As the anticipation for the 2024 NFL season builds, the final week before kickoff is rife with roster adjustments. Teams are trimming their rosters from as many as 90 players down to the requisite 53, making for a week filled with dramatic trades, waivers, and releases.
Key Trades and Adjustments
Tuesday was particularly eventful, as the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs struck a noteworthy deal. The Cowboys traded tight end Peyton Hendershot to the Chiefs in exchange for a conditional late-round draft pick. Hendershot is expected to provide depth behind Travis Kelce, adding another option for the potent Kansas City offense.
In another move involving the Chiefs, the Arizona Cardinals traded linebacker Cameron Thomas to Kansas City for a seventh-round pick. Thomas, a third-round selection in the 2022 draft, is poised to reinforce the Chiefs' linebacker unit.
Strategic Moves in Arizona and Tennessee
The Arizona Cardinals were busy on the trade front, also sending linebacker Ernest Jones to the Tennessee Titans. The complicated deal saw the Rams including a 2026 sixth-round pick in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick. Ernest Jones, a starting inside linebacker and team captain, is expected to bring leadership and skill to the Titans' defense.
Quarterback Shifts
A significant quarterback move came when the Tennessee Titans traded Malik Willis to the Green Bay Packers. The transaction included a seventh-round pick, and Willis will now serve as the backup to Jordan Love. As part of this adjustment, the Packers released fellow 2022 draft pick Sean Clifford, demonstrating their commitment to their new quarterback hierarchy.
Defensive Line Adjustments
Switching focus to the Jacksonville Jaguars, they traded defensive lineman Trevis Gipson to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2025 sixth-round pick. This move is likely in response to the Seahawks' pressing need for depth due to Uchenna Nwosu's absence with a sprained MCL.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns sent defensive lineman Chris Williams to the Chicago Bears. The trade package saw Williams and a seventh-round pick heading to Chicago in exchange for a sixth-round pick. Williams, who spent last season on the practice squad, will look to make a more significant impact with the Bears.
More Defensive Trades
The Seahawks continued to adjust their roster by trading Darrell Taylor to the Chicago Bears for a 2025 sixth-round pick. This move further strengthens a Bears squad looking to bolster their defensive options.
Special Teams Transactions
The New York Jets also made moves, trading defensive back and return specialist Brandon Codrington to the Buffalo Bills. The Jets received a swap of late-round picks in 2026 in exchange for Codrington, who is expected to enhance the Bills' special teams unit.
As these trades and roster cuts demonstrate, the NFL's offseason period leading up to the regular season is as dynamic as ever. Teams are not just preparing for week one; they are setting the stage for a potentially transformative season. Whether these trades will yield the intended impact remains to be seen, but the excitement and anticipation among fans are already palpable.