The whirlwind of NFL roster cuts has swept through once again, as nearly 1,200 players find themselves without a team. By 4 p.m. ET, all teams must whittle down their rosters from 90 to 53, leaving countless careers in limbo. High-profile names haven't been spared in this annual purge, with notable cuts making headlines across the league.
Roster Cuts and Trades
The Green Bay Packers have made headlines by parting ways with kicker Anders Carlson, while the New England Patriots have released quarterback Bailey Zappe, creating ripples of speculation among fans and analysts. Other significant releases include Eagles’ QB Will Grier, Bills’ QB Ben DiNucci, and 49ers’ RB Matt Breida, showcasing the brutal reality of making roster space in the NFL. The Broncos have released RB Phillip Dorsett, Vikings have let go of RB Myles Gaskin, and the Giants have moved on from WR Allen Robinson. Defensively, CB C.J. Henderson (Texans), CB Tre Flowers (Jaguars), S Terrell Edmunds (Jaguars), S Kareem Jackson (Bills), and Steelers kicker Matthew Wright have all been released.
In a notable trade, the Packers have sent quarterback Malik Willis to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round pick, while the Kansas City Chiefs have traded linebacker Cam Thomas to the Arizona Cardinals for a similar future pick.
Potential Moves and Speculation
The rumor mill continues to churn, with insider speculation surrounding Broncos WR Tim Patrick and RB Samaje Perine as likely candidates for either a trade or release. Texans’ RB Dameon Pierce is rumored to be on the Browns' radar, and Chiefs WR Skyy Moore is discussed as a potential target for the Commanders. Additionally, Patriots DB Jonathan Jones may soon find a new home with the Cowboys.
The Cowboys' Strategic Moves
Amidst the roster chaos, the Dallas Cowboys have secured a major contract extension for WR CeeDee Lamb, who has inked a four-year, $136 million deal, including a $38 million signing bonus. This strategic move aims to solidify their roster while shifting focus to securing new contracts for pivotal players like Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons. Interestingly, the Cowboys could have saved nearly $10 million if Lamb's deal had been finalized earlier in the offseason.
Coaching Pressure and Investments
Pressure mounts for several high-profile coaches as the season draws near. Jets coach Robert Saleh boasts a mere 18-33 record over three seasons, despite constructing one of the league's top defenses. Jordan Dajani critically asserts, "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 after only reaching the AFC Championship once. Dajani points out the high expectations vs. performance, "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."
Contract and Injury Updates
Injury and business deals have also taken center stage. T.J. Hockenson will miss at least the first four games of the season, being on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, while Uchenna Nwosu faces a two to six week recovery due to a knee injury.
On a lucrative note, the Kelce brothers have secured at least $100 million for the full rights to their New Heights podcast, a significant financial stride in the world of athlete-driven content.
Ownership and Stadium News
NFL owners are anticipated to vote on allowing private equity in team ownership, a potential game-changer in the financial landscape of the league. Additionally, the Commanders' stadium has been renamed Northwest Stadium, marking a new era for the franchise.
The current wave of roster adjustments, trades, and speculations signifies the relentless dynamics of the NFL, where every decision can reshape the futures of both teams and players. As the season unfolds, the impact of these moves will come to the forefront, testing strategies and resilience across the league.