Introduction to Roster Cuts
The NFL has begun its process of trimming rosters down to 53, resulting in the release of over 1,100 players. Among those released is quarterback Tommy DeVito, a local fan favorite who was waived by the New York Giants on Tuesday. DeVito, an undrafted free agent and northern New Jersey native, had been nicknamed "Tommy Cutlets." His release was not unexpected, given the team’s signings of veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, as well as the selection of Jaxson Dart in the first round.
Notable Quarterback Releases
Several notable quarterbacks have been released as teams finalize their rosters. Kyle Trask lost his job as Baker Mayfield’s backup in Tampa Bay, with the team choosing veteran Teddy Bridgewater as the No. 2 quarterback. Tyler Huntley did not make the cut in Cleveland, despite joining the Browns earlier this month. Desmond Ridder, who has a career record of 8-10 as a starter, was cut by the Cincinnati Bengals. The Dallas Cowboys waived Will Grier, while the Atlanta Falcons released quarterback Easton Stick, who had been the team’s starter through the preseason.
Release of Veteran Quarterbacks
The release of veteran quarterbacks continues, with Trevor Siemian being cut by the Tennessee Titans. Siemian, who has a career record of 15-18 in seven seasons, will be replaced by Brandon Allen as the backup to No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward. Rookie sixth-round pick Kyle McCord did not make Philadelphia’s initial roster and is a candidate for the practice squad if another team does not sign him.
Other Notable Cuts
In addition to the quarterback releases, several other notable players have been cut. Wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, a 2021 Pro Bowl selection, was released by the Carolina Panthers after attempting to make a comeback following a severe case of ulcerative colitis. The team also cut former starting nose tackle Shy Tuttle after rebuilding its defensive line earlier in the offseason. The Pittsburgh Steelers released wideout Robert Woods, who has 863 receptions, while veteran defensive back Jalen Mills was cut by the Houston Texans.
Coaching Perspectives on Roster Cuts
NFL coaches often cite cutting players as the worst part of their job. Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott expressed his empathy for the players, stating that it "rips at my heart" to have to release them. Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles noted that when a team has several talented players competing for the same position, the cuts become harder. However, he also acknowledged that it is a welcome problem, as it indicates that the team has a strong roster.
Practice Squad and Future Opportunities
Teams can bring players back on the practice squad if another team does not claim them off waivers. Each team can have up to 16 players on the practice squad, including a maximum of six eligible veteran players with unlimited experience. Players can be signed off a practice squad to another team’s active roster at any time, providing them with future opportunities.
Conclusion
The NFL’s roster cuts have resulted in the release of numerous players, including quarterbacks Tommy DeVito, Kyle Trask, and Trevor Siemian. While these cuts can be difficult for coaches and players alike, they are a necessary part of the league’s process. As teams finalize their rosters, players who have been released will be looking for new opportunities, whether it be on a practice squad or with another team.
FAQs
- Q: Why do NFL teams have to cut players?
A: NFL teams have to cut players to trim their rosters down to 53, as mandated by the league. - Q: What happens to players who are released?
A: Players who are released can be claimed by other teams, signed to a practice squad, or become free agents. - Q: Can players be signed off a practice squad to an active roster?
A: Yes, players can be signed off a practice squad to another team’s active roster at any time. - Q: How many players can a team have on its practice squad?
A: A team can have up to 16 players on its practice squad, including a maximum of six eligible veteran players with unlimited experience.
Tommy DeVito is among the quarterbacks looking for a new team.
The New York Giants waived the local fan favorite on Tuesday as teams released more than 1,100 players before the deadline to trim rosters down to 53.
Elsewhere, Kyle Trask lost his job as Baker Mayfield’s backup in Tampa Bay after the team chose veteran Teddy Bridgewater to hold the No. 2 position. Tyler Huntley didn’t make the cut in Cleveland. The veteran QB joined the Browns earlier this month as the fifth QB behind veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Pickett was traded to Las Vegas on Monday.
Desmond Ridder, who is 8-10 in his career as a starter, was cut by the Cincinnati Bengals. The Dallas Cowboys waived Will Grier.
The Atlanta Falcons released quarterback Easton Stick, the team’s starter through the preseason as coach Raheem Morris protected starter Michael Penix Jr. and veteran backup Kirk Cousins. The release of Stick and Ben DiNucci temporarily leaves the team with only Penix and Cousins at the position.
Trevor Siemian, who is 15-18 in seven seasons, was cut by the Tennessee Titans, leaving Brandon Allen to back up No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward.
Rookie sixth-round pick Kyle McCord didn’t make Philadelphia’s initial roster. The quarterback out of Syracuse is a candidate for the practice squad if another team doesn’t sign him. The defending Super Bowl champions acquired Sam Howell to back up Jalen Hurts and Tanner McKee.
DeVito, an undrafted free agent and a northern New Jersey native who picked up the nickname “Tommy Cutlets,” was not expected to make the team after the signings of veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston and selection of Jaxson Dart in the first round.
Other notable cuts
Wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, a 2021 Pro Bowl selection who was attempting to make a comeback after sitting out all of last season with a severe case of ulcerative colitis that caused him to lose 35 pounds, was released by the Carolina Panthers. The team also cut former starting nose tackle Shy Tuttle after rebuilding its defensive line earlier this offseason.
The Pittsburgh Steelers released wideout Robert Woods, who has 863 receptions. Diontae Johnson (Browns), KJ Hamler (Bills) and Mecole Hardman (Packers) are among the wide receivers who were let go.
Veteran defensive back Jalen Mills was cut by the Houston Texans. Mills has started 91 games at cornerback and safety.
Worst part of the job
Ask any NFL coach the worst part of the job and the overwhelming response will be cutting players.
“It rips at my heart. It does because if they were my son, I see them through that lens because my kids are getting older now and you see how hard they work and what they put into it and they’ve done everything that we’ve asked,” Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “These guys are so grateful, they’re so appreciative and full of class. Again, it’s hard from a football standpoint but even harder from a, ‘Hey, these guys are good guys and they’re winners,’ (standpoint). Sometimes it doesn’t last in football, right? But that’s where you get a reminder that football isn’t everything and life is what’s most important. I told these guys they’re going to be winners in life and that’s ultimately what is most important.”
Teams that have several talented players competing for the same position end up with the toughest decisions. It’s a welcome problem.
“When you become a good team, the cuts get harder,” Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said. “When you don’t have anything, you can keep everybody. The cuts become harder. It’s always difficult because you don’t want to be a guy to tell (someone) they can’t play pro ball anymore. It doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road, it just means it’s the end of the road here. That’s always tough when you have to tell someone that. I think any coach will tell you that same thing. (There are) always difficult decisions, but we understand that going in from a coaches’ and players’ standpoint, and we make decisions we think will make us better and we move on from there.”
Teams can bring guys back on the practice squad if another team doesn’t claim them off waivers. Each team can have up to 16 players, including a maximum of six eligible veteran players with unlimited experience, on the practice squad. The remainder have to be players with two or fewer accrued seasons. Teams can also have one additional player from the International Player Pathway program.
Players can be signed off a practice squad to another team’s active roster at any time.
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AP Sports Writers Charles Odum and Steve Reed, and AP Pro Football Writers Teresa M. Walker and Schuyler Dixon contributed.
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