NFL roster cuts 2025: Biggest surprises and unexpected released players
The NFL’s cutdown day is in the books and the 32 teams have their rosters ready for Week 1. Some big names have been left off those rosters after cut day.
It’s official. All 32 NFL teams have finalized their rosters and can now start locking in on their Week 1 matchups. Like always there were some surprising cuts made around the league as teams trimmed their roster to the legal limit.
These were the most surprising players that were let go on cutdown day.
Mike Edwards, S, Kansas City Chiefs
The two time Super Bowl winner was cut on Tuesday just a few months after signing a one-year deal with the AFC Champions. He won the Lomardi Trophy with the Tampa Bay Bucs in 2020 and with the Chiefs a couple years ago. He started all four playoff games in that Super Bowl run, but last year he played on three different teams and only played in eight games.
Hunter Renfrow, WR, Carolina Panthers
After a one year hiatus from football Hunter Renfrow looked to make his return in a place that is close to his heart. The former Clemson Tiger played the preseason in Carolina, and got plenty of snaps and reps but the Panthers decided to part ways with the former Raiders receiver.
Maquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Seattle Seahawks
MVS won back to back Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs and was a key part of the explosive led by Patrick Mahomes. Last season he bounced around Buffalo and New Orleans, scoring four TDs in 14 games, but was scooped up by the Seahawks this offseason. He caught just three passes for 33 yards in the three games, and Seattle let the former fifth round pick go.
Desmond Watson, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
He was the biggest cut of the day, literally. The 449 pound defensive tackle was the heaviest player to ever get drafted. He never played in practice or in preseason because the Bucs wanted him to lose weight, but he never reached the number that was going to get him on the field.
Tommy DeVito, QB , NY Giants
Tommy Cutlets became a cult legend in New York. The back up QB came in and won the hearts of Giants fans. The hometown hero who lived with his parents just a few miles down the road from Metlife Stadium had a pretty good preseason completing 30 of 38 passes for 323 yards and four TDs. Unfortunately for the local kid from Jersey, the Giants QB room is at capacity with Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston and rookie Jaxon Dart.
Hendon Hooker, QB, Detroit Lions
Hooker spent las season as the back up QB in Detroit last year after getting drafted in the third round of the 2023 draft. He played a couple games last year, mostly when the Lions had a big lead over their opponents, and completed 6 of 9 passes for 62 yards. This year he was beaten out by Kyle Allen after completing 22 of 40 passes for 187 yards, zero TDs and three interceptions.
Kenyon Green, G, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles traded away C.J. Gardner-Johnson shortly after winning the Super Bowl and they exchanged him for Kenyon Green and a 2026 sixth round pick. Now, the former first round draft pick from 2022 is currently without a team after the Eagles let him go.
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