The NFL's 32 teams have locked in their rosters, paring down from a hefty 90 players to the lean in-season cap of 53. This yearly ritual of intense scrutiny, coaching maneuvers, and unexpected trades has once again delivered plenty of surprises and shake-ups.
Falcons Bet on Quarterback Trio
The Atlanta Falcons have decided to hedge their bets by retaining three quarterbacks: Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr., and Taylor Heinicke. Heinicke's performance during the preseason, albeit lackluster with a 45.5% completion rate, evidently did not deter the Falcons' faith in his potential as a solid backup option.
Packers Shake Things Up at Quarterback
Green Bay made headlines by drafting Sean Clifford from Penn State and Michael Pratt from Tulane, only to cut both players. In a bold move, the Packers traded for Malik Willis from the Tennessee Titans, showcasing their determination to find a reliable backup quarterback. They also made significant changes in their kicking department, releasing Anders Carlson, a 2023 sixth-round pick, and bringing in Greg Joseph.
Significant Acquisitions for the Titans
The Tennessee Titans have been among the busiest teams, filling critical positions with high-profile acquisitions. Their defense got a significant boost with cornerbacks L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie, along with the likes of safeties Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams. On the defensive line, they added Sebastian Joseph-Day and rookie T'Vondre Sweat. They also strengthened their offense by welcoming running back Tyler Boyd, center Lloyd Cushenberry, and offensive tackle JC Latham.
Panthers and Steelers Swap Playmakers
Carolina made some impactful decisions, with GM Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales opting to cut wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. In a strategic trade, the Panthers sent cornerback Donte Jackson and a sixth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In return, they received wide receiver Diontae Johnson and a seventh-round pick. Notably, the Panthers have also been aggressive in the 2024 NFL Draft, dedicating three of their first four picks to offensive playmakers.
Bears Secure Backup Spot, Broncos Make Tough Cuts
Tyson Bagent has once again secured the backup quarterback position for the Chicago Bears, maintaining his spot for the second consecutive year. In contrast, Desmond Ridder lost his backup role to Clayton Tune. In Denver, Tim Patrick, despite a flawless record of catching all five of his preseason targets, was cut by the Broncos. Fortunately, he didn’t remain a free agent for long, quickly signing with the Detroit Lions who also took on Hendon Hooker as their new backup quarterback. Hooker impressed during the preseason, completing 29 of 44 passes for 300 yards and rushing for 138 yards.
Struggles and Triumphs in Cincinnati and New England
The Cincinnati Bengals made a surprising move by cutting Jackson Carman, a 2021 second-round pick. To bolster their protection unit, they acquired Trent Brown and Amarius Mims. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots parted ways with Mac Jones, trading him to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones had a stellar preseason, completing 73.1% of his passes for 421 yards and delivering three touchdowns, promising a valuable addition to the Jaguars' roster.
Texans and Bills Make Final Adjustments
In Houston, the Texans decided to release wide receiver Noah Brown while welcoming a fully recovered Tank Dell, who is poised to make significant contributions. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills cut Frank Gore Jr., despite his solid preseason performance of rushing for 101 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.
This flurry of moves underscores the relentless drive of NFL franchises to fortify their squads with the best talent available, setting the stage for what promises to be another exhilarating season of professional football.