When is the final cut deadline for NFL teams to announce their final rosters?
As the NFL preseason wraps up and the excitement for the regular season builds, teams are starting to close their final rosters for the coming year.
The final cut deadline is a crucial juncture for teams as they finalize their rosters for the upcoming season. Coaches and general managers have to evaluate a wide array of factors, including player performance in training camp and preseason games, potential injuries, and overall team needs.
For many players, particularly undrafted free agents and late-round draft picks, this is the last chance to prove they belong on the team. Preseason games often serve as their primary audition. A strong performance could secure them a spot on the active roster, while a subpar showing might lead to a release or placement on the practice squad.
When is the final roster cut deadline for the 2024 season?
The final roster cut deadline is the last opportunity for NFL teams to trim their rosters down to the league-mandated 53 players. This deadline typically occurs on the Tuesday following the final preseason game, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. For the 2024 NFL season, the deadline was set for Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 4:00 PM ET.
Post cut options
A team can keep a player on their practice squad, which consists of 16 players that aren’t a part of the roster.
Getting signed to the practice squad allows that player to continue practicing during the week, while getting reps and if they play well enough there is a chance they get called up to the 53 man roster depending on injuries or trades later in the season.
Those down the depth chart coming into this week understand their time to impress is running out, and if they are going to make the roster, they are going to have to convince coaches with in the next few days.