Nearly 1,200 NFL players will be out of a job by the end of the day as NFL teams trim their rosters from 90 players down to 53 players. The roster cut deadline, set for 4 p.m. ET, brings a wave of significant player movements across the league.
Among the released players, notable names are Packers kicker Anders Carlson and Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe. The list of high-profile cuts extends further, including quarterbacks Will Grier (Eagles) and Ben DiNucci (Bills), running backs Matt Breida (49ers), Phillip Dorsett (Broncos), and Myles Gaskin (Vikings), as well as wide receiver Allen Robinson (Giants), cornerbacks C.J. Henderson (Texans) and Tre Flowers (Jaguars), safeties Terrell Edmunds (Jaguars) and Kareem Jackson (Bills), and kicker Matthew Wright (Steelers).
For fans wanting a comprehensive look at all the moves, a CUTS TRACKER and a live blog are available to check the full list of cuts in real-time.
Trades and Rumors
In addition to the roster cuts, some trades have reshaped team rosters. The Packers have traded quarterback Malik Willis to the Titans for a 2025 seventh-round pick. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have sent linebacker Cam Thomas to the Cardinals, also for a 2025 seventh-round pick.
Speculative trades are a hot topic: Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick and running back Samaje Perine are being eyed for potential trades or releases. Texans running back Dameon Pierce is rumored to be a target for the Browns, while Chiefs wide receiver Skyy Moore might find a new home with the Commanders. Moreover, Patriots defensive back Jonathan Jones is on the Cowboys' radar.
In a significant deal, the Dallas Cowboys have extended wide receiver CeeDee Lamb's contract with a four-year, $136 million extension, which includes a $38 million signing bonus. This move allows the Cowboys to shift their focus to securing new contracts for quarterback Dak Prescott and linebacker Micah Parsons, although it’s noted that the team could have saved nearly $10 million had Lamb’s deal been completed earlier in the offseason.
Coaching and Team Performance
Jets coach Robert Saleh's record stands at 18-33 over three seasons. The team's substantial investment in quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a gamble, and as one analyst, Jordan Dajani, puts it, "Imagine if this Aaron Rodgers investment does not work out. Saleh is 18-33 as head coach of the New York Jets in his three seasons, and while he's built one of the best defenses in the entire NFL, he's handled the offensive side of things poorly." The season's performance could very well determine the future of his tenure.
Bills coach Sean McDermott finds his team viewed as perennial contenders, largely due to the talents of quarterback Josh Allen. However, Dajani notes a crucial detail: "We view McDermott's Buffalo Bills as perennial contenders due to the talented Josh Allen, but they've made the AFC Championship just once, and have now ditched a ton of their talent from last year. What if the Bills disappoint this year in what could be a very, very competitive AFC East? It feels like they could take a step backwards. McDermott is under pressure in 2024."
Player Health and Off-Field News
In other news, T.J. Hockenson is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and will miss at least the first four games of the season. Additionally, Uchenna Nwosu will be sidelined for two to six weeks due to a knee injury, impacting their respective teams' early-season plans.
On the media front, the Kelce brothers have secured a deal worth at least $100 million for the full rights to their "New Heights" podcast, demonstrating the expansive opportunities for NFL players off the field.
NFL owners will soon vote in Minneapolis on a significant decision—the potential of allowing private equity in team ownership, which could bring a new dynamic to the business aspect of the league.
Lastly, the Commanders' stadium has been renamed to Northwest Stadium, marking a new chapter for the team and its fan base.
These developments mark yet another eventful period in the NFL, highlighting the constant flux and high stakes that define professional football.