As the countdown to the 2024 NFL season nears its end, the scramble to finalize team rosters has led to a whirlwind of significant trades, cuts, and strategic maneuvers. With rosters being trimmed from up to 90 players to the required 53, teams have made several moves that could impact their performance and depth for the upcoming season.
Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs Make Notable Swap
In a noteworthy move, the Dallas Cowboys traded tight end Peyton Hendershot to the Kansas City Chiefs. Hendershot, who will now compete for a backup role behind the all-pro tight end Travis Kelce, was exchanged for a conditional late-round draft pick. This acquisition could provide the Chiefs with additional depth and flexibility, particularly crucial for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Arizona Cardinals Reshuffle Defensive Lineup
The Arizona Cardinals have been particularly active in the trade market. They sent linebacker Cameron Thomas, a third-round pick from the 2022 draft, to the Kansas City Chiefs in return for a seventh-round pick. In a separate transaction, the Cardinals also traded linebacker Ernest Jones to the Tennessee Titans. This deal saw the Rams receiving a 2026 sixth-round pick in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick. Jones, who has served as a starting inside linebacker and team captain, will be a significant addition to the Titans' defense.
Quarterback Moves Shake Up Rosters
Quarterback Malik Willis has been traded by the Tennessee Titans to the Green Bay Packers, where he is positioned to serve as the backup to Jordan Love. This deal also included a seventh-round pick. Concurrently, the Packers released another quarterback from their 2022 draft class, Sean Clifford, signaling a clear shift in their strategy and depth chart heading into the new season.
Seattle Seahawks Bolster Defensive Front
Edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu's absence due to a sprained MCL has prompted the Seattle Seahawks to bolster their defensive line by acquiring Trevis Gipson from the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Seahawks secured Gipson in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick, hoping to shore up a defense that will be missing one of its key performers.
Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears Exchange Defensive Linemen
The Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears have finalized a deal involving defensive lineman Chris Williams. Williams, who spent last season on the practice squad, was sent to the Bears along with a seventh-round pick, with the Browns receiving a sixth-round pick in return. This trade emphasizes both teams' efforts to tweak their defensive rosters as they prepare for the season ahead.
Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears Swap Defensive Talent
In another move, the Seattle Seahawks traded Darrell Taylor to the Chicago Bears. Taylor’s involvement in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick highlights the ongoing roster adjustments teams are making to enhance their defensive depth and agility.
New York Jets and Buffalo Bills Focus on Special Teams
The New York Jets traded defensive back and return specialist Brandon Codrington to the Buffalo Bills. The deal included a swap of late-round picks in 2026. Codrington's special teams abilities will be a valuable asset to the Bills, while the Jets use this trade to tweak their future draft positions.
As the final roster cuts loom, these trades reflect strategic decisions aimed at strengthening core positions, adding depth, and optimizing future draft prospects. Fans and analysts alike eagerly await the outcomes as teams set the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating NFL season.