Numerous notable players have entered the NFL free agency market following the recent roster cuts.
Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET marked the deadline for all teams to finalize their rosters to 53 players. While some teams announced their cuts ahead of time, others made last-minute decisions.
The New England Patriots were proactive, releasing a quarterback who had previously contended with Mac Jones and also parting ways with a kicker in his second year.
In a significant move, the Kansas City Chiefs cut a well-known wide receiver who struggled to make a significant impact on the field, while the Arizona Cardinals let go of a quarterback drafted in 2022.
Here’s a summary of some of the high-profile players who were cut, listed without specific ranking:
WR Kadarius Toney, Kansas City Chiefs
Toney’s tenure with the Chiefs has come to an end after two seasons, where he is perhaps best remembered for a notable offsides penalty during a game against the Buffalo Bills. The 25-year-old, a former first-round draft pick by the New York Giants in 2021, concluded last season with 27 receptions for 169 yards and one touchdown. It’s uncertain if he will attract interest from other teams.
QB Desmond Ridder, Arizona Cardinals
Ridder emerged as a standout during a weak quarterback draft class in 2022; however, his performance with the Cardinals fell short. His former classmate, Malik Willis, was traded to the Green Bay Packers from the Tennessee Titans just days before.
WR Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos
Tim Patrick, a 6-foot-4 wide receiver, has been released by the Broncos. The 30-year-old had suffered two consecutive seasons-ending injuries before the start of the regular seasons. He had been part of the Denver roster since 2018 and may find opportunities with other teams if he can demonstrate his ability to remain healthy.
QB Bailey Zappe, K Chad Ryland, New England Patriots
The Patriots decided to part ways with Zappe, who had previously vied for the starting position with Jones, now with Jacksonville. They also released Chad Ryland, a fourth-round pick in 2023, who struggled with field goal conversions, making just 16 of 25 attempts. Joey Slye is anticipated to take over the kicking duties.
WR Noah Brown, Houston Texans
With a surplus of wide receivers, the Texans released Noah Brown, who had a brief stint with the team. The 28-year-old caught 33 passes for 567 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games last season after previously spending five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, making him an attractive option for other teams.
S Lewis Cine, Minnesota Vikings
Cine, a first-round pick in 2022 from Georgia, was let go by the Vikings after struggling to make an impact due to injury setbacks early in his career. Teams in rebuild mode might consider taking a chance on him.
CB Caleb Farley, Tennessee Titans
Farley, another former first-round pick, was also released after dealing with significant injuries in his first two seasons and not playing during the last season due to a personal tragedy, where he lost his father in a gas leak incident.
K Anders Carlson, Green Bay Packers
The Packers, having selected Carlson in the sixth round of the 2023 draft to succeed Mason Crosby, decided to cut him after he lost the starting competition to veteran Greg Joseph. Carlson previously completed 27 of 33 field goals and 34 of 39 extra points last season.
WR Allen Robinson, New York Giants
Robinson, who has previously recorded over 1,000 receiving yards in three seasons, was cut by the Giants before making an appearance in an official game. The 31-year-old has played for three different teams in the past three years, and this number may rise if he signs with another team.
RB Matt Breida, San Francisco 49ers
Despite his history with the 49ers and Coach Kyle Shanahan’s fondness for running backs, Breida’s attempt to return to the team was halted. The 49ers will instead rely on Christian McCaffrey, Jordan Mason, and rookie Isaac Guerendo while placing Elijah Mitchell on season-ending injured reserve.