Did your favorite NFL team make a baffling decision? The preseason dust has settled, and some shocking roster cuts have left fans and analysts scratching their heads. We break down the most unexpected departures from every team. Which cut left you most stunned?
As the NFL preseason concludes, teams across the league face the annual, arduous task of trimming their rosters to the league-mandated 53 players. This period, often filled with high-stakes decisions and unexpected departures, sets the initial composition for each team’s championship aspirations. General managers navigate a delicate balance, weighing potential against immediate impact, often leading to some truly surprising football surprises that capture the attention of fans and analysts alike.
For the Arizona Cardinals, the decision to waive Fehoko was particularly perplexing. Despite consistent offensive showings, including touchdowns in preseason games, and strong special teams play, along with praise from his head coach and guaranteed salary, Fehoko found himself off the initial 53-man roster. This move, one of the more head-scratching NFL roster cuts, sparked considerable debate. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons made a significant shift, opting to release veteran safety Fuller, who had been a presumed starter, in favor of impressive rookie Xavier Watts, signaling a clear generational transition in their secondary.
The Buffalo Bills, surprisingly, had very few outright shocking cuts at first glance, though the departure of Jackson, despite injuries at cornerback, raised some eyebrows given his past experience within the system. Over in Carolina, the Panthers had to make a tough call regarding Renfrow. A compelling comeback story was cut short by a preseason injury, hindering his chances after thoroughly impressing coaches and teammates. Ultimately, the team prioritized special teams contributions, making Renfrow a notable omission from the wide receiver room.
The Chicago Bears’ roster adjustments included a surprising move with former fourth-round wide receiver Tyler Scott. Despite his tenure, Scott was edged out by undrafted rookie Jahdae Walker’s stellar preseason performance, highlighting the competitive nature of player movement during this crucial period. Similarly, the Cincinnati Bengals saw the unexpected release of Njongmeta, an undrafted success story from the previous year, as the team underwent a significant overhaul of its linebacker unit, bringing in new talent and making tough decisions about established depth.
Cleveland’s roster decisions presented a surprise in the kicking department, as Dustin Hopkins, just one year after signing a new deal, was cut following a challenging preseason that saw him struggle with consistency. The Browns opted for Andre Szmyt, marking a swift and decisive change. In Dallas, tight end Fairweather’s release was particularly surprising. The undrafted rookie from Auburn had a stellar camp, showcasing strong receiving skills, yet the Cowboys chose to retain a previous second-round pick, Luke Schoonmaker, leaving Fairweather to the waiver wire.
The Denver Broncos found themselves in a bind with cornerback Mathis. Despite his early career starts, he became expendable in a deeply talented cornerback room that includes multiple high-round picks and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. The team’s inability to trade him led to his release, a testament to the depth chart challenges. The Green Bay Packers, while not having many truly “surprising” cuts, did raise some questions with the departure of King, a 2024 seventh-round pick who had shown improvement and was expected to fill a need in a thin cornerback group, underscoring the complexities of team analysis in the preseason.
Indianapolis made a notable roster cut by parting ways with Brents, a former second-round draft pick. While injuries have plagued his short career, moving on after just two seasons is a significant decision that reflects the Colts’ aggressive approach to reshaping their cornerback unit. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, the release of an established player like Thomas in favor of a later Day 3 draft pick was a subtle but genuine surprise, especially given a concurrent injury to another safety that could have opened a spot.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ decision to waive Steele, a running back with an intriguing hybrid skillset and some rookie season promise, indicated that his development wasn’t a priority for the coaching staff, a common outcome in the highly competitive NFL landscape. The Las Vegas Raiders delivered a genuine shock by cutting Bachman, who had seemed like a shoo-in for a wide receiver spot after a strong camp and consistent second-team reps, only to become the odd man out after a veteran acquisition. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings’ release of Gabriel Murphy, a promising pass rusher who had flashed potential and garnered guaranteed money as an undrafted free agent, was a significant preseason cuts surprise given his recent performance.
Rounding out the surprising roster adjustments, the New England Patriots made headlines by cutting rookie fifth-round draft pick Bradyn Swinson, prioritizing a deeper receiver corps over a young pass rusher with high upside. The New Orleans Saints saw the unexpected departure of tight end Welch, who had performed well in preseason, losing out to a seventh-round rookie. In Seattle, the release of Marquez Valdes-Scantling, signed to a notable contract in March, was a clear signal that rookie Tory Horton had leapfrogged him on the depth chart. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers moved on from former second-round quarterback Kyle Trask, whose immediate improvement was overshadowed by Teddy Bridgewater’s arrival. The Tennessee Titans opted for other receivers over veteran James Proche, despite his experience. Finally, the Washington Commanders’ release of veteran defensive end Ferrell, a former top-five pick who had been re-signed, proved to be an unexpected NFL news item, despite him playing late in preseason games, which is often a red flag.
