NFL roster cuts tracker: The biggest names cut by every team

The 2025 NFL preseason is officially over. Now, the general managers and head coaches of all 32 teams will begin meeting to discuss which player will make it onto the 53-man regular season roster, and which ones will be waived.

The superstars of NFL teams are in no danger of missing out, obviously. But there is the chance that the big-name player on the roster could get cut. That can be in regard to their play in the preseason or their contract situations. Or, it could be because of a rising star in training camp who has impressed in training camp.

Notables NFL roster cuts

1. When is the NFL roster cut deadline?
2. Mecole Hardman can't stick with Packers
3. Seahawks drop veteran receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling
4. Seahawks release seventh-round rookie RB Damien Martinez
5. Chiefs cut ties with fan favorite RB Carson Steele
6. Steelers let Robert Woods loose amid receiver uncertainty
7. Vikings 'plan to waive' Gabriel Murphy in shocking cut
8. Browns dump Diontae Johnson is latest round of roster cuts
9. Chiefs surprise roster cut: Veteran safety Mike Edwards
10. Broncos waive running back Audric Estime
11. Giants roster cuts include fan favorite Tommy DeVito
12. Hendon Hooker is a victim of Lions roster cuts
13. Chiefs roster cuts have Bailey Zappe front and center
14. Kyle McCord shouldn't be a shocking Eagles roster cut
15. Saints backfield shrinks with surprising roster cut
16. Dolphins dump Mike Hilton in round of roster cuts
17. Shilo Sanders highlights notable Buccaneers roster cuts
18. Dorian Thompson-Robinson cut by Eagles as teams retools QB room
19. La'El Collins cut by Cowboys after brief reunion
20. Big-name players to get cut by NFL teams after preseason

Let's take a look at some of the big name players who have been cut by their teams before the regular season.

When is the NFL roster cut deadline?

The NFL roster cut deadline is at 4pm on Tuesday, August 26. Until then, NFL teams must waive or release players to trim their rosters down to the required 53 players. Now, there are some ways around the rules, such as stashing players on the practice squad or injured reserve if they have the correct designation. This is by no means a hard cap, like the NFL trade deadline, but it does force teams to act quickly.

Front offices are pressed with difficult decisions, as potential only goes so far once the regular season begins. Sometimes, players who have shown promise but haven't proven they can play at the highest level must go.

Mecole Hardman can't stick with Packers

Mecole Hardman will always be able to fall back on the "three-time Super Bowl champion" label. But he won't be able to call himself a Green Bay Packer any longer. The Packers parted ways with the veteran pass catcher.

Seahawks drop veteran receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Marquez Valdes-Scantling is once again on the market after failing to make the 53-man roster in Seattle. According to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, the Seahawks tried to trade MVS, but failed to find a taker. That doesn't mean the 30-year-old won't have suitors on the open market. Already, he's being linked to the 49ers and Steelers.

If he signs in San Francisco or Pittsburgh, it'll be his fourth team in less than 12 months. That's the life of a veteran with plenty of experience but a lack of top-end production.

Seahawks release seventh-round rookie RB Damien Martinez

Despite just getting to Seattle as a seventh-round rookie, the Seahawks are parting ways with Damien Martinez after training camp and the preseason. This comes as quite the shock to some as there was speculation about Martinez, who played his final college season at Miami, potentially not just making the roster but figuring into the Seahawks' backfield mix.

If the Seahawks were hoping to stash him on the practice squad, however, that seems highly unlikely as there are several running back-needy teams that should be quick to pounce on the chance to add Martinez to their rosters.

Chiefs cut ties with fan favorite RB Carson Steele

Remember when Isiah Pacheco went down early last season and every fantasy football manager rushed to the waiver wire to pick up Carson Steele? That feels like forever ago, especially now that the Chiefs have released the running back out of UCLA.

Steele never quite caught on in the backfield with Kansas City but, as someone who earned his opportunities in 2024 as a rookie and produced a ton of highly attractive college tape throughout his career, it wouldn't at all be surprising to see another team try to snatch him up off the open market.

