NFL Cuts Tracker: Teams Must Trim Rosters Down to 53 Players

Every year, the NFL requires all 32 teams to cut their rosters down to just 53 players before the season begins. This year, that deadline falls at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 30. Teams start the offseason with 90 players each, which means more than 1,100 players across the league will lose their roster spots in a single day. It is one of the most stressful days of the year for professional football players.

Not every player who gets cut is done with football, though. Many of them will be picked up by teams to join practice squads, where they can keep training and improving their skills. If a starter gets hurt during the season, a practice squad player might get called up to fill that spot. So getting cut does not always mean the end of a player's NFL dream.

Some cut players may also land on a different team's active 53-man roster. Players with four or fewer seasons in the NFL go through a process called waivers. This means other teams get a chance to claim them and add them to their own rosters. It gives younger players another shot at making a team even after being let go.

Two players are drawing a lot of attention heading into this year's deadline. Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy was a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he had a tough preseason. New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is 33 years old and is trying to make a comeback after sitting out the entire 2025 season. Fans and teams alike are watching closely to see what happens to both players.

Trades are also happening right before the deadline, adding even more excitement. The Jacksonville Jaguars traded for Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers. The Dallas Cowboys picked up veteran offensive tackle Broderick Jones from the Pittsburgh Steelers. These last-minute moves can change the shape of a team's roster quickly.

Here is a look at some of the players already cut by their teams. The Baltimore Ravens made several moves, releasing players including quarterback Austin Reed, wide receiver Cornelius Johnson, and running back Dontae McMillan. The Buffalo Bills cut wide receivers Mac Dalena, Mecole Hardman Jr., Dante Pettis, and Quentin Skinner, among others. The Cleveland Browns had one of the longer cut lists, letting go of players like wide receiver Cedric Tillman and tight end Jack Stoll.

The Miami Dolphins released running back Donovan Edwards and wide receiver Theo Wease Jr., plus several defensive players. The New York Giants cut running back Dante Miller, wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins, and tight end Josiah Deguara, among others. The New York Jets waived quarterback Bailey Zappe and defensive tackle Mazi Smith. The Pittsburgh Steelers also had a long list, saying goodbye to linebacker Jamin Davis, wide receiver Cornell Powell, and several defensive backs.

Many other teams — including the Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, and Kansas City Chiefs — had not yet announced their cuts at the time this story was published. Their decisions are expected before the 6 p.m. deadline. Fans are encouraged to keep checking for updates as teams finalize their rosters and the 2026 NFL season gets ready to begin.