The NFL teams have recently finalized their rosters, trimming down from the offseason 90-player rosters to the in-season limit of 53. This roster shake-up has seen several notable moves, trades, and cuts across the league, as teams prepare for the grueling season ahead.
Quarterback Movements
The Atlanta Falcons have decided to keep a trio of quarterbacks: Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr., and Taylor Heinicke. Heinicke’s retention comes despite a lukewarm preseason performance where he managed only a 45.5% completion rate. Meanwhile, in Green Bay, the Packers made surprising moves by drafting Sean Clifford from Penn State and Michael Pratt from Tulane, only to cut both players before the season started. In a bid to strengthen their quarterback position, the Packers traded for Malik Willis from the Tennessee Titans.
The Jacksonville Jaguars made a notable acquisition by trading for Mac Jones from the New England Patriots. Jones had a remarkable preseason, completing 73.1% of his passes for 421 yards and delivering three touchdowns. On the other hand, the Chicago Bears solidified their backup quarterback role by securing Tyson Bagent for the second consecutive year. Meanwhile, Desmond Ridder lost his backup quarterback spot to Clayton Tune.
Tennessee Titans' Defensive Enhancements
In an effort to fortify their defense, the Tennessee Titans acquired cornerbacks L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie, along with safeties Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams. The team also strengthened its linebacker unit with Kenneth Murray and bolstered the defensive line by bringing in Sebastian Joseph-Day and rookie T'Vondre Sweat. Additionally, Tyler Boyd joined the Titans' roster as a running back, while Lloyd Cushenberry and JC Latham were added to improve the offensive line.
Key Trades and Cuts
Carolina Panthers made a significant trade by sending cornerback Donte Jackson and a sixth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for wide receiver Diontae Johnson and a seventh-round pick. Carolina also cut wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr., a decision made by GM Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales. Reinforcing their offense, the Panthers used three of their first four picks in the 2024 NFL Draft on offensive playmakers.
The Denver Broncos made headlines by cutting Tim Patrick, despite him catching all five of his targets during the preseason. Patrick was swiftly signed by the Detroit Lions, which also brought in Hendon Hooker as their new backup quarterback. Hooker had an impressive preseason, completing 29 of 44 passes for 300 yards and rushing for 138 yards.
The Cincinnati Bengals also saw some significant changes, cutting Jackson Carman, a 2021 second-round pick, but shoring up their protection unit with Trent Brown and Amarius Mims. On the other hand, the Texans released wide receiver Noah Brown while welcoming back a fully recovered Tank Dell, ready to make his mark this season. The Buffalo Bills made a notable cut by releasing Frank Gore Jr., who had rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries during the preseason.
Green Bay Packers' Special Teams Shake-Up
Green Bay Packers made crucial decisions regarding their special teams, cutting Anders Carlson, a sixth-round pick in 2023, and signing Greg Joseph as their new kicker. These changes underscore the Packers' intent to ensure stability and reliability in their kicking game as they kick off the new season.
With these roster changes and strategic acquisitions, NFL teams are geared up for what promises to be an exciting and competitive season. Each team has fine-tuned its roster, making calculated decisions to address weaknesses and capitalize on strengths. As the regular season approaches, it will be intriguing to witness how these moves play out on the field and which teams will rise above the rest in the quest for NFL glory.