NFL Cuts: Full List of Players Released Ahead of 2026 Season
The NFL's 2026 roster cutdown day on August 30 saw a flurry of activity as teams finalized their 53-player squads, leading to over a thousand players being released. Quarterback Will Levis was a surprising release from the Tennessee Titans after their draft moves, and the Dallas Cowboys parted ways with veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
All 32 NFL franchises finalised their active 53-man rosters ahead of the 2026 regular season, trimming off-season squads following the conclusion of pre-season fixtures. League rules required front offices to waive or release hundreds of players before the official cut-off, leaving several seasoned veterans, former high draft picks, and specialist contributors on the open market or bound for waiver priority claims.Ā US President Donald Trump Names New England Patriots, New York Giants, and Los Angeles Rams as Top Super Bowl Contenders.
Key Roster Decisions and High-Profile Exits
Cut-down day regularly forces difficult calls on established starters and former top prospects, and this year proved no exception.
Among the quarterbacks, several former early-round selections found themselves searching for new clubs. Will Levis was let go by the Tennessee Titans, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers moved on from veteran Jake Browning. The New York Jets chose to release Bailey Zappe, and Kyle Trask parted ways with the Carolina Panthers.
The wide receiver and defensive markets also saw substantial movement. The Dallas Cowboys parted ways with Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Denzel Mims, whilst the New York Giants moved on from Jalin Hyatt and Isaiah Hodgins. Defensively, Seattle cut ties with cornerback Trevon Diggs, and veteran pass rusher Emmanuel Ogbah was released by the Kansas City Chiefs.
How the Waiver Wire and Free Agency Work
Under NFL roster protocols, players who are released do not all follow the same path:
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Vested Veterans: Players who hold four or more accrued NFL seasons become unrestricted free agents immediately upon release and may sign with any organisation.
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Waiver System: Players with fewer than four accrued seasons are subject to waivers. Clubs have a 24-hour window to claim their current contract terms, determined by the leagueās waiver priority order.
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Practice Squads: Any player clearing waivers is eligible to sign with a teamās 16-man practice squad, creating a key pool of depth throughout the regular campaign. LA Rams Star Terrance Ferguson's Wife Sophia Meyer Shares Steamy Video.
Team-by-Team Notable Cuts
| Team | Notable Released Players |
| Arizona Cardinals | Trey Benson (RB), Sean Murphy-Bunting (CB) |
| Atlanta Falcons | Wanya Morris (OT) |
| Baltimore Ravens | Amani Oruwariye (CB), Robert Longerbeam (CB) |
| Buffalo Bills | Mecole Hardman (WR), Geno Stone (S), Frank Gore Jr. (RB), Mitch Wishnowsky (P) |
| Carolina Panthers | Kyle Trask (QB), Miles Davis (RB) |
| Chicago Bears | Jedrick Wills (OT), Kyle Hergel (OL) |
| Cincinnati Bengals | Josh Johnson (QB), Charlie Jones (WR), Cody Ford (OL), Mitchell Tinsley (WR) |
| Cleveland Browns | Cedric Tillman (WR), Jack Stoll (TE), Dea'Quan Wright (TE) |
| Dallas Cowboys | Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR), Denzel Mims (WR), Jaydon Blue (RB) |
| Denver Broncos | Taylor Rapp (S), Hakeem Butler (WR), Adam Prentice (FB) |
| Detroit Lions | Greg Dortch (WR), Cedrick Wilson (WR), Raheem Blackshear (RB) |
| Green Bay Packers | Tra Fluellen (S) |
| Houston Texans | Marte Mapu (LB) |
| Indianapolis Colts | Mekhi Blackmon (CB), Colby Wooden (DT), Devin Veresuk (LB) |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Nick Mullens (QB), Jabbar Muhammad (CB) |
| Kansas City Chiefs | Emmanuel Ogbah (DE), Kellen Diesch (OT) |
| Las Vegas Raiders | Noah Brown (WR), Dare Ogunbowale (RB) |
| Los Angeles Chargers | DJ Uiagalelei (QB), Luke Grimm (WR), Junior Colson (LB) |
| Los Angeles Rams | Monty Rice (LB), Tru Edwards (WR) |
| Miami Dolphins | Tyrel Dodson (LB), Cam Miller (QB), Marco Wilson (CB), Jamaree Salyer (OG) |
| Minnesota Vikings | Tyreek Chappell (CB) |
| New England Patriots | Hassan Haskins (RB), Jesse Luketa (LB) |
| New Orleans Saints | Bub Means (WR), Charlie Smyth (K), Garrett Nelson (DE) |
| New York Giants | Jalin Hyatt (WR), Isaiah Hodgins (WR), Leki Fotu (DL), Josiah Deguara (TE) |
| New York Jets | Bailey Zappe (QB), Mazi Smith (DT), Cade York (K) |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Dameon Pierce (RB), Shaun Wade (CB), Samori Toure (WR), J.T. Gray (S) |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Elandon Roberts (LB), Jamin Davis (LB), Malik Harrison (LB), Jaheim Bell (TE) |
| San Francisco 49ers | Adrian Martinez (QB), Patrick Taylor (RB) |
| Seattle Seahawks | Trevon Diggs (CB), Chris Paul Jr. (LB) |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Jake Browning (QB), Chris Braswell (DE) |
| Tennessee Titans | Will Levis (QB), Cordell Volson (OG), Dominique Hampton (LB) |
| Washington Commanders | Van Jefferson (WR), Carlos Basham Jr. (DE), Will Harris (S) |
What Comes Next
With the cut deadline passed, rosters remain fluid. General managers continue processing waiver acquisitions, sorting through injury reserve designations, and signing players to their practice squads ahead of the opening week of the regular season
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 02, 2026 11:05 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
