NFL teams trim rosters to 53 players ahead of deadline
All 32 NFL clubs must cut their offseason rosters to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 30, with several trades and waivers already underway.
The NFL’s annual roster deadline will take effect at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 30, forcing each of the league’s 32 teams to reduce their 90-player offseason rosters to the mandated 53-man limit. The cuts will affect roughly 1,184 players, many of whom are expected to join practice squads or be claimed off waivers by other clubs.
Players with four or fewer accrued seasons are subject to waivers, allowing other teams to claim them before the start of the 2026 season. Notable names on the bubble include Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy and veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who is seeking a comeback after missing the 2025 season.
A handful of trades have already been completed ahead of the deadline. The Jacksonville Jaguars acquired quarterback Quinn Ewers from the Miami Dolphins, while the Dallas Cowboys obtained offensive tackle Broderick Jones from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Dolphins also received quarterback Kyle McCord from the Green Bay Packers for a sixth-round pick, and the Steelers sent defensive lineman Kaleb Johnson to the Packers.
USA TODAY Sports is maintaining a live tracker of roster moves, listing released and waived players for each team. The list includes a range of positions, from defensive backs and linebackers to wide receivers and offensive linemen, as clubs finalize their 53-man rosters.