NFL Cutdown Day: Most Notable Players Released (Live Updates)

Over 1,000 players will be cut across the NFL over the next two days.

Tommy DeVito was released by the Giants on Monday. / Mark Smith-Imagn Images

The NFL's biggest roster transaction day of the year is upon us. Prior to Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, all 32 teams must cut their rosters down from 90 to 53 players ahead of the 2025 season.

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Over 1,000 players will be waived, released, or shelved with an injury designation and, while some will end up on practice squads, these next two days will unfortunately mark the end of the road for many trying to follow their dream.

Additionally, some surprise cuts will also come across the wire as teams look to either get younger or simply move on from players you may not think were on the chopping block.

Here's a look at some of the notable releases around the league:

Patriots Release WR Kendrick Bourne

New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne was released Wednesday / Eric Canha-Imagn Images

The Patriots are moving on from veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, having granted him his release on Wednesday after the 30-year-old reportedly requested to be let go.

Bourne spent the last four seasons in New England, where he racked up 155 catches, 1,945 yards and 11 touchdowns across 53 games. The Patriots added Stefon Diggs this offseason and also drafted wide receiver Kyle Williams in the third round, which ultimately meant there was less opportunity for Bourne to see targets in the offense.

Chargers Release QB Taylor Heinicke

Veteran quarterback Taylor Heinicke was one of two notable quarterbacks to be cut by the Chargers. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Chargers are comfortable without a veteran backup quarterback to star signal caller Justin Herbert.

32-year-old Taylor Heinicke was among the players that failed to lock up a roster spot with Los Angeles on Tuesday, paving the way for former No. 3 pick Trey Lance to serve as Herbert's backup. The Chargers also released rookie D.J. Uiagalelei on Tuesday.

49ers Release WR Robbie Chosen

Robbie Chosen was released by the 49ers on Tuesday. / David Gonzales-Imagn Images

The 49ers released veteran wide receiver Robbie Chosen as part of their roster cuts on Tuesday.

Chosen, a journeyman who has logged stints with the Jets, Panthers, Cardinals, and Dolphins, signed with San Francisco this offseason as they dealt with injuries to multiple pass catchers. Following the team's acquisition of Skyy Moore last week, the 32-year-old has now been released.

Patriots Release G Cole Strange

Cole Strange was cut by the Patriots on Tuesday. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Patriots shocked analysts everywhere in 2022 by picking Strange late in the first round out of Chattanooga. His tenure in New England wound up short and rocky. Strange finishes his Patriots career with 30 games played in three seasons.

Browns Release Veteran K Dustin Hopkins

Dustin Hopkins was released on Tuesday. / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

We have a winner in the Browns' kicker competition, with Andre Szmyt coming out victorious. In a corresponding move, the team is releasing veteran Dustin Hopkins.

Seahawks Release WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling

The Saints released MVS on Tuesday. / Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Marquez Valdez-Scantling is among the odd men out in a relatively crowded Seahawks wide receiver room. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Seattle is releasing the veteran pass catcher.

MVS spent four seasons with the Packers to begin his career before winning back-to-back Super Bowls with the Chiefs in 2022 and '23. He then began last season with the Bills before being released and signing with the Saints.

Panthers Release WR Hunter Renfrow

Hunter Renfrow was released by the Panthers on Tuesday. / Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

The Panthers roster cuts on Tuesday included a former Pro Bowl pass catcher. According to multiple reports, the team released veteran wide receiver Hunter Renfrow.

Renfrow tallied one 1,000-yard season with the Raiders in 2021 but saw a dip in production in '22 and '23. He sat out in 2024 before an attempted comeback with Carolina. Unfortunately, he didn't make the cut.

Commanders Release QB Sam Hartman

Sam Hartman was waived by the Commanders on Tuesday. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Quarterback Sam Hartman was released by the Commanders on Tuesday, per NFL Network. The signal caller had been competing with Marcus Mariota and Josh Johnson for the backup spot behind Jayden Daniels.

Hartman, 26, signed with Washington as an undrafted free agent last offseason and spent 2024 bouncing between their active roster and practice squad. According to Ian Rapoport, he figures to be a practice squad candidate once again, should he clear waivers.

