NFL teams face mad scramble ahead of roster cut deadline due to little-known rule change

Aug 7, 2026 - 16:15

NFL training camps are underway and that means roster cuts are imminent.

With teams allowed up to a maximum of 90 players through the duration of their preseason preparations, finalizing the roster is one of the most difficult challenges facing general managers and their staff.

Rosters of up to 90 players are battling to impress head coaches

Training camp is the last chance to impress with three weeks of preseason action to come

Arizona and Carolina got the preseason off to an entertaining start in Thursday night’s Hall of Fame Game, but the rest of the teams begin their action on the field from August 13.

That is the first of three weeks of preseason games that will be crucial to those players on the bubble battling for a place on the roster, or even the practice squad, as the race to the Super Bowl in Los Angeles on February 14 begins.

Superstars are assured of their places, and unlikely to see the field other than for a few snaps or for a few plays to shake off the rust and please the fans.

But for rookies seeking to make an impression, notably undrafted or late round picks, it is the first chance for meaningful action, while for veterans hoping to catch on to a roster for another year in the league it’s just as important as their first camp.

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Coaches are tracking players’ performance throughout camp and are making constant changes to their depth charts.

Cuts are usually after each week of preseason, and the next three weeks will define the rosters and in many cases players futures.

This year, the NFL have tightened the deadline on finalizing the squad of 53.

Instead of a few additional days to mull over their decisions, general managers and head coaches now have a little over 24 hours from the final preseason games on August 29.

At the league’s Owner’s Meetings in May it was confirmed that the deadline this year would be 5pm CT (6pm ET) on August 30.

12 months ago, teams had an extra couple of days with the deadline on the Tuesday after the final preseason games, a date that had been in place for the last few seasons.

Patrick Mahomes might be assured of his place on a 53-man roster, but others face an anxious wait

General managers and head coaches are agonizing over their decisions and will have less time than previous years

Being cut doesn’t mean the end, players regular find their way onto another roster.

So more significantly is the knock-on effect on the waiver wire, where teams can claim players cut by other franchise.

The deadline for claims is now 12pm CT on Monday August 31, while teams will also be able to fill out their practice squads which will allow them to also keep hold of up to 17 players.

The 17th spot on a practice squad is reserved exclusively for international players via the NFL’s International Player Pathway Programme.

The race to make the 53-player roster is underway

When does NFL season start?

The final round of preseason games begins on Thursday August 27 and continues through to Saturday night when the Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears bring the curtain down on preparations.

All eyes then switch to Week 1, with the defending champion Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriots in a repeat of Super Bowl LX on a rare Wednesday night to start the season.

The NFL’s biggest slate of international matches then begins with the first ever game to be played in Australia between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday.

Opening week wraps up with an AFC West showdown on Monday Night Football when Patrick Mahomes is expected to return from injury as the Kansas City Chiefs welcome the Denver Broncos to Arrowhead Stadium.