Nearly 1,200 NFL players will find themselves jobless by the end of the day as NFL teams meet the 4 p.m. ET deadline to trim their rosters from 90 players to 53. This yearly ritual sees both rising stars and established names released or traded, shaking up the league's landscape ahead of the new season.
Among the notable players let go, Packers kicker Anders Carlson and Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe have already been shown the door. Other significant releases include Eagles' QB Will Grier, Bills' QB Ben DiNucci, 49ers' RB Matt Breida, Broncos' RB Phillip Dorsett, Vikings' RB Myles Gaskin, Giants' WR Allen Robinson, Texans' CB C.J. Henderson, Jaguars' CB Tre Flowers, Jaguars' S Terrell Edmunds, Bills' S Kareem Jackson, and Steelers' K Matthew Wright.
Trades are also shaking up team rosters. The Packers traded quarterback Malik Willis to the Titans in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round pick, while the Chiefs have sent linebacker Cam Thomas to the Cardinals for a similar return. Meanwhile, speculation runs rampant around Broncos WR Tim Patrick and RB Samaje Perine, who are seen as potential candidates for either trade or release. Texans RB Dameon Pierce is reportedly a target for the Browns, while Chiefs WR Skyy Moore may find a new home with the Commanders. Additionally, Patriots DB Jonathan Jones is now on the Cowboys' radar.
The Dallas Cowboys have secured a lucrative extension for WR CeeDee Lamb, cementing a four-year, $136 million deal complete with a $38 million signing bonus. This early move shifts the Cowboys' focus to securing new contracts for their star quarterback Dak Prescott and defensive stalwart Micah Parsons. The deal could have saved the Cowboys nearly $10 million if completed earlier in the offseason, a factor potentially significant to their salary cap management.
One of the most intriguing situations involves Jets coach Robert Saleh, who holds an 18-33 record over his three seasons. Jordan Dajani analyzes the weight placed on Saleh's shoulders, saying, "Imagine if this Aaron Rodgers investment does not work out. Saleh is 18-33 as head coach of the New York Jets in his three seasons, and while he's built one of the best defenses in the entire NFL, he's handled the offensive side of things poorly." As the Jets have made a significant investment in securing Rodgers, the stakes have never been higher for Saleh.
The scrutiny doesn’t end there in the AFC East. Bills coach Sean McDermott is also under pressure despite leading his team to the AFC Championship once. The departure of key talent this offseason looms large. Jordan Dajani provides further insight: "We view McDermott's Buffalo Bills as perennial contenders due to the talented Josh Allen, but they've made the AFC Championship just once, and have now ditched a ton of their talent from last year. What if the Bills disappoint this year in what could be a very, very competitive AFC East? It feels like they could take a step backwards. McDermott is under pressure in 2024."
Injury news also impacts team strategies. T.J. Hockenson will miss at least the first four games of the season as he remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Similarly, Uchenna Nwosu's knee injury will see him sidelined for an estimated two to six weeks. These absences will force respective coaches to make strategic adjustments quickly.
Off the field, the Kelce brothers have made headlines by securing a deal worth at least $100 million for the full rights to their New Heights podcast, illustrating the growing commercial opportunities for NFL stars. Additionally, there is an anticipated vote by NFL owners in Minneapolis regarding the potential of allowing private equity in team ownership, a move that could change the financial dynamics of the league.
On the infrastructure front, the Commanders have announced a renaming of their stadium to Northwest Stadium, wrapping up a busy period of organizational changes and strategy shifts across the NFL.
As teams finalize their rosters and fans anxiously await the start of the season, the NFL remains a dynamic and unpredictable entity, filled with last-minute deals and shocking releases that captivate the sports world year after year.