Commanders Release DE Clelin Ferrell

Clelin Ferrell was released by the Commanders on Tuesday. / Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

The Commanders are releasing defensive end and former first-round pick Clelin Ferrell, according to independent reporter Ben Standig.

Ferrell was drafted fourth overall by the Raiders in 2019 and spent his first four seasons out west before stints with the 49ers and Washington. His lone season with the Commanders in 2024 saw him rack up 25 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and one forced fumble.

Bills Release WR K.J. Hamler

KJ Hamler was this year's Hard Knocks darling. / Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Unfortunately, being a fan favorite on HBO's Hard Knocks can't you a regular season roster spot.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Bills are releasing wide receiver KJ Hamler. A former second-round pick, the 26-year-old spent last season on Buffalo's practice squad and was competing for a spot in a crowded pass catcher room in 2025.

Saints Cut RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire

The Saints terminated Clyde Edwards-Helaire's contract on Tuesday. / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

The Saints have terminated the contract of running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, according to NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill.

A 2019 national champion with the LSU Tigers, Edwards-Helaire was a first-round pick of the Chiefs in 2020 and spent his first 4.5 seasons in Kansas City before returning to Louisiana late last season. He gned with the Saints' practice squad in December and played in two games with them, rushing for 46 yards on 13 attempts while also hauling in three catches for 24 yards.

Edward-Helaire joins veteran Cam Akers as the second running back released by the Saints ahead of Tuesday's roster deadline. Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller are expected to take on the majority of the workload in the room.

Saints Release QB Jake Haener

Jake Haener was released by the Saints. / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Despite not yet naming a starter, the Saints have made a quarterback decision ahead of the 2025 season. According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, New Orleans is waiving Jake Haener and will only carry two quarterbacks on its 53-man roster.

Haener was drafted by the Saints in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft and after not playing as a rookie, appeared in eight games in '24—including one start. He completed 18-of-39 passes for 226 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

Bengals Release QB Desmond Ridder

Desmond Ridder signed with the Bengals this offseason. / Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Bengals are releasing quarterback Desmond Ridder, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The 25-year-old was a third-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 2022 and has started 18 games in his NFL career.

Ridder signed with Cincinnati late last month, but failed to secure the backup quarterback job behind Joe Burrow.

Packers Releasing Former Top-10 Pick Isaiah Simmons

Isaiah Simmons was released by the Packers on Tuesday. / Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images

The Green Bay Packers are cutting ties with a former first-round pick. According to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz, they're releasing linebacker Isaiah Simmons.

Simmons was drafted by the Cardinals with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2020 draft, but has had a difficult time finding a permanent NFL home. After three seasons in Arizona, the 27-year-old was traded to the Giants ahead of the 2023 campaign and spent the last two years in New York. He then signed with Green Bay this offseason, but has now been released ahead of final roster cuts.

Browns Release WR Diontae Johnson

Diontae Johnson will once again be looking for a new home. / Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Browns are releasing veteran wide receiver Diontae Johnson, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The transaction marks the eighth involving Johnson over the last 18 months. The 29-year-old was drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2019 draft and, after being traded to the Panthers in 2024, has spent time with the Ravens, Texans, and—most recently—Cleveland.

He'll now look for his sixth NFL home.

Giants Release QB Tommy DeVito

Tommy DeVito has spent his entire NFL career with the Giants. / Mark Smith-Imagn Images

The Tommy Cutlets era in New York looks to be coming to an end. According to multiple reports, the Giants are releasing fan-favorite quarterback Tommy DeVito.

DeVito, 27, signed with New York as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and spent the last two seasons on and off the team's active roster. He has started eight games, going 3-5 with eight touchdown passes, three interceptions, and a rushing touchdown.

Chiefs Release S Mike Edwards

Mike Edwards was released by the Chiefs on Tuesday. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

In a move NFL Network's Tom Pelissero dubbed a "surprise," the Chiefs are releasing veteran safety Mike Edwards.

Edwards is a two-time Super Bowl champion, having won LV with the Buccaneers and LVIII with Kansas City. The 29-year-old returned to the Chiefs this past April on a one-year deal, marking his second stint with the club. He'll now look for a new home.

