As the NFL's roster cut deadline looms, teams across the league are making tough decisions to pare down their rosters from 90 players to the final 53. By the end of today, nearly 1,200 NFL players will find themselves out of a job, as teams work tirelessly to get their lineups in championship shape before the 4 p.m. ET deadline.
Key Players Released
Among the notable releases are Green Bay Packers kicker Anders Carlson and New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe. Other significant cuts include Eagles' QB Will Grier, Bills' QB Ben DiNucci, 49ers' RB Matt Breida, Broncos' RB Phillip Dorsett, Vikings' RB Myles Gaskin, Giants' WR Allen Robinson, Texans' CB C.J. Henderson, Jaguars' CB Tre Flowers, Jaguars' S Terrell Edmunds, Bills' S Kareem Jackson, and Steelers' K Matthew Wright. Football enthusiasts can track these moves in real-time through a dedicated cuts tracker and a live blog.
Shuffling the Deck
The Packers have traded quarterback Malik Willis to the Titans for a 2025 seventh-round pick, a move that has raised eyebrows considering Willis' potential. In a similar deal, the Chiefs have sent linebacker Cam Thomas to the Cardinals, also in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round pick.
Speculation and Future Moves
With the current flurry of roster changes, speculation is rife about several other players. Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick and running back Samaje Perine are both seen as potential candidates for either trade or release. Meanwhile, Texans running back Dameon Pierce has emerged as a potential target for the Cleveland Browns, and Chiefs wide receiver Skyy Moore might find a new home with the Washington Commanders. Additionally, the Patriots' defensive back Jonathan Jones is reportedly on the Dallas Cowboys' radar.
Contract Extensions and Team Focus
In other major news, the Dallas Cowboys have extended wide receiver CeeDee Lamb's contract with a substantial four-year, $136 million extension that includes a $38 million signing bonus. This deal cements Lamb's position as a cornerstone of the Cowboys' offensive strategy. With Lamb's new deal secured, the Cowboys' focus now shifts to finalizing new contracts for quarterback Dak Prescott and linebacker Micah Parsons.
Coaches Under Pressure
The coaching landscape is also a topic of discussion. Jets coach Robert Saleh, with an 18-33 record over three seasons, faces scrutiny despite building one of the league's strongest defenses. The off-field debate centers around what might happen if the Jets' significant investment in Aaron Rodgers does not pan out. As 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."
Similarly, Bills coach Sean McDermott is feeling the heat despite the consistent performance of his squad, led by dynamic quarterback Josh Allen. The Bills have reached the AFC Championship only once under his leadership, which raises questions about their potential in the highly competitive AFC East. Dajani comments, "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 Moves and Injuries
Injury news also influences team strategies moving forward. Vikings' tight end T.J. Hockenson has been placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and will miss at least the first four games of the season. Meanwhile, Seahawks' linebacker Uchenna Nwosu will be sidelined for two to six weeks due to a knee injury.
Off the Field Developments
Complementing the on-field action, there's excitement off the field as well. The Kelce brothers have secured a lucrative deal worth at least $100 million for the full rights to their popular "New Heights" podcast. In another major development, NFL owners are poised to vote in Minneapolis on the potential of allowing private equity in team ownership, a move that could reshape the league's financial landscape.
In local news, the Commanders’ stadium has undergone a rebranding and will now be known as Northwest Stadium.
With so many significant moves and developments, this NFL season promises to be as thrilling as ever. As teams finalize their rosters and make strategic trades and cuts, fans can look forward to an unpredictable and highly competitive season ahead.