As the anticipation for the 2024 NFL season builds, the final week before kickoff is rife with crucial roster adjustments. Teams are making the difficult decisions to trim their rosters from the preseason-expanded 90 players down to the mandated 53. This period is often filled with significant trades, waivers, and releases, as franchises jockey to fine-tune their lineups for the grueling campaign ahead.
Trades and Transactions Heat Up
Tuesday saw a flurry of activity across the league, with the Dallas Cowboys making an early splash by sending tight end Peyton Hendershot to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a conditional late-round draft pick. Hendershot, who has shown promise as a versatile tight end, is expected to compete for a backup role behind the perennial All-Pro Travis Kelce. This move could bolster Kansas City's offensive depth, crucial for a team with championship aspirations.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals were particularly active in the trade market. The Cardinals traded linebacker Cameron Thomas to the Kansas City Chiefs for a seventh-round pick. Thomas, a third-round pick from the 2022 draft, will look to carve out a role in Kansas City's defensive rotation. In another strategic move, the Cardinals sent linebacker Ernest Jones to the Tennessee Titans. As part of the deal, the Rams included a 2026 sixth-round pick in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick. Jones, who has been a key figure as a starting inside linebacker and team captain, will be bringing leadership and experience to the Titans' defense.
Quarterback Shuffle
The quarterback carousel also took its turn with notable trades, most prominently the Tennessee Titans trading Malik Willis to the Green Bay Packers. The deal, which includes a seventh-round pick, positions Willis to serve as the backup to Jordan Love. This move comes in the wake of the Packers releasing fellow 2022 draft pick Sean Clifford, signaling their confidence in Willis as a reliable second option at the quarterback position.
Defensive Moves
The Jacksonville Jaguars capitalized on an opportunity to strengthen their defensive front by trading defensive lineman Trevis Gipson to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2025 sixth-round pick. The Seahawks, currently dealing with the absence of edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu due to a sprained MCL, are banking on Gipson's ability to fill the void and contribute to their pass rush immediately.
Another notable defensive trade involved the Cleveland Browns, who sent defensive lineman Chris Williams to the Chicago Bears. The Browns sweetened the deal by including a seventh-round pick in exchange for a sixth-round pick. Williams, who spent last season on the practice squad, now has the chance to make an impact on the Bears' defensive line.
In a parallel move, the Seattle Seahawks traded Darrell Taylor to the Chicago Bears for a 2025 sixth-round pick. This transaction underscores Chicago's commitment to bolstering its defensive capabilities ahead of the new season.
Special Teams and Backfield Adjustments
Special teams and backfield adjustments were also on the agenda, with the New York Jets trading defensive back and return specialist Brandon Codrington to the Buffalo Bills. In return, the Jets received a swap of late-round picks in 2026. This trade highlights the importance of special teams play and the value of versatile players like Codrington, who can contribute both on defense and in the return game.
As teams continue to make these strategic moves, the excitement for the NFL season is palpable. Each transaction not only affects the immediate roster but sets the stage for the unfolding drama of the upcoming season, where every player and every play can make the difference between victory and defeat.