Lions Release OT Dan Skipper

The journeyman offensive tackle was released by the Lions on Monday. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Veteran offensive tackle Dan Skipper was released by the Lions on Monday afternoon, per Detroit Football Network's Justin Rogers. The 30-year-old is known for his height (at 6' 10", he's the tallest active NFL player and second tallest in league history) and for catching a touchdown pass from Jared Goff last season.

In a league desperate for tackle depth, it's hard to believe Skipper will be jobless for long.

Buccaneers Release Kyle Trask, Name Teddy Bridgewater Backup QB

Kyle Trask lost the Buccaneers backup QB job to Teddy Bridgewater. / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Buccaneers released Kyle Trask on Monday and, in turn, handed the backup quarterback job to veteran Teddy Bridgewater.

Trask was selected by Tampa Bay in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft and, after not logging a snap as a rookie, went 4-of-11 passing for 28 yards in seven appearances over the last three seasons.

Commanders Release WR Michael Gallup

Michael Gallup was released by the Commanders on Monday. / Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

The contract extension that Terry McLaurin agreed to with the Commanders on Monday gave them some much-needed help in the wide receiver room. Unfortunately, another veteran pass catcher is now suffering the consequences.

According to multiple reports, Washington released wide receiver Michael Gallup on Monday. The 29-year-old was a third-round pick of the Cowboys in 2018 and spent his first six seasons in Dallas before being released in March of 2024. After briefly retiring following an offseason stint with the Raiders last fall, he returned to football this spring for another chance in Washington, but didn't make the cut.

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Lions Release QB Hendon Hooker

Hendon Hooker had been in competition with Kyle Allen for Detroit's backup quarterback job. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Lions have unofficially named a backup quarterback to Jared Goff. On Monday, they waived Hendon Hooker, meaning Kyle Allen has won the job.

Hooker was drafted by Detroit in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft, but missed the majority of his rookie season after tearing his ACL during his final year at Tennessee. He was active for three games last season, completing 6-of-9 pass attempts for 21 yards in cleanup duty.

He'll now look for a change of scenery, something head coach Dan Campbell recently suggested could be beneficial for the young quarterback.

Chiefs Release QB Bailey Zappe

Bailey Zappe was in competition to back up Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Chiefs began trimming the fat in their crowded quarterback room on Monday, releasing veteran signal-caller Bailey Zappe.

The 26-year-old was in the midst of his second stint in Kansas City, competing with Gardner Minshew and Chris Oladokun for the backup job behind Patrick Mahomes. Zappe is a veteran with nine NFL starts under his belt.

Eagles Release OL Kenyon Green

Kenyon Green was waived on Monday. / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

After making a three-peat of trades on Sunday, the Eagles have begun to trim their roster down on Monday. According to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz, the team is waiving offensive lineman Kenyon Green.

The 24-year-old was selected by the Texans in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft and spent his first three seasons in Houston, starting 23 of 27 games played. He was traded to Philly this offseason as part of the C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade, but with no clear path to a starting spot behind Landon Dickerson and Tyler Steen, the team is now moving on.

Saints Release RB Cam Akers

Cam Akers was released by the Saints on Monday. / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

The Saints released running back Cam Akers on Monday afternoon ahead of Tuesday's final cutdown day, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. He had been listed as the third running back on New Orleans's unofficial depth chart behind Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller.

Akers was drafted by the Rams in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft. He tore his Achilles tendon ahead of the 2021 season, but returned in the postseason to help Los Angeles win Super Bowl LVI. The 26-year-old has also spent time with the Vikings and the Texans.

Dolphins Release CB Mike Hilton

Mike Hilton was released on Monday. / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Dolphins released veteran cornerback Mike Hilton on Monday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The 31-year-old signed with Miami late last month and had been listed as their top nickel cornerback throughout the preseason. An undrafted free agent in 2016, Hilton has spent time with the Steelers and Bengals throughout his eight-year career.

Browns Release QB Snoop Huntley

Snoop Huntley was released by the Browns on Sunday. / Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The Browns released quarterback Tyler "Snoop" Huntley on Sunday afternoon. The veteran signal caller was signed by Cleveland earlier this month following injuries to Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders that hindered the room.

No longer in need of an additional training camp arm, the Browns are moving on—yet it still looks like they're set on keeping four quarterbacks to begin the season.

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