Most fans know the NFL has an offseason maximum of a 90-man roster. Yet the Pittsburgh Steelers, after signing WR Jacob Copeland and claiming DL Willington Previlon, have a 91-man group. So how is the team one-over the maximum? That’s because of the International Exemption for rookie undrafted free agent outside linebacker Julius Welschof.
We’ve mentioned Welschof’s situation several times throughout our posts and podcasts. But to detail it fully, here’s what the exemption means and applies to the team throughout the offseason and regular season.
International Exemption Definition
Julius Welschof falls under the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) exemption.