As the 53-man roster cut deadline swept through the NFL, teams scrambled to make the tough decisions on which players would advance into the regular season. The deadline, requiring franchises to trim their rosters from 90 players to 53 by 4 p.m. ET on the designated Tuesday, led to several notable releases and changes across the league.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens made significant adjustments by parting ways with a mixture of offensive and defensive players. Among the wide receivers cut were Sean Ryan, Russell Gage, and Anthony Miller. The tight ends—Mike Rigerman, Riley Sharp, Qadir Ismail, and Scotty Washington—did not make the final roster. On the offensive line, the Ravens let go of Tashawn Manning and Darrell Simpson, while defensive cuts included lineman Tramel Walthour and cornerback Damarion "Pepe" Williams. The quarterback Emory Jones and running back Chris Collier were also released, highlighting the Ravens' effort to strategically streamline their squad.
Denver Broncos
For the Denver Broncos, linebackers Jonas Griffith and Jaylon Allen were notable exclusions, alongside wide receiver Jalen Virgil. Each cut is a step toward the team aligning their lineup to better fit their season strategy.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers faced tough decisions by cutting offensive lineman Royce Newman and offensive tackle Caleb Jones. Quarterbacks Michael Pratt and Sean Clifford, kicker Anders Carlson, and wide receivers Jalen Wayne and Samori Toure were also part of the roster trim. Additionally, defensive lineman Kenneth Odumegwu was let go, signaling the Packers' commitment to refining both their offense and defense.
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans made significant changes in their secondary by cutting cornerbacks Mike Ford, Lonnie Johnson Jr., and C.J. Henderson. Wide receivers Noah Brown and Quintez Cephus were also released, alongside safety Desmond King, quarterback Tim Boyle, and wide receiver Jaden Janke, showcasing the Texans' moves to fine-tune their roster.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders released quarterbacks Carter Bradley and Nathan Peterman, further emphasizing their commitment to their starting QB. Wide receiver Jeff Foreman and defensive back Wood Governor were also cut, aiming for a streamlined and efficient roster.
New Orleans Saints
Similarly, the New Orleans Saints made sweeping changes by cutting defensive end Niko Lalos, wide receivers Samson Nacua and Equanimeous St. Brown, and linebacker Khaleke Hudson. Special teams also saw a shake-up, with punter Lou Hedley, safeties Roderic Teamer, Lawrence Johnson, Ugo Amadi, and Johnathan Abram, and kicker Charlie Smyth being released. Additionally, offensive and defensive line positions were adjusted with the release of Jack Heflin, Josiah Ezirim, Tremayne Anchrum, Shane Lemieux, center Sincere Haynesworth, and defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat.
New York Jets
The New York Jets focused on their defense and running game, releasing defensive back Tre Swilling, running back Xavian Valladay, and tight end Neal Johnson. Each cut was made with careful consideration of the team’s overall strategy going forward.
Philadelphia Eagles
In Philadelphia, the Eagles parted ways with wide receiver Parris Campbell and quarterback Will Grier. Tight ends E.J. Jenkins and C.J. Uzomah, defensive back Parry Nickerson, and guard Max Scharping also found themselves on the outside looking in, reflecting the Eagles' precise adjustments ahead of the season.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks made their cuts across several positions, notably tight ends Tyler Mabry and Michael Ezeike, wide receivers D'Wayne Eskridge and Easop Winston, and defensive ends DeVere Levelston and Jamie Sheriff. Defensive tackle Mario Kendricks, linebackers Easton Gibbs, Jon Rhattigan, and Devin Richardson, safety Ty Okada, running back George Holani, and defensive back Willie Roberts were also released.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In Tampa Bay, wide receiver Sterling Shepard, defensive lineman Eric Banks, and linebacker Randy Gregory were among the notable players cut, accentuating the Buccaneers’ efforts to tighten their lineup.
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders' roster adjustments saw the removal of defensive ends Andre Jones and KJ Henry, wide receivers Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and Brycen Tremayne. The team also released 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 did not make the cut. On the offensive side, guard Julian Good-Jones and center J.C. Hassenauer were released, along with linebacker Bo Bauer, defensive back Ben Nikkel, and kicker Riley Patterson.
As all 32 teams across the league finalized their initial 53-man rosters, these cuts marked the end of the road for some players while opening opportunities for those who survived the deadline. With the initial rosters set, franchises now look forward to the challenges and triumphs the upcoming NFL season holds.