As the 2024 NFL season approaches, the final week before kickoff has teams across the league scrambling to finalize their 53-man rosters. The inevitable cuts, trades, and waiver wire pickups have dominated the news cycle, with some significant moves reshaping team dynamics and depth charts.
Transactions Shake Up Rosters
On Tuesday, a flurry of activity saw various teams making strategic decisions. The Dallas Cowboys traded tight end Peyton Hendershot to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a conditional late-round draft pick. Hendershot, a promising talent, is set to compete for a backup role behind the perennial All-Pro tight end, Travis Kelce. This move indicates the Chiefs' ongoing efforts to provide depth and security in their offense, which heavily features the tight end position.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals were particularly active. They traded linebacker Cameron Thomas to the Chiefs for a seventh-round pick. Thomas, a third-round pick in the 2022 draft, brings potential and youth to Kansas City's defensive unit. The Cardinals continued their roster overhaul by sending linebacker Ernest Jones to the Tennessee Titans. The deal saw the Rams include a 2026 sixth-round pick in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick. Jones, a notable starting inside linebacker and team captain, offers the Titans leadership and experience in the middle of their defense.
Quarterback Movements
The Tennessee Titans also made headlines by trading quarterback Malik Willis to the Green Bay Packers. The deal, which includes a seventh-round pick, positions Willis as the backup to Jordan Love, who is set to take the reins in Green Bay. This trade also led to the release of fellow 2022 draft pick Sean Clifford, further solidifying the Packers' quarterback depth chart behind Love.
Strategic Defensive Trades
Defensive transactions were also a highlight. The Jacksonville Jaguars traded defensive lineman Trevis Gipson to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2025 sixth-round pick. This comes as the Seahawks face the temporary absence of edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu due to a sprained MCL, making Gipson's addition particularly timely.
In another defensive move, the Cleveland Browns traded defensive lineman Chris Williams to the Chicago Bears. Williams, who spent last season on the practice squad, was packaged with a seventh-round pick in exchange for a sixth-round pick. Similarly, the Seahawks traded Darrell Taylor to the Bears for a 2025 sixth-round pick, further bolstering Chicago's defensive line with new talent.
Special Teams and Secondary Adjustments
Special teams saw changes as well. The New York Jets traded defensive back and return specialist Brandon Codrington to the Buffalo Bills. The Jets received a swap of late-round picks in 2026 in return, a transaction that aims to enhance Buffalo's special teams unit with Codrington's dual-role capabilities.
These last-minute deals highlight the strategic maneuvering that defines this period in the NFL calendar. Teams aim to optimize performance and build depth, while also managing the financial and draft capital implications of their decisions. For fans, the upcoming season promises new faces, high stakes, and the ever-present excitement that only professional football can deliver.