As the 2024 NFL season approaches with palpable excitement, the final countdown to kickoff has teams across the league making pivotal roster decisions. The transition from a 90-man roster to the mandatory 53 is a rigorous process, filled with trades, waivers, and releases that potentially reshape team dynamics.
Trades and Adjustments
One of the notable transactions this pre-season involves the Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Cowboys sent tight end Peyton Hendershot to the reigning Super Bowl champions for a conditional late-round draft pick. Hendershot is expected to compete for a backup role behind the perennial Pro Bowl tight end, Travis Kelce, providing the Chiefs with additional depth in a key offensive position.
The Kansas City Chiefs were not done bolstering their roster. They also acquired linebacker Cameron Thomas from the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for a seventh-round pick. Thomas, a third-round selection from the 2022 draft, is anticipated to contribute to Kansas City's defensive schemes.
Another strategic move by the Cardinals saw linebacker Ernest Jones heading to the Tennessee Titans. This trade involved a complicated exchange where the Rams included a 2026 sixth-round pick to receive a more immediate fifth-round pick in 2025. Jones, who has established himself as a starting inside linebacker and team captain, will aim to bring his leadership and defensive prowess to Tennessee.
Quarterback Maneuvers
The Tennessee Titans were also active on the trade front, sending quarterback Malik Willis to the Green Bay Packers. The deal included a seventh-round pick, positioning Willis as the backup to Jordan Love, the Packers' new starting quarterback following Aaron Rodgers' departure. In related quarterback news, the Packers decided to release fellow 2022 draft pick Sean Clifford, narrowing their quarterback roster just before the season's commencement.
Defensive Line Shifts
The Jacksonville Jaguars and Seattle Seahawks were participants in a mutually beneficial deal. The Jaguars traded defensive lineman Trevis Gipson to the Seahawks for a 2025 sixth-round pick. With edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu temporarily sidelined due to a sprained MCL, Gipson's arrival is timely, providing Seattle with much-needed reinforcement on the defensive line.
In another significant defensive trade, the Cleveland Browns sent Chris Williams to the Chicago Bears. The Browns packaged Williams with a seventh-round pick, receiving a sixth-round pick in return. Williams, who spent the previous season on Cleveland's practice squad, now has an opportunity to make an impact on Chicago's defensive line.
The Seahawks continued to refine their roster by trading Darrell Taylor to the Bears for a 2025 sixth-round pick. Taylor's move indicates Seattle's commitment to restructuring their defensive strategy while giving the Bears additional options on the edge.
Special Teams Enhancements
Not to be left out, the New York Jets engaged in a trade with the Buffalo Bills, sending defensive back and return specialist Brandon Codrington upstate. The Jets' compensation for Codrington was a late-round pick swap in 2026. Codrington's versatility as a return specialist could provide a significant boost to the Bills' special teams unit.
As these transactions illustrate, the period leading up to the regular season opener is a flurry of activity and strategy. Each move, whether a trade, waiver, or release, carries the potential to impact the upcoming season profoundly. Teams are diligently refining their rosters, and the anticipation heightens as the stage is set for what promises to be an exhilarating NFL season.