Steelers let Robert Woods loose amid receiver uncertainty

Despite the calls from many Steelers fans for the team to further address wide receiver, Pittsburgh is releasing one of the more experienced options from the final 53-man roster in Robert Woods. Admittedly, the move doesn't come as much of a surprise as Woods didn't do much in training camp to separate himself from other options competing for a job. At the same time, it does continue to raise questions about the position group in the Steel City.

Vikings 'plan to waive' Gabriel Murphy in shocking cut

One of the bigger surprises that came down the line, Minnesota is parting with last offseason's UDFA gem, Gabriel Murphy, on the defensive front. Murphy only played in two games for the Vikings in the 2024 season as a rookie, but had received glowing praise from coaches. He's someone that, after hitting the open market, should certainly have a market throughout the league.

Browns dump Diontae Johnson is latest round of roster cuts

Diontae Johnson's free-fall from top-end WR2 to roster cutdown day victim is the stuff of legends. Ever since the Steelers traded Johnson to the Carolina Panthers prior to the start of the 2024 regular season, he has not been the same player and a reported problem in every locker room he has set foot in.

Johnson cannot still play, as his recent release from the vaunted Cleveland Browns would suggest. The Browns receiving corps had plenty of room for upward momentum and promotion, but instead Johnson failed to impress his one-time rivals when he got his chance.

Chiefs surprise roster cut: Veteran safety Mike Edwards

The Chiefs are relatively thin at the safety position, making their decision to release Mike Edwards a surprising one. Edwards knows the Chiefs scheme and provided some reliable depth at the position. Now, Kansas City will rely on the likes of Major Williams and Joshua Williams if necessary. Edwards re-signed with the Chiefs this offseason, having an advantage considering his knowledge of Steve Spanuolo's scheme. However, an injury in the second preseason game set Edwards back.

Edwards should have plenty of suitors on the free-agent market, but if he is available as an injury replacement or practice squad candidate for the Chiefs, they will not close the door on a reunion just yet.

Broncos waive running back Audric Estime

If there is one position the Denver Broncos are deep at, it's running back. Audric Estime didn't make the cut for the Broncos, as Sean Payton has several reliable bell-cow backs to go to. Just last season, Estime had 310 yards rushing on over four yards per carry. He had two rushing touchdowns, but also two fumbles lost.

Estime is a 2024 fifth-round pick out of Notre Dame. He should receive another opportunity fairly quickly, as Estime is an imposing running back with all the tools to provide some versatility further down the depth chart. That opportunity just won't come in Denver.

Giants roster cuts include fan favorite Tommy DeVito

The Italian Stallion is no more. Tommy DeVito was released by the New York Giants on Tuesday morning, as the team's quarterback depth chart left little room for the fan favorite to make a real claim at a spot. New York signed Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson this offseason, and followed that up by drafting Jaxson Dart. While there are plenty of questions regarding Winston and Wilson, they were – at one point in their careers – proven NFL starters. Both players played in meaningful games just last season, with Winston eating a W against Pittsburgh and Wilson leading the Steelers to the postseason.

Hendon Hooker is a victim of Lions roster cuts

The Detroit Lions selected Hendon Hooker out of Tennessee in the third round just a few years ago. Hooker was selected in the hope he'd develop into a reasonable backup for Goff, or perhaps usurp him altogether. Instead, Goff has succeeded far more than anyone in Detroit expected, winning more playoff games the last three seasons than Barry Sanders did in his entire Lions career.

Hooker hasn't received much playing time when it counts, but there is no denying he disappointing Lions fans this preseason. In fact, Hooker played so poorly he was passed by veteran QB Kyle Allen on the depth chart. While Hooker should land on his feet because of potential alone, he'll have an uphill climb ahead of him.

Chiefs roster cuts have Bailey Zappe front and center

Bailey Zappe once started games over first-round pick Mac Jones with the New England Patriots. Never let them forget that. Yet, Zappe hasn't developed much since then, instead proving to be far too injury prone. The Chiefs cannot count on Zappe, and will roll with Gardner Minshew as their backup to Patrick Mahomes. Minshew has relevant experience and has reportedly performed well in practice.

Zappe spent the latter part of camp competing with Chris Oladokun for third string behind Mahomes and Minshew. Yet, he took himself out of that competition with poor preseason performances. Zappe's worst tendencies became brutally obvious when he threw the ball to the other team instead of his own.

