The NFL preseason has come to a close, and with it, teams have whittled down their rosters to the in-season limit of 53 players. Among the notable moves, the Atlanta Falcons have decided to keep three quarterbacks on their roster: Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr., and Taylor Heinicke. Heinicke, despite a modest 45.5% completion rate during the preseason, remains a part of the Falcons' plans.
Packers Shuffle Quarterbacks and Kickers
In Green Bay, the Packers made several significant roster changes. Newly drafted quarterbacks Sean Clifford from Penn State and Michael Pratt from Tulane didn’t make the cut. Shortly after, Malik Willis, previously with the Tennessee Titans, found a new home with the Packers through a trade. Additionally, the Packers cut their 2023 sixth-round pick, kicker Anders Carlson, opting instead to sign Greg Joseph to take on kicking duties.
Tennessee Titans Bolster Defense
The Tennessee Titans were active on the defensive front, acquiring cornerbacks L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie, as well as safeties Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams. Linebacker Kenneth Murray is also a new addition to their roster. Moreover, the Titans strengthened their defensive line by adding Sebastian Joseph-Day and rookie T'Vondre Sweat. Offensively, Tyler Boyd has joined the squad as a running back, with Lloyd Cushenberry as center and JC Latham rounding out their offensive tackle position.
Panthers and Steelers Make Strategic Trades
The Carolina Panthers have made strategic changes as well. General Manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales decided to cut wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. In a notable trade, the Panthers sent cornerback Donte Jackson and a sixth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In return, the Steelers traded wide receiver Diontae Johnson and a seventh-round pick to the Panthers. The Panthers clearly have an eye for offense, as evidenced by using three of their first four picks in the 2024 NFL Draft on offensive playmakers.
Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos' Quarterback Decisions
The Chicago Bears’ quarterback landscape remains steady, with Tyson Bagent securing the backup quarterback spot for the second consecutive year. Meanwhile, Desmond Ridder lost his backup role to Clayton Tune. Over in Denver, Tim Patrick, despite an impressive preseason performance where he caught all five of his targets, was let go by the Broncos. However, Patrick quickly found himself signed by the Detroit Lions. The Lions also brought in Hendon Hooker as their new backup quarterback. Hooker showed promise during the preseason, completing 29 of 44 passes for 300 yards, alongside rushing for 138 yards.
Roster Movements in Cincinnati and Jacksonville
The Cincinnati Bengals made the tough decision to cut Jackson Carman, a 2021 second-round pick. To reinforce their protection unit, they secured Trent Brown and Amarius Mims. In a significant move for the New England Patriots, Mac Jones was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones had an impressive preseason, completing 73.1% of his passes for 421 yards and delivering three touchdowns.
Texans and Bills Roster Updates
Elsewhere in the league, the Houston Texans released wide receiver Noah Brown. On a positive note for Texans fans, Tank Dell is fully recovered and ready to contribute to the team. The Buffalo Bills decided to cut Frank Gore Jr., who managed to rush for 101 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries during the preseason.
As the NFL season kicks off, fans can expect more surprises and strategic plays as teams adjust and optimize their rosters. These changes showcase each franchise's commitment to improving their squad and aiming for success in the upcoming season.