The days leading up to the start of the 2024 NFL season are always a whirlwind of activity, with teams across the league making critical cuts and trades to trim their rosters to the mandated 53 players. The final week has seen a flurry of strategic moves as teams strive to find the perfect balance for their line-ups.
Key Trades and Transfers
One of the headline trades from Tuesday involved the Dallas Cowboys sending tight end Peyton Hendershot to the Kansas City Chiefs for a conditional late-round draft pick. Hendershot, who is expected to compete for a backup role behind star tight end Travis Kelce, brings both promise and depth to the Chiefs' roster.
The Kansas City Chiefs were busy as well, acquiring linebacker Cameron Thomas from the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for a seventh-round pick. Drafted in the third round in 2022, Thomas is poised to bolster Kansas City’s defensive depth and could become a valuable asset in their linebacker rotation.
The Arizona Cardinals continued their roster reshuffle by trading linebacker Ernest Jones to the Tennessee Titans. In return, the Titans sent a 2025 fifth-round pick while the Cardinals included a 2026 sixth-round pick in the deal. Jones, who has been instrumental as a starting inside linebacker and team captain, will aim to bring his leadership and skill set to Tennessee's defense.
Quarterback Shake-Ups
Notable moves were also made in the quarterback landscape. Malik Willis of the Tennessee Titans found a new home with the Green Bay Packers. As part of the deal, the Titans received a seventh-round pick. Willis will step into the backup role behind Jordan Love, a situation that could offer valuable development opportunities for the young quarterback. Concurrently, the Packers released Sean Clifford, also a 2022 draft pick, making room for Willis on their roster.
Defensive Maneuvers
The Jacksonville Jaguars traded defensive lineman Trevis Gipson to the Seattle Seahawks. The Jaguars receive a 2025 sixth-round pick in return. This move comes as the Seahawks look to add depth to their defensive line, especially with edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu currently sidelined due to a sprained MCL. Gipson’s arrival is expected to provide much-needed support during Nwosu's recovery.
In another defensive line trade, the Cleveland Browns sent Chris Williams to the Chicago Bears. The Browns included a seventh-round pick and received a sixth-round pick in return. Williams, who spent last season on the practice squad, will look to capitalize on this fresh opportunity with the Bears.
Additionally, the Seahawks continued to fine-tune their roster by trading Darrell Taylor to the Chicago Bears for a 2025 sixth-round pick. The Bears, aiming to enhance their defensive capabilities, will benefit from Taylor’s presence on their squad.
Special Teams and Secondary Adjustments
The New York Jets made a move by trading defensive back and return specialist Brandon Codrington to the Buffalo Bills. In exchange, the Jets received a swap of late-round picks in 2026. Codrington's agility and versatility will be an asset to the Bills' secondary and special teams units.
As these trades demonstrate, each team is meticulously strategizing to fill gaps and strengthen their rosters. The movements of the past few days reflect not just immediate needs but long-term planning and investments in future seasons. With the final roster cuts and trades locked in, the league now shifts focus to the gridiron battles ahead, ready to showcase the fruits of their labor in the season opener.
These last-minute adjustments and strategic trades are what make the preseason buzz so intense, and fans are eagerly waiting to see how these changes will unfold on the field. The 2024 NFL season promises to be filled with excitement, as each team competes with their newly assembled line-ups, aiming for glory from kickoff to the final whistle.