The flurry of activity leading up to the NFL's final roster cuts has left teams with newly crafted rosters, reduced from a bulky 90 players to the in-season norm of 53. This year's roster decisions have seen significant changes, trades, and fresh faces carving out opportunities for the upcoming season.
Falcons Quarterback Trio
The Atlanta Falcons are moving forward with three quarterbacks: Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr., and Taylor Heinicke. Despite Heinicke's modest 45.5% completion rate during the preseason, the Falcons have decided to keep him in the mix.
Packers and Titans Make Bold Moves
The Green Bay Packers have had an eventful offseason, initially drafting Sean Clifford from Penn State and Michael Pratt from Tulane, only to cut both players before finalizing their roster. In a notable trade, the Packers acquired Malik Willis from the Tennessee Titans. Adding to their roster shuffle, the Packers cut Anders Carlson, a 2023 sixth-round pick, and signed Greg Joseph as their new kicker.
On the defensive front, the Tennessee Titans reinforced their squad by acquiring cornerbacks L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie, as well as safeties Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams. They also bolstered their linebacking corps with Kenneth Murray and strengthened their defensive line by signing Sebastian Joseph-Day and rookie T'Vondre Sweat.
Titans Add Key Offensive Players
The Titans also made key additions on the offensive side, bringing in Tyler Boyd as a running back, Lloyd Cushenberry at center, and JC Latham at offensive tackle. These moves indicate Tennessee's commitment to enhancing both their offensive and defensive units.
Carolina's High-Stakes Trades
In Carolina, GM Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales made significant changes by cutting wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. The Panthers traded cornerback Donte Jackson and a sixth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers and, in return, acquired wide receiver Diontae Johnson and a seventh-round pick. With three of their first four picks in the 2024 NFL Draft focused on offensive playmakers, Carolina is clearly prioritizing a dynamic offensive lineup.
Chicago and Broncos' Changes
The Chicago Bears have secured Tyson Bagent as the backup quarterback for the second consecutive year. Meanwhile, Desmond Ridder lost the backup quarterback role to Clayton Tune. Despite an impressive preseason where he caught all five of his targets, Tim Patrick was cut by the Broncos but quickly picked up by the Detroit Lions. The Lions also welcomed Hendon Hooker as their new backup quarterback, who showcased his dual-threat potential by completing 29 of 44 passes for 300 yards and rushing for 138 yards during the preseason.
Bengals' Offensive Line Overhaul
The Cincinnati Bengals have made significant adjustments to their protection unit, cutting Jackson Carman, a 2021 second-round pick, and securing Trent Brown and Amarius Mims. These changes reflect the Bengals' focus on fortifying their offensive line.
Patriots and Jaguars Trade
In a notable quarterback swap, Mac Jones was traded from the New England Patriots to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones had a solid preseason, completing 73.1% of his passes for 421 yards and delivering three touchdowns, underlining his potential value to the Jaguars' offense.
Texans Roster Revolving Door
The Texans released wide receiver Noah Brown, creating space for Tank Dell, who is fully recovered and ready to contribute to the team.
Buffalo Bills Decisions
Finally, the Buffalo Bills cut Frank Gore Jr. despite his commendable performance in the preseason, where he rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, illustrating the tough decisions teams face when trimming their rosters.
The NFL's roster cut season is a dynamic period, with teams making strategic decisions to strengthen their lineups. As players settle into their roles, the true impact of these moves will be unveiled on the field in the weeks to come.