The NFL has seen a flurry of significant roster cuts as teams finalized their rosters ahead of the season. The deadline for teams to trim their rosters to 53 players was Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, leading to various teams making early announcements and others waiting until the last minute.
The New England Patriots were among the first to make headlines, parting ways with a quarterback who once shared a competitive dynamic with Mac Jones and also releasing a second-year kicker.
In a notable move, the Kansas City Chiefs released wide receiver Kadarius Toney, who struggled to make a statistical impact during his tenure. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals let go of quarterback Desmond Ridder, a prospect from the 2022 draft.
Here’s a summary of some of the notable players who were cut:
– WR Kadarius Toney, Kansas City Chiefs: Toney’s time with the Chiefs came to an end after a two-year stint. Known for his notable offsides play against the Buffalo Bills, Toney, a former first-round pick by the New York Giants, recorded 27 receptions for 169 yards and one touchdown last season. His market potential remains uncertain.
– QB Desmond Ridder, Arizona Cardinals: Initially a standout from the 2022 quarterback class, Ridder did not translate his talent to the Cardinals. His departure follows Malik Willis’s trade to the Green Bay Packers after struggling with the Tennessee Titans.
– WR Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos: Standing at 6-foot-4, Patrick was cut after battling two consecutive season-ending injuries. Having been with Denver since 2018, he might find opportunities elsewhere if he can prove his health.
– QB Bailey Zappe, K Chad Ryland, New England Patriots: The Patriots released Zappe, who previously competed with Mac Jones for a starting role. They also let go of Ryland, a fourth-round pick who struggled with field goals last season.
– WR Noah Brown, Houston Texans: Brown was among the wide receivers released to reduce the team’s depth chart. He had one season with the Texans, totaling 33 receptions for 567 yards and two touchdowns after spending five years with the Cowboys.
– S Lewis Cine, Minnesota Vikings: Cine, the 2022 first-round pick from Georgia, was released following injuries that limited his participation in two seasons.
– CB Caleb Farley, Tennessee Titans: Farley was released after missing significant playing time due to injuries over his first two years. He also faced personal tragedy when a natural gas explosion tragically took his father’s life.
– K Anders Carlson, Green Bay Packers: Carlson, a sixth-round draft pick, was let go after losing a competition for the starting kicker spot despite having a solid performance in college.
– WR Allen Robinson, New York Giants: Despite being a former 1,000-yard receiver, Robinson was cut by the Giants before officially taking the field, marking a turbulent last three years across three teams.
– RB Matt Breida, San Francisco 49ers: Breida’s attempt to revive his career with the 49ers came to an end as the team opted for other running backs, including Christian McCaffrey.
These cuts mark a significant moment as teams prepare for the upcoming 2024 NFL season.