As the excitement builds in New York, NFL teams are gearing up for the start of the 2024 regular season. With Week 1 on the horizon, clubs are focusing heavily on finalizing their rosters. The deadline for NFL teams to cut down their rosters from 90 to 53 players is swiftly approaching, set for Tuesday, Aug. 27, at 4 p.m. ET.
This year’s cut day is anticipated to be particularly intense, as teams will face tough decisions about which players to release. There’s a sense of unpredictability surrounding roster cuts, especially with the vested veteran rule coming into play. Players with four or more accrued seasons in the NFL are considered “vested.” This classification allows these players to have some added security—they won’t have to go through the waiver wire if they are cut, and they can count on their salaries being guaranteed if they make the active roster by Week 1.
Another interesting aspect of the cuts is the practice squad. Teams have the option to keep up to four vested veterans on their practice squads. This is particularly valuable as it keeps experienced players available without exposing them to being claimed by other teams. This makes cutdown day even more important for both teams and players alike, as familiar faces might reappear in unexpected roles.
The anticipation around these roster cuts is palpable, and fans should keep an eye on the updated tracker for all 32 teams. It’s worth noting that while some players will be waived, many will find new homes or return to their original clubs on practice squads, as teams start forming their final lineups for the upcoming season.
