When Are the NFL Roster Cuts?

The NFL preseason is underway and that means roster cuts are right around the corner. Here’s everything you need to know about when NFL teams will be trimming their rosters down to 53 players.

Introduction

The NFL roster cuts are always a tough time for players and fans alike. Every year, hundreds of players are forced to say goodbye to the team they’ve been working so hard to make. For some, it’s the end of their NFL career.

For others, it’s just the beginning. The NFL roster cuts are a chance for players to prove themselves to other teams and make a name for themselves in the league. It’s also a chance for fans to get a first look at the new crop of players who will be taking the field for their favorite team.

So, when are the NFL roster cuts? The answer may surprise you.

The NFL roster cuts are typically made in early September, right before the start of the regular season. However, this year, things are different. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the roster cuts have been moved to August 16th.

This means that there will be less time for players to prove themselves before they are cut from the team. It also means that fans will get a first look at the new crop of players much earlier than usual.

either way, the NFL roster cuts are always an exciting time for both players and fans alike.

NFL Roster Cuts

The NFL roster cuts are a time when every team in the NFL has to release a certain number of players from their team. This usually happens in late August or early September, right before the start of the regular season.

Preseason

The NFL preseason is a time when every team’s roster is cut down to the 53-man limit. This happens after training camp and the fourth preseason game. Players who are cut can sign with any other team, so there is always a lot of movement around the league before the regular season starts.

Regular Season

At the end of every preseason, each NFL team must reduce its roster to a maximum of 53 players. This deadline usually falls on the final Friday of the preseason, which is also referred to as “cut-down day.”

When Are the NFL Roster Cuts?
The NFL’s regular season officially kicks off on Thursday, September 5th, 2019. However, roster cuts must be made by 4pm ET on Saturday, August 31st.

Ahead of cut-down day, every team will have to play four preseason games. These exhibition matchups give coaches a chance to evaluate their players in actual game action and help make decisions on which players will ultimately make the team’s final 53-man roster.

It’s important to note that teams are not required to reduce their rosters to 53 players immediately following the fourth and final preseason game. In fact, many teams choose to wait until after the preseason finale to make their final cuts so they can get a better look at players who might be on the bubble.

Postseason

After the regular season ends, NFL teams can sign free agents and make trades. These moves can take place starting the Monday after the final regular season game, but most of the activity happens during what’s called the legal tampering period, which begins two days before the start of the new league year. The new league year begins on March 17 this year.

During the legal tampering period, teams are allowed to contact and enter into contract negotiations with pending free agents from other teams. At 4 p.m. ET on March 17, all pending free agents can sign with any team, and trades involving players can finally be processed.

In addition to adding veteran free agents and completing trades, teams will also be signing players from their practice squads and making other roster moves in order to get down to the 53-man limit by 4 p.m. ET on September 5.

There are a few roster exemptions that allow teams to keep more than 53 players on their rosters during the offseason and preseason. These exemptions are:

-One player who has served at least six games on a “ Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform” list;
-One player who has served at least 10 games on a “Reserve/Non-Football Injury” or “Reserve/Non-Football Illness” list;
-Up to 21 additional players for each team’s offseason workout program;
-Unlimited number of players who were injured during preseason games and placed on injured reserve after being cut from the roster;
-Unlimited number of rookies who were drafted in the previous year or signed as undrafted free agents in the previous year; and
-Unlimited number of first-year players who were drafted or signed as undrafted free agents in any other year.

Conclusion

Conclusion
The final NFL roster cuts will be made on September 2nd, just before the start of the regular season. NFL teams will have to reduce their rosters from 90 players down to 53. This means that 37 players will be cut from each team. These cuts can be very difficult for some players, as they have been working hard their whole lives to make it to the NFL only to be cut right before the season starts.