As the 2024 NFL season looms ever closer, the final week before kickoff has witnessed a flurry of roster adjustments as teams trim their rosters from 90 to the mandated 53 players. Tuesday saw numerous prominent trades, waivers, and releases that are poised to shake up rosters across the league.
Key Roster Moves
The Dallas Cowboys made headlines by sending tight end Peyton Hendershot to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a conditional late-round draft pick. Hendershot, who is expected to compete for a backup role behind the perennial star Travis Kelce, will look to bring depth to a tight end position crucial to the Chiefs' offensive schemes.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals were busy as well, trading linebacker Cameron Thomas to the Kansas City Chiefs for a seventh-round pick. Thomas, a third-round pick from the 2022 draft, is anticipated to add strength to the Chiefs' defense. Additionally, the Cardinals traded linebacker Ernest Jones to the Tennessee Titans. In a swap that included a 2026 sixth-round pick for a 2025 fifth-round pick, the Titans gain a key figure for their defense; Jones has been an indispensable starting inside linebacker and team captain.
Quarterback Shifts
The Tennessee Titans shipped quarterback Malik Willis to the Green Bay Packers. The deal involves a seventh-round pick and sees Willis stepping in as a backup to Jordan Love. In a corresponding move, the Packers released Sean Clifford, a fellow 2022 draft pick, who had been competing for the backup spot on the roster.
Defensive Trades
The Jacksonville Jaguars reached a deal to trade defensive lineman Trevis Gipson to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick. This move comes at a critical time for the Seahawks, who are currently missing their edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu due to a sprained MCL.
The Cleveland Browns also participated in the trading frenzy by sending defensive lineman Chris Williams to the Chicago Bears. The deal saw Williams and a seventh-round pick go to the Bears in exchange for a sixth-round pick. Williams spent last season on the practice squad and will be looking to prove his worth on Chicago's active roster.
In another exchange involving the Bears, the Seattle Seahawks traded Darrell Taylor to Chicago for a 2025 sixth-round pick. Taylor, a defensive end, is expected to strengthen the Bears' pass rush endeavors.
Moves in the Secondary
The New York Jets also made adjustments, trading defensive back and return specialist Brandon Codrington to the Buffalo Bills. The Jets received a swap of late-round picks in 2026 in return for Codrington. This move aims to bolster the Bills' special teams and secondary depth, while the Jets make strategic plans for the future.
As the 2024 season approaches, the impact of these last-minute changes will soon be realized on the field. Teams are not just finalizing their rosters but also making strategic enhancements that they hope will give them an edge throughout the upcoming season. Each player's move is a puzzle piece in what promises to be another thrilling NFL chapter.