As the anticipation for the 2024 NFL season builds, teams across the league are making crucial roster adjustments in the final week before kickoff. The directive to trim rosters from as many as 90 players down to the mandated 53 has led to a flurry of trades, waivers, and releases that are reshaping team dynamics.
Significant Trades and Acquisitions
One of the most notable developments came from the Dallas Cowboys. They sent tight end Peyton Hendershot to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a conditional late-round draft pick. Hendershot, now with the Chiefs, is expected to vie for a backup role behind the illustrious Travis Kelce, adding depth to Kansas City's tight end position.
Additionally, the Arizona Cardinals traded linebacker Cameron Thomas to the Chiefs for a seventh-round pick. Thomas, originally a third-round pick from the 2022 draft, will bring his athleticism and potential to Kansas City's defensively robust lineup.
Showing a willingness to restructure, the Cardinals also sent linebacker Ernest Jones to the Tennessee Titans. In this trade, the Rams included a 2026 sixth-round pick in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick. Jones, an impactful starting inside linebacker and team captain, will now bolster the Titans' defense.
Quarterback Movements
The quarterback carousel continues to spin, as the Tennessee Titans traded Malik Willis to the Green Bay Packers. Willis, involved in a deal that also included a seventh-round pick, is set to assume the backup role behind Jordan Love. As a result, the Packers decided to release Sean Clifford, another 2022 draft pick, making space for Willis on the roster.
Defensive Line Shifts
The Jacksonville Jaguars moved to strengthen their roster by trading defensive lineman Trevis Gipson to the Seattle Seahawks. In return, they acquired a 2025 sixth-round pick. This move comes at a crucial time as edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu is currently sidelined due to a sprained MCL, leaving the Seahawks in need of reinforcements.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns traded defensive lineman Chris Williams to the Chicago Bears. In this deal, Williams, along with a seventh-round pick, was exchanged for a sixth-round pick. Williams spent last season on the practice squad and now aims to carve out a role with the Bears.
Continuing their strategic adjustments, the Seattle Seahawks sent Darrell Taylor to the Chicago Bears for a 2025 sixth-round pick. This trade is part of the Bears' efforts to add depth and talent to their defensive line.
Special Teams and Secondary Adjustments
The New York Jets made a strategic trade by sending defensive back and return specialist Brandon Codrington to the Buffalo Bills. In return, the Jets received a swap of late-round picks in 2026. Codrington's presence will look to enhance the Bills' special teams and secondary units.
These roster moves, while significant, reflect only a portion of the upheaval as teams finalize their lineups ahead of the new season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these new acquisitions and releases impact team performance on the field. As the opening kickoff draws nearer, the excitement and anticipation for the 2024 NFL season continue to soar.