Did your favorite team make a shocking move? NFL roster cuts always bring drama, and this year is no different! From veteran stars to promising rookies, teams made some truly unexpected decisions to finalize their 53-man rosters. Who do you think was the biggest surprise cut?
The conclusion of the NFL preseason always ushers in a period of intense roster adjustments, as every team pares down its expansive training camp squad to the league-mandated 53 players. This annual ritual, while necessary, frequently leads to truly surprising moves, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning the rationale behind some of the toughest decisions made by general managers. These initial 53-man rosters are merely a starting point, however, with further changes expected as teams navigate the waiver wire and fine-tune their lineups for the grueling season ahead.
Among the most unexpected NFL roster cuts this year was the release of Michael Fehoko by the Arizona Cardinals. Fehoko appeared poised for a roster spot, demonstrating consistent performance on offense, scoring touchdowns in multiple preseason games, and excelling on special teams. Despite receiving praise from head coach Jonathan Gannon and having a portion of his salary guaranteed, his departure certainly raised eyebrows, leading to speculation about potential re-signings after other player releases.
Veteran players weren’t immune to these surprising decisions. The Falcons notably parted ways with veteran safety Rayshawn Fuller, who was not only signed as a replacement for Justin Simmons but was listed as a starter on all preseason depth charts. This move highlights the rapid ascent of rookie Xavier Watts, who impressed throughout training camp, signifying a clear shift towards younger talent in the Falcons’ secondary. Similarly, the Broncos moved on from cornerback Damarri Mathis, a former fourth-round pick who started 17 games in his first two seasons, but ultimately fell victim to a highly competitive cornerback room.
Some comeback stories, unfortunately, ended prematurely. Receiver Hunter Renfrow, who thoroughly impressed the Panthers’ coaching staff and quarterback Bryce Young during his return to the NFL offseason, saw his chances hampered by a preseason injury. Ultimately, the team opted for younger wideouts with more special teams upside. In Chicago, while the Bears didn’t have any truly shocking cuts, Tyler Scott narrowly claimed the title of most surprising, with an undrafted rookie’s impressive outing securing the final receiver spot over the former fourth-round pick.
Positional battles also yielded some unexpected results. The Cleveland Browns, undergoing a transition year, opted to part ways with kicker Dustin Hopkins despite his record-setting 2023 season, choosing Andre Szmyt instead after a shaky preseason finale. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys made a curious decision by releasing undrafted rookie tight end Mason Fairweather, who had been mighty impressive throughout camp and preseason games, seemingly a perfect TE3 for the team, yet was let go in favor of a 2023 second-round pick.
The NFL’s cutdown day also saw former draft picks and established players surprisingly released, showcasing the brutal business side of football news. Green Bay’s seventh-round pick, Dontayvion King, was widely considered a lock for a final roster spot despite the Packers’ lack of depth at corner, making his release a notable surprise. The Colts moved on from former second-round draft pick Juwan Brents after only two seasons, largely due to recurring injuries, while the Jaguars released established safety Daniel Thomas in favor of a later Day 3 draft pick and a rising special teams player.
Further illustrating the unpredictable nature of NFL roster cuts were moves involving players like running back Ronnie Steele (Chiefs), whose potential as a hybrid back wasn’t prioritized, and edge rusher Bradyn Swinson (Patriots), a fifth-round rookie cut in favor of carrying eight receivers. The Vikings’ decision to part ways with Gabriel Murphy, a UDFA who flashed speed and ball-tracking ability and seemed to have the favor of the defensive coordinator, also came as a significant shock after two years of investment, underscoring the cutthroat competition during preseason analysis and final roster decisions across the league.
