The NFL's 53-man roster cut deadline has come and gone, leaving a trail of notable releases and surprising moves across various teams. By 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, NFL teams were mandated to trim their rosters from 90 players down to 53, a process that inevitably results in tough decisions and shocking omissions.
Surprising Cuts and Decisions
The Baltimore Ravens made headlines with a series of significant cuts. Among the players waived were wide receivers Sean Ryan, Russell Gage, and Anthony Miller. The team also let go of tight ends Mike Rigerman, Riley Sharp, Qadir Ismail, and Scotty Washington. Offensive linemen Tashawn Manning and Darrell Simpson were released, along with defensive lineman Tramel Walthour, punter Jack Browning, cornerback Damarion "Pepe" Williams, quarterback Emory Jones, and running back Chris Collier.
Not to be left out in the list of head-turners, the Denver Broncos cut linebackers Jonas Griffith and Jaylon Allen, and wide receiver Jalen Virgil. Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers parted ways with offensive lineman Royce Newman, offensive tackle Caleb Jones, quarterbacks Michael Pratt and Sean Clifford, kicker Anders Carlson, wide receivers Jalen Wayne and Samori Toure, and defensive lineman Kenneth Odumegwu.
Texans' Tactical Moves
The Houston Texans made waves with their decision to cut cornerbacks Mike Ford, Lonnie Johnson Jr., and C.J. Henderson. Wide receivers Noah Brown and Quintez Cephus also found themselves on the chopping block, as did safety Desmond King, quarterback Tim Boyle, and wide receiver Jaden Janke. These moves indicate a significant strategic shift for a team looking to build a more cohesive and competitive roster.
Raiders and Saints Shake-Up
The Las Vegas Raiders also made substantial changes, releasing quarterbacks Carter Bradley and Nathan Peterman, wide receiver Jeff Foreman, and defensive back Wood Governor. The New Orleans Saints were equally active, cutting defensive end Niko Lalos, wide receivers Samson Nacua and Equanimeous St. Brown, and linebacker Khaleke Hudson. Moreover, they released punter Lou Hedley, safeties Roderic Teamer, Lawrence Johnson, Ugo Amadi, and Johnathan Abram, and kicker Charlie Smyth. The Saints further trimmed their squad by cutting defensive lineman Jack Heflin, offensive linemen Josiah Ezirim, Tremayne Anchrum, Shane Lemieux, center Sincere Haynesworth, and defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat.
Jets and Eagles' Strategic Adjustments
The New York Jets made their share of cuts, releasing defensive back Tre Swilling, running back Xavian Valladay, and tight end Neal Johnson. The Philadelphia Eagles also made notable adjustments, cutting wide receiver Parris Campbell and quarterback Will Grier. Additionally, they released tight ends E.J. Jenkins and C.J. Uzomah, defensive back Parry Nickerson, and guard Max Scharping.
Seahawks and Buccaneers' Roster Moves
The Seattle Seahawks were active in this roster-trimming period, cutting tight ends Tyler Mabry and Michael Ezeike, wide receivers D'Wayne Eskridge and Easop Winston, and defensive ends DeVere Levelston and Jamie Sheriff. They 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.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made headlines by cutting wide receiver Sterling Shepard, defensive lineman Eric Banks, and linebacker Randy Gregory. These moves suggest a pivot in roster strategy as the team gears up for the regular season.
Commanders’ Extensive Overhaul
Finally, the Washington Commanders undertook an extensive roster overhaul, cutting defensive ends Andre Jones and KJ Henry, wide receivers Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and Brycen Tremayne. They also released a slew of other players, including wide receivers Martavis Bryant, Mitch Tinsley, and Davion Davis, and running backs Chris Rodriguez and Michael Wiley. The secondary saw significant changes with the release of cornerbacks Chigozie Anusiem, A.J. Woods, Nick Whiteside II, Tariq Castro-Fields, and James Pierre. Other notable cuts included guard Julian Good-Jones, center J.C. Hassenauer, linebacker Bo Bauer, defensive back Ben Nikkel, and kicker Riley Patterson.
As teams finalize their initial 53-man rosters, the landscape of the NFL is notably altered. These roster decisions reflect the ongoing strategies and adjustments teams are making as they look forward to a highly competitive season ahead.