The countdown to the 2024 regular season is well underway, with teams gearing up for their Week 1 showdowns. However, before they can fully focus on their opening game, they must first navigate the challenging task of finalizing their 53-man roster.
The deadline for the 53-man roster cuts looms large, with all 32 NFL teams required to trim their squads from 90 to 53 players by 4 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Aug. 28th. This pivotal deadline will see numerous players across the league facing the harsh reality of being let go, as teams make the tough decisions necessary to shape their final roster.
Adding an extra layer of complexity to the process is the vested veteran rule, which comes into play during roster cuts. This rule designates a player as “vested” after completing four accrued seasons in the NFL. Vested veterans enjoy certain benefits, such as bypassing the waiver wire if they are released and having their salary guaranteed if they remain on an active roster for Week 1 of the regular season. With practice squads permitted to hold up to four vested veterans, teams are faced with the dilemma of whether to retain these experienced players or take a chance on securing them via waivers.
As teams maneuver through the roster cutdowns, there is a delicate balance to strike between releasing players and potentially losing them to other teams, or stashing them on the practice squad for the 2024 season. The decisions made in the coming days will shape the makeup of each team’s roster and could have significant implications for the season ahead.
Keep up with all the latest roster moves as teams finalize their 53-man squads, as the NFL landscape shifts in anticipation of the highly anticipated 2024 season kickoff. Stay tuned to see which players find new opportunities elsewhere, and which veterans may have a chance to continue their NFL journey with a spot on a practice squad. The drama of roster cuts is just beginning, and the impact will be felt throughout the league as teams set their sights on Week 1.
