exempt list in the years to come. While the list serves an important purpose, it also raises questions about due process and the power of the Commissioner to unilaterally discipline players.
For now, the exempt list remains a key tool in the NFL’s disciplinary arsenal, one that allows the league to respond quickly to evolving situations while giving teams the roster flexibility they need to stay competitive on the field. As fans, it’s important to understand the purpose and mechanics of the exempt list, as it provides valuable context for the complex issues that can arise in the world of professional football.
It’s important to note that only Commissioner Roger Goodell has the authority to place a player on the exempt list. He also determines the length of the player’s stay on the list and when they can return to the active roster. Players on the exempt list are permitted to be present at the team facility for meetings, workouts, and medical treatment, but they cannot practice or play in games.
Recent Additions to the Exempt List
In October 2024, two notable players found themselves on the Commissioner’s exempt list:
- Jabrill Peppers, safety for the New England Patriots, was placed on the list following an arrest on charges that included strangulation and drug possession, according to police reports.
- Tashaun Gipson, safety for the Jacksonville Jaguars, landed on the list in July 2024 after being suspended for six games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
The exempt list allowed Gipson to resume practicing with the Jaguars while serving his suspension. However, he was ultimately released by the team on November 4 and signed with the San Francisco 49ers just two days later.
A Brief History of High-Profile Exempt List Placements
While Peppers and Gipson are the most recent additions, the exempt list has been used with increasing frequency since 2014. That year, then-Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson spent an entire season on the list amid child abuse allegations. Other notable players who have been placed on the exempt list include:
- Michael Vick (2009)
- Jonathan Vilma (2012)
- Greg Hardy (2014)
- Josh Brown (2016)
- Reuben Foster (2018)
- Kareem Hunt (2018)
- CeeDee Lamb (2024)
Each of these players faced unique circumstances that led to their placement on the exempt list, ranging from criminal charges to violations of the league’s personal conduct policy. The exempt list allows the NFL to take swift action in removing players from the field while investigations or legal proceedings are ongoing, without forcing teams to make difficult roster decisions.
The Future of the Commissioner’s Exempt List
As the NFL continues to grapple with off-field player misconduct and the need to maintain the integrity of the game, it’s likely that we’ll see more players added to the Commissioner’s exempt list in the years to come. While the list serves an important purpose, it also raises questions about due process and the power of the Commissioner to unilaterally discipline players.
For now, the exempt list remains a key tool in the NFL’s disciplinary arsenal, one that allows the league to respond quickly to evolving situations while giving teams the roster flexibility they need to stay competitive on the field. As fans, it’s important to understand the purpose and mechanics of the exempt list, as it provides valuable context for the complex issues that can arise in the world of professional football.
