The NFL's 32 teams have made their final roster decisions, trimming down from the offseason's 90-player maximum to the in-season limit of 53 players. The recent roster cuts and trades have led to some surprising moves and new opportunities for players across the league.
Quarterback Shuffles in Atlanta and Beyond
The Atlanta Falcons have opted to go into the season with three quarterbacks: Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr., and Taylor Heinicke. Heinicke’s performance during the preseason left much to be desired, with a completion rate of just 45.5%. The Falcons will hope for improvement as the season progresses.
In Green Bay, the Packers made some surprising moves by drafting Sean Clifford from Penn State and Michael Pratt from Tulane, only to cut both before the season started. They then traded for Malik Willis from the Tennessee Titans, likely signaling their intent to develop him as a potential future starter.
Kicker Conundrums and Defensive Overhauls
Anders Carlson, a 2023 sixth-round pick, was a casualty of Green Bay’s final cuts. The Packers replaced him with Greg Joseph, who is expected to bring more consistency to their special teams unit.
The Tennessee Titans have made significant defensive acquisitions, bringing in cornerbacks L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie, as well as safeties Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams. Adding linebacker Kenneth Murray and bolstering their defensive line with Sebastian Joseph-Day and rookie T'Vondre Sweat shows a clear intent to fortify their defense.
Carolina and Pittsburgh's Trade Spree
The Carolina Panthers made headlines by cutting wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. Further, Carolina's GM Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales orchestrated a trade, sending cornerback Donte Jackson and a sixth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for wide receiver Diontae Johnson and a seventh-round pick. This trade aims to address both teams’ need for depth and playmaking ability at key positions.
Chicago's Quarterback Dilemma
In Chicago, Tyson Bagent secured the backup quarterback role for the Bears for the second consecutive year. Meanwhile, Desmond Ridder lost out on the backup spot to Clayton Tune, marking a significant shake-up in the team's quarterback depth chart.
Detroit’s New Additions and a Notable Departure in Cincinnati
The Denver Broncos cut wide receiver Tim Patrick despite his perfect catch rate during the preseason. Patrick quickly found a new home with the Detroit Lions. Detroit also added Hendon Hooker as their new backup quarterback. Hooker showed promise during the preseason, completing 29 of 44 passes for 300 yards and rushing for an additional 138 yards.
Over in Cincinnati, the Bengals decided to cut Jackson Carman, a second-round pick from 2021. However, they bolstered their protection unit by securing Trent Brown and Amarius Mims, aiming to provide stability and strength on their offensive line.
Jacksonville’s Gain with Mac Jones
Perhaps one of the most notable quarterback moves was Mac Jones being traded from the New England Patriots to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones had an impressive preseason, completing 73.1% of his passes for 421 yards and delivering three touchdowns. The Jaguars are optimistic that Jones can bring his preseason form into the regular season.
Miscellaneous Moves
The Houston Texans released wide receiver Noah Brown as they gear up for the season. However, the return of Tank Dell, fully recovered and ready to contribute, should positively impact the Texans' receiver corps.
The Buffalo Bills cut Frank Gore Jr., despite his solid preseason performance, in which he rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Gore’s release highlights the competitive nature of roster decisions, where even strong preseason showings don't always guarantee a spot on the team.
As the NFL season approaches, these roster adjustments and player movements reflect teams' strategies to refine their squads and address specific areas of need. With the final rosters now set, attention turns to the field, where these players will have the opportunity to prove their worth and make an impact.