NFL Roster Cut Deadline Passes After Backup QB Carousel

NFL clubs made their final training camp cuts Tuesday as the 53-man roster deadline passed at 4 p.m. ET following nearly 1,200 players being released since the weekend’s preseason finales.

Although there weren’t any franchise-altering moves, there was plenty of movement at the league’s most important position. Trades, releases, and new signings created somewhat of a backup quarterback carousel in recent days. Most teams have three, four, and five QBs during the preseason when rosters are at 90 players, but mostly carry only two on the active roster during the season.

Among the biggest moves was the Browns trading Kenny Pickett to the Raiders for a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Cleveland also released Tyler Huntley, as the team trimmed its packed QB room that still includes presumptive starter Joe Flacco, rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, and the injured Deshaun Watson.

The Vikings traded Sam Howell to the Eagles and signed Carson Wentz to serve as first-year starter J.J. McCarthy’s primary backup. 

In a surprise move, the Buccaneers released fifth-year pro Kyle Trask in favor of Teddy Bridgewater, 32, who just came out of retirement to sign with Tampa Bay earlier this month. 

Meanwhile, the Giants released Tommy DeVito, who gained fame as an undrafted rookie in 2023, as New York is set to move forward with veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston alongside rookie first-round pick Jaxson Dart. 

The Cousins Dilemma

The Falcons released two QBs, Ben DiNucci and Easton Stick, as Kirk Cousins, who has a $40 million salary-cap hit this season, looks set to back up second-year signal-caller Michael Penix Jr.
Cousins skipped some offseason team practices after asking for a trade, but he has been a full participant in training camp. The 37-year-old is entering the second season of a four-year, $180 million deal he signed as a free agent last March.