NFL Roster Shakes and Trades Mark a Tumultuous Day
As the NFL deadline for roster cuts looms at 4 p.m. ET, nearly 1,200 players are bracing themselves for the harsh reality of professional football – being out of a job. Teams across the league are slashing rosters from 90 to 53 players, leading to some notable releases and intriguing trades.
Significant Cuts and Surprising Comebacks
The Packers have made headlines by parting ways with kicker Anders Carlson, while the Patriots have released quarterback Bailey Zappe. Additionally, other notable players feeling the heat include quarterbacks Will Grier of the Eagles and Ben DiNucci of the Bills. The 49ers have cut running back Matt Breida, with Phillip Dorsett of the Broncos and Myles Gaskin of the Vikings facing similar fates. Wide receiver Allen Robinson is out from the Giants, and cornerbacks C.J. Henderson and Tre Flowers have been axed by the Texans and Jaguars, respectively. Safety Terrell Edmunds and Kareem Jackson also see their tenure end with the Jaguars and Bills.
The Steelers' kicker Matthew Wright is among those looking for new teams, but all is not lost. For those avidly keeping track of these moves, a cuts tracker and live blog are available to monitor these developments as they unfold in real-time.
Intriguing Trades
In an unexpected move, the Packers have traded quarterback Malik Willis to the Titans for a 2025 seventh-round pick. The Chiefs followed suit, sending linebacker Cam Thomas to the Cardinals for a 2025 seventh-rounder. Such trades suggest teams are not only looking to offload players but also positioning themselves strategically for future drafts.
Speculation swirls around the potential trades or releases of Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick and running back Samaje Perine. And another possible shake-up may see Texans running back Dameon Pierce heading to the Browns. There are whispers that Chiefs wide receiver Skyy Moore could find a new home with the Commanders, while Patriots defensive back Jonathan Jones might be on the Cowboys' radar.
High-Stakes Extensions and Investments
The Dallas Cowboys have made a significant commitment to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, extending his contract with a four-year, $136 million deal that includes a whopping $38 million signing bonus. Interestingly, by completing Lamb's deal earlier in the offseason, the Cowboys could have saved nearly $10 million. Their attention now shifts to securing new contracts for franchise cornerstones Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons.
Meanwhile, coaching critiques have not gone unnoticed. Reflecting on the Jets, Jordan Dajani remarked, "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, the Buffalo Bills find themselves under scrutiny. "We view McDermott's Buffalo Bills as perennial contenders due to the talented Josh Allen," added Dajani, "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."
Injury Setbacks and Podcasting Profits
In other updates, Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and will miss at least the first four games of the season. Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu will be sidelined for two to six weeks due to a knee injury.
Off the field, significant financial moves are happening too. The Kelce brothers have sealed a deal valued at no less than $100 million for the full rights to their New Heights podcast. This underscores the growing intersection of sports and media, where athletes are capitalizing on their popularity beyond the gridiron.
Looking Forward
NFL owners are anticipated to vote in Minneapolis on the potential of allowing private equity in team ownership, a move that could reshape the financial landscape of the league. Furthermore, the Commanders' stadium has been renamed Northwest Stadium, marking a new chapter for the franchise.
As the dust settles from this flurry of roster changes, trades, and signings, one thing remains clear: the NFL is a league of constant change, where today's decisions set the stage for tomorrow's triumphs or tribulations.