The NFL's preseason has come to a close, and as the dust settles, teams across the league have finalized their rosters, trimming down from a robust 90 players to the in-season standard of 53. This yearly ritual, replete with trades, cuts, and signings, signals the exciting run-up to the regular season.
Falcons Finalize a Trio of Quarterbacks
The Atlanta Falcons made a decisive move by retaining three quarterbacks on their roster: Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr., and Taylor Heinicke. Heinicke's preseason performance, however, left much to be desired, logging a completion rate of just 45.5%. Despite this, the Falcons evidently see potential and value in having him as part of their quarterback depth.
Packers Make Bold Moves
Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers have been highly active in fine-tuning their roster. The team drafted Sean Clifford from Penn State and Michael Pratt from Tulane but subsequently released both. Instead, they acquired Malik Willis from the Tennessee Titans in a strategic trade. The Packers also made a significant change in their special teams' unit by cutting sixth-round pick Anders Carlson and signing Greg Joseph as their new kicker.
Titans Bolster Defense and Offense
On the other side of these transactions, the Tennessee Titans have been equally enterprising. The team strengthened their secondary by acquiring cornerbacks L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie and bolstered their safeties with Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams. They also added linebacker Kenneth Murray to their dynamic defense. The Titans did not stop there; they enhanced their defensive line with Sebastian Joseph-Day and rookie T'Vondre Sweat. Offensive additions include Tyler Boyd, a notable running back, center Lloyd Cushenberry, and offensive tackle JC Latham.
Panthers and Steelers Swap Players
In a notable trade, Carolina's GM Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales made the tough decision to cut wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr., subsequently sending cornerback Donte Jackson and a sixth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In return, the Panthers acquired wide receiver Diontae Johnson and a seventh-round pick, signaling a strategic shift towards bolstering their offensive capabilities. Carolina further emphasized their focus on offense by using three of their first four picks in the 2024 NFL Draft on offensive playmakers.
Quarterbacks in New Residences
Quarterback dynamics have shifted in other teams as well. Tyson Bagent retained his backup quarterback role for the Chicago Bears for the second consecutive year. Conversely, Desmond Ridder lost his backup position to Clayton Tune. The Jacksonville Jaguars acquired Mac Jones from the New England Patriots. Demonstrating promise, Jones completed an impressive 73.1% of his passes for 421 yards and delivered three touchdowns during the preseason.
Key Cuts and Signings Across the League
Several players have found new homes, while others are facing uncertainty after preseason cuts. Tim Patrick, despite a flawless performance catching all five of his targets during the preseason, was released by the Broncos. Fortunately for Patrick, the Detroit Lions swiftly signed him and added Hendon Hooker as their new backup quarterback. Hooker had an admirable preseason, completing 29 of 44 passes for 300 yards and rushing for 138 yards.
In another significant cut, the Cincinnati Bengals released Jackson Carman, a 2021 second-round pick, opting instead to fortify their protection unit with Trent Brown and Amarius Mims.
The Texans made headlines by releasing wide receiver Noah Brown, though they received positive news with Tank Dell's full recovery and readiness to contribute to the team. Lastly, in a move that raised some eyebrows, the Buffalo Bills cut Frank Gore Jr., who had managed to rush for 101 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries during the preseason.
The rapid roster changes, strategic signings, and pivotal trades underscore the NFL's turbulent yet thrilling offseason. As teams solidify their lineups, fans eagerly anticipate how these adjustments will unfold on the field, adding another layer of excitement to the upcoming season.