Kyle McCord shouldn't be a shocking Eagles roster cut

The Eagles took Kyle McCord in the sixth round back in 2024. At the time, he was the FBS leader in passing yards and had experience starting at both Ohio State and Syracuse. McCord doesn't have room on the Eagles quarterback room after they traded for Sam Howell, previously of the Minnesota Vikings. Assuming Tanner McKee comes back healthy, McCord would take a roster spot away from someone else if he were kept around.

Saints backfield shrinks with surprising roster cut

The New Orleans Saints backfield depth got the best of Cam Akers, who was released on Monday morning. Saints head coach Kellen Moore pointed to that fact exactly, as well as the Kendre Miller's impressive preseason. Alvin Kamara and Miller are expected to headline the Saints backfield, leaving little room for someone like Akers to make an impact.

The good news for Akers is there are plenty of running back-needy teams who could be interested in his services. Akers is just 25 years old and has a Super Bowl on his resume. Injuries have derailed his career, but he's also just a year removed from averaging well over four yards per carry for the Vikings and Texans, all the while serving as one of the primary backups for both teams.

Dolphins dump Mike Hilton in round of roster cuts

The Dolphins must know something we don't about Mike Hilton. Miami listed the veteran defensive back as a starter on their preseason depth chart, only to avoid handing him first-team reps seemingly all training camp. Hilton is not the player he once was with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals, but he used to be an elite nickel corner who could line up against the best slot receivers in the NFL. What happened to that guy?

Hilton's release is even more confusing given the Dolphins secondary is undoubtedly their biggest weakness. Miami cannot cover you or I, let alone the best wide receivers in the AFC East. Hilton may not have been the answer, but losing a veteran presence in a young secondary isn't going to do the Dolphins any favors.

Shilo Sanders highlights notable Buccaneers roster cuts

This past NFL Draft cycle, the Sanders family was the story. While most of the focus was on Shedeur, Shilo, the Colorado safety, received attention in the draft process. Shilo did go undrafted, but signed on quickly with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But given how stacked Tampa Bay's defense was, Shilo had an uphill battle to make the roster.

Sanders was waived by the Buccaneers on Sunday, less than a day after he was ejected for throwing a punch at Buffalo Bills tight end Zach Davidson. Now, Sanders will look to get claimed by a team in need of a safety.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson cut by Eagles as teams retools QB room

The Philadelphia Eagles were active on the trade market on Sunday morning. with Tanner McKee dealing with a fractured thumb. So, the Eagles called the Minnesota Vikings and negotiated a trade for Sam Howell, bringing the former Washington Commanders quarterback back to the NFC East.

With Howell on board, one quarterback on the roster had to go. That player was Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who joined the Eagles from the Cleveland Browns in the Kenny Pickett trade.

Thompson-Robinson played just two preseason games, completing 10-of-18 pass attempts for 73 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception.

La'El Collins cut by Cowboys after brief reunion

The Dallas Cowboys had their fair share of injuries this preseason, notably to the offensive line. Offensive tackle Tyler Guyton suffered a bone fracture in his knee, which would force him to miss the start of the season. So, the Cowboys brought back a familiar face in La'el Collins to fill the void in camp and in the preseason.

But Collins won't be with the team for the start of the season, as of now. The Cowboys released Collins on Sunday. while he was getting cut, ESPN's Todd Archer noted that coaches "praised his work" with young offensive and defensive linemen.

Big-name players to get cut by NFL teams after preseason

Below are notable, big-name players to get cut by their teams for the start of the regular-season.

• S Shilo Sanders: waived by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson: waived by Philadelphia Eagles
• OT La'el Collins: released by Dallas Cowboys
• LB Jamin Davis: released by New York Jets
• QB Tyler Huntley: released by Cleveland Browns
• CB Tony Brown: released by Cleveland Browns
• QB Brett Rypien: released by Minnesota Vikings
• CB Lamar Jackson: released by Atlanta Falcons
• RB Ameer Abdullah: released by San Francisco 49ers
• WR Equanimeous St. Brown: released by San Francisco 49ers