NFL Cutdown Day - News Roundup

NFL clubs had to cut down their rosters from 90 to 53 men in about 48 hours. Since all preseason games concluded, there have been many trades, some suspensions and surprise releases. Let’s go over some!

The 2nd Biggest One

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has been placed on the commissioner’s exempt list due to being charged with 2 misdemeanors in criminal court. He will likely be suspended following an investigation, but is currently ineligible to play football until he is off that list. The suspension may vary, if it happens at all. History gives us a rough estimate of 4 to 6 games if the NFL’s investigation comes to a conclusion that requires suspension.

In a retaliatory move, the Packers traded for Steelers 2nd year running back Kaleb Johnson. The former Iowa standout struggled to make waves during his rookie season in Pittsburgh, and the additions of Rico Dowdle and rookie Eli Heidenreich made it very tough for Johnson to solidify himself in the backfield. Now the Packers move forward with Johnson and former day 2 pick Marshawn Lloyd as the primary backs.

1 more player was placed on the exempt list, and that is Broncos standout edge rusher Jonathon Cooper. His case will also be investigated, and a suspension may loom.

Trades

Some smaller scale trades occurred over the last 2 days, including backup quarterbacks being moved across the league. It all started in Miami. They moved Quinn Ewers to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2028 6th round pick, and then later flipped that same selection to the Green Bay Packers for draft classmate of Ewers, Kyle McCord. McCord had a phenomenal preseason.

The Pittsburgh Steelers traded former 1st round selection Broderick Jones and a 4th round pick to the Dallas Cowboys for a 3 and a 6. He has battled injuries and struggled with poor play, but gets a fresh start in Dallas.

A pretty big one was the Bears sending Gervon Dexter to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for cornerback Clark Phillips. Dexter is a big interior lineman who was a starter over the last 2 seasons for the Bears. He has 13.5 career sacks, and is entering the final year of his base rookie contract. Phillips has battled injury, but was a standout corner at the collegiate level. He will be given a chance to rotate into the back end of a very solid Bears defense.

Other minor trades occurred, such as the New York Jets acquiring Jordan Meredith from the Las Vegas Raiders, or the Cardinals acquiring Hunter Long. Teams have also decided to swoop in and trade for players after they were announced to be waived soon. The New England Patriots acted on the announcement offensive tackle Walter Rouse would be waived, and traded for him before the papers could go through on the waiver wire.Nothing crazy has happened so far.

Oh My Goodness Aaron Donald

It’s official! The Los Angeles Rams are bringing back a living legend, and signing defensive lineman Aaron Donald to a 1 year, 20 million dollar contract with a total potential value of 30 million dollars. He will be paired up on a defensive line with studs such as Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske, as well as newly acquired edge rusher Myles Garrett. In other words, the reigning DPOY is now teammates with a multiple time DPOY. 

The 35 year old Donald last played during the 2023 season, recording 8 sacks and acquiring a Super Bowl ring. He decided to hang up the cleats after feeling complete as an NFL player. His accolades included 8 1st team All Pros, 10 pro bowls (all 10 seasons played) and 3 defensive player of the year awards. He is one of, if not the most dominant players of this generation. If you are reading this article, you already know the fear Aaron Donald puts into the souls of his opponents.

Waiver Wire

Over the next few days, teams will be readjusting their 53 man roster and practice squads due to the constant moving of waiver claims and free agents. Any player with 4 or less years of experience is subject to the waiver wire, which gives teams the chance to put in claims for players they want. This does not happen overnight, so now teams must wait and see who they want to claim in exchange for cutting a player on their initial 53 man roster.

Some notable names who have been waived or cut include ; Tyrell Dodson, Junior Colson, Jake Browning, Jaydon Blue, Zacch Pickens, Jedrick Wills, Yasir Abdullah, Elandon Roberts, Mazi Smith, Isaiah Hodgins and many more.

Some fun names to have made the initial 53 man rosters include ; Odell Beckham Jr, Michael Coates, Raheim Sanders, Dillon Bell, Jalon Daniels

A few 53 man rosters have been set, notably the Browns, where they opt to keep 4 quarterbacks on the roster. Quickly after that, though, they placed Dillon Gabriel on short term injured reserve.

The fluctuation of rosters will be the most important thing to monitor over the next 3 days. Practice Squads will start to be set as well, with a lot of players being waived will return to their club on a short term practice squad basis.