The NFL's roster cut deadline has come and gone, leaving teams across the league with significantly reshaped rosters. By 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, teams were required to whittle down their squads from 90 players to the final 53, leading to a flurry of cuts and releases as franchises prepared for the upcoming season.
Baltimore Ravens Make Tough Decisions
The Baltimore Ravens had their share of difficult calls to make, cutting multiple players across various positions. Wide receivers Sean Ryan, Russell Gage, and Anthony Miller were among those let go. The tight end room saw a significant reduction with Mike Rigerman, Riley Sharp, Qadir Ismail, and Scotty Washington all released.
Offensive linemen Tashawn Manning and Darrell Simpson also didn't make the final cut. The defensive side of the ball wasn't spared, as defensive lineman Tramel Walthour, punter Jack Browning, cornerback Damarion "Pepe" Williams, quarterback Emory Jones, and running back Chris Collier were also released.
Broncos Trim Down
Over in Denver, the Broncos focused on cutting down their lineup with notable releases including linebackers Jonas Griffith and Jaylon Allen, as well as wide receiver Jalen Virgil. The decisions reflect Denver's strategy to fine-tune their defense and special teams as they head into the season.
Packers and Texans Shake Things Up
The Green Bay Packers' sizeable list of cuts included offensive lineman Royce Newman and offensive tackle Caleb Jones. They also released quarterbacks Michael Pratt and Sean Clifford, kicker Anders Carlson, wide receivers Jalen Wayne and Samori Toure, and defensive lineman Kenneth Odumegwu.
Meanwhile, the Houston Texans cut their roster including cornerbacks Mike Ford, Lonnie Johnson Jr., and C.J. Henderson. Wide receivers Noah Brown and Quintez Cephus, safety Desmond King, quarterback Tim Boyle, and wide receiver Jaden Janke also found themselves on the fringe.
Raiders and Saints Refine Their Rosters
The Las Vegas Raiders parted ways with quarterbacks Carter Bradley and Nathan Peterman, while wide receiver Jeff Foreman and defensive back Wood Governor were also cut. These moves signal the Raiders' effort to concentrate talent and ensure depth in critical positions.
For the New Orleans Saints, a wave of cuts impacted several positions. Defensive end Niko Lalos, wide receivers Samson Nacua and Equanimeous St. Brown, and linebacker Khaleke Hudson were among the notable releases. Special teams and defensive cuts included punter Lou Hedley, safeties Roderic Teamer, Lawrence Johnson, Ugo Amadi, and Johnathan Abram, and kicker Charlie Smyth.
Additionally, the Saints released defensive lineman Jack Heflin, offensive linemen Josiah Ezirim, Tremayne Anchrum, Shane Lemieux, center Sincere Haynesworth, and defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat. It’s clear that the Saints are focusing on building a precise and effective lineup.
Jets, Eagles, and Seahawks Make Their Moves
The New York Jets made adjustments with the release of defensive back Tre Swilling, running backs Xavian Valladay, and tight end Neal Johnson. These changes aim to balance both sides of the ball as the Jets prepare for their campaign.
Philadelphia Eagles released quarterback Will Grier and wide receiver Parris Campbell. Tight ends E.J. Jenkins and C.J. Uzomah, defensive back Parry Nickerson, and guard Max Scharping were also let go.
In the Pacific Northwest, the Seattle Seahawks cut tight ends Tyler Mabry and Michael Ezeike, wide receivers D'Wayne Eskridge and Easop Winston, and defensive ends DeVere Levelston and Jamie Sheriff. The Seahawks also released defensive tackle Mario Kendricks, linebackers Easton Gibbs, Jon Rhattigan, and Devin Richardson, safety Ty Okada, running back George Holani, and defensive back Willie Roberts.
Buccaneers and Commanders Finalize Decisions
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers parted ways with wide receiver Sterling Shepard, defensive lineman Eric Banks, and linebacker Randy Gregory. These decisions reflect the team's focus on enhancing their core strengths.
Meanwhile, the Washington Commanders made significant cuts, releasing defensive ends Andre Jones and KJ Henry, and wide receivers Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and Brycen Tremayne. Additional releases included wide receivers Martavis Bryant, Mitch Tinsley, and Davion Davis, and running backs Chris Rodriguez and Michael Wiley. Cornerbacks Chigozie Anusiem, A.J. Woods, Nick Whiteside II, Tariq Castro-Fields, and James Pierre also did not make the final roster. Guard Julian Good-Jones, center J.C. Hassenauer, linebacker Bo Bauer, defensive back Ben Nikkel, and kicker Riley Patterson were amongst those released, completing the Commanders' roster adjustments.
Every team in the NFL has now finalized their initial 53-man rosters after the roster cut deadline. The focus now shifts to preparing for the grind of the upcoming regular season, where the decisions made during the roster cuts will be soon put to the test.