The NFL cutdown to 53-man rosters this week produced a fascinating waiver wire, and the aftermath is still shaping depth charts across the league. From established veterans to promising young players, the movement in the last 72 hours has been as impactful as any offseason free agency period.
The most notable move came from the New York Jets, who claimed veteran cornerback Steven Nelson off waivers from the Cowboys. Nelson is 33 but was a solid contributor in Dallas last season, and Jets head coach Aaron Glenn wanted the veteran insurance in a room that skews young.
Wide receiver movement has been the biggest storyline. The Kansas City Chiefs claimed Skyy Moore back off waivers after he was released by the Panthers. Kansas City originally drafted Moore in the second round in 2022, and getting him back at the veteran minimum is a low-risk reunion.
The Baltimore Ravens claimed rookie edge rusher Jordan Miller off waivers from the Texans. Miller was a fifth-round pick who impressed in the preseason but got squeezed by Houston’s depth chart. Baltimore’s defensive line has been an offseason focus, and Miller could push for immediate snaps.
The Green Bay Packers surprised everyone by cutting veteran receiver Randall Cobb, then re-signing him to the practice squad. Cobb has been a lifer in Green Bay, and the move was made purely for roster flexibility. He will be elevated for Week 1 against the Lions if needed.
Practice squad chaos has been just as interesting. Every team is trying to stash developmental players, but the international pathway program and the 17-player practice squad rules have made competition for those spots enormous. Kicker rooms in particular have seen unprecedented movement, with teams cycling through legs trying to find the right long-term answer.
The most controversial cut was the Chicago Bears releasing quarterback Tyson Bagent. Bagent was a fan favorite and had played meaningful snaps as an emergency starter, but Chicago wanted the roster spot for a defensive lineman. Bagent cleared waivers and will land somewhere as a No. 2 or No. 3 quarterback.
The Philadelphia Eagles were quiet on waivers but active with trade calls. General manager Howie Roseman has been in touch with multiple teams about a defensive back and a backup tackle, though no deals have been finalized. Philadelphia opens the season Sunday against Dallas, and any late acquisition has to be made in the next 48 hours to be active for that game.
The waiver order has now been reset. Teams are working the phones on trade calls, and the next wave of movement will likely come in the first two weeks of the season as injuries reshape the market. Every team’s Week 3 roster will look different than its Week 1 roster.
The NFL season is 72 hours from starting, and general managers are still writing checks. Welcome back to football.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
