The NFL cutdown deadline arrives Sunday at 6 p.m.
NFL front offices face a frantic timeline to shape their regular-season squads. According to the roster cutdown deadline schedule, all 32 franchises must finalize their 53-man active rosters by Sunday at 6 p.m. ET, cutting down from the 90-man training camp limit. The personnel moves continue immediately afterward, with waiver claims due Monday at 1 p.m. ET as teams race to construct their practice squads.
Coaches Face Tough Decisions as Roster Cuts Hit NFL Headquarters
The mandatory trimming process brings inevitable turnover across every franchise. New York Jets leadership captured the emotional weight of the weekend following Friday’s preseason finale against the Giants.
“This is always the toughest part of the year for any coach, and I don’t care how long I’ve been in this league, it’s always tough. This league goes on and you have to make these cuts and try to build your team to where it needs to be. So, look forward to that. Me and Mougey have a ton of discussions about a lot of people and that’s been our protocol no matter what. Looking forward to having discussions to try to build this team the way it needs to be built.”
Aaron Glenn, New York Jets head coach, via New York Post
Describing the harsh reality of roster management, Glenn noted plainly that you crush dreams when delivering the news to players who fail to make the 53-man active squad.
Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens Complete Pre-Deadline Trade
Ahead of the roster deadline, transaction activity picked up on the trade market.
Pounds, an undrafted rookie out of North Carolina and Ole Miss, earned a stellar 90.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus across two preseason weeks with Baltimore, allowing zero sacks, hurries, or hits over 15 pass-blocking snaps. Rather than risk losing him on waivers, Baltimore traded the young lineman. Compensation is contingent on Kansas City’s available draft capital at the end of the 2026 season, sending either a 2027 or 2028 Day 3 pick to Baltimore.
The trade addresses immediate depth needs for Kansas City, which also acquired lineman Josh Ezeudu from the New York Giants. The Chiefs’ offensive line reinforcements arrive while left tackle Josh Simmons recovers from a back injury. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid expressed optimism regarding Simmons during a media session covered by the Kansas City Star.
“Yes. It’s going to take a little bit of time here. He’s a hard worker when it comes to these types of things. It’s just a matter of eliminating some of the pain that he has — and strength, making sure he has enough strength there.”
Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs head coach, via Bleacher Report
Veterans and Former First-Round Picks Face Roster Bubble Scrutiny
While undrafted youngsters and training camp bodies make up the bulk of final cuts, veteran players and former high draft picks face intense pressure. CBS Sports analysis highlights several notable names navigating uncertain roster territory, including Odell Beckham Jr. with the Giants, Darren Waller with the Panthers, and Mecole Hardman Jr.
In Pittsburgh, offensive lineman Jones faces an uphill battle following a difficult preseason. After undergoing spinal fusion surgery for a Week 12 neck injury that wiped out his 2025 season, Jones struggled heavily in the preseason, surrendering five quarterback pressures and two sacks against the Jets, according to Next Gen Stats data cited by NFL.com. His roster survival may hinge on the recovery progress of 2026 first-round offensive tackle Max Iheanachor, who returned to practice after missing over two weeks with a shoulder and neck injury.
Roster Projections Highlight Position Battles Across the League
As teams finalize their 53-man groupings, projected depth charts reveal strategic choices. For the New York Jets, the quarterback room carries just two signal-callers in roster projections, featuring Geno Smith and Cade Klubnik, though leadership weighs whether to add an experienced veteran from the open market. Health remains the primary concern in the Jets’ backfield, where running backs Breece Hall and Isaiah Davis work back from injuries ahead of the opener.
With waiver claims opening Monday, teams that lose fringe roster candidates on Sunday will have an immediate opportunity to reshape their practice squads and claim players cut loose by rival franchises before the regular season begins.
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